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2025 Institute for Athletic Directors

2025 Institute for Athletic Directors

Wednesday, February 12, 2025 at 1:00 PM (EST) to Thursday, February 13, 2025 at 5:00 PM (EST)
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A professional development opportunity for athletic directors from across the region. Learn alongside colleagues as you discuss leadership, communications, and best practices unique to the culture of an independent school athletic department. Take advantage of this focused workshop to discover solutions to current issues and stay informed on the latest trends.

The institute will include the following NIAAA courses:

This course is designed to assist the athletic administrator in aligning sports programs within the K-12 educational model as well as community-based programs. Numerous networking opportunities in the course will allow athletic administrators to add essential tools to their toolbox. Activities are designed for participants to bring home shared concepts from the course for immediate use. This course will assist athletic administrators in identifying building blocks to create pyramids of success for education-based and community-based athletic programs from kindergarten through high school. Student-athletes will benefit from aligned skill development and core values. Results are not just for developing student-athletes and winning, but also for supporting the “whole child” as we seek to identify the true meaning of success which includes, but is not limited to, character, integrity, and leadership for every stakeholder.
This course is designed for athletic administrators to take a deep dive into the true essence of what excellent culture in an athletic program is all about. Culture refers to the shared values, beliefs, norms, behaviors, and practices that define the identity of a group or organization. It represents the collective personality and character of a group, influencing how individuals within the group interact, make decisions, and pursue common goals. In the context of a championship organization, culture plays a fundamental role in shaping the environment, mindset, and behaviors of its members. 
Keynote Speakers
Patrice Elder Mike Ellson
Registration

Member

Non-Member

Through Dec 13  

$645

$779

Dec 14-Jan 24  

$745

$879

After Jan 24  

$845

$979
Speakers

Mike EllsonMike Ellson
Executive Director, TIAAA

Mike Ellson, CMAA was the first coach and founding athletic director at Christ Presbyterian Academy, an independent school in Nashville, TN, where he taught and coached from 1987-2022. Transformational Coaching was the foundational centerpiece of the athletic program under Ellson's direction, focusing on character development and personal growth.

During his thirty-five years at CPA, Ellson coached sports at every level, including cross-country, baseball, soccer, track, and basketball. He was a varsity head boys basketball coach for twelve years and a varsity head girls basketball coach for three years, with his teams winning more than 250 games during his coaching career. Ellson was recently selected as a 2024 NIAAA Hall of Fame recipient and received multiple awards at the state and national level. Coach Ellson currently serves as the executive director of the TIAAA. He is a member of the NIAAA Professional Development Academy Curriculum Team. 

Patrice Elder
Director of Athletics & Co-Curricular Programs, Oak Hill School

Patrice Elder is the director of athletics and co-curricular programs at Oak Hill School. She brings a wealth of experience in athletic administration and student instruction to OHS. Previously, she served as an instructor and student success coordinator at Delaware State University. Before her tenure at Delaware State University, she was an instructor and academic advisor within the Human Performance and Sport Sciences Department at Tennessee State University. She also served as the associate head of athletic training at TSU.


Patrice is a frequent presenter at conferences throughout the region and is a Leadership Training Instructor with the NIAAA. In addition to this, Patrice is well versed in topics about risk management, youth in sports, and organizational culture and climate. 


Patrice received a master's degree in education from Tennessee State University (TSU) and is currently completing the degree requirements for her doctoral degree in educational leadership from TSU.
Sheraton Charlotte
  • Group rate: $169
  • Cut-off date: January 25 or when the block is full
  • Booking link here

NOTE: SAIS does not utilize the services of a housing vendor for any events. Neither SAIS nor the hotel will call you to make reservations over the phone. Occasionally unauthorized third parties may attempt to coordinate your reservations. Please use only the above hotel link to secure your reservation directly with the hotel.

If you receive an error message or if the block is full, please contact learn@sais.org.
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Review Event FAQs at this link.