Ask the AD - Alan Holmes, Digital Harbor 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 Alan Holmes from Digital Harbor High School in Baltimore City! During our conversation, Alan talked to us about the weight room at Digital Harbor getting upgraded, what he enjoys most about the job, and why he still coaches football despite being the school's athletic director!
County Sports Zone:How did you become athletic director at Digital Harbor? How did your appointment come about?
Alan Holmes:The previous AD chose to leave the city and I applied for the candidate pool. I was the original AD at W.E.B. Dubois, so I had some experience in the city. After meeting with Mr. Wade and the initial interview committee, I had an interview with Dr. Eyer and the staff from Digital Harbor.
CSZ:How has the job changed since you started?
AH:This coming year is going to bring on more changes. I am going to have to find some creative ways to fund raise to support the programs at my school.
CSZ:How would you rate this past year for Digital Harbor Athletics? Were there a couple highlights that stand out?
AH:This was a tough year in my eyes. I went into the year with high expectations for a number of our teams and we didn't meet those expectations.
The track program continues to be very successful with our boys team finishing third in the state this spring. Our baseball team had a strong regular season and came up short in the city championships. The biggest surprise was our dance team shocking the city with their title this winter. It was also great to get another finalist in the state wrestling championships.
CSZ:What're a couple things you've accomplished while Digital Harbor athletic director that you are most proud of?
AH:There have been many changes since I arrived at Digital. The biggest has been the access to the new turf field (Banner Field) at Latrobe Park. The relationship with Under Armour has been a huge asset to the program.
My greatest accomplishment has been to have a badly needed update of the weight room. When I took my initial tour of the facilities, this became a priority. With money from the school and a lot of sweat equity, we have a solid facility to better train the athletes.
CSZ:What do you enjoy most about your job?
AH:I enjoy being able to watch the student athletes grow from when they come in as freshmen, to when they walk across the stage to graduate.
CSZ:In addition to being athletic director, you also coach football. Do you enjoy still being a coach?
AH:The coaching is the part that keeps me fired up the most. You build relationships with the athletes that last a lifetime. I hope that in 10+ years these young men can come back and remind us of what we taught them about being young men.
CSZ:Is there anything exciting or new we should be on the look out for from the Digital Harbor athletic department?
AH:This year has the potential for a couple of the members of the boys track team to set records as individuals. They are going to be a force. From a selfish stand point, I expect big things from the football program.
Today we're featuring Alan Holmes from Digital Harbor High School in Baltimore City! During our conversation, Alan talked to us about the weight room at Digital Harbor getting upgraded, what he enjoys most about the job, and why he still coaches football despite being the school's athletic director!
County Sports Zone:How did you become athletic director at Digital Harbor? How did your appointment come about?
Alan Holmes:The previous AD chose to leave the city and I applied for the candidate pool. I was the original AD at W.E.B. Dubois, so I had some experience in the city. After meeting with Mr. Wade and the initial interview committee, I had an interview with Dr. Eyer and the staff from Digital Harbor.
CSZ:How has the job changed since you started?
AH:This coming year is going to bring on more changes. I am going to have to find some creative ways to fund raise to support the programs at my school.
CSZ:How would you rate this past year for Digital Harbor Athletics? Were there a couple highlights that stand out?
AH:This was a tough year in my eyes. I went into the year with high expectations for a number of our teams and we didn't meet those expectations.
The track program continues to be very successful with our boys team finishing third in the state this spring. Our baseball team had a strong regular season and came up short in the city championships. The biggest surprise was our dance team shocking the city with their title this winter. It was also great to get another finalist in the state wrestling championships.
CSZ:What're a couple things you've accomplished while Digital Harbor athletic director that you are most proud of?
AH:There have been many changes since I arrived at Digital. The biggest has been the access to the new turf field (Banner Field) at Latrobe Park. The relationship with Under Armour has been a huge asset to the program.
My greatest accomplishment has been to have a badly needed update of the weight room. When I took my initial tour of the facilities, this became a priority. With money from the school and a lot of sweat equity, we have a solid facility to better train the athletes.
CSZ:What do you enjoy most about your job?
AH:I enjoy being able to watch the student athletes grow from when they come in as freshmen, to when they walk across the stage to graduate.
CSZ:In addition to being athletic director, you also coach football. Do you enjoy still being a coach?
AH:The coaching is the part that keeps me fired up the most. You build relationships with the athletes that last a lifetime. I hope that in 10+ years these young men can come back and remind us of what we taught them about being young men.
CSZ:Is there anything exciting or new we should be on the look out for from the Digital Harbor athletic department?
AH:This year has the potential for a couple of the members of the boys track team to set records as individuals. They are going to be a force. From a selfish stand point, I expect big things from the football program.
| July 11th, 2016 | By: Wick Eisenberg |