Bear Necessities Volume 17

This past weekend, I had the privilege of attending the 55th National Athletic Directors Conference in Austin, Texas. A weekend filled with learning, networking, and, of course, some great barbecue. Nearly 3,000 Athletic Administrators gathered for leadership training courses, breakout sessions, and professional development opportunities. It's always an event I look forward to, as it allows me to soak up valuable insights that I can bring back to our community.

My main goal in attending this conference is to enhance the student-athlete experience on our campus and to continue my professional growth as an Athletic Administrator. This morning, I had the opportunity complete a course which would allow me to become teaching faculty within our state and potentially national organization. 

The most important lesson I took away from the weekend was this: connection trumps communication. It was a reminder that building genuine relationships and fostering meaningful connections is the foundation for effective leadership.

I'm excited to apply what I've learned to our work here and look forward to the continued growth and success of our athletic program.