Dennis Fries

1996-97 President,
Denny Fries
"Directing Athletics to the year 2000"

(Text Of Key note speach)

Welcome to the 15th Annual NYSAAA Conference. Thanks for your attendance. Where ‘O where have we been; where ‘O where are we going. In the next 20 minutes or so as I talk about Directing Athletics to the Year 2000, with emphasis on using athletics as a vehicle to build good character and citizenship, I hope you will also be able get a sense of NYSAAA history, an understanding of some of the technical advances available today to help each of us accomplish our day to day work, some of which will be done real time, some simulated, and a feel for this President’s personal direction. As seen in the theme of this year's conference and on the cover of the Conference program we are going into a time where a return to civility and an emphasis on good citizenship will be paramount to our survival. We, as athletic administrators can do much to affect changes within and on the student/athlete population withwhom we interact. Throughout this conference there will be many opportunities to attend sessions that will model programs in action which will bolster this theme and speak to our role in moving forward in these areas. But right now, I would like to take us on a little NYSAAA history lesson by way of a short look into our 15 year past. Using the cover of our program as an overlay, we can see the various presidents and the conference themes. Going back in time we see how the tracks wind ever so interestingly through each of the preceding generations of presidents and their programs. When you note the themes, you see that many emphasize the importance of academics with athletics and others the values taught through and modeled in athletics. I am reminded that while our first conference was in 1983 that the roots of the organization began during the school year of 1981-82. The original meeting took place in Dave Martens’ office in Fairport , with a follow-up meeting, attended by 8 invited directors from across the state, which was held in Binghamton. It was at that time that each of the 8 directors put in $10.00, and when Bernie O’Brien made the mistake of picking up the money to count it, he became, and still is, our treasurer; and this organization was founded. We have come a long way from this beginning. I am sure that any of our founding fathers and any of those who came on board early would be happy to reminisce with you about the old days. Notice I didn’t say the good old days. Although I have fond memories of the past, I truly believe that the best days lie ahead. One reason for this feeling is that we can’t change the past, but I do know we can influence, affect, and be part of change in the future. One of these changes is occurring in communications, even as I speak. On screen right now we see the web address of our new NYSAAA home page. As you can see, our current address is: www.frontiernet.net/~nysaaa. We have already requested to be listed with several search engines. The initial design of our home page is courtesy of Don and Mark Lindell. My initial interest in the internet was launched after attending Ed Baker’s presentation at the COA’s conference in Lake Placid last fall. We hope that soon other things like the POP manual, our constitution, membership lists, and many other areas to help AD’s cope with their day to day responsibilities will be on line. Using the internet, special reports can be down loaded; you could forget about having to keep huge notebooks for forms. ‘C’ phones, pagers, laptops, faxes and fax/modems; and the internet; I see all of these as managerial toys, ones which I find very useful and addictive. Ones that make what we do more efficient; but we also need to make ourselves more effective in a personal way.

To do this we must exert our leadership skills:

1) We must be proactive : we must design for and be ready to follow through with action plans that support good character development, an emphasis on good citizenship, that is, good behavior, on and off the field; and good sportsmanship,.
2) We must listen for signals that what we are doing is working and be ready to make adjustments. We must be ready for criticism, even though we know that what we are doing is right. 3) We must communicate on a regular basis with our Superintendents, Principals, coaches, parents, and support staff about our initiatives. And we must be ever vigilant of distracters.
4) We must be the role models. This might be the hardest of all because we probably already see ourselves as good, caring, sporting, and loving individuals. But do we care enough for ourselves as unique individuals. Do we exercise, eat right, and get enough sleep? Do we model responsible behaviors; no smoking and if you choose to drink, do so responsibly? Do we make sure we get to our family events with all the distractions and events on your calendar? I know I don’t all the time; its something we probably all need to work on. I believe that being an Athletic Administrator is one of the greatest professions in education and this week we are among some of the greatest leaders in this profession. After going to the last two NIAAA conferences, I can assure you, that with all do respect, we are not only well represented at the national level but have one of the best state associations in the nation. This year as president of the association has caused me to become a more organized, personally and professionally. In order to do so I made some workplace and personal resolutions. I would like to take a few moments to share with you my top 10 resolutions that I have used as part of my own personal reorganization:

Top Ten Personal/Professional Resolutions


1) To manage time better: Do first things first; eliminate unnecessary, unimportant work.
2) To cooperate rather than compete: That is, be a supporter not a blocker; compliment rather than condemn, and coach rather than criticize.
3) Not to waste time on excuses: When you make a mistake admit it quickly, and look to correct it, if not immediately, at least in the future.
4) To be a positive person: Dwell on the good things of life. Don’t get caught in gossip or rumors.
5) To encourage and support: Our colleagues, staff personal, and the teachers and coaches we supervise. They need us. Be there for them.
6) Not to hold unnecessary meetings: Self explanatory.
7) To listen better: Listen for understanding before speaking to be understood.
8) Walk more, be visible: Get out of the office; smell the roses, and see what’s going on.
9) Avoid conflict; look for win-win: Don’t run away, but at least acknowledge feelings, and look for the resolution that saves each person’s dignity.
10) To seize every opportunity to improve: Not coincidentally, this conference is one of those ways. I hope you use it.


In closing, I want to thank my son Mark for his help in putting together this presentation, my Superintendent, Dr. Wachter, for his support; and John Pelin (Spencerport AD) for his tireless work as Conference Chair., and my wife Kathy for all her support. I hope that you have gleaned from these past few minutes that the foundation of the NYSAAA is sound and that our future is what we, each one of us, will make of it. Best wishes for a great conference and thank you for your kind attention.
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