WSSAAA 36th Annual State Conference

Face our challenges, celebrate the positive and focus on what is possible!

As we begin another school year I find myself excited and ready to tackle the day-to-day issues that face all Athletic Directors in today’s fast paced world of middle/high school athletics.  As the year continues we need to frequently find solutions to those problems that crop up throughout the school year.  We need to read about what others are doing, network with our fellow athletic administrators for new and reworked strategies and attend classes and conferences that trigger ideas not looked at previously.  We all know that in the field of education the burden of success is left to us as administrators, teachers and coaches.  While we are exposed to what is going wrong in education and athletics we need to promote all the wonderful things that our young adults are accomplishing.  For instance they are expanding their opportunities, learning life long lessons and experiencing healthy lifestyles.  We also need to be on the look out for new and innovative ways to accomplish the same task.  I am always looking for what is possible as opposed to what cannot be done.  If we take this attitude into our dealings with coaches, athletes and parents we will continue to grow and change in a positive way.  We must look for creative fundraising and budgeting in our ever decreasing revenue streams.  We must look for increased educational opportunities for our athletes as the world around them and us changes daily.

How can we accomplish some of the possibilities we are dreaming of?  Come to your Washington State Secondary Schools Athletic Administrators Association’s 2008 Conference!  This year’s conference will focus on practical and useful breakout sessions presented by local Athletic Directors as well as some of the most prominent national speakers and educators.  The courses are designed to help you conquer the issues that challenge us, give us ideas to celebrate positive activities currently happening in our schools and find new ways to tackle those extra special projects you have always wanted to incorporate into your athletic program.  Take this opportunity to secure the date of April 6-9, 2008 to attend our state conference in Spokane.  Your WSSAAA Board will be assisting you by sending a letter to every Superintendent in our state.  We will be encouraging them to support your attendance at this year’s state conference. 

We will again be offering a variety of Leadership Training Courses (LTC).  At the time of this printing two of two of the five courses we are offering are negotiable and we would welcome members input on what you would particularly like to see offered (the course descriptions are available at www.niaaa.org).  Because our organization has been granted money through an outstanding outreach program, we will be bringing in fifty middle school and new Athletic Directors to take LTC 501 and 502.  Both courses will be available to any other conference attendee.  We will again be offering an opportunity to gain CAA certification as the CAA exam be administered on the morning of Tuesday April 8th.

In addition to many outstanding breakouts we will have three keynote speakers throughout the conference.  Sabrina Jackson will be presenting her energetic and motivational message to get us going.  Frosty Westering will back up the Awards Luncheon with a message that will help us reflect on our professionalism and caring for kids.  Lastly we will listen to one of our states most prominent national speakers, Bruce Brown.  Mr. Brown will give us hints and highlights to educate our athletes and parents.  If you are looking for equipment or instructional aids, we will have a large contingent of vendors to visit and connect with.  Our Hall of Fame and AD of the Year Banquets are a longstanding tradition to honor those who have paved the way in athletics as well as recognizing those who are still paving!

Again be sure to mark the 2008 WSSAAA Conference date of April 6-9 on your calendar and make a commitment to attend.  I know that you will come away with many new ideas and a revitalized attitude that will benefit your athletic program.  I hope to see you there!

Tim Graham, AD Tumwater High School

2008 WSSAAA Conference Chair