The job is never done for Iowa’s ADs.
Athletics and activities directors at IHSAA member schools have a year-round role that requires dedication and passion for serving student-athletes and communities. As the only state within NFHS that sponsors summer season sports – baseball and softball – Iowa has seasons that extend the grueling school year schedule.
Through a three-part video series, Day with an Iowa AD, the IHSAA aims to provide a glimpse of the job in Iowa’s unique summertime, as activities and responsibilities roll on across multiple competition levels, on and off the field.
The IHSAA is a proud partner of the Iowa High School Athletic Directors Association and is working with the IHSADA and IGHSAU to launch a new AD mentoring program in 2024-25. The program will link retired ADs with dozens of new ADs in their areas of the state to improve the challenging onboarding process of the mutli-faceted position.
EPISODE #3: NATE BOOCK
The third feature in this summer series highlights Nate Book, the activities director at Ballard who also serves as a state tournament level baseball umpire.
Boock hosted IHSAA communications interns Brock Beirman and Shae Bernhardt for office hours at Ballard and at a late season baseball game, showing the teamwork his roles require for success as both an AD and an IHSAA official.
EPISODE #2: BRYCE CONWAY
The second feature in this summer series is Bryce Conway, an activities director who also serves as head baseball and cross country coach at Riceville.
Conway hosted IHSAA communications interns Brock Beirman and Shae Bernhardt for a morning varsity batting practice and freshman game, using his position as an AD to build community and better those around him.
EPISODE #1: TARA WILLIAMS
The first feature in this summer series is Tara Williams, who recently transitioned roles from Lynnville-Sully to Pleasantville.
Williams hosted IHSAA communications interns Brock Beirman and Shae Bernhardt on “Senior Night” for baseball and softball in Sully, showcasing her quick connection to the school and the community and the depth of work and care that goes into being an activities director in Iowa.