Journal

Day 1, December 7, 2017 7:30 am – 3:30 pm (8 hours)

Day started off with meeting my contact and mentor Ernie Derrera who is an Assistant Commissioner with the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA). After a small conversation it was noted that Mr. Derrera oversees all the state’s high school wrestling, soccer and band activities within the state of Colorado. It was then that Mr. Derrera took me around the office and introduced me to all the staff. It was then off to work as Mr. Derrera had me observe him handle a scheduling conflict with an upcoming wrestling tournament, when the opposing school had input its wrestling schedule into the system and had caused a problem, with the hosting school. I then was provided the association’s handbook to familiarize myself with constitution and By-laws. Finally to end the day I with Mr. Derrera attended a football committee meeting with the state’s high school football coaches and CHSAA. The meeting was held in a different venue than the office and the agenda was over the new provisions for the 2018 football season and changes that that the association has made to meet its vison and mission of the organization. In addition, coaches were able to speak their thoughts to the committee and the committee was able take into account the views that were being expressed.

Day 2, December 8, 2017 730 am – 1530 pm (8 hours)

The next day started with Mr. Derrera in going over on how committees are put together and divided by geography throughout the state. Moreover, how the different classes of teams are placed by the student population and how school can request through the association on to play up in class or down in class, weather big or small and talent pool. There was a discussion over the Constitution and By-laws of the association and how important it is as it relates to team culture in high school athletics. I also spent time in reviewing the association’s policy on academics and eligibility.

After reviewing a couple of the policies, I met with Assistant Commissioner Bert Borgmann. Mr. Borgmann indicated that he oversees all the state’s high school basketball, baseball and media activities within the state of Colorado. Mr. Borgmann went on to say that he currently has 30 years within the organization and has seen lots of change not only within the geography of the land but how the rules, culture and opinions have changed and shaped sports today. Mr. Borgmann also discussed how media has change from being very hands off approach to now where it is needed for the organizations survival. We also discussed some very controversial changes in high school sports such as the state basketball championship venues being moved from the University of Colorado to the Colorado Convention Center. Mr. Borgmann indicated the move alone has continued to save the association over $100,000 a year. In addition, he spoke about the contract with Sports Authority Field to play both the states 4A and 5A high school football championships at that venue, and how it has helped to increase profits but image of the association and high school sports as well.

I then ended the day will accompanying Mr. Derrera to the Colorado Convention Center to see the state cheer championship. There I observed the inter actions that go along with putting on such an event. I was introduced to the staff and many people behind the scenes. I was also able to observe the student athletes perform at their top level, an ending to a very eventful day.

Day 3, January 3, 2018 300 pm – 900 pm (6 hours)

Today I was scheduled to meet with Frederick High School Athletic Director Leroy Lopez in reference to go over how a 4a high school basketball game is set up. First and foremost we started off by meeting with maintenance to start to get the bleachers set up in both the main and auxiliary gyms. Next was to set up the locker rooms for both the home teams and the visiting teams. I then was assigned the task of meeting the officials who would be refereeing the games and get there locker rooms ready. We then met back in the main gym where we made sure the score boards and speakers were working. For announcements, pre-warmup music and the National Altham. In addition, Mr. Lopez made calls to confirm that announcers, score table personal book keepers, cashier and athletic trainers were still attending. We then met with the opposing coach pointed out his locker room and waited for the game to begin. During this time Mr. Lopez is also in charge of security making sure that outside doors were secured and locked. After the games were completed we then secured all the equipment and assisted in cleaning out the gyms which ended my day.

Day 4, January 4, 2018 800 pm – 300pm (7 hours)

Today, I was back at the CHSAA offices where I met with Tom Robinson who is an Associate Commissioner for CHSAA. We had met to discuss his role in the organization. Mr. Robinson currently oversees all high school golf programs for the state, while monitoring all 5000 officials. In addition, he also oversees the organizations internship program. Mr. Robinson indicated that he has been with the organization for about 30 years and as assignments have changed, overseeing the officials for the state of Colorado has not. Mr. Robinson went on to say how being an official has been has been a passion of his and how today he still continues to officiate, but through the use of technology. His weekends are usually officiating football games throughout the nation in a replay booth. Mr. Robinson indicated that officiating is relying more and more on replays so that the calls are right and his opinion in the next decade will be used not only in all professional, collegiate but high school sports as well. Mr. Robinson explained how each sport has its own officials and committees and associations which are divided by classification from 1a to 5a and that he is responsible for overseeing. It was then that I returned to the very complex and intriguing Constitution and By-laws of CHSAA.

