An athletic director’s production

Behind-the-scenes work getting done before season begins

Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2008

As a movie unfolds with a beginning, middle and end, the athletic sports season unfolds much of the same as fall, winter and spring sports encompass a full director’s cut, an athletic director’s cut that is.

As many of the actors and actresses –– male and female athletes –– enjoy their vacation and time off, athletic directors are in their offices putting together the scripts for the year and working to ensure that the sporting seasons go as smoothly as possible.

‘‘An athletic director can’t be one that punches the clock,” said Thomas Stone athletic director Steve Lee, who enters his third year at Stone in the position. ‘‘Most of us [county athletic directors] have been in all summer, since the better part of July.”

Working during the summer, long hours, early mornings, and late nights seem to be a common thread amongst all of the athletic directors as many of them have been hard at work many months in advance of the opening of schools in order for the athletic season to be rich in success.

‘‘A lot of time goes into being an AD,” said Westlake athletic director Dom Zaccarelli, who enters his eighth year at the helm of Westlake athletics. ‘‘On snow days we are calling coaches, officials, other ADs, and buses to reschedule games, and our day is really just beginning as others’ days are ending. In order to be successful, a 10 to 14 hour work day is often times needed.”

‘‘A lot of my days start at 8 a.m.,” said McDonough athletic director Jen Smith, who enters her fourth year at the head of Rams’ athletics. ‘‘My days start early, and I usually don’t get home until late.”

As with many jobs, tribulations and joyous times come with the long hours, and the long meetings. For each respective athletic director, as they serve for the love of athletics and sports, each finds a different aspect of the job more difficult then others.

‘‘Getting everyone to fall in line with the rules and follow them,” said Lackey athletic director Dave Anderson, who is going into his 30th year. ‘‘National rules, state rules or county rules are often times constantly changing.

‘‘For example, soccer shin guards will be changing to have the safety material found on football pads and helmets on them in along to having to fit the players’ legs. ... Softball athletes having to wear a mask was a rule change we had to adhere to. ... Adapting to the new updated rules is a bit of a challenge.”

‘‘Finding coaching staff,” Smith said of the hardest facet of the job.

Finding an easy part seems to also be a challenge.

‘‘Game time is the easiest time,” Lee said with a laugh. ‘‘Away games are even easier. I make an effort to see the teams after their games win, lose, or draw, and then I can leave right after during an away game.”

‘‘Helping kids and helping coaches succeed is the easiest part because it is the most enjoyable,” Zaccarelli said.

As the seasons progress, just as in a movie, there is always a memory that remains entrenched in the memory, engraved in the mind forever. For each athletic director, memories are plentiful in numbers; however, each has his or her own special memory while serving for his or her respected school.

‘‘In 2000, the athletic department was runner-up for the Fannie Mae Award [an award no longer given out],” Zaccarelli said. ‘‘That award is given out in the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia area for the school with the highest athletic grade point average. ... That meant a lot because it reflected the efforts of the students in the class and on the field.”

‘‘There have been many highlights here at McDonough,” Smith said. ‘‘Last year the softball team advancing to the state [final] was great. A couple of years ago the football team advancing to the state tournament as well was a highlight. The playoffs in general are always a highlight.”

As each continues to direct the movie that is SMAC sports, the ultimate Golden Globe Award can be found in state titles and athlete’s grades.