UIAAA Connection

Marc R. Hunter, CMAA

A podcast for Interscholastic Athletic Administrators

  1. 10H AGO

    UIAAA Connection #271 – Ken Crawford, CAA, Executive Director of Student Services and Athletics – Ogden School District

    The podcast is making another visit to northern Utah. UIAAA Connection #271 – Ken Crawford, CAA, Executive Director ofStudent Services and Athletics – Ogden School District, - is now available. Ken grew up in Emmett, Idaho, where farmwork shaped discipline and resilience from an early age. He competed as a three-sport athlete in basketball, baseball, and wrestling before walking on to BYU’s wrestling program as a freshman. An LDS mission to England sparked a deeppassion for teaching and mentorship. Throughout the conversation, Crawford reinforces a simple but powerful message: you can do hard things. His advice challenges leaders to embrace a servant-leadership mindset, remain humble, and intentionally seek opportunities to learn from others in order to grow personally and professionally.   This podcast is also available on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Breaker, Castbox, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Overcast, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Spotify, Stitcher, and YouTube.

    35 min

  2. MAR 6

    UIAAA Connection #270 – Jen Gros, Directors of Growth and Partners – sportsYou

    The podcast makes its third visit to Connecticut. UIAAA Connection #270 – Jen Gros, Directors of Growth and Partners – sportsYou - is now available. Jen grew up inDenver, Colorado and Columbus, Ohio, before attending Ohio State University, where she competed in rowing for two years. Following graduation, she built experience leading nonprofit organizations before joining sportsYou eight years ago. Jen reflects on key personal questions that shape leadership and purpose: Who am I, where do I fit, and do I matter? She discusses navigating constant demands while remaining intentional about priorities and personal impact. Her advice encourages leaders to prioritize carefully, welcome disruptions thoughtfully rather than react emotionally, and develop the confidence to say no when necessary in order to protect focus and effectiveness. This podcast is also available on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Breaker, Castbox,Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Overcast, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Spotify, Stitcher, and YouTube.

    39 min

  3. FEB 27

    UIAAA Connection #269 – Kyle LeMieux, CMAA, Associate Principal and Director of Athletics – West Waukesha High School

    The podcast makes its fifth visit to Wisconsin. UIAAA Connection #269 – Kyle LeMieux, CMAA, Associate Principal and Director of Athletics – West Waukesha High School - is now available. Kyle grew up in Mukwonago, Wisconsin, graduating from the local high school as a four-sport athlete. After completing studies at the University of Wisconsin, he spent time as a minister before transitioning into public education. Kyle shares success mentoring coaches, noting that only five of 120 coaches in his building hold teaching positions. He co-authored LTC 708, Coaching Coaches for aLegacy of Leadership, and taught the course for the first time at the NIAAA Conference in Tampa. Now serving as President-Elect of the Wisconsin Athletic Directors Association, Kyle looks ahead with optimism. His advice emphasizes building relationships, listening well, and creating systems that fit your school and leadership style. This podcast is also available on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Breaker, Castbox, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Overcast, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Spotify, Stitcher, and YouTube.

    41 min

  4. FEB 20

    UIAAA Connection #268 – Tim Sam, CMAA, Director of Athletics - North Valley High School, Grants Pass, Oregon

    The podcast makes its second visit to Oregon. UIAAA Connection #268 – Tim Sam, CMAA, Director of Athletics - North Valley High School, Grants Pass, Oregon, is now available. Tim grew up in Nampa, California, before moving toAshland, Oregon, during eighth grade. He studied at Southern Oregon University, Oregon State, and the University of Oregon, earning his degree before launching an education career at Roseburg High School in 1990. Now in his ninth year as athletic director at North Valley, Tim reflects on growth as a transformational leader. He defines his purpose as helping others reach their best potential and shares his experience of serving on the NIAAA Board. Tim encourages intentionalleadership rooted in service and growth. His advice emphasizes finding a mentor, clearly understanding your “why,” and continually strengthening that purpose through ongoing professional development.  This podcast is also available on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Breaker, Castbox,Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Overcast, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Spotify, Stitcher, and YouTube.