Day 5, January 5, 2018 10:00 am – 8:00 pm (10 Hours)

Today I was scheduled offsite at Frederick High School, where I met with the Athletic Director Leroy Lopez. We started off with a very in depth discussion about the two different kind of athletic directors for high schools. Mr. Lopez advised me that other states are starting to see the importance in a Master’s in Business student, when it comes to high school sports. However, in Colorado the only schools that look at a Master’s in Business currently are that of a private or charter school. While public schools still mostly require a Master’s in Education. In our discussion, time commitments, parents, students, other school administration, and building outside relationships came up. Furthermore, organization is very important as an AD and with 22 sports Mr. Lopez days are very full. Another area we discussed was his daily duties and how little things can turn into a very big problem. In addition the majority of Mr. Lopez day is spent taking care of emails form the district parents, coaches and students of the sports he over looks. In addition, Mr. Lopez had to make sure that the referees, buses for the visiting team were still on schedule for tonight’s basketball game.

Security was a topic that came up as we walked the floors and checked the area of the school. It was then back to his office where he had to answer emails and take calls, which I observed.

My day continued as I assisted in helping to prepare for tonight’s home game. There I assisted in making sure that the gym was set up and assisted with the crew to pull-out bleachers, mop and sweep both gyms where players would be playing. I also assisted in setting up both the players and scorers benches. In addition, I helped to make sure the home, visiting and referees locker rooms were cleaned and prepared to go. I also assisted in making sure that tonight’s score keeper, caller and bookkeepers, and ticket takers were still arriving. Once completed all we had to do was wait for everyone to arrive.

Mr. Lopez assisted as I watch him get everyone to his or her places. During the games Mr. Lopez would sit in the student sections to keep claim while moving to and from sections where there were very boisterous parents. Overall the games went off as a success but the home team boys varsity, junior varsity, c-team, girls varsity would come away with a loss while the girls junior varsity were victorious in their efforts. The games were over and everyone exited and Mr. Lopez locked up and was the last person to leave, which in an AD life is a normal day.

Day 6, January 6, 2018 10:00 am – 5:00 pm (7 hours)

Frederick High School boys basketball team was scheduled a back to back game to which I attended with Leroy Lopez the school’s athletic director. As I would assist in helping in today get one gym ready for today competition. Most everything was the same as the previous game. I assisted in taking the visiting team to their locker room, and making sure the referees knew where theirs were at. However, there was a problem that came up where a parent was walking behind the scores table and accidently knocked against the scoreboard controller power pack and severed the wires and there was not another power pack in reserve. In addition, the caller had called one hour before and indicated he was not going to be able to make it. While Mr. Lopez looked for another caller, I was given the task to find another power cord 45 minutes to tip off. Mr. Lopez provided me a list of directors from surrounding schools as I was able to find one which was the same one that his schools used. I then responded and was able to get the controller and in time about five minutes before tip-off the controller was put in place. Nevertheless, the c-team, and varsity boys team would not get a win, but the junior varsity would prevail in a day where little problems can turn into big ones.

Day 7, January 11, 2018 7:30 am – 3:00 pm (7.5 hours)

Today, I was back at the CHSAA offices where I would meet with Assistant Commissioner Bethany Brookens of the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA). Ms. Brookens oversees the state’s high school, swimming, boy’s tennis, skiing and music. In addition, is seen as a newer commissioner with ten years under her belt. Ms. Brookens is very passionate about her job and could not see herself doing any this else. During our conversation Ms. Brookens brought up a time that was very chaotic but exciting at the same time when Missy Franklin was competing. Ms. Brookens during that time was dealing with issues of pay to play, code of conduct and not to menschen the media coverage and new procedures that had to be devolved because of Missy’s popularity in the sport.

With much of the staff being out of the office there was not many tasks asked of me as I continued to read the bylaws of the organization, while assisting in minimal tasks.

