Ask the AD- Brian Moore, Parkdale 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.
For today's second post, we're featuring Brian Moore from Parkdale High School in Prince George's County! During our conversation, Brian spoke about Parkdale's athletic year, his hope of starting a Parkdale athletic hall of fame, and a couple new teams that will participate at the MPSSAA level next year!
County Sports Zone:How did you become athletic director at Parkdale? How did your appointment come about?
Brian Moore:When I completed my Master's Degree in Administration and Supervision in May of 2012, I immediately began searching for a position in administration to put my degree to use. My first preference was always an athletic administration position but I did not know how to secure one. As fate would have it in July of 2012, less than one week before the closing date, I noticed there were four athletic director positions open in Prince George's County. I applied for them and was selected to direct athletics at Parkdale in August of 2012.
CSZ:How has the job changed since you started? How has it stayed the same?
BM:I would say going into my fifth year of directing athletics I have noticed our job requires more consistency than anything. First and foremost as athletic directors we wear many hats. Athletic directors must mentor coaches and players and help them progress on to college as well as being well versed on a ton of county, state, and NCAA regulations. Athletic directors also have to make sure budgets are allocated properly and have the ability to stay one step ahead of every sport season in terms of preparation. Making sure coaches, parents, and players are informed about the upcoming season is very important year after year.
In season we must make sure transportation is in place, sport commissioners are on speed dial, paperwork is filled properly and in place, facilities are safe and clean and that is just one tenth of what we are responsible for. I can say as technology improves we can do these same things a little faster, but for the most part we have a fast paced job that requires our full time attention. Meeting and working with athletic directors in our county has helped. We are like a fraternity and it really makes the job enjoyable when we can share ideas and help each other improve our programs.
CSZ:How would you rate this past year for Parkdale Athletics? Were there a couple highlights that stand out?
BM:I would rate this past year in Parkdale Athletics extremely highly. It is never about wins and losses, but if I were to recognize successful teams I can say there were many programs that had a successful team this past year. To highlight a few, our fall sports teams saw the boys soccer team make it to the region final. The girls soccer team went undefeated in the regular season and made it to the county championship. In the winter our wrestlers were crowned county champions for the fifth consecutive year, while our girls basketball team won the 4A south region and played in a state semifinal at Towson University. In the spring, our baseball team went undefeated in the regular season and made it to the county championship as did our softball team, which lost one regular season game.
CSZ:What're a couple things you've accomplished while Parkdale athletic director that you are most proud of?
BM:Two things stand out in my mind. The first is earning my Certified Athletic Administration (CAA) degree in April of 2014. My CAA gave me a sense of accomplishment in my field and has given me energy to try and be the best athletic director I can be.
The other accomplishment I am most proud of right now is the addition in our athletic wing titled "Where Are They Now". In this portion of our athletic wing we highlight past Panthers who are now playing their sport in college. It gives our current players something to aspire to, it shows our past players that we care in what they are doing post Parkdale, and it shows the community that Parkdale is highly-capable of producing talented student-athletes who can play at the collegiate level.
CSZ:What do you enjoy most about your job?
BM:I would saw I most enjoy interacting with the players and coaches of all the sports. My perspective of athletics in general has changed tremendously since I started this job. What I mean by that is as a coach and player my background was football, so I had no idea the amount of effort and skill it takes to be a successful tennis player, volleyball player, wrestler etc. Working with those players and coaches has taught me to appreciate athletics as a whole body figure and treat every sport as if it were the most important in the world. To see the time and effort they put in during the offseason, practice and then game ties me into those teams emotionall and in turn, I become very proud of everything our teams accomplish.
CSZ:How do you view the athletic director's role within the high school community?
BM:Inside of the Parkdale community, my job is an important one in that I have to make sure every staff member is up to speed on what our athletic teams are doing and when they will be doing them. For example, there are a lot of times when certain teams must have an early dismissal so I would need to let the staff know who should be leaving their classes early. Other times, I need to collaborate with the custodial staff so they know which teams need certain access to parts of our building.
