WADA INSIGHTS ------ INDEX

from the WIAA Bulletin

     I N D E X    .

Wisconsin Athletic Directors Association (WADA)

  “WADA Insights” is a column written by Mike Bates, the WADA Information Coordinator.
  His column pertains to a wide variety of topics of importance to athletic directors around
  the state, and it appears periodically in the WIAA Bulletin and will also be posted here
  on the WADA web site.
  Suggestions for future articles may be communicated to him via e-mail.     

2004-2005 School Year

July 1, 2005

  A.D. Workshop and WADA:
  great resources for any new athletic director

            Before the school bells toll the first time next fall, there will be many new athletic directors who this summer are looking to “learn the ropes.”  Two valuable options are available:

             (1)  the New Athletic Director Workshop on Wednesday, Aug. 3, at the WIAA Office in Stevens Point, and,
             (2)  become an active member of the Wisconsin Athletic Directors Association (WADA),
an organization open to anyone involved in the administration or supervision of interscholastic athletics at Wisconsin schools.

            Read the Article – July 1, 2005

May 27, 2005

WADA:  serving athletic directors throughout Wisconsin

            As the scope and direction of the Wisconsin Athletic Directors Association (WADA)
has evolved, the membership recently approved new wording for the vision, purpose and
mission statement.

A special committee came up with the wording when they also conducted a thorough review of the organization’s bylaws, which the WADA Board determined was needed to adequately reflect the changes and growth made by the association.

            The WADA Board expressed its appreciation to the committee, particularly chairperson
Linzi Gronning of Holmen, for the many hours of work put in to provide the WADA membership
its final version.  Other committee members:  John Frizzell of Wisconsin Dells, Brian Smith of Waunakee, Greg Smith of West De Pere and Todd Sobrilsky of Beaver Dam.

            Read the Article – May 27, 2005

May 13, 2005

WADA to offer Leadership Training Classes, CAA Exam

            Many interscholastic athletic administrators are often looking to improve in the area of professional growth.
            One way is through Leadership Training Classes (LTC) and the Certified Athletic Administrators (CAA) Exam.  You are encouraged to participate in the sessions that will be offered this summer.
            Read the Article – May 13, 2005

April 29, 2005

WADA to sponsor 21st annual Golf Outing

            You’re invited!

That’s right, all athletic directors, school administrators, coaches, sports officials, and  sponsors/vendors – whether currently active in that role or retired – are invited to participate
in the 21st annual WADA Golf Outing.
            It will be held Tuesday, July 19, at the Ridges Golf Course in Wisconsin Rapids,
a central Wisconsin location which the course owners call “The Hidden Treasure.”

            Read the Article – April 29, 2005

April 15, 2005

3-member officiating crews on the way in WIAA

            When the basketballs start bouncing next year at the Kohl Center at WIAA tournament time, there will be one noticeable, major change from the just-completed 2005 championships.

            And, the state’s athletic directors, coaches, spectators, players, and game officials will certainly see the difference:  a 3-person officiating crew.
            Read the Article – April 15, 2005

Feb. 11, 2005

Sportsmanship:  an important aspect of any game plan

            As many conference races will soon be going down to the wire, and WIAA tournaments
are just around the corner, now is a good time to remind people of the importance of good sportsmanship.

            Oftentimes many people get caught up in the emotional aspect of sports, and the Wisconsin Athletic Directors Association (WADA) offers that sometimes people simply need to be reinforced with the importance of keeping things in perspective – especially in the high school athletic arena.
            Read the Article – Feb. 11, 2005

Jan. 21, 2005

National Conference benefits WADA delegates

            Benefits to attending the athletic director’s National Conference
are as about as numerous as the delegates from around the country or the workshop sessions offered.

            This year was no different for the four Wisconsin delegates who made the trek to New Orleans for the 35th annual event.  After returning from the national convention held in December, the four athletic directors, who are members of the Wisconsin Athletic Directors Association (WADA), shared their thoughts.
            Read the Article – Jan. 21, 2005

Dec. 10, 2004

Don Tolkacz is selected State AD of the Year

            Don Tolkacz, the athletic director at Pulaski High School, has been chosen as the State Athletic Director of the Year for 2004.

