Page 49 - 2021 IHSAA Annual Report

ATHLETIC DIRE CT ORS

ATHLETIC One could say that 2020 was an agility experience of not having high school athletics

test for Painter, Terre Haute North Vigo’s
reiterated why she does what she does.
AD, and for Hudson, who holds the same
position at South Bend Washington.
persevere. And that’s precisely what these
Their initial responses to the pandemic In education-based athletics, what we do is
prove their mettle as true empathetic and other athletic directors in our state
did to make high school sports possible
leaders in education-based athletics, ones
DIRECTORS who put students before athletics. in the fall. That meant, of course, that
high school sports would be a little bit
“Ultimately, sports was not the priority at
different than we were accustomed to.
that time—it was health, people’s health and
well-being,” Hudson said. “It was just an “Last year, you had the fall. We had limited
unknown. So, the first thing was, let’s stop fans. We had to limit the number of kids we
what we’re doing and put a pause on athletics.” could allow to come and watch as fans in
our student section,” Painter said. “When
While Hudson knew this was the right we got to the winter season, we had about
decision, he was also aware that it dampened six weeks of time when we had nobody
the athletic experience of high school seniors. at games. It was basically the teams, the
Painter expressed a similar sentiment. officials, the scorer’s table, and me.”

“The spring of 2020 was obviously very sad Painter went on to say that the logistical
in that our spring sports kids didn’t get to do maneuvers that allowed competition to
what they loved to do,” she said. “Even for occur were of great consequence to the
the adults, our coaching staffs, they didn’t student-athlete—because the reality is that it
get to do what they love to do.” However, the provided them some semblance of normal.

Pictured in the huddle is the Terre Haute North boys’ basketball team. Players who were not checked
into the game were required to wear masks. A not “normal” sight prior to the pandemic, this safety
What Having No Sports Taught Us Outside of a pandemic, the athletic director measure allowed student-athletes to experience some semblance of normal when many non-student-
About Sports position already requires thoughtful and athletes could not.
acute leadership in addition to unrivaled
Education-based athletics are invaluable to dedication. It is not uncommon for
the student-athletes who participate in them athletic directors to work 12-hour days
and the communities that support them. to meet the needs of student-athletes and
The second classroom helps forge student- their sports programs. That said, it is no
athletes into the leaders of tomorrow—and surprise to the Association that these two
no two people are more aware of this individuals were well-prepared to handle
than athletic directors Kris Painter and the unknowns that came with Covid-19.
Garland Hudson, current leaders of their
respective schools’ athletic programs.

Athletic directors are, in essence, educators—

and for many athletic directors, the pandemic

proved how vital the high school sports

curriculum is.

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