How to Become an Athletic Director in Connecticut

Athletic directors work closely with coaches to improve a school's athletic program.

As an athletic director, your primary goal must be to improve the overall performance of your school’s athletic program. According to the Connecticut Association of Athletic Directors, ADs are the leader, coach and facilitator of exemplary athletic programs. A career as an athletic director begins with education and progresses with determination. Connecticut secondary or post-secondary schools typically employ athletic directors, although some states have district athletic directors in the public school system.

Instructions

1. Pursue advanced education. Obtain a bachelor’s degree at a minimum, and a master's or PhD to improve your chances of getting hired. Complete coursework in a sports-based degree program such as sports administration, kinesiology or education administration. Apply with the Connecticut Coaching Education Program, an alliance created by various Connecticut coaching institutions, designed to provide courses and workshops for interested educators.

2. Build up your credentials. Volunteer with local sports teams while you study. Look for internships or entry level positions with organizations involved in community events, such as intramural sports or Little League.

3. Network with teachers, administrators and other athletic directors across Connecticut. Register for events such as the Common Core State Standards meeting held by the Connecticut Department of Education or the Connecticut Association of Athletic Directors general meeting held in Rocky Hill, Connecticut. Build a positive reputation as you build your resume. Athletic directors are chosen for their ability to communicate and administer. You should be a team leader and a team player. Observe and learn from more experienced coaches.

4. Apply for a coaching job with a middle or high school in your community. Spend the first few years of your career dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s; be punctual, dependable, reliable and accurate. Be the first one at the teachers meetings and the last one to leave the sporting events. Show your peers, students and their parents that you are both dedicated and determined.

5. Take your advancements. As a teacher or coach you may be asked to relocate to a different city or school in Connecticut. Go. Athletic directors must demonstrate versatility and adaptability to changing conditions or environments. Earn your experience as a teacher or coach, and use it as a ladder to your goal of becoming an athletic director.

6. Join the Connecticut Association of Athletic Directors. The CAAD provides an array of resources and information for both aspiring athletic directors and veteran ADs. Membership is available through the official website caadinc.org or via mail. CAAD provides information on coaching competency outlined by the Connecticut Board of Education, sponsorships and recent coaching vacancies.

7. Dedicate the time required to advance in the field. Athletic directors need at least five to 10 years of experience as a coach or administrator. You must also know the in’s, out’s, responsibilities and requirements of holding a position of authority. Stay in the Connecticut school system and work your way up until you reach your goal of athletic director.

References

• Connecticut Association of Athletic Directors: Mission Statement
• Diploma Guide.com: Athletic Director Career Overview
• Connecticut Coaching Education Program: The Alliance