UIAAA Connection

The podcast makes its third visit to a district Superintendent. UIAAA Connection #102 Larry Bergeson, – Superintendent, Washington County School District is now available. Larry, born in Blackfoot, Idaho, shares his journey in education. He spent time in five different schools in three states, and shares some great stories from those days. He shares the incredible story of Water Canyon High School...

The podcast makes its first visit to Ohio. UIAAA Connection #101 Jeff Kurtz, retired – Master of Ceremonies for the NIAAA Hall of Fame is now available. Jeff, a native of northeast Ohio, played baseball in high school and spent four years playing for the Golden Flashes. He served as Athletic Director at three different high schools. Jeff gives us a 4th-graders view of that tragic day at Kent State...

The podcast makes its second visit to California. UIAAA Connection #100 Jean Ashen, CMAA, – Director of Athletics at North Salinas High School is now available. Jean, the oldest of five siblings, is working at the same high school she graduated from in the 70’s. She played volleyball collegiately at Cal State Fullerton and UNLV. She shares stories from her participation in the early days of Title...

The podcast makes another visit to Western Utah. UIAAA Connection #99 Brett Andrus, CAA, – Director of Athletics at Dugway High School is now available. Brett grew up in Dugway, Utah and is one of very few teachers who work at the high school they graduated from. Another product of the “Coaching Factory” at Southern Utah University”, Rhett began in Dugway shortly after his graduation from SUU. Obt...

The podcast makes another visit to Washington. UIAAA Connection #98 Dave Tikker, CMAA – Executive Director of WSSAAA is now available. Dave grew up in California and attended Whitworth University in Spokane. Dave shares the details regarding the extremely successful mentoring program that has been implemented with the Washington AD’s. You won’t want to miss this episode. Please Listen, Learn and S...

The podcast makes another visit to one of Utah’s charter schools. UIAAA Connection #97 Amanda Kuhnz, – Director of Athletics at Merit Prepatory Academy is now available. Amanda, a “California Girl” and 3-sports athlete shares her experiences of playing softball at Northwestern University to accepting a job as a graduate assistant in softball at Redlands. She has served as the Athletic Director at...

The podcast makes another visit to central Utah.  UIAAA Connection #96 Travis Madsen, CAA – Director of Athletics at Wasatch Academy is now available. Travis, a Sanpete County native, takes us on his journey from North Sanpete High School to Snow to UVU and a lengthy stop at Pinnacle before his present position at Wasatch Academy. He has a unique perspective having served as an Athletic Direc...

The podcast makes its second visit to Kansas. UIAAA Connection #95 Rich Bechard, CMAA, retired – Former President of the NIAAA is now available. Rich, a native of Grinnell, Kansas, worked in education for forty-two years. He played junior college basketball before his journey in education. His excellent advice on making people fell valued is worth the listen to this episode. Please Listen, Learn a...

The podcast makes another visit to central Utah. UIAAA Connection #94 Sarah Swallberg, – Director of Athletics at Tintic and West Desert High Schools is now available. Sarah, a native of Green River Utah, and multi-sports athlete shares her experiences of playing baseball on the boys’ team in Green River.  She has sthe unique opportunity the serve as Athletic Administrator at two different hi...

The podcast makes another visit to New Jersey. UIAAA Connection #93 Bob Hopek, CMAA  – Executive Director of DAANJ is now available. Bob grew up in New Jersey and attended Moorehead State University in Minnesota. Appointed AD in 1973, Bob shares the details of progressing from an inexperienced AD to the Executive Director of the DAANJ. You won’t want to miss this episode. Please Listen, Learn...

The podcast makes its second visit to California. UIAAA Connection #100 Jean Ashen, CMAA, – Director of Athletics at North Salinas High School is now available. Jean, the oldest of five siblings, is working at the same high school she graduated from in the 70’s. She played volleyball collegiately at Cal State Fullerton and UNLV. She shares stories from her participation in the early days of Title...

The podcast makes another visit to central Utah.  Rhett grew up in Kanab, Utah and is one of the six famous Jackson brothers to play football there. A product of the “Coaching Factory” at Southern Utah University”, Rhett has taught at Gunnison Valley for 29 years and has spent the last 12 years as the athletic Director. You won’t want to miss his advice to new AD’s. Please Listen, Learn and S...

