Ask the AD - Jeff Markle, Parkville High School
This summer, just like we did last 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 Jeff Markle from Parkville High School in Baltimore County! Jeff spoke with us about a variety of topics, including his excitement surrounding Parkville's current crop of coaches!
County Sports Zone:How did you become athletic director at Parkville? How did your appointment come about?
Jeff Markle:I have coached at Parkville since 1992 and started teaching in the building in 96-97. I coached both baseball and football for a good number of years. A good friend of mine was the AD at Parkville but was leaving the county to take another AD position. Him and I talked about it and it just sort of went from there.
CSZ:How has the job changed since you started? How has it stayed the same?
JM:The AD position at Parkville has changed a lot since I started. It is a demanding job. I have other responsibilities in the building besides being the AD. Those responsibilities change based on the principal of the building. I have been an AD for approximately 10 years now and have had four different principals. So the job is always in flux. Besides that, when you have coaching changes that also affects how you handle different situations.
How the job has stayed the same- that's easy. When I first took the job, my main goal was for to help the students of Parkville have a positive experience while they are in the building. That goal remains the same for me. I try and help as many students in the building as I can.
CSZ:What do you enjoy most about your job?
JM:I enjoy the students the most. Just helping them out on a daily basis with whatever I can. Trying to get them to take responsibility for their actions whether it be good or bad. Also, watching them grow and mature from ninth graders through their senior year.
CSZ:How would you rate this past year for Parkville Athletics? Were there a couple highlights that stand out?
JM:This past year was a good year for PHS Athletics. We had a great football record. We finished 7-2 and just missed the playoffs. We had a new boys basketball coach which did a great job and worked hard to get his kids to the next level. We actually have 5 of our seniors playing for various colleges next year. That is very exciting.
Finally, our boys lacrosse team worked very hard to go undefeated during their regular season. Another quality highlight for us.
CSZ:How do you view the athletic director's role within the community of a high school?
JM:That's a tough one because I have been at the high school for 20 plus years. I try and promote Parkville Athletics as much as possible. Our athletes do a lot of good things and probably do not get the credit they deserve. It is hard with the job demand to sometimes get out in the community to promote.
Recently we started a Twitter page and that seems to help. Along with that, we have a PHS Athletics booster Facebook page to keep in touch with the community as well as alumni.
CSZ:What do you look for when you're in the process of hiring a coach?
JM:Someone who understands what our students are about. I try and be upfront with the coaches before hiring them. I tell them if they want to win a state title in the first year then they are at the wrong place. They are going to need to build the program up and work from there.
Parkville is not an easy place to coach. There are a lot of distractions and it can get pretty frustrating. With that being said, you can find good coaches. My boys basketball coach is the perfect example. He is only going to get better with more experience, but he cares about his kids and he works hard for them. The athletes respect that and it shows in the amount of work they are willing to put in.
CSZ:Is there anything exciting or new we should be on the look out for from Parkville's athletic department?
JM:I always talk to our coaches about working to improve. We have a great bunch of coaches at Parkville. They work well together and understand what is best for our student athletes. I think Parkville's athletic program will continue to get better each year with the current group of coaches that we have. I'm excited about starting the year and seeing what our coaches can do.
CSZ:If there's anything else happening with Parkville Athletics that you'd like to share, don't hesitate to let us know!
JM:Just looking forward to the 2017-18 school year and seeing how our teams grow and mature. Go Knights!
Today we're featuring Jeff Markle from Parkville High School in Baltimore County! Jeff spoke with us about a variety of topics, including his excitement surrounding Parkville's current crop of coaches!
County Sports Zone:How did you become athletic director at Parkville? How did your appointment come about?
Jeff Markle:I have coached at Parkville since 1992 and started teaching in the building in 96-97. I coached both baseball and football for a good number of years. A good friend of mine was the AD at Parkville but was leaving the county to take another AD position. Him and I talked about it and it just sort of went from there.
CSZ:How has the job changed since you started? How has it stayed the same?
JM:The AD position at Parkville has changed a lot since I started. It is a demanding job. I have other responsibilities in the building besides being the AD. Those responsibilities change based on the principal of the building. I have been an AD for approximately 10 years now and have had four different principals. So the job is always in flux. Besides that, when you have coaching changes that also affects how you handle different situations.
How the job has stayed the same- that's easy. When I first took the job, my main goal was for to help the students of Parkville have a positive experience while they are in the building. That goal remains the same for me. I try and help as many students in the building as I can.
CSZ:What do you enjoy most about your job?
JM:I enjoy the students the most. Just helping them out on a daily basis with whatever I can. Trying to get them to take responsibility for their actions whether it be good or bad. Also, watching them grow and mature from ninth graders through their senior year.
CSZ:How would you rate this past year for Parkville Athletics? Were there a couple highlights that stand out?
JM:This past year was a good year for PHS Athletics. We had a great football record. We finished 7-2 and just missed the playoffs. We had a new boys basketball coach which did a great job and worked hard to get his kids to the next level. We actually have 5 of our seniors playing for various colleges next year. That is very exciting.
Finally, our boys lacrosse team worked very hard to go undefeated during their regular season. Another quality highlight for us.
CSZ:How do you view the athletic director's role within the community of a high school?
JM:That's a tough one because I have been at the high school for 20 plus years. I try and promote Parkville Athletics as much as possible. Our athletes do a lot of good things and probably do not get the credit they deserve. It is hard with the job demand to sometimes get out in the community to promote.
Recently we started a Twitter page and that seems to help. Along with that, we have a PHS Athletics booster Facebook page to keep in touch with the community as well as alumni.
CSZ:What do you look for when you're in the process of hiring a coach?
JM:Someone who understands what our students are about. I try and be upfront with the coaches before hiring them. I tell them if they want to win a state title in the first year then they are at the wrong place. They are going to need to build the program up and work from there.
Parkville is not an easy place to coach. There are a lot of distractions and it can get pretty frustrating. With that being said, you can find good coaches. My boys basketball coach is the perfect example. He is only going to get better with more experience, but he cares about his kids and he works hard for them. The athletes respect that and it shows in the amount of work they are willing to put in.
CSZ:Is there anything exciting or new we should be on the look out for from Parkville's athletic department?
JM:I always talk to our coaches about working to improve. We have a great bunch of coaches at Parkville. They work well together and understand what is best for our student athletes. I think Parkville's athletic program will continue to get better each year with the current group of coaches that we have. I'm excited about starting the year and seeing what our coaches can do.
CSZ:If there's anything else happening with Parkville Athletics that you'd like to share, don't hesitate to let us know!
JM:Just looking forward to the 2017-18 school year and seeing how our teams grow and mature. Go Knights!
| June 26th, 2017 | By: Wick Eisenberg |