Ask the AD - Anne Rossiter, Northwest 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 Anne Rossiter from Northwest High School in Montgomery County! Anne spoke with us about the importance of school spirit, the role the athletic department plays in promoting it, and what she enjoys most about being an athletic director!
County Sports Zone:How did you become athletic director at Northwest? How did your appointment come about?
Anne Rossiter:I was hired as the AD at Northwest in 2012 after working as the assistant AD for many years under Jim Tapley. I had showed interest while working as the Assistant AD and Mr. Tapley helped me start the process of learning the more integral parts of the job. When Jim took the AD job at his alma mater (B-CC) I communicated my interest in the vacant position, applied and was hired.
CSZ:How has the job changed since you started? How has it stayed the same?
AR:In the past four years we have begun to win more championships and our community spirit has grown tremendously! We have also made several upgrades to our athletic facilities with help from our boosters and MCPS. We added two new scoreboards, updated the lights in the main gym, resurfaced our track and tennis courts, and we have a new stadium field!
CSZ:How would you rate this past year for Northwest athletics? Were there a couple highlights that stand out?
AR:We had another successful year at Northwest! Several Northwest teams, including girls volleyball, boys indoor track (third year in a row), and the boys track & field team, won state titles which was very exciting. We also had a few teams go deep into the playoffs as well. In addition to the on-field successes our department achieved, Northwest also won the MCPS sportsmanship award within the past three years.
CSZ:What're a couple things you've accomplished while Northwest athletic director that you are most proud of?
AR:We are very proud of the upgrades to our facilities at Northwest and have maintained, supported and bolstered outstanding relationship with our crucial booster club. Also, I am proud of the elite coaches that lead our teams and help guide our programs to championship status. I'm also proud of the student-athletes that put in the hard work balancing their academic demands with their athletic preparation. Our student-athletes have a long standing tradition of academic success at Northwest and 41 teams produced GPA's above 3.0. At Northwest, we have developed an environment of success both on the field and in the classroom that will help prepare our student-athletes to be successful at the collegiate level.
CSZ:You've had a bunch of team make deep playoff runs during your time at Northwest. When you have a team making a deep postseason run and going to states, what is the atmosphere like around the school? How does the athletic department try to enhance that atmosphere?
AR:We have tremendous school spirit on-campus due to our successful sports teams, our increased social media presence, our booster club and JagNation. @NWJags is the athletic twitter handle. We keep that up-to-date and current so our followers are with us every step of the way. I'm also very lucky at Northwest that our principal is a very big promoter of school spirit. We also have a group that started about two years ago called JagNation. It was founded by a group of students who wanted to increase school spirit. Currently school spirit has never been better and it's a fun atmosphere to be a part of.
CSZ:Do you have any favorite teams or moments from your time at Northwest?
AR:I'm proud of all of our teams and couldn't choose a favorite, but one program I am especially proud of is Team Handball, Bocce and Allied Softball. The MCPS program is designed to promote and assist students with special needs to get involved with a varsity sport. There is nothing like watching our students earn a varsity letter and have a great time playing a sport they love!
CSZ:What do you enjoy most about your job?
AR:Watching and being a part of the success of our programs! I love seeing the faces of our teams when they work hard all season and get positive results.
CSZ:How do you view the athletic director's role within the community of a high school?
AR:I believe that working with our community is critical to success. I work closely with our booster club, which is a huge promoter and support system for our student athletes. It is also important to visit local elementary and middle schools to promote Northwest schools and introduce the importance of athletics into the lives of younger students. We have community nights during certain home events designed to get the younger athletes to attend our games and support our teams.
CSZ:Is there anything exciting or new we should be on the look out for from Northwest's athletic department?
AR:I think Northwest has made its mark in MCPS and the state of Maryland as a school with highly successful sports programs. We look forward to continuing that success.
CSZ:Anything else you'd like to share with us about Northwest athletics?
AR:Yes, follow us at @NWJagSports. Let's go Jags!
