45th National Athletic Directors Conference

Nicole Graham (Greenwich H.S. ’14) receives the NIAAA Scholar-Essay Award on Saturday, December 13, 2014, from NIAAA President Andy Chiles.

Incoming NIAAA President Trish Witkin addresses athletic administrators on Tuesday, December 16, 2014, at the closing general session of the NFHS Athletic Director’s Conference in National Harbor, Maryland

By John Krot, Athletic Director, Parish Hill High School, Chaplin

This past December, athletic directors from across the United States and from outside the country gathered in National Harbor, Maryland, for the 45th National Athletic Directors Conference. The mid-December (Dec. 12-16) conference was held at the beautiful Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center located just outside Washington, D.C. The conference provided an outstanding educational in-service program for interscholastic athletic administrators. This first-class conference featured professional speakers (Walter Bond and Joe Ehrmann)

CAAD President Dan Scavone announces the winner of the (Connecticut) Hitchcock Chair at the NIAAA State Door Prize drawing.

Glastonbury High School Athletic Director Trish Witkin, who will serve as NIAAA President through December 2015, is pictured at the head table at the closing general session. Sitting to Trish’s left is outgoing NIAAA President Andy Chiles.

and an exhibit show with more than 250 vendors as well as many professional development opportunities for all athletic administrators. Through the numerous workshops on current issues of concern to athletic directors to the LTI courses (Leadership Training Courses) that were offered, each athletic administrator had many opportunities to garner insight and knowledge to better serve their school districts. From day one of the conference, athletic administrators were able to gain valuable experience from their peers to help them with their own professional development.

Connecticut athletic directors and spouses pose for a group photo.

Connecticut was well represented at this year’s conference. It established a personal best as forty-three athletic directors from around the state were in attendance. CAAD President Dan Scavone, CAAD Executive Director Fred Balsamo and many members of the CAAD Executive Committee attended. The highlight for the Connecticut delegation was being present to witness and celebrate our own Trish Witkin (Glastonbury) taking over as the new president of the NIAAA. The NIAAA will be in excellent hands under her direction and leadership. Connecticut can take great pride in having one of their own lead this very important athletic administrators’ organization. We wish Trish the best of luck and offer her our support as she begins her new position.

Besides the many professional opportunities this conference offered, it also provided time for athletic directors to take in the sights around New Harbor, Maryland. This included a nighttime tour of Washington, D.C. Many athletic directors also visited historic Alexandria, Virginia. For some, staying right at the Gaylord National Resort was enough. The resort was beautifully decorated for the holiday season. It provided many things to do and see right on sight. One of the more spectacular events was the evening light show. All in all, a beautiful place to stay, an outstanding conference and a very worth- while professional development opportunity for all athletic directors in attendance!

Next year’s conference will be in Orlando, Florida, from December 11-15, 2015. For any athletic director that has not been able to attend a national conference, make it your number one professional priority. Start making your plans now by talking to your school administrators. You won’t be disappointed.