Ask the AD - Todd Hawkins, Lansdowne High School
This summer, CSZ will be doing a segment on the WICKipedia entitled "Ask the AD". In this feature, we'll be conducting Q&A's with various athletic directors around Maryland to learn more about how different high schools run their athletic programs, and what to expect from them in the future.
Today we're featuring Todd Hawkins from Lansdowne High School in Baltimore County! During our conversation, Todd spoke with us about this past year in Lansdowne Athletics, and some new awards being offered for by the school's athletics department for both coaches and players this year.
County Sports Zone:How did you become athletic director at Lansdowne? How did your appointment come about?
Todd Hawkins:I started as a coach and then became a teacher at Lansdowne High School for several years, working closely with the AD at the time, Brian Layman. I was also a regional director for football and lacrosse, which gave me the opportunity to work closely with Ron Belinko.
When Brian decided to step down, the transition for me to move into the athletic director position was a good fit, as I was already involved heavily within Lansdowne Athletics. I was offered the position of athletic director in 2007.
CSZ:How has the job changed since you started? How has it stayed the same?
TH:As this position has evolved during my tenure, we, as athletic directors, have become more administrative within our buildings. We have shifted to using technology more effectively, which has limited the amount of paper documents required. One main focus of my responsibility, as athletic director, includes the security and game management, which includes all aspects and facilities. At Lansdowne, our athletic programs are continuously growing, which requires me to manage them within a specific, allocated budget.
CSZ:How would you rate this past year for Lansdowne Athletics? Were there a couple highlights that stand out?
TH:Last year was a great year for Lansdowne Athletics, as we continued to field every level of every sport that the county offers. Boys soccer, both JV and varsity, had great seasons, both winning their divisions. Softball and baseball both competed in the regional final. Girls basketball improved their record immensely, by going 15-5 this season, making a complete turnaround as they were 5-15 in the previous season. Our golf team won their division. Cheerleading made it to the regional finals for the third time in as many years.
CSZ:What do you look for when hiring a coach?
TH:I continuously look for positive individuals who want to coach for all the right reasons, mainly being to prepare our athletes for their future endeavors. Sportsmanship is always important, as we embrace that every young man or woman is a student first, and an athlete second. Having a coach who promotes academics is vital for our student athletes.
Finding a coach who is able to prepare our athletes for their futures, not just within athletics, is rare, but at Lansdowne we have some really good coaches, who truly coach to make a difference for our athletes, on and off the field.
CSZ:What're a couple things you've accomplished while Lansdowne Athletic Director that you are most proud of?
TH:When I first became athletic director, we did not have enough participation of student athletes to field all teams, at all levels. We are the smallest 3A high school in Baltimore County. We now are one of the few high schools in Baltimore County that offer and field every level of every sport. I am very proud of our student athlete participation level.
I'm also proud of the high attendance rate and GPA of our hard working and dedicated student athletes. Sportsmanship here at Lansdowne is very important to me, and I feel that I have instilled high expectations within my student athletes and coaches at Lansdowne High School.
CSZ:What do you enjoy most about your job?
TH:I enjoy interacting with the student athletes daily, watching them improve and mature over their high school career. I also enjoy seeing alumni return, whether it be as a spectator or a coach.
CSZ:How do you view the role of an athletic director within a high school community?
TH:Athletic directors today play an important role in the whole school community. I work closely with area recreations, networking with coaches through the use of our facilities. Working with teachers and administrators helps to ensure the growth of the total student athlete.
CSZ:Is there anything exciting or new we should be on the look out for from the Lansdowne athletic department?
TH:This year we will continue to increase our athletic participation. We will be instituting a student athlete of the week, as well as honoring a coach of each season this year. At the conclusion of the year, we will name a Lansdowne Athletics student athlete of the year and coach of the year. These awards will help to continuously promote sportsmanship and continued dedication throughout all of our programs at Lansdowne.
Today we're featuring Todd Hawkins from Lansdowne High School in Baltimore County! During our conversation, Todd spoke with us about this past year in Lansdowne Athletics, and some new awards being offered for by the school's athletics department for both coaches and players this year.
County Sports Zone:How did you become athletic director at Lansdowne? How did your appointment come about?
Todd Hawkins:I started as a coach and then became a teacher at Lansdowne High School for several years, working closely with the AD at the time, Brian Layman. I was also a regional director for football and lacrosse, which gave me the opportunity to work closely with Ron Belinko.
When Brian decided to step down, the transition for me to move into the athletic director position was a good fit, as I was already involved heavily within Lansdowne Athletics. I was offered the position of athletic director in 2007.
CSZ:How has the job changed since you started? How has it stayed the same?
TH:As this position has evolved during my tenure, we, as athletic directors, have become more administrative within our buildings. We have shifted to using technology more effectively, which has limited the amount of paper documents required. One main focus of my responsibility, as athletic director, includes the security and game management, which includes all aspects and facilities. At Lansdowne, our athletic programs are continuously growing, which requires me to manage them within a specific, allocated budget.
CSZ:How would you rate this past year for Lansdowne Athletics? Were there a couple highlights that stand out?
TH:Last year was a great year for Lansdowne Athletics, as we continued to field every level of every sport that the county offers. Boys soccer, both JV and varsity, had great seasons, both winning their divisions. Softball and baseball both competed in the regional final. Girls basketball improved their record immensely, by going 15-5 this season, making a complete turnaround as they were 5-15 in the previous season. Our golf team won their division. Cheerleading made it to the regional finals for the third time in as many years.
CSZ:What do you look for when hiring a coach?
TH:I continuously look for positive individuals who want to coach for all the right reasons, mainly being to prepare our athletes for their future endeavors. Sportsmanship is always important, as we embrace that every young man or woman is a student first, and an athlete second. Having a coach who promotes academics is vital for our student athletes.
Finding a coach who is able to prepare our athletes for their futures, not just within athletics, is rare, but at Lansdowne we have some really good coaches, who truly coach to make a difference for our athletes, on and off the field.
CSZ:What're a couple things you've accomplished while Lansdowne Athletic Director that you are most proud of?
TH:When I first became athletic director, we did not have enough participation of student athletes to field all teams, at all levels. We are the smallest 3A high school in Baltimore County. We now are one of the few high schools in Baltimore County that offer and field every level of every sport. I am very proud of our student athlete participation level.
I'm also proud of the high attendance rate and GPA of our hard working and dedicated student athletes. Sportsmanship here at Lansdowne is very important to me, and I feel that I have instilled high expectations within my student athletes and coaches at Lansdowne High School.
CSZ:What do you enjoy most about your job?
TH:I enjoy interacting with the student athletes daily, watching them improve and mature over their high school career. I also enjoy seeing alumni return, whether it be as a spectator or a coach.
CSZ:How do you view the role of an athletic director within a high school community?
TH:Athletic directors today play an important role in the whole school community. I work closely with area recreations, networking with coaches through the use of our facilities. Working with teachers and administrators helps to ensure the growth of the total student athlete.
CSZ:Is there anything exciting or new we should be on the look out for from the Lansdowne athletic department?
TH:This year we will continue to increase our athletic participation. We will be instituting a student athlete of the week, as well as honoring a coach of each season this year. At the conclusion of the year, we will name a Lansdowne Athletics student athlete of the year and coach of the year. These awards will help to continuously promote sportsmanship and continued dedication throughout all of our programs at Lansdowne.
| August 5th, 2016 | By: Wick Eisenberg |