January is the Most Demanding Month for our Athletic Directors

In every profession, there are moments when the workload intensifies, and extra commitment is required. According to Jon Rickey, the Arizona Network Director of Athletics, January is that demanding season for our great-hearted athletic directors (ADs) as they tackle the busy activity calendars and juggling responsibilities across multiple sports with dedication and commitment at each of our academies.

Great Hearts has an impressive and growing roster of 915 high school athletes and 1,416 middle school athletes engaged in winter sports that includes soccer, basketball, tennis, baseball, and softball across various age groups, creating a dynamic and demanding environment for ADs. Unlike the regular rhythm of fall season sports like football and volleyball, the winter sports season presents ADs with a jigsaw puzzle of schedules, often stretching their workdays into late-night hours. With this whirlwind of activity and extra work, the month of January would be recognized as “Hug-Your-AD” month if it were up to Rickey.

With a distinguished 30-year career, AD Derek Wahlstrom, agrees that January is the busiest month of the athletic year at Trivium Prep. “We have 15 teams playing games with some of those teams playing 3 times per week.” Wahlstrom said the schedule is further compacted by the end of winter break and the MLK holiday creating even fewer days to schedule games. “There are days when we might have up to 9 or 10 games on a given day. Some of those teams will need an early release that will require communication with families, teachers, and scholars. There are times when a game will need to rescheduled due to weather or other factors,” he explained.

But the work does not end with the complicated task of scheduling. “So logistically speaking, we have a lot to get done before the games even begin,” said Wahlstrom. “If any of those games are on campus, we will need to set up bleachers, sound systems, team benches, ticket tables, snack bars, and whatever else needs to be ready before the competition begins. When the event starts, we manage both teams, spectators, referees, and data collection to share with the AIA. When the game finishes, we then break down and clean the venue for school the next day before heading home.”

But Wahlstrom, who was inducted into the Arizona High School Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame last year, isn’t complaining. “I believe that athletics is a valuable part to the well-rounded, classical education we strive to provide as a Great Hearts Academy. The lessons learned will hopefully impact our scholars and the generations that follow,” he shared. “I know how athletics impacted my life, and I desire that for our scholars as well. Selfishly, I find great joy in watching our athletes compete and strive together towards excellence. When they make a big play and share their joy with their teammates, there aren’t many things in life that can top that!”

AD Aaron Foshie agrees that January is arguably the most physically grueling month of the year for him at Lincoln Prep. “Between being AD along with being the coach of our HS Boys Basketball team, I have events requiring my physical attendance on 22/22 non-weekend days this month. This is in addition to all of the behind-the-scenes admin work that needs to get done throughout the day related to scheduling, confirming teams and referees, fields, paintings, etc.”

Foshie admitted that work-life balance can prove to be difficult during this month, but credits his family and his team, Assistant AD Michael Brillhart and Athletics Assistant Alyssa Schoneberg, for their tireless support they give him and the hundreds of student-athletes at the academy.

AD John Kontak said this season requires the most time on campus at Glendale Prep. “I usually leave campus when hosting a basketball night around 9:30 PM. When we host middle school or high school soccer games, I am here until close to 9:00 PM. We also have off-site games and practices for baseball, softball, and tennis. Those include field reservations, court time, invoices, and more. Staying organized is very important when managing all of our teams.”

He is thankful for the patience, understanding, and support of his wife during this time. “I wouldn’t be able to spend as much time away from home if it wasn’t for her support.” And at the end of the day, Kontak agrees with the others that it is all worth the extra effort. “I love creating environments for our athletes to succeed and watching them grow.”

In the midst of these demanding days and seasonal transitions, we pause to thank our athletic directors. Their dedication and selflessness are the driving force behind our athletes’ success, both on the field and in life.

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