Today we're featuring Anne Rossiter from Northwest High School in Montgomery County! Anne spoke with us about the importance of school spirit, the role the athletic department plays in promoting it, and what she enjoys most about being an athletic director!
County Sports Zone:How did you become athletic director at Northwest? How did your appointment come about?
Anne Rossiter:I was hired as the AD at Northwest in 2012 after working as the assistant AD for many years under Jim Tapley. I had showed interest while working as the Assistant AD and Mr. Tapley helped me start the process of learning the more integral parts of the job. When Jim took the AD job at his alma mater (B-CC) I communicated my interest in the vacant position, applied and was hired.
CSZ:How has the job changed since you started? How has it stayed the same?
AR:In the past four years we have begun to win more championships and our community spirit has grown tremendously! We have also made several upgrades to our athletic facilities with help from our boosters and MCPS. We added two new scoreboards, updated the lights in the main gym, resurfaced our track and tennis courts, and we have a new stadium field!
CSZ:How would you rate this past year for Northwest athletics? Were there a couple highlights that stand out?
AR:We had another successful year at Northwest! Several Northwest teams, including girls volleyball, boys indoor track (third year in a row), and the boys track & field team, won state titles which was very exciting. We also had a few teams go deep into the playoffs as well. In addition to the on-field successes our department achieved, Northwest also won the MCPS sportsmanship award within the past three years.
CSZ:What're a couple things you've accomplished while Northwest athletic director that you are most proud of?
AR:We are very proud of the upgrades to our facilities at Northwest and have maintained, supported and bolstered outstanding relationship with our crucial booster club. Also, I am proud of the elite coaches that lead our teams and help guide our programs to championship status. I'm also proud of the student-athletes that put in the hard work balancing their academic demands with their athletic preparation. Our student-athletes have a long standing tradition of academic success at Northwest and 41 teams produced GPA's above 3.0. At Northwest, we have developed an environment of success both on the field and in the classroom that will help prepare our student-athletes to be successful at the collegiate level.
CSZ:You've had a bunch of team make deep playoff runs during your time at Northwest. When you have a team making a deep postseason run and going to states, what is the atmosphere like around the school? How does the athletic department try to enhance that atmosphere?
AR:We have tremendous school spirit on-campus due to our successful sports teams, our increased social media presence, our booster club and JagNation. @NWJags is the athletic twitter handle. We keep that up-to-date and current so our followers are with us every step of the way. I'm also very lucky at Northwest that our principal is a very big promoter of school spirit. We also have a group that started about two years ago called JagNation. It was founded by a group of students who wanted to increase school spirit. Currently school spirit has never been better and it's a fun atmosphere to be a part of.
CSZ:Do you have any favorite teams or moments from your time at Northwest?
AR:I'm proud of all of our teams and couldn't choose a favorite, but one program I am especially proud of is Team Handball, Bocce and Allied Softball. The MCPS program is designed to promote and assist students with special needs to get involved with a varsity sport. There is nothing like watching our students earn a varsity letter and have a great time playing a sport they love!
CSZ:What do you enjoy most about your job?
AR:Watching and being a part of the success of our programs! I love seeing the faces of our teams when they work hard all season and get positive results.
CSZ:How do you view the athletic director's role within the community of a high school?
AR:I believe that working with our community is critical to success. I work closely with our booster club, which is a huge promoter and support system for our student athletes. It is also important to visit local elementary and middle schools to promote Northwest schools and introduce the importance of athletics into the lives of younger students. We have community nights during certain home events designed to get the younger athletes to attend our games and support our teams.
CSZ:Is there anything exciting or new we should be on the look out for from Northwest's athletic department?
AR:I think Northwest has made its mark in MCPS and the state of Maryland as a school with highly successful sports programs. We look forward to continuing that success.
CSZ:Anything else you'd like to share with us about Northwest athletics?
AR:Yes, follow us at @NWJagSports. Let's go Jags!
| July 6th, 2016 | By: Wick Eisenberg |