            The announcement was made by the Wisconsin Athletic Directors Association, as the selection of Tolkacz was revealed at the WADA Workshop, held in November at the Paper Valley Hotel in Appleton.
            Read the Article – Dec. 10, 2004

Dec. 10, 2004

New WADA Board Members are installed

            Mark Kryka of Verona assumed the duties of President of the Wisconsin Athletic Directors Association (WADA) during the final day of  the 38th annual WADA Workshop held in Appleton
in November.

Pete Miller, now the Past-President, presented Kryka with the official WADA gavel and WADA ring in the traditional  “Passing-of-the-Presidency” ceremony during the Windup Luncheon… the final event of the 4-day Workshop.
            Read the Article – Dec. 10, 2004

Dec. 10, 2004

WADA presents Distinguished Service Awards

            Individuals who have made significant contributions to high school sports in 2004 were honored recently by the Wisconsin Athletic Directors Association.

            The recipients were recognized during the WADA’s Distinguished Service Awards Banquet at the Paper Valley Hotel in Appleton in November.  Each of the seven districts in Wisconsin selects the individual(s) outside the field of interscholastic athletic administration based on their contributions to interscholastic athletics.
            Read the Article – Dec. 10, 2004

Oct. 22, 2004

38th annual WADA Workshop has plenty to offer attendees

            There are plenty of choices for those attending the 38th annual WADA Workshop during
the few days in which the event will be held in Appleton in early November.  The theme for the
2004 Workshop is “Coaching Coaches,” and the event will be held Nov. 7-9 at the Paper Valley Hotel in downtown Appleton.
            Read the Article – Oct. 22, 2004

Oct. 8, 2004

     Kevin Borseth, Dr. Gregory Dale to speak
     at annual WADA Workshop in November

            Two well-known and nationally respected individuals will be the keynote speakers at each

of two sessions for next month’s WADA Workshop in Appleton.  Kevin Borseth, the women’s basketball coach at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, and Dr. Gregory A. Dale, associate professor and sport psychology consultant at Duke University, will each speak when the 38th
annual WADA Workshop takes place Nov. 7-9 at the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel.
            Read the Article – Oct. 8, 2004

Sept. 17, 2004

Retired AD’s needed to assist with WADA Workshop

            It won’t be too much longer and the annual WADA Workshop will be here… so the call
is going out now to retired Athletic Directors or Activities Directors from around the state, seeking their help.
            Read the Article – Sept. 17, 2004

Aug. 20, 2004

WADA Mentoring Program a plus for all new AD’s

            It can be, at times, a bit overwhelming when an individual moves into the office with
“Athletic Director” on the door.

            A brand new option, called the WADA Mentoring Program, will make it easier for anyone looking for a lifejacket, when they feel like they’re swimming in the sometimes-busy world of their new workplace, or, just to share ideas, as they undertake their new role as Athletic Director or Activities Director.
            Read the article – Aug. 20, 2004

2003-2004 School Year

July 2, 2004

New AD’s find resources in A.D. Workshop or WADA

Any new athletic director can easily find assistance in many ways as they “learn the ropes”
as an A.D.;  two valuable options available are:

1)  the New Athletic Director Workshop scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 4, at the WIAA Office in Stevens Point, and,

2)  become an active member of the Wisconsin Athletic Directors Association (WADA),      an organization open to anyone involved in the administration or supervision of interscholastic athletics  at Wisconsin schools.
          Read the article – July 2, 2004

May 21, 2004

ADs across the state benefit from WADA membership

One of the interactive goals of the Wisconsin Athletic Directors Association (WADA) is to assist the individuals responsible for the administration of interscholastic athletics offered by schools in the state.

Individuals who join the WADA will find plenty of assistance, in a wide variety of issues that are common to many schools – whether public or private, whether big or small, whether metropolitan or rural.

“Becoming a WADA member is becoming part of a group dedicated to the improvement of high school athletics in the state,” said Pete Miller, the president of the WADA and athletic director at Merrill High School.
          Read the article – May 21, 2004