Leadership Responsibilities
Leaders demonstrate an ability to cast a vision of an ideal state by constantly seeking to solve problems and removing obstacles within an organization and by focusing on the need to pursue excellence and accelerate change. Leadership is a learned skill by trial and error, the modeling of others, and personal experiences. Leaders model the behavior they expect of their staff and are constantly seeking ways to serve others with their gifts and talents.
Eligibility
The regulations require that all students must be eligible prior to dressing or participating in any interscholastic contest, whether the sport is sponsored by the NCHSAA. Only those students listed on the eligibility forms are covered by catastrophic insurance. No student shall be listed on the form unless and until documents substantiating eligibility are on file in the school. Such documents shall be available for inspection until the student’s eligibility has ended.
The master eligibility sheet should be used for each sport and shall list all players, varsity, and junior varsity, participating in that sport. A copy of the master eligibility should be on file at the school prior to the first regular-season contest including Endowment games. Eligibility sheets are no longer required to be filed with the NCHSAA but must be made available upon request. Ineligible players are not allowed to participate in practice, either in-season or out-of-season workouts, but this does not apply to summer workouts.
Supervision
Lack of proper supervision is cause for serious liability concerns and lawsuits. What constitutes “proper supervision” varies depending upon many factors: for example, the age of the participants, the participants’ ability levels, the number of participants, and the number of dangerous implements involved in the activity or in proximity to where the activity is taking place. The more dangerous the situation or the more likely an injury is to occur, the more careful and prudent the supervisor must be.
The duty to supervise also includes the duty to properly instruct and warn of possible risks. Therefore, students involved in athletics must receive proper instruction as to the correct or most acceptable methods of safely performing the tasks related to a specific activity and must be informed of the possible inherent risks involved in participating in the given activity.
Hopefully, you will be able to use these tools and best practices to develop sound supervision practices, manage personnel, and create lasting successful athletic programs.
For more information check out NIAAA Leadership Institute Class 630
Mentoring
Mentoring is a responsibility; a relationship and a commitment that requires valuable time and focused attention to assure the mentee’s goals are progressing forward. If you have one steady mentor that is adding value to your career and life, you’re fortunate. Although finding a mentor is difficult and making it work is even more challenging – the rewards are abundant. Athletic administrators in North Carolina are encouraged to take advantage of the NCADA and the NCHSAA Mentoring Programs.
Role Modeling
If we want to equip our athletes to be leaders, we must begin teaching and modeling leadership from the earliest years of their lives. We must use athletics as a way of teaching all sorts of life lessons. Leadership skills are instilled not inherited. Setting the right example is the key to developing young leaders.
NCADA Mentoring Program
The NCADA mentoring program began 11 years ago with the idea of matching veteran school athletic directors (mentors) with new athletic directors. We want a new athletic director to have help available as soon as they are hired, or as soon as possible. The Mentoring Program is dependent on experienced athletic directors volunteering to be a mentor and taking the time to help new ADs. City-county athletic directors or school system administrators must be aware of new AD’s within their system and work to make them comfortable in their role. It is also vital that new athletic directors seek help either by contacting their system administrator for athletics and/or Chad Duncan (chadduncan@gaston.k12.nc.us).
For a list of mentors by region, just click on the NCADA Mentoring List. Select someone from your region and contact them immediately. The athletic directors on this list have volunteered to help.