The podcast makes another visit to Idaho. UIAAA Connection #91 Tracy Leinen, CMAA – Executive Director of the IIAAA is now available. Tracy grew up in Iowa and takes us on her journey to her senior year in Harlan and then to her playing days at NW Missouri State. She began her teaching career in Iowa and then moved to Boise high where she became the Athletic Director. Please Listen, Learn and Shar...

The podcast makes another visit to St. George, Utah. UIAAA Connection #90 Mike Winslow, CAA – Director of Athletics at Crimson Cliffs High School is now available. Mike, a Cedar City native, played baseball and soccer as a youngster. A graduate of Southern Utah University, Mike has worked his entire career in the Washington County District. His insight regarding the similarity of teaching students...

The podcast makes its first visit to Missouri by way of Virginia.  Mike shares over 20 years’ experience as an athletic administrator!  He takes us through his beginning in Virginia at Chantilly High School, his time at George Mason University and then to Missouri and his present position as NIAAA President. Please Listen, Learn and Share! You can subscribe to UIAAA TV on YouTube!

The podcast makes another visit to Salt Lake County.  UIAAA Connection #88 Eric Wood - Director of Athletics, Judge Memorial Catholic High School is now available.  Eric talks about serving as an Athletic Administrator at 5 high schools in California. Now in Utah he shares the importance of networking and establishing trust with your coaches.  Please Listen, Learn and Share! You can...

The podcast makes its sixth trip to the national office. UIAAA Connection #87 Sherrice Dubose – Development, Marketing and Public Relations Manager- NIAAA office is now available. Sherrice shares her journey that began in Kingston Jamaica and took her to South Carolina, Nashville and then on to Austin Peay and Western Kentucky Universities. Hired in 2016, Sherrice has the NIAAA on the cutting edge...

The podcast makes its first visit to California.  UIAAA Connection #86 James Perry, Director of Athletics, Huntington Beach Union High School District is now available.  James began his interscholastic sports career in 1975 and shares his wisdom from over 40 years in the business. He also spent a few of those years coaching D1 basketball. His advice for new AD’s of checking your ego at t...

The podcast makes another visit to central Utah. UIAAA Connection #85 Blaine Burraston, CAA – Director of Athletics, Millard High School is now available.  Blaine, who graduated from Delta High School talks about his time at Tintic High School which led to his 14 years at Millard High School. A 3-sport athlete in high school, Blaine shares his love of students and the sports that they partici...

The podcast makes its first visit to the western border of Utah.  UIAAA Connection #84 Clayton Carter, CMAA – Director of Athletics, Wendover High School is now available.  Clayton, who was born in Cardston, Alberta shares stories from his first job on Rupert, Idaho to his decades at Wendover High School. Clayton talks about his over 25 years of service as an athletic administrator and a...

The podcast makes its first visit to Connecticut. UIAAA Connection #83 Trish Witkin, CMAA - Director of Athletics, Glastonbury High School and NIAAA Past President is now available.  Trish shares stories from her youth in Wappingers Falls, New York and her time playing softball at the collegiate level. She gives the unique perspective of being the NIAAA President and then Programs Chair with...

The podcast makes its second visit to a district Superintendent.  Anthony shares his wealth of knowledge gained from years in middle school, high school and the district office. He gives some great advice in dealing with people in general. A bonus from this episode is sharing his love of popular music.  You won’t want to miss this episode!  Please Listen, Learn and Share! You can su...

The podcast makes its visit to North Carolina. UIAAA Connection #81 Roy Turner, CMAA – Executive Director, North Carolina Athletic Directors Association is now available.  Roy, who began teaching in 1979 has been involved in athletics for parts of six decades. A multisport athlete in high school, Roy guides us through years of athletic administration as well as his work with officials. His ad...

The podcast makes another visit to Southern Utah. UIAAA Connection #80 Alana Benson, CAA - Inductee, 2022 UIAAA Hall of Fame is now available.  Alana takes us on her journey than began in Kanab and took her to Southern Utah University in Cedar City. She was a multisport athlete in both high school and college. She provides insight into the world of athletic administration with twenty-five yea...

The podcast makes its first visit to South Dakota. UIAAA Connection #79 Joey Struwe, CMAA – Member, NIAAA Professional Development Academy is now available.  Joey, a life-long South Dakotan talks about attending high school with a class 18 to his present position as, the Director of Athletics at Lincoln High in Sioux Falls, SD. Joey provides some unique insights of the Professional Developmen...