UIAAA Connection

The podcast makes its fourth visit to Washington. UIAAAConnection #253 – Scott Nordi, CMAA, former Director of Athletics – Lakes High School, is now available. Scott, a Tacoma native and Mt. Tahoma High School graduate, played football for his father, who also served as the school’s AD. After earning a degree in athletic training from the University of Washington and later a teaching certificate,...

The podcast is making another visit to Utah. UIAAA Connection #252 – Everett Kelepolo, CMAA, Executive Director – UIAAA, is now available. Everett, one of a veryfew two-time guests on the podcast opens by highlighting the productive NEDC Summer Summit in Asheville, North Carolina. Everett, Executive Director of the UIAAA for the past sixteen months, shares insights from attending stateconferences...

The podcast is making another visit to Cashe County. UIAAA Connection #251 – Wendy Egbert, Assistant Director of Athletics – Mountain Crest High School, is now available. Wendy grew up in Jerome, Idaho, competing in three sports during high school before earning a track scholarship to Utah State University. She shares her remarkable experience participating in the 1996 Olympic Trials in Atlanta, G...

The podcast makes another visit to Summit County. UIAAA Connection #250 – Brian Jacketta, Director of Athletics – South Summit High School, is now available. Brian grew up in Magna, Utah, proud to call himself a Cyprus Pirategraduate. He competed in football, basketball, and baseball as a youth and earned a math degree from the University of Utah. Over his career, Brian taught and coached at six d...

The podcast is making its first visit to Alabama. UIAAA Connection #249 – Dan Norton, CMAA, Former Director of Athletics – Auburn City Schools, is now available. Dangrew up in Auburn, Alabama, playing a wide range of sports throughout his youth. After graduating from Auburn University, he dedicated 25 years to education as a cross-country coach, shaping countless student-athletes. With astrong pas...

The podcast is making another visit to Northern Utah. UIAAA Connection #248 – Mary Kay Amicone, recent inductee into the Utah Sports Hall of Fame and former Head Coach – Softball, Weber State University, is now available. Mary KayAmicone grew up in Anaheim, California, spending her childhood playing street games, night games, and “over the line.” Inspired by her mother, who played for the Orange L...

The podcast is making its second visit to North Carolina. UIAAA Connection #247 – Deran Coe, CMAA, Director of Athletics – Wake County School System, is now available. Deran grew up in Western Pennsylvania in an athleticfamily, guided by a father who coached. He competed in many sports before attending Clarion University, where his leadership path continued to develop. Now serving as district athl...

The podcast is making another visit to Indiana. UIAAA Connection #246 – Phil Rison, CMAA, Executive Director – NIAAA, is now available. Phil, the first three-time guest on the podcast opens by highlighting the productive summerNIAAA Board meeting and the continued development of the 6th NIAAA Strategic Plan. He reflects on his experiences at various Section Meetings and shares exciting updates abo...

The podcast is making another visit to Salt Lake County. UIAAA Connection #245 – Lindsey Bluth-Baldwin, CAA, Director of Athletics – American Preparatory Academy Draper, is now available. Lindsey grew up in Molalla, Oregon, competing in basketball, volleyball, and softball during high school. She attended Western Oregon University and Utah Valley State College, beginning her coaching career in gir...

The podcast is making another visit to Utah County. UIAAA Connection #244 – Jeff Lake, CAA, Director of Athletics – Maple Mountain High School, is now available. Jeff grew up in Southern California and Utah, developing a passion fortrack that led to collegiate competition at Utah State. Now in his second year as a full-time athletic director, Jeff emphasizes the value of professional certification...

The podcast makes another visit to Ohio. UIAAA Connection #243 – Trey Newberry, CMAA, Director of Athletics – NewRichmond High School, is now available. Trey grew up in Cincinnati, staying active through a wide range ofyouth sports. He credits Big Rich Barton as a key mentor who shaped his approach to leadership. Now focused on giving back, Trey believes in sharing knowledge freely, stating that i...

The podcast is making another visit to Hawaii. UIAAA Connection #242 – Bill Villa, CAA, Executive Director – HIADA, is now available. Bill grew up on Oahu and graduated from Kamehameha High School, where his love for basketball took root. He played on the JV team at the University of Hawaii and later coachedmiddle school basketball at his alma mater. After years in the private sector, Bill returne...

