A Day in the Life of an AD: Game Time!
As we continue our “A Day in the Life of an Athletic Director” blog series, we finally make it to the evening, when an AD’s job really gets going.
GAME TIME!
3:00 PM: Coaches Sprint
Many coaches will want to see the athletic director at this time. Coaches who also teach during the day just finished school and now must run off to practice or a game. There is a short window between when school ends and the campus must be cleared for a coach to quickly meet with the AD. Sometimes, it’s just a quick handoff of paperwork or a heads-up on a previously discussed issue. However, it could be something bigger — like a situation from earlier in the day or a transportation problem. No matter what, this is an important part of the day for the AD to be available to coaches. It’s a key face-to-face time for many ADs and their staff.
4:00 PM: Wrap Up
This is when things start to get quieter around the high school office. It's a perfect time for the AD to wrap up tasks that need to be finished for the day, follow up on emails, or return parent phone calls. It's usually a very busy time, since it might be one of the longest uninterrupted windows they’ll have all day.
5:00 PM: Decisions, Decisions
This time of day depends on a few variables:
- Are there games that night?
- Which sports?
- Which levels?
- What are the game times?
- Where is the game located?
Depending on the answers, maybe the AD grabs a quick dinner, stays in to get more work done, or heads out to the field. It’s decision time.
5:30 PM: GAME TIME!
If the JV game starts at 5:30 PM, then gates need to be open by 5:00 PM. So that decision may already be made. At this time, the AD is interacting with parents, students, boosters, and community members. But that’s just the beginning. It’s also important to greet officials when they arrive and welcome the visiting team.
From this point on, the AD’s role is to ensure there's enough support, operations are running smoothly, the crowd is monitored, and any issues are addressed quickly. Between games, the AD must stay alert — this is when crowd flow and logistics become more complex, and gates may become congested.
7:30 PM: Latest Start Time
For many schools, this is the latest game start time. By now, the first game’s fans have exited, and the next group has settled in. It’s a great time to monitor attendance and crowd behavior.
It’s also smart to take notes during the game. Chances are, the AD will need to remember specific things or follow up on issues the next day. Having reminders now makes for a smoother tomorrow.
10:00 PM: Closing Time
If the event isn’t football, it’s probably over by now. The AD has either finished clean-up or is still making sure everything is secure. But they can't leave until every student is picked up. If one is still waiting, the AD stays. Safety comes first.
10:30 PM: Home
On a good night, the AD is finally home. But there’s still time needed to unwind and shower — and the next morning comes fast. If you missed it, check out the first blog in this series: “Good Morning,” for a look at how early that day begins.
This three-part series has offered just a glimpse into an AD’s day. At Hometown, we deeply appreciate the tireless work of athletic directors, and we’re proud to be a partner in making their responsibilities easier. Interested in how Hometown can support your school?
Reach out for more information — we’d love to help!
