Conference Schedule

LTC 508: Legal Issues III▾

This course provides in-depth coverage of the legal standards governing hazing in interscholastic athletics programs and strategies for developing, implementing, and documenting an effective anti-hazing policy. There is also extensive coverage of the constitutional rights of student-athletes that must be respected by schools when sanctioning athletes for misconduct, the impact of federal disabilities legislation on school sports programs, and the employment and labor law issues related to the administration of interscholastic athletics programs, in particular the minimum wage and overtime requirements of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. Required for: CMAA Certification.

LTC 616 Facility Planning & Development▾

This course considers spectator facilities, special-use gymnasia, natatoriums, laundry rooms and locker rooms, and the various systems that support them. Mechanical system checklists for use in regular inspections and maintenance programming will be provided. In addition, considerations and issues related to construction and remodeling programs will be discussed.

LTC 720: Character-Based Athletics▾

Character-based school athletics can truly succeed only when the entire community—School Board, Superintendent, Principal, Parents and Boosters—support the values and views lived out daily by students in the school setting. This course shares the strategies necessary to implement programs within the athletic community of athletes, coaches, athletic department personnel, and school faculty. Teachable moments offered through athletics prepare students for the future, especially when everyone supports and reinforces those life lessons. This course will empower the athletic administrator to help motivate in order to be a key figure in helping the school community to understand and embrace important character expectations for the school program.

LTC 510: Legal Issues IV▾

This course provides in-depth coverage of the legal standards governing the authority of schools to sanction student-athletes and athletics personnel for misuse of electronic communications tools and inappropriate postings on social media. It also includes strategies for developing and implementing effective social media policies, along with extensive coverage of the legal mandates imposed by courts and legislatures related to event management and security, legal issues regarding the participation by transgender students in school sports programs, the rights of pregnant and parenting student-athletes that must be respected by interscholastic athletics programs, and the intellectual property issues related to school sports nicknames, logos, and mascots. Required for CMAA Certification.

LTC 630: Emergency Management▾

This course explores the 'how' and 'why' behind successful athletic event management, encompassing strategic planning and best practices for conducting education-based athletic contests and comprehensive safety protocols. Participants will be offered extensive training in personnel selection, game day supervision, and the creation of a positive sporting environment. Special emphasis will be placed upon emergency preparedness, risk assessment, and incident management - key components of offering a safe competitive experience for all stakeholders.

LTC 703: Student-Centered Athletics▾

This student-centered program will provide learning experiences for student athletes beyond the X’s and O’s. This course will support a value-based curriculum that will demonstrate model behaviors and qualities that students should emulate both in and out of the athletic arena. Teachable moments beyond the classroom—center court, centerfield, or center ice—provide the opportunity to promote and maximize the achievement of these educational goals and life skills. This course will provide the necessary strategies, methods, and resources to implement this initiative within your own school.

District Athletic Directors: Managing Athletics Across Multiple Schools▾

For: District Athletic Directors

Designed for leaders overseeing multiple campuses and programs. Learn strategies for district-wide consistency, policy development, budget oversight, staffing, facility planning, risk management, and strengthening school-level athletic leadership.

Athletic Department Budgeting and Fundraising in Challenging Times▾

For: All Athletic Directors

Develop sustainable financial plans, maximize resources, build booster club relationships, secure sponsorships, and implement fundraising strategies that support programs without creating inequities among sports.

LTC 701: Leadership and Administration of Middle School Athletics Personnel▾

This course provides the necessary strategies, methods, and resources to develop and implement middle school athletic programs and concentrates on the role of the middle school coach and coaching principles. Middle school athletics is an essential part of the total educational process, and the coach is a critical component in a developmentally sound and educationally compatible program. Required for: RMSAA.

LTC 790: Instructional Methods▾

Engagement, exploration, expert analysis, constructive commentary, partnered support, connection, laughter, and ultimately—mastery. These form the foundational elements of LTC 790, a course created specifically to equip instructors with the appropriate and effective strategies, methods, and techniques to best deliver the NIAAA LTI curriculum to today’s interscholastic athletic administrators. LTI instructors guide, lead, and connect with potential LTI instructors through a series of exercises, interactions, and strategies that travel two parallel preparation paths—one showcasing exemplary instructional practices for the successful teaching of all LTI courses, and the other ensuring the integrity of the NIAAA LTI program is maintained through the consistent and accurate delivery of course curriculum. Ultimately, both paths come together to provide instructors with the core comprehensive skills needed to best prepare athletic administrators to serve and lead in the dynamic world that is education-based athletics. To become an LTI instructor, individuals must complete LTC 501, LTC 790, and the course the individual will be instructing.