I also believe the athletic director must promote teams visually. People are visual processors and if they see a team being advertised they are more likely to follow that team or be aware of who is playing that sport. The AD is also responsible for the up keep and curb appeal of the athletic facilities. The first thing a visitor upon reaching one of our athletic venues whether it looks good or bad would say "Who is the athletic director?"
CSZ:Is there anything exciting or new we should be on the look out for from Parkdale's athletic department?
BM:I'm very excited about our new website that will be launched this Fall. Fans and visitors can already follow us on Facebook and Twitter, but now everyone can follow Parkdale Athletics at www.parkdaleathletics.info. This will really promote our program to a broader audience and give our teams their deserved recognition. I'm also excited about the prospect of creating a Parkdale Hall of Fame. Parkdale is 47 years old and that might make it difficult to uncover all of the great feats Parkdale athletes have done over that time span, but it will be well worth it if we can accomplish that feat.
CSZ:What are your long term goals for Parkdale's athletics program?
BM:My long term goals for the program are to enhance every sport team's playing venue. For example, last summer we had our tennis courts revitalized so that they look professional and appealing. Next I have a goal to revitalize the main gym in terms of bleachers and a new floor, our wrestlers need enhancements in their room and to finish it off, I'd like to improve the playing fields of the football/soccer teams and baseball/softball teams as well as make sure our track teams have safe running surfaces.
Money is always a question mark so I really want to solidify one main source of fundraising revenue to help our teams. We are really under a tight budget and it would alleviate the stress if we had an income that could support all 17 sports that we offer.
I'd also like to see at least 90% of our student athletes sign up for the NCAA and NAIA Eligibility Center. A lot of our kids do not realize their potential until they are pointed in the right direction, and I want our program to really emphasize that in the years to come.
CSZ:Anything else you would like to share?
BM:I'd like to share that Parkdale now has boys and girls lacrosse teams that will compete in PG County on the MPSSAA level next season. We also have a diving team that will compete on the MPSSAA level next season.
For today's second post, we're featuring Brian Moore from Parkdale High School in Prince George's County! During our conversation, Brian spoke about Parkdale's athletic year, his hope of starting a Parkdale athletic hall of fame, and a couple new teams that will participate at the MPSSAA level next year!
County Sports Zone:How did you become athletic director at Parkdale? How did your appointment come about?
Brian Moore:When I completed my Master's Degree in Administration and Supervision in May of 2012, I immediately began searching for a position in administration to put my degree to use. My first preference was always an athletic administration position but I did not know how to secure one. As fate would have it in July of 2012, less than one week before the closing date, I noticed there were four athletic director positions open in Prince George's County. I applied for them and was selected to direct athletics at Parkdale in August of 2012.
CSZ:How has the job changed since you started? How has it stayed the same?
BM:I would say going into my fifth year of directing athletics I have noticed our job requires more consistency than anything. First and foremost as athletic directors we wear many hats. Athletic directors must mentor coaches and players and help them progress on to college as well as being well versed on a ton of county, state, and NCAA regulations. Athletic directors also have to make sure budgets are allocated properly and have the ability to stay one step ahead of every sport season in terms of preparation. Making sure coaches, parents, and players are informed about the upcoming season is very important year after year.
In season we must make sure transportation is in place, sport commissioners are on speed dial, paperwork is filled properly and in place, facilities are safe and clean and that is just one tenth of what we are responsible for. I can say as technology improves we can do these same things a little faster, but for the most part we have a fast paced job that requires our full time attention. Meeting and working with athletic directors in our county has helped. We are like a fraternity and it really makes the job enjoyable when we can share ideas and help each other improve our programs.
CSZ:How would you rate this past year for Parkdale Athletics? Were there a couple highlights that stand out?
