The podcast makes its fourth visit to Washington. UIAAAConnection #253 – Scott Nordi, CMAA, former Director of Athletics – Lakes High School, is now available. Scott, a Tacoma native and Mt. Tahoma High School graduate, played football for his father, who also served as the school’s AD. After earning a degree in athletic training from the University of Washington and later a teaching certificate, he spent nearly two decades as an athletic director at two schools. Scott shares insights from his work with WSSAAA and the NIAAA Board, including writing LTC 718 on dealing with tragedyand launching it in Austin. He pays tribute to Washington legends Tim Graham, Dave Tikker, Jim Piccollo and Dave Lutes, and advises: get involved, seek mentors, and mentor others to pay it forward. This podcast is also available on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Breaker, Castbox, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Overcast, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Spotify, Stitcher, and YouTube.

The podcast is making another visit to Utah. UIAAA Connection #252 – Everett Kelepolo, CMAA, Executive Director – UIAAA, is now available. Everett, one of a veryfew two-time guests on the podcast opens by highlighting the productive NEDC Summer Summit in Asheville, North Carolina. Everett, Executive Director of the UIAAA for the past sixteen months, shares insights from attending stateconferences in Arizona, Nevada, and Hawaii. He highlights key UIAAA developments, including new board members, a mentoring cohort, a membership officer, and the launch of the UIAAA Professional Development Academy. Everettemphasizes the value of professional growth through national and state conferences, reflecting on experiences from the last three national gatherings and encouraging all athletic directors to join the upcoming UIAAA state conference in St. George this April. This podcast is also available on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Breaker, Castbox, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Overcast, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Spotify,Stitcher, and YouTube.

The podcast is making another visit to Cashe County. UIAAA Connection #251 – Wendy Egbert, Assistant Director of Athletics – Mountain Crest High School, is now available. Wendy grew up in Jerome, Idaho, competing in three sports during high school before earning a track scholarship to Utah State University. She shares her remarkable experience participating in the 1996 Olympic Trials in Atlanta, Georgia. Wendy began her education career at Mound Fort Junior High in Ogden, later stepping away to raise her children beforejoining the Mountain Crest faculty once they grew older. She emphasizes the value of connecting with others, advising athletic directors to reach out to peers and build meaningful relationships with their student-athletes. Please Listen, Learn, and Share! You can subscribe to UIAAA TV on YouTube! Thispodcast is also available on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Breaker, Castbox, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Overcast, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Spotify, Stitcher, and YouTube.

The podcast makes another visit to Summit County. UIAAA Connection #250 – Brian Jacketta, Director of Athletics – South Summit High School, is now available. Brian grew up in Magna, Utah, proud to call himself a Cyprus Pirategraduate. He competed in football, basketball, and baseball as a youth and earned a math degree from the University of Utah. Over his career, Brian taught and coached at six different high schools across Utah, returning to some for multiple stints. In addition, he has served in the Utah Army Reserve for morethan 30 years, including 14 on active duty. Now pursuing his CAA, Brian advises athletic directors to lean on their peers and never hesitate to admit, “I don’t understand.” This podcast is also available on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Breaker, Castbox, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Overcast, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Spotify, Stitcher, and YouTube.

The podcast is making its first visit to Alabama. UIAAA Connection #249 – Dan Norton, CMAA, Former Director of Athletics – Auburn City Schools, is now available. Dangrew up in Auburn, Alabama, playing a wide range of sports throughout his youth. After graduating from Auburn University, he dedicated 25 years to education as a cross-country coach, shaping countless student-athletes. With astrong passion for supporting and promoting athletic directors in Alabama, he now serves as the state’s professional development coordinator and contributesnationally as a member of the LTC 721 faculty. Dan’s advice emphasizes keeping balance in life, learning to delegate responsibilities effectively, and ensuring administrators fully understand the vital role athletic directors play in strengthening schools and communities.

The podcast is making another visit to Northern Utah. UIAAA Connection #248 – Mary Kay Amicone, recent inductee into the Utah Sports Hall of Fame and former Head Coach – Softball, Weber State University, is now available. Mary KayAmicone grew up in Anaheim, California, spending her childhood playing street games, night games, and “over the line.” Inspired by her mother, who played for the Orange Lionettes softball team, she developed a lifelong passion forsports. After moving to Utah during junior high, she raduated from Murray High and began a coaching career that included roles as assistant at the University of Utah, head coach at Salt Lake Community College, Weber State, and BYU. She later became the first woman to coach a boys’ baseball team in Utah at Jordan High, facing cultural challenges. Mary Kay emphasizes trust, loyalty, and cautions about NIL and the transfer portal. Her advice: know your why and understandyour team’s culture. This podcast is also available on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Breaker, Castbox, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Overcast, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Spotify,Stitcher, and YouTube.

The podcast is making its second visit to North Carolina. UIAAA Connection #247 – Deran Coe, CMAA, Director of Athletics – Wake County School System, is now available. Deran grew up in Western Pennsylvania in an athleticfamily, guided by a father who coached. He competed in many sports before attending Clarion University, where his leadership path continued to develop. Now serving as district athletic director, he oversees 26 high schools and 36middle schools. Deran chairs LTC 709 for the NIAAA, and coordinates LTI efforts for North Carolina. He offers a unique perspective on failure, describing it as the “first attempt in learning.” His advice: get involved at the state level, find a trusted mentor, and avoid carrying tough decisions too heavily. This podcast is also available on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Breaker, Castbox, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Overcast, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Spotify,Stitcher, and YouTube.

The podcast is making another visit to Indiana. UIAAA Connection #246 – Phil Rison, CMAA, Executive Director – NIAAA, is now available. Phil, the first three-time guest on the podcast opens by highlighting the productive summerNIAAA Board meeting and the continued development of the 6th NIAAA Strategic Plan. He reflects on his experiences at various Section Meetings and shares exciting updates about UIAAA membership growth. Mississippi joined as thelatest dual membership state, contributing to a total of 16,593 members. Phil notes that 29 states reached record numbers, 37 exceeded 70% membership, and 27 hit or surpassed 100%. Certification totals from January to June 2025 also broke previous records. He recaps conferences in Nashville, Orlando, and Austin, encourages attendance at the upcoming Tampa event, and previews future conferences in Phoenix, the 50th in Kansas City, Indianapolis, and San Antonio. He invites members to tour the expanded NIAAA office in Indianapolis. This podcast is also available on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Breaker, Castbox, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Overcast, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Spotify, Stitcher, and YouTube.