By Dan Cardone
Dan Cardone, Athletic Director at North Hills High School in Pittsburgh, Pa., also teaches a Program Planning Class that's part of the Sport Management curriculum at Robert Morris University. Here, he lists and answers the five most interesting—and challenging—questions he's received from his college students.
How do you deal with different personalities as an athletic director?
The first thing that comes to mind is that an athletic director has to have the ability to communicate with a wide variety of people. The people you interact with on a day-to-day basis can range from a parent who is also the CEO of a company and who is dissatisfied with a coach, to a maintenance staff member who is responsible for field preparation. Getting on the same level with a myriad of people might be the most important skill that an athletic director possesses, or needs to acquire.
Also, when you ask for help, you will hear one of three things: No, maybe, or yes. An athletic director has to be able to turn those no or maybe answers into a yes on a daily basis.
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How do you deal with teams that feel they are not being treated equally?
There are definitely parents, coaches, and players who feel their sport is slighted. The hard part is defining whether this is reality or simply a misinformed perception. Sports, by their very nature, are going to have inequalities—period. It cannot be helped that the cost of a football helmet is nearing $200, which is only one of many equipment components required by the sport. In contrast, it costs very little money to fund a cross country team, which has minimal needs.
When someone comes forward with a complaint, I believe it is important to send that person a message that the best way for his or her team to measure success is by comparing it to itself. Where is your sport’s program now and where do you want it to go? What will it take to get there?
Why do you go through the trouble of hosting regional and state playoff contests?
It does take a great deal of time and preparation to be a host site. But the effort is outweighed by the many positives that result from hosting an event.
First, our community has come to appreciate other schools visiting our facility. We also have the benefit of having events at our stadium or basketball arena be broadcast on local television. Also, our booster organizations benefit greatly from running the concession stands. There are large crowds in attendance, and this enables them to generate revenue to help support their teams.
How do you feel about players turning professional right after high school?
There is a huge difference in the maturity level of a high school student-athlete and a professional athlete. I believe the gap can be narrowed somewhat via the college experience. The ability to adapt to a college setting both socially and academically is a challenge in itself. Perhaps the most disturbing part of athletics is the trend to push and get to the top of ladder in sport.
The NBA has instituted a minimum-age rule that restricts entry of high school students, so those aspiring to turn pro must at least complete their freshman year in college. College athletics has at least in part become a minor league system for the NBA.
What is the biggest misconception people have about an athletic director’s job?
I believe the biggest misconception is that people think this is a job anyone can do. I hear all the time, “I would like to be an athletic director, it seems like a fun job.”
Those of us who have chosen this profession might argue that facilitating 42 interscholastic sport offerings and working 18-hour days is not easily done, however. Hiring coaches, managing budgets, juggling schedules, interacting with booster organizations and the community, and trying to lead a semblance of a life is a tough balancing act. It is hard to separate yourself from the position. Being on call day and night, and being approached any time you are out is not always fun. That being said, the benefit of having a position where your vocation is your avocation is a real plus.
Dan Cardone is Athletic Director at North Hills High School in Pittsburgh, Pa. He is a frequent contributor to Athletic Management.
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