Day 8, January 12, 2018 8:00 am – 3:00 pm (7 hours)

Today I was back at Frederick High School with Enoch Miller who is the head basketball coach of the boy’s team. I was asked to assist and participate in a boys’ basketball practice and film session. In addition, Coach Miller asked if I would like to stay for a team meeting with Coach Mike Moskowitz who is a former NCAA collegiate head coach serves as the founder and Executive Director of the Mile High Select Basketball Organization. Coach Moskowitz was going to speak with the players about perseverance, team, and hard work.

The day started off by meeting Coach Miller at the school. I was assigned to getting all the equipment of the locker area and setting it up for practice which started at 9:30. Coach Miller while putting the finishing touches on the practice plane would then post it at both ends of the Gym for his players. Team manager would fill water bottles for the players and keep track to stats and run the score board for coach during practice. Players went the arrived started in the work out room for 30 minutes. After Weights practice would start, consisting of drills and plays that Coach Miller wanted to run for his next practice. C-team players would practice separate the JV and Varsity. At the end of practice the c-team players were free to leave while the JV and Varsity made their way to the film room. There players and coaches talked about strategy and plays they would run in the upcoming game. Once that was completed Coach Moskowitz came in and spoke to the team. After speaking with the team there was a team lunch and after cleaning everything up the day was over.

Day 9, January 13, 2018 5:30 am – 9:00 pm (15.5 hours)

I was invited back the next day to meet early in the morning with Mr. Lopez who was hosting Boys Varsity Wrestling Invitational duel at the school. The morning started off by assisting in laying down five mats in 2 gyms and hooking up all equipment such as score clocks. In addition, I would be asked to unlock the room where weigh-in would take place, and athlete’s locker rooms. The scales were moved into weigh-in room. Next was to set up the hospitality room where the coaches meeting would be held. Another area that I assisted in was making sure the referee’s locker room was set up for the long day ahead. Once all that was set the athletes would start to show up and they were directed to their spots. I attended the referees, coaches and staff meetings, which all consisted of the rules and procedures that would be followed by all. The rest of the day would consist of assisting where needed. At the nights end the home team would take fifth in the tournament and awards give out to the top athletes and break down and clean up would take place, thus ending a very packed full day.

Day 10, January 24, 2018 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm (4 hours)

I was invited to a leadership talk by Athletic Director Rick George from the University of Colorado at Frederick High School, hosted by the head girls Basketball Coach Brett Andersen. Mr. George indicated that he had been CU Athletic Director for four years and prior to taking the job he was the President of the Texas Rangers. Mr. George wanted participants in the audience to see just how importance leadership on any team is essential to not only team growth but induvial growth as well. Mr. George lecture was mostly about leadership such as the qualities that one possesses to motivate and compete at a high level. He also indicated how core values of an organization show just who you are. Moreover, he was a real proponent of what one does in the community reflect who we are as an organization.

There was also a discussion about communication and how it needs to be clear with a direction that everyone understands. Furthermore, that egos have to be left at the door and to understand it is not all about you, where success starts. In addition, an organization or a team should never let issues foster while having a strong believe not to tolerate negative attitudes. Mr. George further indicated that working together creates success, while loving ones sport, and the people around you build not only strong relationships but makes one realizes just what a privilege it is to be where one is at in his or her life.

Mr. George would conclude as I remained and assisted in the girls’ basketball practice. Practice consisted of skills development, running plays and team discussions. I left thanking Coach Anderson for the opportunity to view the similarities and difference a boy’s and girls’ basketball practice are put together and ran.

Day 11, January 25, 2018 7:00 pm – 4:00 pm (9 hours)

Today I attended a Legislative Committee Meeting hosted by CHSAA at the Radisson 3155 S. Vaughn Way in Aurora, Colorado. The event started off by meeting area athletic directors who would be the legislative body that would be voting on new bylaws submitted through CHSAA. The meeting started off by introducing the Legislative Council and prior to the meeting getting under way CHSAA had a speaker to discuss what steps are currently being taken for athletes with disabilities and future roles that CHSAA will be taking. It was then time for the local report which had previously submitted to all members. The report seemed to show how CHSAA and area schools are taking positive steps to ratify the current hardship rule and outdated bylaws. Ronda Blanford-Green the CHSAA Commissioner then got up to address the hardship rule and reassured the legislative body that this was the organizations highest priority in looking at ways to not only change the language of the rule but make it easier to apply for administrators.