The podcast is making its third visit to Oklahoma. UIAAA Connection #241 – Emily Barkley, CMAA, Director of Athletics – Union High School, is now available. Emily grew up in Tulsa, just a few miles from her current workplace. A three-sport athlete in high school, she reflects on the impact of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, an event that shaped her perspective during her teenage years. Her first j...

The podcast is making another visit to Utah County. UIAAA Connection #240 – Kyle Robinson, Assistant Principal – Timpanogos High School, is now available. Kylegrew up in Cedar City and graduated from the renowned SUU Coaching Factory. A three-sport athlete in high school, he has served at Timpanogos during two separate stretches in his career. Kyle fondly recalls working alongside hisfather during...

The podcast makes another visit to Salt Lake County. UIAAA Connection #239 – Andrew Blanchard, CAA, Assistant Principal – West Jordan High School, is now available. Andrew Blanchard grew up in West Jordan and now serves as assistant principal at his alma mater. He played college basketball at Salt Lake Community College and St. Martin’s University in Washington. Over 11 seasons, he led both boys’...

The podcast is making another visit to Davis County. UIAAA Connection #238 – Megan Tarbet, Assistant Director ofAthletics – Davis High School, is now available. Megan grew up in Kaysville and now works at her alma mater. A former basketball player at UVSC, she later completed her education at Weber State. Megan also competed in high school softball and now juggles her professional duties while rai...

The podcast makes another visit to Florida. UIAAA Connection #237 – Tammie Talley, CAA, Director of Athletics – Duval County Public Schools, is now available. Tammy Talley grew up in Jacksonville before moving to Crescent City,where she competed in multiple sports. A collegiate volleyball athlete, Tammy later served as the building athletic director at two schools before stepping into her current...

The podcast makes its second visit to Hawaii. UIAAA Connection #236 – Pastor Rob Araki, CMAA, Former Director of Athletics – Hanalani Schools K-12, is now available. PastorRob grew up in Greenville, South Carolina, near Wade Hampton High School, where former NIAAA President Darryl Nance worked. His mother hoped he would attend Bob Jones University, but he found his way to being a pastor by otherme...

The podcast makes another visit to Salt Lake County. UIAAA Connection #235 –Aaron Whitehead, Director of Athletics – Granite School District, is now available. Aaron, born in Sandy and a Skyline High graduate, played football before attending Southern Utah University, often called the “coaching factory.” Hebegan his education career at East High School, serving as head football coach, later moving...

The podcast makes another visit to Davis County. UIAAA Connection #234 – Tom Zarate - Director of Athletics – Northridge High School, is now available. Tom, born in Utah, moved frequently until settling near Ithaca, New York, by seventh grade. He attended junior high and high school in that area, shaped by theinfluence of parents who both worked in education. Tom later graduated from BYU–Idaho, wh...

The podcast makes its first visit to Wyoming. UIAAA Connection #238 – Ben Smith- recently retired Superintendent of Big Horn School District is now available. Ben grew up in Greybull, Wyoming, and attended RicksCollege after excelling as a three-sport athlete in high school. He completed a two-year mission in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His education career includes principal roles at four high schools—...

The podcast makes another visit to Salt Lake County. UIAAA Connection #232 – Justin Pitcher, CAA, Principal – Cottonwood High School, is now available. Justin, born in Riverton and a Bingham High graduate, competed in track and cross country. He launched his education career in Las Vegas, teaching middle school English. Early on, Justin discovered the critical lesson of recognizing trustworthy peo...

The podcast makes its 3rd visit to Washington. UIAAA Connection #231 – Melton Jefferson III, CAA, Director of Athletics – North Creek High School, is now available. Melton, born in Oklahoma and raised in Texas, earned degrees from four different colleges, shaping a broad educational foundation. During his second year as athletic director, the COVID pandemic struck, forcing him to adapt and step be...

The podcast makes another visit to Washington County. UIAAA Connection #230 – Mike Bair, Director of Athletics – Dixie High School, is now available. Mike, originally from Rexburg, later settled in Lovell, Wyoming. His father coachedwrestling at Ricks College, inspiring Mike’s athletic journey. In high school, Mike excelled in three sports. He began his career at Dixie High School in 1992, teachin...

The podcast makes another visit to Salt Lake County. UIAAA Connection #229 – Lei Lolohea, Director of Athletics – West Jordan High School, is now available. Lei Lolohea grew up in Long Beach before moving to West Jordan during high school. Now working at her alma mater, she continues a legacy shaped by former West Jordan athletic administrators Carlson Boudreau, Scott Briggs, and Dan Cowan. Lei pl...