UIAAA Connection

The podcast makes another visit to Salt Lake County. UIAAA Connection #228 – Greg Southwick, Director of Athletics –Cottonwood High School, is now available. Greg grew up in Richfield, Utah, surrounded by the world of basketballthanks to his father’s coaching career. After spending 4 years as an athletic trainer at BYU, he transitioned to 17 years shaping young lives at Wayne High School. Througho...

The podcast makes its 13th visit to Indiana. UIAAA Connection #227 – Dan Armstrong, CMAA, Retired, former Director of Athletics – Northwest High School in Kokomo, Indiana, is now available. Dan grew up on a farm in western Ohio, right on the border, where living in two time zones was just part of daily life. A few years after Dr. Mike Blackburn’s departure, he stepped into the role of Director of...

The podcast makes another visit to Southern Utah. UIAAA Connection #226 – Lance Knight, CAA, Director of Athletics – San Juan High School, is now available. Lance grew up in Blanding, Utah, where he developed a passion for athletics and education. After earning his degree from BYU as a trainer, he returned to his alma mater, where he has spent the past 10 years teaching and serving as the Athletic...

The podcast makes another visit to Southern Utah. UIAAA Connection #225 – Kim Monkres,  Principal – Crimson CliffsHigh School, is now available. Kim grew up in Utah, graduating from Roy High School and Weber State beforeembarking on a career in education. She began teaching at Bonneville High School and has since made an impact at six different high schools and junior highs. Her dedication to stud...

The podcast makes its fifth visit to the six annual recipients of the UIAAA Scholarship. UIAAA Connection #224 UIAAA Student Scholarship Recipients: Regan Browning – Manilla,Emerson Geilman – Bountiful, Ainsleigh Kasprick – Grand County, Erick Robinson - South Sevier, Shae Stephenson – Ogden, Boston Valdez - Tooele, is now available.  Listen as the scholars share their stories on how they became o...

The podcast makes its fifth visit to Florida. UIAAA Connection #223 – Dan Talbot, CMAA, Senior Director of Athletics – Polk County Public Schools, is now available. Dan’s journey has taken him across the country, growing up in New York, Colorado, and Alaska. With experience as an Athletic Director at four different high schools and two years coaching with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, he brings a wea...

The podcast makes another visit to Northern Utah. UIAAA Connection #222 – Ron Gualtier, CAA, Director of Athletics – Mound Fort Middle School, is now available. Ron grew up in Iowa, where he developed the grit and determination of an old-school wrestler. Before transitioning into education, he spent years working in the flooring industry. A proud Utah State graduate, he has dedicated the past seve...

The podcast makes its second visit to Arizona. UIAAA Connection #221 – Missy Townsend, CMAA,  Director of Athletics – Prescott High School, is now available. Missyattended Yavapai College, where she showcased her skills on the basketball court before beginning her career in education. She started teaching in the Peoria School District in Phoenix and discovered a passion for working withathletes, f...

The podcast makes another visit to Northern Utah. UIAAA Connection #220 – Scott Yetter, CAA, Assistant Director of Athletics – Ogden High School, is now available. Scottgrew up in the small town of Prosser, Washington, nestled in the Yakima Valley. Following in the footsteps of his father, a high school coach and math teacher, he pursued a career in education and coaching. He spent 12 years teachi...

The podcast makes its first visit to Illinois. UIAAA Connection #219 – Mike Morris, CMAA, Executive Director of the Illinois Athletic Directors Association, is now available. Mike grew up in central Illinois and has spent his life immersed in education and athletics. As the oldest of seven children, he learned the value of leadership and perseverance early on. With a father who was a teacher and c...

The podcast makes another visit to central Utah. UIAAA Connection #218 – Barry Smith, Director of Athletics – North Sevier High School, is now available. Barry grew up in Circleville, Utah, and is a proud graduate of Piute High School. With a father who balanced life as both a coach and a dairy farmer, he learned the values of hard work and dedication from an early age. A graduate of SouthernUtah...

The podcast makes its fourth visit to Wisconsin. UIAAA Connection #217 – Peggy Seegers-Braun, CMAA, Director of Athletics at Devine Savior Holy Angels High School, is now available. Peggy has been in education for 41 years. She played collegiate softball and her father fought in the Battle of the Bulge. Peggy works at one of two all-girls high schools in Wisconsin. She just finished serving as a V...