    55 min

  5. FEB 13

    UIAAA Connection #267 – Dustin Drake, CAA, Director of Athletics - Desert Hills High School, St. George, Utah

    The podcast makes another visit to Southern Utah. UIAAA Connection #267 – Dustin Drake, CAA, Director of Athletics - Desert Hills High School, St. George, Utah, is now available. Dustin grew up in southern Utah and graduated from Dixie High School in 2001. He developed as a leader under several mentors, including his father, before stepping into his current role after a decade working in a middle school setting. Dustin discusses the importance of professional certification and reflects on the challenge of adding three varsity sports over the past four years. He expresses genuine enjoyment inworking around student-athletes and supporting their growth. His advice emphasizes ensuring head coaches remain fully prepared, developing strong technology skills, and paying close attention to how time and energy get spenteach day in athletic administration. This podcast is also available on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Breaker, Castbox,Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Overcast, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Spotify, Stitcher, and YouTube.

    30 min

  6. FEB 6

    UIAAA Connection #266 – Sean Dowling, CMAA, Director of Athletics – North Plainsfield High School, New Jersey

    The podcast makes its fifth visit to New Jersey. UIAAA Connection #266 – Sean Dowling, CMAA, Director of Athletics – North Plainsfield High School, New Jersey - is now available. Sean grew up in Oyster Bay on Long Island, stayinginvolved in every youth sport available and later competing in collegiate football. Before stepping into athletic administration, he coached both football and lacrosse, experiences that shaped his leadership style. He findsdeep fulfillment in watching high school athletes grow and in helping transform team and school culture. Sean speaks warmly about the DAANJ and NIAAA families and shares the guiding mindset, “Forget About Me, I Love You.” He emphasizes active involvement within professional organizations. His advice encourages finding a trusted mentor and intentionally protecting time for family events whilenavigating the demands of the athletic director role. Thispodcast is also available on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Breaker, Castbox, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Overcast, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Spotify, Stitcher, and YouTube.

    43 min

  7. JAN 30

    UIAAA Connection #265 – Matt Norman, Director of Athletics Alpine School District

    The podcast makes another visit to Utah County. UIAAAConnection #265 – Matt Norman, Director of Athletics Alpine School District - is now available. Matt, the son of a BYU professor, attended Pleasant Grove High School and graduated in 1984 as a three-sport athlete. He playedcollegiate baseball for what is now UVU. He speaks warmly about influential mentors in his life, including his parents, Darold Henry, John Hoover, and Keith Allred. A unique moment in his story includes serving an LDS mission inChicago during the 1985 Super Bowl run. Matt reflects on how educational leadership and the athletic director role have evolved since the 1990s. He highlights Alpine School District incentives for completing LTC courses and the success of its Captains Academy. His advice emphasizes sharpening conversation skills and building strong relationships with every stakeholder. This podcast is also available on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Breaker, Castbox, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Overcast, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Spotify,Stitcher, and YouTube.

    35 min

  8. JAN 23

    UIAAA Connection #263 – Todd Olson, CMAA, Director of Student Activities – Fargo Public Schools

    The podcast makes its second visit to North Dakota. UIAAA Connection #263 – Todd Olson, CMAA, Director of StudentActivities – Fargo Public Schools - is now available. Todd Olson grew up in Cavalier, North Dakota, in a family devoted to education, with a father serving as superintendent and amother teaching in the local school. In high school, Todd competed as a four-sport athlete and later played collegiate basketball for four years, finishing his career at Mayville State University. He discusses how technology and increasing parent expectations have reshaped the athletic director roleover the past twenty years. Todd contributed to the NIAAA Coaches Education and Certification Committees and reflects on his term as NIAAA president. Married to his wife Beth for thirty-five years, Todd advises athletic directors to stayorganized and to build strong networks with colleagues statewide and nationally. This podcast is also available on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Breaker, Castbox,Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Overcast, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Spotify, Stitcher, and YouTube.

    36 min
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About

A podcast for Interscholastic Athletic Administrators

Information

  • Creator
    Marc R. Hunter, CMAA
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    272
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Marc R. Hunter, CMAA
  • Show Website
    UIAAA Connection