After a brief break the council and the legislative body would return to vote on the many bylaw changes to the rules that all Colorado High School Sports would be adopting if passed. However, before a vote could be taken assigned presenters addressed the changes and the floor if recognized by the legislative body would be able to speak to address his or her concerns on the new changes. After the speakers were done then a vote which was seen by all in attendance would be registered. Because of all the issues the meeting was recessed for lunch and when they returned finished up with a very successful day with all the changes being adopted by the body.

Day 12, January 27, 2018 4:00 pm – 10:00 pm (6 hours)

I was invited to attend a fund raiser at the Longmont Bingo Hall located at 640 19th Ave, Longmont, Colorado by the Frederick Boys Basketball Coach, Enoch Miller. Coach Miller indicated that this is the biggest fund raiser that the basketball team currently participates in once every two months. Coach Miller indicated that Bingo has provided the team with many necessities such as uniforms, team outings, camps, cameras, I-pads just to name a few and if the team did not have bingo would have to go without.

Upon arriving at the Bingo Hall was met by Coach Miller who introduced me to all the players, coaches and parents of the players who were assisting for the night. I was assigned to Coach Miller who was the games manager for the night. We stated off by setting up for bingo with assigning the volunteers to who would be caller, banker, cashier, pickles workers, and pickle king or queen. Once that was established Coach Enoch and I would have to count out the bingo cards and provide those numbers to the banker. We then sat up the pickle bar and with some minor administrative duties we were ready to open for business.

The night was busy as Coach Enoch would handle a couple of customer problems but overall his main duty was just make sure that all departments were running smoothly. If there was a bingo called Coach Enoch and I would call out the number of the card to the caller and handout the money if confirmed it was a good bingo. At the end of the night Coach Enoch and I were responsible for cleanup and providing the nights proceeds to the owner of the hall. With the night over Coach Enoch advised me that the team made $900 for one nights work, easy money.

Day 13, January 28, 2018 8:00 am – 3:00 pm (7 hours)

Today I attended a Colorado High School Coaches Association Board of Directors meeting which was held at the CHSAA building at 14855 E. 2nd Avenue Aurora, Colorado with President Thad Lear. However, before the meeting President Lear would have president meeting which I was not privy to. At this time there were other directors who were made up of Colorado Coaches from all Colorado sports, both boys and girls of who I intruded myself to.

Eventually the meeting would get underway with the call to order, minutes approval form November, public service announcements, partnership opportunities, relationship with CHASS, Windsor Cheer Coach report, Director and Committee reports. Also on the agenda was discussions of membership, the update of the website, legal issues, awards, committee updates and action items discussion that came from the reports. In addition, the upcoming State Wrestling tournament was discussed and what the association was going to do to get more coaches registered as members. It appeared that last year’s VIP room was not as lucrative as they thought. New ideas were both up but the idea which the committee showed much promise was to hand out burritos to the coaches, thus allowing members to briefly speak with the coaches and increase membership. The meeting then would be adjourned as overall the day.

Day 14, February 7, 2018 3:00 pm – 9:00 pm (6 hours)

Today I was back at Frederick High School with Athletic Director Leroy Lopez to assist on a back to school night, for upcoming freshmen looking to attend the school. I assisted Mr. Lopez in first sitting up tables for all of the school’s sports programs. Coaches of each program would show up and fix their respected tables according to their sport. The remainder of the night was spent taking to both parents and coaches. The night would come to an end as I assisted in clean up and then on to another day.

Day 15, February 8, 2018 7:00 am – 5:00 pm (10 hours)

I would find myself at the Veterans Memorial Aquatics Club in the City of Thornton assisting CHSAA; Assistant Commissioner Bethany Brookens at the 2018 3A state meet for swimming and diving. When I first arrived I assisted in helping to set up the check in table which I would check in the divers whose meets started in the morning. However before check in I was able to attend the officials and coaches meetings which provided the coaches with all the rules and polices that needed to be followed during the tournament and the officials of what they are looking for in grading of the divers. I responded back to the check in table and assisted in checking in the divers. The remained of the morning was covering for breaks and watching some great division 3A diving.

