Site and Location

Site Supervisor Name: Mr. Melvin Riddick

Title: Director of Athletics’

Company Name: Louis E. Dieruff High School of the Allentown School District

Mailing Address: 815 N Irving Street, Allentown, Pa 18109

E-mail: Riddickm@allentownsd.org

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Summary

            During this practicum, there was no hesitation when I go there. From the first day, they trusted me to all their everyday responsibilities. This included all the following: schedule and verify transportation, verify officials, look through the master schedule, and printing the master schedule for the next day. These were some of the simpler tasks I was given during this experience, but not limited to these.

            I also worked on a few projects for the Athletic Office at Dieruff High School. The first one a worked on and completed was a “Game Manager Booklet” for individuals who had to fill in for Mr. Riddick during a sporting event that he could not attend. This booklet consists of all sports, even the ones that don’t require you to do anything. It refers to the tasks that must be completed from start to end of the event. Some of these tasks are greeting the officials and teams, unlocking locker rooms and equipment rooms, and informing refs and teams of possible changes to the schedule.

            These also go into another section in the booklet that reference what to do on senior night. It consists of all the tasks that general agendas have plus the senior recognition. This project aroused when I had to step in for Mr. Riddick for Boys’ Volleyball Senior Night.  When planning or the event we realized that it would be easier to have a manual to run these games instead of scrambling the day of the event to figure out what needs to be done. I also created an individual sheet for the event that the principal saw, Mrs. Bocian, and said that she loved having me around and loved the paper I put together. For this event, I also stepped in as line judge for the Varsity game since they were down one, this was a great experience.

            The next project I worked on was an information sheet for coaches during the preseason meeting. It referred to the Wawa ticket sale fundraiser that is held by the Booster Club. This fundraiser is to help raise money for the Kiska Athletic Banquet in May. The money is put towards running the event and if student-athletes sold a certain amount of tickets they got a free ticket. This information sheet was to help new coaches better understand the importance of this fundraiser. I ran into a coach that had no clue about this sale and banquet and I sat down and spoke with him for an hour about what would make him better understand it. The information sheet is to motivate and educate coaches that have just started and have been there for years to enforce this fundraiser. Especially since it benefits their athletes and program.

            The rest of the projects were to help better organize the office and other duties they are responsible for. The other event I attended was the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference Athletic Director’s meeting. This event touched on all things involving high school athletics’ league wide.

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Impact

            Through this experience I learned a lot about myself. Originally, I never thought that I would consider working as an Athletic Director. I always thought that I wanted to do something at the professional or semi-professional level. Learning how much of a difference a High School AD can make on a teenager’s life is unbelievable, especially in a high poverty area like Allentown. Some of these kids look up to staff as parent figures and could help that individual make a difference in their life. With a few simple tasks, you can impact someone’s life and teach them that just because of the area you are from, doesn’t mean you are worthless and will never become anything.

            This also refers to my personal growth. I want to be able to reach out and help young individuals make a difference in the world through sport and academics. To be able to a figure of stability to some kids is a great feeling. Giving these students someone that they can talk to about issues they are having in school as well as on the field. It helped me mature a little more about my view on the sport industry. Diversity is all around us and it is up to us to accept this and move on.

            As for my professional growth, it has made me want to become a better leader and mentor. On a professional basis, I want to take classes on character building, leadership and anything along those lines. I also want to take my coaching certification that is being enforced for all coaches this year in the PIAA to better qualify myself for an Athletic Director position and coach at the high school level to get experience. I want to further my professional experience at all levels of high school sport. My goal is to one day can make an impact in my community and give this area the reputation they deserve.

            Through this experience it has furthered my knowledge and helped me to elaborate on what I learned in Diversity Issues in Sport Management. With going to Dieruff High School all four years and being raised in Allentown helped to better understand the school and students. It has showed me that that ever generation that goes by it is getting more diverse every year. The one thing that I wish I knew before this experience is the qualifications to become an AD in different areas. Some require you to have a teaching certificate or something like this. Even with, I am seriously considering a position as a Director of Athletics’ at the High School level. Especially since Mr. Riddick is talking about retiring in three years. This gives me a chance to get experience before this and possibly be a candidate for this position.

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Time Log