The podcast makes its first visit to Mississippi. UIAAA Connection #216 – Mike Kimmons, CAA, Retired and former Athletic Administrator at Adamsville High School, is now available. Mike studied to become an FBI agent but instead became an educator. He coached football for 15 years before getting into athletic administration. He was Host Committee Chair of the 2007 NIAAA Conference in Nashville and...

The podcast makes another visit to Salt Lake County. UIAAA Connection #215 – Nate Foster, Director of Athletics at Summit Academy, is now available. Nate, graduated from Brighton High School, the University of Utah and Westminster. His first job was not in education but at the Road Home. In his second year as the AD, Nate is working on his CAA. His advice about you don't know what you don't know i...

The podcast makes its fourth visit to Kansas. UIAAA Connection #214 – Al Sersland, CMAA, Retired, former Principal at Circle High School is now available. Al, a native of Iowa, speaks to coaching and being an AD before taking the job as a Principal. He talks about the idea of accreditation and how the NIAAA earned that designation.  His advice about athletics being the front porch and sells your s...

The podcast makes another visit  Washington County. UIAAA Connection #213 – Gabi Hasenbeck, Director of Athletics at Crimson Cliffs High School, is now available. Gabi, a native of Long Beach California, played volleyball collegiately at SUU and High Point High Point University in North Carolina. She moved to Utah in the fall of 2020 with her husband. She also serves as an Assistant Principal at C...

The podcast makes another visit to Utah County. UIAAA Connection #212– Brandon Waite, RAA, Director of Athletics at Freedom Prep Academy, is now available. Brandon, who grew up in Colorado Springs, shares his experience of serving as the AD and Assistant Principal at the same time. His advice about being organized and knowing your students and facilities is worth the listen. Please Listen, Learn a...

The podcast makes its sixth visit to Georgia. UIAAA Connection #211 – Josh Mathews, CMAA, Director of Athletics at Pope High School, is now available. Josh grew up near Athens and has lived in Georgia his entire life. He played collegiate baseball before beginning his career at Centennial High School. He currently serves the NIAAA on the Board of Directors. His unique advice on establishing a date...

The podcast makes another visit to Utah County. UIAAA Connection #210 – Mark Binks, Director of Athletics at Springville High School, is now available. Mark spend 22 years in law enforcement before taking the job at Springville in 2013. He shares stories from the incredible fan base at Springville High. His advice to enjoy the ride should be heeded by all. Please Listen, Learn and Share! You can s...

The podcast makes its first visit to Alaska. UIAAA Connection #209 – Sandi Wagner, CAA, Executive Director of the Alaska IAAA, is now available. Sandi, a former AD in Juneau now works for the ASAA in addition to her Ed Dir job. She details the issues that are unique to Alaska. 120 of the 220 schools in that state have a student count of 60 or less. She shares the love she has for all students and...

The podcast makes its first visit to Oregon. UIAAA Connection #208 – Dave Hood, CMAA, Executive Director of Oregon Athletic Directors Association, is now available.  Dave, a native of Oregon, share his insights from decades of involvement in interscholastic athletics. His advice regarding getting out of the office and making connection is priceless. Please Listen, Learn and Share! You can subscrib...

The podcast another visit to the Granite School District. UIAAA Connection #207 – Kael Ashton, CAA, Director of Athletics at Olympus High School, is now available. Kael grew up in the small southwestern Wyoming town of Lyman. He began at Olympus in 1999 and has served as the AD for the last 20 years. His advice regarding developing a network of athletic administrators provides guidance for all inv...

The podcast makes its second visit to Iowa. UIAAA Connection #206 – Scott Garvis, CMAA, Director of Athletics at Newton High School, is now available.  His advice regarding reaching out to others and finding a mentor is invaluable. He shares insights about writing his book, hosting a podcast and working in the NIAAA QPA. This episode is not to be missed. Please Listen, Learn and Share! You can sub...

The podcast makes another visit to Utah. UIAAA Connection #205 – Kate Henderson, CAA, Director of Athletics at Wendover High School is now available. Kate's father served in the Air Force and as a result she has lived all over the world. Imagine attending high school in London, England and running in a track meet in Belgium. A fairly new Athletic Director, Kate earned her CAA and speaks to the imp...

The podcast another visit to Salt Lake County. UIAAA Connection #204 – Pat Thurman, RAA, Director of Athletics at Corner Canyon High School, is now available. Pat, a graduate of The University of Utah and Westminster College, shares his story in interscholastic athletics. His mentor was Morgan Brown, longtime AD at Alta High School. His advice regarding developing relationships with your coaches,...