The afternoon was a busy as the swimmers and coaches attend for check in. There I assisted in handing out packets that had passes and wrist bands for all 3A swim teams. The rest of the afternoon was spent covering for breaks and watching the best of the best 3A swimmers in Colorado compete for the coveted title of state champions.

Day 16, February 15, 2018 5:00 am – 3:00 pm (10 hours)

Today came early as I met Mr. Derrera at the Pepsi Center to assist in the set-up for the Colorado State Wrestling Championship. Over 40 volunteers would help in assisting so that 180 schools and over 1000 wrestlers could participate in the three day event. The first order of business was to lay 10 mats down within three hours. Next was to assist in setting up the CHASS tables at the end of arena, where for the next three days all business would flow through. After the set up was complete I was able to attend the coaches meeting, officials meeting and staff meeting. At 9:00 am the doors would open for the athletes to be let in for weigh-ins. During this time my assignment was to check in the press. During the day I would assist in many different operations such as running errands, and escorting parties thorough the event center and setting up the press boxes. Finally, I was able to partake in watching some great duels between some phenomenal athletes. I would be done with day 1 but the tournament would go on or 6 more hours.

Day 17, February 16, 2018 5:00 am – 3:00 pm (10 hours)

Again back at the Pepsi Center for day two meeting Mr. Derrera. Today was much of like yesterday as for the majority of the day I assisted in checking in the press and filling in where I was needed. Because the tournament was run so efficiently the majority of my time was taken up watching the tournament.

Day 18, February 17, 2018 10:00 am – 8:00 pm (10 hours)

Today started a little later as the first part of the day was finishing up on the 4A and 5A qualifiers for the parade of champions that would come after three hour delay where we would have to reset the area from 10 mats to 4 mats for the finals of who is the best Wrestlers in 2A-5A in the 14 pound classifications. The teardown was brutal but done. It was then time to change and put on a show that would have over 84 athletes wrestling to be number one in their weights class for the state of Colorado. During the finals I was assigned to the press boxes where I assisted in security to check credentials. My night would end and I would walk away with an experience of a life time.

Day 19, March 1, 2018 7:30 am – 3:00 pm (7.5 hours)

I was back down at the CHSAA building as I met with Mr. Derrera indicated that he had a very light day and had nothing for me to do. I was advised that the commissioners would be having a meeting to which I would not be privy to. The majority of the day I assisted in various administrative tasks and read up on the bylaws.

Day 20, March 8, 2018 10:00 am – 7:00 pm (9 hours)

Today I was to meet CHSAA Assistant Commissioner Bethany Brookens at the 2A quarterfinals basketball championship at the Budweiser Event Center. Because the 2A games don’t get as much attention as the 4A and 5A games I was assigned to a variety of adminstrative duties while being able to watching very competitive boys and girls games.

Day 21, March 9, 2018 11:00 am – 11:00 pm (12 hours)

My day started out at the Denver Coliseum for the 5A and 4A, boy’s final four basketball championship games. My assignment today was to work the door checking in the teams, press, staff and other CHSAA Members. Unlike the 2A game people were coming at all times as I was able from time to time catch moments of the games. In addition, I was able to see the behind the scenes of when teams came of the court either in victory or defeat. Nevertheless, it was an experience that I will remember for the rest of my life.

Day 22, March 22, 2018 7:30 am – 3:30 pm (8 hours)

Today I was back at the CHSAA office where my day started off by meeting with Assistant Commissioner Bethany Brookens, where I was assigned to filling folders with score sheets for the upcoming state band championships. In addition, I met with Assistant Commissioner Jenn Roberts-Uhlig who has been with CHSAA for 6 years and currently oversees, spirt, track, and cross country for all Colorado High School Sports. Moreover, Ms. Roberts-Uhlig sits on the advisory committee for sports medicine as well. Ms. Roberts-Uhlig indicated during our interview that she had started out as an elementary school teacher, and worked her way to middle school and then high school where she would become an athletic director and assistant principal. Ms. Roberts-Uhlig continued by saying that when she when provided the opportunity to come to CHSAA she did not look back and applied and out of a 88 candidate pool was selected. The six years of her life at CHSA has been fulfilling and she could not see herself in doing anything else. Our discussion ended with breaking down a business degree and education degree in Colorado High School Athletics. She herself has seen a shift in the public sector in Colorado seeking out more candidates with degrees in business than in education. Ms. Roberts-Uhlig seems to think it is because the business side of the degree and more public schools are see the advantages they have to the school and that is why more schools are doing what they can to seek out such candidates, great for me. The remainder of the day was kind of slow completing various tasks and going over the organizations Constitution and By-laws.

