Texas HS Athletic Directors Association: Director's Cut

Welcome to The Texas High School Athletic Director's Cut , the official podcast of the Texas High School Athletic Directors Association. Each episode features candid conversations with the state’s top athletic administrators, spotlighting leadership lessons, program innovation, and what’s next in Texas high school sports. Brought to you by THSADA.

Texas HS Athletic Directors Association: Director's Cut is a arts podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 29 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Unknown Host hosts Texas HS Athletic Directors Association: Director's Cut, a arts show with 29 episodes published.

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  Texas HS Athletic Directors Association: Director's Cut

  Leading Intentionally: How It Landed My Dream Job

  Sep 15, 202618 min

  In this Director’s Cut episode, we sit down with Dr. Chivonne Kiser, Athletic Director at Princeton ISD, as she shares insights on preparing for athletic leadership, taking initiative, building trust as a new administrator, and the importance of continuous professional development throughout a career. Drawing from her own journey from head volleyball coach and assistant coordinator to athletic director, Dr. Kiser discusses how intentional preparation and involvement in THSADA helped prepare her for the next step in her career. In this episode, she discusses: How getting involved with THSADA early in her coaching career helped prepare her for a future role in athletic administration Why attending conferences and investing in professional development can create opportunities before they officially arise How taking the initiative to introduce herself at a conference helped lead to an assistant athletic director position Why new athletic directors should spend their first 30 to 45 days listening, learning, and assessing before making major changes The importance of respecting existing traditions, building relationships, and understanding the nuances of a school community when stepping into a new leadership role How the THSADA Fall Forum provides athletic administrators with an opportunity to make a “halftime adjustment” and stay prepared for a rapidly changing educational landscape Why aspiring athletic directors should prepare for their next opportunity well before a position becomes available The insights from this conversation provide a look at how preparation, initiative, and a commitment to learning can shape an athletic leadership career. Dr. Kiser emphasizes that opportunities often come from the work done before the opportunity ever appears. For current and aspiring athletic directors alike, staying engaged in professional development and being intentional in every interaction can help prepare them to lead when the opportunity arrives. Special thanks to Watchfire for helping make this Director’s Cut conversation possible. Through their continued support of athletics and the professionals who lead it, Watchfire creates opportunities to connect, learn, and strengthen our athletic community.

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  Texas HS Athletic Directors Association: Director's Cut

  Lisa Langston's Strategy on Developing the Adults Who Lead Your Athletes

  Aug 27, 202618 min

  In this Director’s Cut episode, we sit down with Fort Worth ISD Director of Athletics Dr. Lisa Langston as she shares insights from 36 years in education, her experience in professional development, and her perspective on leadership, reflection, mentorship, and the future of Texas interscholastic athletics. Drawing from her career in Fort Worth ISD, her time playing professional basketball in Germany, and her service as past president of the NIAAA, Langston discusses the importance of intentional growth and helping others develop into effective leaders. Throughout her career, Langston has emphasized the value of understanding how adults learn, creating opportunities for reflection, and building leadership capacity throughout an organization. In this episode, she discusses: Why adult learners are most effective when they have ownership over what they learn Why reflection is an essential part of professional development and how leaders can turn new knowledge into meaningful action The role of a leader in helping others process challenges through active listening and thoughtful questions How intentional mentorship and identifying aspiring leaders can help build capacity across a large school district Why annual reflection and setting personal professional goals are important for continued growth The importance of aligning an athletic department’s goals and vision with the broader mission established by district leadership How athletic leaders can maintain autonomy and pursue innovation while still supporting the goals of their executive leadership The importance of protecting Texas’ strong interscholastic athletics model and continuing to invest in long-term leadership and capacity development The insights from this conversation provide a thoughtful look at leadership development and the responsibility athletic administrators have to continually grow while helping others do the same. Langston emphasizes that professional development is more than attending a conference or gaining new information. It requires reflection, intentionality, and application. Special thanks to Certor Sports for helping make this Director’s Cut conversation possible. Through their commitment to developing high-quality sports equipment and protective gear, Certor Sports supports both athletes and the coaches/administrators who help them reach their potential.

