Recently, a friend asked how my retirement was going. Whoa there young fella (everyone who is younger than I am and not retired is a young fella). It's only been a few weeks. And so far, I've been doing everything that I would normally have done every other summer. So that may not be a fair question.

That first question was followed up with, "Are you bored yet?" But that's a loaded question. Loaded question? Nearing the end of any summer, if you've used it for its intended purpose, you should get a little bored and eager to start a new year. The purpose of having six to eight weeks during the summer is to rejuvenate. And I'm relaxed.

Sensing that I missed the point of his sincere concern and inquiry, the friend countered with, "What are you going to miss, and is there anything that you won't miss?" Hey, I've thought about this question at length and can give a pretty good answer. After all, these concerns were fully entwined in my decision-making process.

I am going to miss:

• The daily contact and working relationship with our coaching staff. Collectively, they were great professionals, cared about their athletes, totally understood and were committed to education-based athletics, and I just plain liked them.


• Having an impact on the athletes. In my position, I didn't have a great deal of direct contact with our student-athletes. But I helped them by serving as the coach of the coaches.


• Mentoring coaches. The most important part of my day and week was answering questions and helping coaches become better at their craft. This is extremely difficult to leave behind.


• Working with the other athletic directors in Baltimore County. This was extremely important to me and can't be replaced. As an athletic director, there is no one who understands and appreciates what you do more than a fellow athletic administrator.


• The camaraderie among my fellow athletic directors. When one of the 22 was experiencing a problem or hard times, the others rallied around and were there for them. Sure, they are still just an e-mail or phone call away, but I am no longer an active part of this unique, caring, and supportive fraternity. While I will always have great memories, I will miss the daily interaction and working toward a common goal--providing the best possible environment for our coaches and student-athletes.


• The energy, enthusiasm, exuberance, and activity of the school environment. Sure it can be loud and there may occasionally be problems, but it definitely isn't boring! Something is always happening. Even a weather forecast and the prospect of a snow day was exhilarating. How do you top that?

What won't I miss (these were very easy to ascertain):

• Getting up at 5:30 a.m. to start what was often a 13- or 14-hour work day. Repeating this three to four times a week really took its toll. It still astounds me that others simply didn't understand this aspect of the job.


• Troublesome parents. While most parents associated with the athletic program are good, supportive individuals, dealing with the misguided, problematic ones became increasingly challenging. It was time intensive and emotionally draining.


• Facing an ever-expanding list of responsibilities and duties. Even with excellent time management and organizational skills, every minute of the day was utilized and more was expected. Lack of understanding, appreciation, and a host of other words were the only possible explanations.

So I will indeed miss a great deal, but am also relieved that I don't have to endure other aspects. There comes a time in everyone's life when you have to confront the decision of retirement.

One of my former coaches analyzed it fairly accurately when he stated, "I would probably remain professionally involved, but without the 13-hour days and the daily aggravation." I couldn't agree more.

If you believe that there needs to be meaning in life, you must have a reason to get out of bed in the morning. Oh, and this doesn't mean waking up to tackle my wife's Honey Do List.

Now, just because I recently retired, don't get the idea that I'm trying to talk you into making that decision. You are totally on your own. But at some point, you will have to contemplate this major change and you might keep the following in mind:

1. Carefully analyze your situation, including your age, health, family needs, continuing goals, and what the future might hold at your school. Consider everything and don't rush into making a decision. This could easily be the most complicated and difficult decision of your life.

2. Consider what is best for you and your family. After many years of always doing what is best for the student-athletes, coaches, and programs at your school, it is time to put your interests and concerns first.

3. Figure out what you are going to do with all your "free time." If you suddenly stop putting in 13- to 14-hour days at work, that is an awful lot of time to fill up. What's your plan? Travel? Volunteer? Or attack your wife's Honey Do List?

While I don't have all the answers, I am sure of what I will and won't miss after a 41-year career. As the year progresses, I am sure I'll be able to add more to my lists and if you were to ask me the same question next year, my answers might be different and surprise the both of us.

PS - Since I don't have to get up at 5:30 a.m. anymore, I can stay up late and watch any movie or basketball game on TV that I want. It's great!

David Hoch, CMAA, recently retired as Athletic Director at Loch Raven High School in Baltimore County, Md. He is a frequent contributor to Athletic Management.

FEEDBACK:

I wanted to say "Thanks" to Dr. Hoch for all the help he provided me through the years through the articles he wrote in the various AD/Coach publications. I hope he will still be doing so. I live on the other side of the country from him, but I still found him to be helpful, not only through the articles I read, but also personally.

I once responded to one of his articles by emailing him and asking for some more info on the specifics of the article he had written, and the next week I received a packet of info that was extremely helpful. He took time out of his busy day to help a new AD living 2,500 miles away from him. He didn't have to do that, but he did, and it was much appreciated. It is nice to work with AD's and coaches like him.

Dr. Hoch, thanks again, for all you have done for all of us, and enjoy your retirement.

- Scott Rosberg
Activities Director
Park High School
Livingston, MT