Day 23, March 23, 2018 5:00 am – 8:00 am (3 hours)

Today, I was scheduled to meet Coach Enoch Miller of the Boy’s Frederick Basketball team who were meeting for an off season lifting workout. Once putting in the security code for the building Coach Miller and I preceded to the weight room where he started to prepare the day’s lesson plan for what the boys was to lift. Coach Miller advised that the workouts were to get his players stronger who had last year battled with size and physicality. Coach Miller also indicated that the lifts were voluntary as he was getting anywhere for six to ten payers per session who were participating.

Coach Miller indicated that the lifts were 1 hour in duration for body part to really strengthen, Monday through Friday before school. Coach Miller prepared the work which today the players would be working out the chest. Coach Miller’s advised that they have been lifting for about two weeks now as this will go until the end of May, with over 40 lift days and three max days. Coach Miller is looking for his players to gain not only muscle and endurance that is need for the games but 45 to a 50 percent increase in weight being lifted.

The boys would be let in starting at 6:00 am with 7 players attending. Coach Miller would start off in the gymnasium with about a ten minute intense stretching routine. The players would go into the weight room where on the board was a list of exercises they would have to do, with in the 40 minutes that were left. I was impressed how hard the players worked out as I left felling motivated to start working out again and tired, I’m going to lie.

Day 24, April 5, 2018 7:30 am – 2:30 pm (7 hours)

Today I found myself at the CHSAA office where many of the staff members were out of the office. I however, assisted in helping to make room in the storage closet for new forms. Once that was completed I assisted in making copies and placing them in the storage closet. After that was completed I returned to my work station where I brushed up on the organizations Constitution and By-Laws.

Because of how slow the CHSAA office was I contacted Mr. Lopez who indicated that I would be welcomed to follow him around for a while but would have to leave for schedule appointment. I arrived and responded to Mr. Lopez’s office where he invited me in. There Mr. Lopez was going over the proposed summer schedule for facilities times that the coaches submitted to him. Then Mr. Lopez had a meeting with a parent who was on the track team and was having difficulty with the coach. I was unable to attend the meeting as I took some books and articles into an unoccupied office which Mr. Lopez stated that he refers to and has assisted him in managing as an AD. Eventually, Mr. Lopez returned and we walked the halls looking for security failures to address throughout the school. Mr. Lopez then discussed how my background as a police officer would assist me as more and more schools are looking for athletic directors with background in security. In addition, with all the recent school shooting’s there are many protocols and procedures are being sent down which falls in the AD responsibilities. We then returned to his office where Mr. Lopez replied to four emails and cleaned up for the day, thus making the most out of a non-productive day.

Day 25, April 12, 2018 8:00 am – 3:00 pm (7 hours)

Today was my last day of my mentorship program. I started off the day by arriving and telling everyone in the office that today was my last day. Oddly enough I had made more relationships than I expected as saying good bye was longer than I had anticipated. I eventually made my way into Mr. Robinson’s office where I provided him with my thank you letter. Our conversation consisted of taking about sports, career paths and life. It was then time for lunch and was I was accompanied by many staff members. After lunch I returned where I met with Mr. Derrera and we went over my career development plan. I then provided him with the website so that he could complete the supervisors/mentor evaluation form. Then after a long conversation I thanked him for all he did. I ended my day with assisting in helping to file papers and viewing the CHSAA Constitution and By-Laws. Overall, I will miss the experience and relationships that I have made during my 200 hours of my mentorship program. Nevertheless, it will be an experience which I will never forget and always keep with me while I continue to move forward in obtaining my dreams in the sports industry.

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