BM:I would rate this past year in Parkdale Athletics extremely highly. It is never about wins and losses, but if I were to recognize successful teams I can say there were many programs that had a successful team this past year. To highlight a few, our fall sports teams saw the boys soccer team make it to the region final. The girls soccer team went undefeated in the regular season and made it to the county championship. In the winter our wrestlers were crowned county champions for the fifth consecutive year, while our girls basketball team won the 4A south region and played in a state semifinal at Towson University. In the spring, our baseball team went undefeated in the regular season and made it to the county championship as did our softball team, which lost one regular season game.
CSZ:What're a couple things you've accomplished while Parkdale athletic director that you are most proud of?
BM:Two things stand out in my mind. The first is earning my Certified Athletic Administration (CAA) degree in April of 2014. My CAA gave me a sense of accomplishment in my field and has given me energy to try and be the best athletic director I can be.
The other accomplishment I am most proud of right now is the addition in our athletic wing titled "Where Are They Now". In this portion of our athletic wing we highlight past Panthers who are now playing their sport in college. It gives our current players something to aspire to, it shows our past players that we care in what they are doing post Parkdale, and it shows the community that Parkdale is highly-capable of producing talented student-athletes who can play at the collegiate level.
CSZ:What do you enjoy most about your job?
BM:I would saw I most enjoy interacting with the players and coaches of all the sports. My perspective of athletics in general has changed tremendously since I started this job. What I mean by that is as a coach and player my background was football, so I had no idea the amount of effort and skill it takes to be a successful tennis player, volleyball player, wrestler etc. Working with those players and coaches has taught me to appreciate athletics as a whole body figure and treat every sport as if it were the most important in the world. To see the time and effort they put in during the offseason, practice and then game ties me into those teams emotionall and in turn, I become very proud of everything our teams accomplish.
CSZ:How do you view the athletic director's role within the high school community?
BM:Inside of the Parkdale community, my job is an important one in that I have to make sure every staff member is up to speed on what our athletic teams are doing and when they will be doing them. For example, there are a lot of times when certain teams must have an early dismissal so I would need to let the staff know who should be leaving their classes early. Other times, I need to collaborate with the custodial staff so they know which teams need certain access to parts of our building.
I also believe the athletic director must promote teams visually. People are visual processors and if they see a team being advertised they are more likely to follow that team or be aware of who is playing that sport. The AD is also responsible for the up keep and curb appeal of the athletic facilities. The first thing a visitor upon reaching one of our athletic venues whether it looks good or bad would say "Who is the athletic director?"
CSZ:Is there anything exciting or new we should be on the look out for from Parkdale's athletic department?
BM:I'm very excited about our new website that will be launched this Fall. Fans and visitors can already follow us on Facebook and Twitter, but now everyone can follow Parkdale Athletics at www.parkdaleathletics.info. This will really promote our program to a broader audience and give our teams their deserved recognition. I'm also excited about the prospect of creating a Parkdale Hall of Fame. Parkdale is 47 years old and that might make it difficult to uncover all of the great feats Parkdale athletes have done over that time span, but it will be well worth it if we can accomplish that feat.
CSZ:What are your long term goals for Parkdale's athletics program?
BM:My long term goals for the program are to enhance every sport team's playing venue. For example, last summer we had our tennis courts revitalized so that they look professional and appealing. Next I have a goal to revitalize the main gym in terms of bleachers and a new floor, our wrestlers need enhancements in their room and to finish it off, I'd like to improve the playing fields of the football/soccer teams and baseball/softball teams as well as make sure our track teams have safe running surfaces.
Money is always a question mark so I really want to solidify one main source of fundraising revenue to help our teams. We are really under a tight budget and it would alleviate the stress if we had an income that could support all 17 sports that we offer.
I'd also like to see at least 90% of our student athletes sign up for the NCAA and NAIA Eligibility Center. A lot of our kids do not realize their potential until they are pointed in the right direction, and I want our program to really emphasize that in the years to come.
CSZ:Anything else you would like to share?
BM:I'd like to share that Parkdale now has boys and girls lacrosse teams that will compete in PG County on the MPSSAA level next season. We also have a diving team that will compete on the MPSSAA level next season.
| July 7th, 2016 | By: Wick Eisenberg |