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  Texas HS Athletic Directors Association: Director's Cut

  What’s Next for Texas Athletics? Inside the UIL Leadership Forging our Future

  Aug 12, 202615 min

  In this Director’s Cut episode, we sit down with UIL Director of Athletics Ray Zepeda as he approaches the end of his third year in the role, sharing insights on leadership, student safety, eligibility, competitive equity, and the future of interscholastic athletics in Texas. Drawing from more than 20 years as a football coach and his experience leading the UIL, Zepeda discusses the importance of building relationships, navigating change, and keeping the long-term interests of Texas’ 1 million student-athletes at the center of every decision. Throughout his tenure, Zepeda has prioritized strengthening collaboration between the UIL, schools, and professional coaching associations while modernizing processes and helping Texas athletics adapt to an evolving educational landscape. In this episode, he discusses: How relationship-building and collaboration can strengthen trust between the UIL, schools, and coaching organizations The role of the UIL Legislative Council in establishing the rules that govern Texas interscholastic athletics How viewing problems as challenges can help administrators identify areas of control and develop effective solutions Why maintaining perspective matters when challenges don’t reflect the broader success of Texas athletics The differences between virtual school and traditional homeschool students and the importance of asking the right questions during the onboarding process The challenges presented by emerging sports academies and the need to maintain competitive equity across Texas athletics The insights from this conversation provide a thoughtful look at the challenges and opportunities facing Texas interscholastic athletics, emphasizing the importance of perspective, consistency, collaboration, and keeping students at the center of every decision. As the UIL continues to navigate a changing educational landscape, Zepeda highlights the strength of a system built around highly trained students, prepared coaches, dedicated administrators, strong facilities, and a deep connection to communities across the state. Special thanks to Snap! Mobile for helping make this Director’s Cut conversation possible. Snap! Mobile provides technology solutions designed specifically to help schools and athletic programs simplify fundraising, streamline communication, and build stronger connections with their communities while giving coaches and administrators more tools to support their programs.

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  Texas HS Athletic Directors Association: Director's Cut

  A Superintendent's Advice on Building a Career, Growing Impact, and Retaining Top Talent

  Jul 20, 202633 min

  In this Director’s Cut episode, Corpus Christi ISD Superintendent Dr. Roland Hernandez shares lessons from more than three decades in education, offering valuable insights on leadership development, coach retention, superintendent-athletic director partnerships, and the critical role athletics plays in shaping students and communities. Drawing from his journey from teacher-coach to one of Texas education’s most respected superintendents, Dr. Hernandez discusses the importance of patience, mentorship, and investing in people to create lasting success. Having served as a teacher, coach, principal, deputy superintendent, and superintendent, Hernandez provides a unique perspective on how athletic programs contribute to student growth, community engagement, and school district success. In this episode, he discusses: Why patience, stability, and mentorship are essential for coaches and administrators How leaders can create growth opportunities for talented staff while balancing retention and career advancement conversations The importance of superintendent involvement in athletics How coaches often become some of the most influential mentors in a student’s life What separates impactful coaches from those simply filling a position Why competitive compensation, data-driven decision making, and strong support systems are essential for attracting and retaining high-quality coaching staff The value of partnership between superintendents and athletic directors How facility improvements, community support, and expanded athletic opportunities can increase participation, strengthen school pride, and positively impact student outcomes The insights from this conversation provide a thoughtful look at leadership in education and athletics, highlighting how strong partnerships, intentional investment, and a commitment to student development can create lasting impact across an entire school district. Special thanks to Nevco Sports for helping make this Director’s Cut conversation possible. For decades, Nevco has helped schools create unforgettable game day experiences through innovative scoreboards, video displays, scoring solutions, and technology that brings communities together while enhancing athletic programs nationwide.

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  Texas HS Athletic Directors Association: Director's Cut

  The Future of Texas High School Sports: How THSCA Is Leading the Way

  Jul 8, 202621 min

  In this Director’s Cut episode, Texas High School Coaches Association (THSCA) Executive Director Joe Martin shares how the organization continues to expand its mission of “helping coaches help kids” through collaboration, advocacy, and innovative programming designed to support coaches and student-athletes across Texas. Drawing from the THSCA’s long-standing history and his experience leading the association through a period of significant growth, Martin discusses the organization’s evolution from a football-focused association founded in 1930 to a statewide resource representing coaches across all sports under the UIL umbrella. In this episode, he discusses: How THSCA’s mission continues to guide its efforts to identify and address challenges impacting coaches and students The organization’s growth in representing all sports and the increased involvement of female coaches across the association The importance of collaboration between THSCA and THSADA through initiatives like the Texas Way and Educate Excel Play How the Coaches Leadership Tour is bringing professional development and leadership opportunities directly to coaches across eight regions of Texas THSCA’s role in monitoring legislative issues impacting education-based athletics, including school funding, NIL, transfers, and UIL policies What attendees can expect from the 2026 THSCA Coaching School and Convention, one of the largest gatherings in high school athletics These insights provide a closer look at how THSCA is strengthening its commitment to coaches, advocating for education-based athletics, and building a stronger future for Texas students and communities through leadership and collaboration. Special thanks to Musco Lighting for helping make this Director’s Cut conversation possible. As a world leader in LED sports lighting solutions, Musco Lighting continues to support athletic communities by providing innovative lighting systems to enhance sports and entertainment spaces.

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