Athletic Director, Richard Ashby

 My Philosophy:

I believe an Athletic Director that is dedicated to providing the time, energy, and leadership necessary to organize and guide his staff develops a winning high school program. A successful Athletic Director must excel in many areas: staff development, leadership, coach/student/athlete relationships, and parent/community relations. 

Staff development is a vital aspect of a successful program. One man cannot do it alone, but he can organize his staff and delegate responsibilities according to their strengths and team needs. Each person having valid input into the organization and implementation of the program builds Trust, Loyalty, and Commitment.

While organization is very important, success very often comes down to the ability of the Athletic Director to lead, inspire, and counsel the coaching staffs and young men and women with whom he works. Each person must feel success at some point in his daily routine of preparation. The Athletic Director must sell each individual on the belief that the hard work, self-sacrifice, and self-discipline will make them a better person for having been involved in the program. When every person is made to feel a part of the team regardless of his or her role, Trust, Loyalty, and Commitment is gained.

Decisions on how to best utilize the personnel available, and how to combat the daily variance that occurs with that personnel come down to the Athletic Directors understanding of sound leadership principles. What are best for the program, the student and the team should be the first questions considered. I believe my background has provided me with those abilities. I have worked with many excellent Principals, Athletic Directors and Head Coaches from whom I have gained much information, intimate details, and first-hand experience in the intricacies of evaluating and understanding personnel.

Parents specifically and the community in general should be considered a part of the program. Parents must believe their child is being treated fairly and honestly, and the community must feel pride in the accomplishments of the team. The parents trust and loyalty towards the total program will instill commitment from the community to insure the continuance of excellence.

Every person that comes in contact with the athletic program should come away with a feeling of esprit de corps, oneness, and family. Can you be trusted? Are you loyal? Are you committed? When all persons associated with the program can answer yes to these questions a successful program results.

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Be Realistic Be a Positive Motivator Never Put Down or Knock your Child's Coaching Staff Don't be Overcome by Envy Toward Other Players and/or Parents Don't be a Know it All Emphasize Total Commitment to a Program Never Sacrifice Academics for Athletics Monitor your Child's Social Activities Be Selfish But be a Good Role Model Encourage Decision Making and Developing Leadership