Leading the Way: Strategies for New Athletic Directors▾

For: New Athletic Directors (0-2 years)

Learn the essential skills needed to navigate your first years as an athletic director successfully. Topics include budgeting, scheduling, facility management, communication, legal considerations, and building relationships with coaches, parents, and administrators.

NIAAA Certifications and GADA Designations▾

For: All Athletic Directors

Build your credentials. Grow your leadership. Expand your impact. Explore pathways for earning national (NIAAA) and state (GADA) athletic administration certifications, including required Leadership Training Courses (LTCs) and exam prep.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Athletics▾

For: All Athletic Directors

Smarter tools. Greater efficiency. More opportunities. Discover how to use AI to draft parent communications, automate scheduling workflows, generate press releases, and streamline everyday administrative tasks to save time.

Hiring, Supervising, and Evaluating Coaches▾

For: All Athletic Directors

Learn how to attract quality coaches, conduct effective interviews, establish clear expectations, implement evaluation systems, and address performance concerns while fostering a positive coaching culture.

Building an Adapted Sports Program from the Ground Up▾

For: All Athletic Directors

Learn practical steps for launching an adapted athletics program for students with disabilities. Topics include funding, staffing, community partnerships, athlete recruitment, equipment needs, scheduling competitions, and creating inclusive athletic opportunities for all students.

Women in Athletic Leadership: Thriving as a Female Athletic Director▾

For: Female Athletic Directors

This session focuses on leadership development, mentorship opportunities, overcoming challenges, work-life balance, and strategies for increasing female representation in athletic administration. Participants will build connections with fellow women leaders in education-based athletics.

Middle School Matters: Athletic Leadership at the Developmental Level▾

For: Middle School Athletic Directors

Explore the unique opportunities and challenges of middle school athletics. Topics include participation-based programming, student development, coach supervision, eligibility management, transportation logistics, and preparing student-athletes for the high school experience.

Navigating Legal Issues and Risk Management in School Athletics▾

For: All Athletic Directors

Review current legal topics affecting school athletics, including student eligibility, Title IX considerations, supervision responsibilities, concussion policies, transportation concerns, and documentation practices.

Parent Engagement and Difficult Conversations▾

For: All Athletic Directors

Gain techniques for managing parent concerns, conducting productive meetings, establishing communication protocols, and reducing conflicts before they escalate into major issues.

Sportsmanship: “The Champion Standard”▾

For: All Athletic Directors

Successful programs are built on more than wins and losses. Discover strategies for creating a culture focused on character, accountability, leadership, sportsmanship, and long-term success.

GHSA MIS▾

For: All Athletic Directors

Join GHSA staff for a hands-on guide to using the Member Information System (MIS) efficiently—covering eligibility roster entry, result reporting, coaching credentials, transfer tracking, and staying compliant. ________________

Mental Health, Wellness, and Student-Athlete Support Systems▾

For: All Athletic Directors

Examine the growing mental health needs of student-athletes and learn how athletic departments can create support systems, recognize warning signs, reduce stigma, and collaborate with school counselors and community resources.

Student Leadership Development Through Athletics▾

For: All Athletic Directors

Discover ways to empower student-athletes as leaders through captain training programs, student-athlete advisory councils, mentorship initiatives, and community engagement opportunities.

Crisis Management in School Athletics▾

For: All Athletic Directors

Prepare for emergencies before they happen. Learn best practices for handling injuries, severe weather, social media controversies, spectator incidents, and public relations challenges while protecting students and school communities.

GHSA – Understanding and Strategizing with PSR▾

For: All Athletic Directors

Learn how the GHSA Power Ratings System (PSR) is calculated and how to strategically build contest schedules that maximize your teams' post-season opportunities while balancing competitive balance.

Mentorship That Matters: Supporting the Next Generation▾

For: All Athletic Directors

Developing coaches. Building leaders. Strengthening programs. Learn practical steps to launch an in-house coaching mentorship initiative while establishing external AD mentorship networks with surrounding schools—reducing turnover, supporting new leaders, and building a strong, connected athletic department culture.