About the THSADA

Prior to the year 1955, there were only six full-time Athletic Directors in the State of Texas. They were:

Joe Tusa – Houston ISD

Claud E. Kellam – San Antonio ISD

Herman Clark – Fort Worth ISD

P.C. Cobb – Dallas ISD

L.W. McConahie – El Paso ISD (Future Executive Director-THSCA)

Toney Burger – Austin ISD

School populations grew rapidly and the need for more oversight of athletic programs became very evident. Soon more Athletic Directors were added to the following cities:

Dee Walker – Amarillo ISD

Buddy Brothers – Lubbock ISD

Tonto Coleman – Ector County ISD

Chatter Allen – Corpus Christi ISD

The timing was almost perfect for the creation of the Texas High School Athletic Directors Association. In the spring of 1970, Athletic Directors from across Texas and the National Health/Physical Education Association met in Houston. At that time, many Athletic Directors also served as administrators over health and physical education in their districts. While attending this meeting, it was decided by those Directors in attendance that they have a sub-meeting to share specific ideas and ask questions. Joe Tusa of Houston ISD arranged the meeting location. Those individuals in attendance at the first meeting were:

Joe Tusa – Houston ISD

Joe Golding – Wichita Falls ISD

Chuck Moser – Abilene ISD

Shorty Lawson – Abilene ISD

Stoney Phillips – Pasadena ISD

Pete Sultis – Goose Creek ISD

Lon Goldstein – Fort Worth ISD

James Willingham – Fort Worth ISD

Bob Shelton – Dallas ISD

Barry Ehlert – San Antonio ISD

Tom Pruitt – Victoria ISD

Howland Reich – Port Arthur ISD

Homer Johnson – Garland ISD

Allan Boren – Klein ISD

C.E. Haynes – Corpus Christi ISD

Gerald Meyers – Pasadena ISD

Bob Harrell – Irving ISD

Bull Workman – Arlington ISD

Winlon Knowles – Pine Tree ISD

Armando Gutierrez – El Paso ISD

Joe Bill Fox – North East ISD

Kelly Horn – North East ISD

During this meeting the discussion moved to forming a state organization specifically for athletic administrators. The new group would continue close ties with the THSCA but have an independent charter. The decision was made to form the Texas High School Athletic Directors Association. The first officers of this new Association were:

Joe Bill Fox – President

Stoney Phillips – Vice President

Lon Goldstein – Secretary

The group decided to hold the first independent meeting of the THSADA in San Antonio the week after the state basketball tournament in 1971. The main goals established at this time were to improve the means of communication within the schools of Texas and fill a much-needed role in athletic administration within school districts and throughout the State of Texas.

The first meeting of the THSADA was held in San Antonio at the La Mansion Hotel and was deemed a success. There was no budget allocated so the hotel allowed the THSADA to defer payment until after the Conference. Attendance was over 50 individuals. The next two meetings were in the same hotel with Lon Goldstein and Stoney Phillips presiding.

“I cannot compliment these early day members enough for their willingness to contribute in any way possible. I cannot begin to list the names of those involved but every large school district and section of the state was represented. ese early day leaders have paved the way for an organization that is held in such high esteem as it is today.”

—Joe Bill Fox-former President-THSADA.

With the growth and elevated profile of the Texas High School Athletic Directors Association, the first ever Executive Director of the THSADA was selected in March 2012. Rusty Dowling, formerly Director of Athletics for the Katy ISD, was hired to oversee the organizational and administrative concerns of the THSADA.

The leadership model of the THSADA was changed in July of 2014 to better represent all areas of the State of Texas. An annual membership election for the office of Vice President takes place every year with the process of the VP moving through the administrative positions of Vice President, then to President-elect then eventually into the position of President. Three additional Board members were selected to fully represent all eight regions of the THSADA. The Board Historian and Board Secretary were re-purposed to permanent, non-voting members of the Board.

The event calendar for the THSADA became more established. Along with the annual THSADA State Conference, the THSADA has active participation in the summer TGCA and THSCA Summer Conventions as well as involvement in the regular monthly Region meetings that occur throughout the state. The establishment of committees were organized to assist the THSADA in doing the work of the Association was also critical and allowed for additional member engagement.

Significant to the THSADA was the development of the Texas Athletic Administrators Certification program. This is a Texas-based athletic administrators’ curriculum that utilizes a faculty of current athletic administrators, industry professionals, UIL/TAPPS staff and school superintendents. This certification will validate that an athletic administrator, in the State of Texas, has taken courses of study that will improve effectiveness as an athletic administrator.

The growth of the THSADA also allowed the Association to hire an Assistant Executive Director. Bob DeJonge, formerly Director of Athletics of the Keller ISD, was named as Assistant Executive Director in 2018.

THSADA, now in its 52nd year, is the professional and educational Association for nearly 2,000 secondary athletics administrators at more than 1,700 institutions throughout the State of Texas. Nearly 600 athletic administrators annually attend THSADA’s State Conference and 200+ athletic administrators are usually on hand for both Spring Sponsor Showcase in March and Fall Forum in October.

Below are key dates and initiatives in THSADA History.

1970 Athletic Directors from across Texas and the National Health/Physical Education Association meet in Houston to form the Texas High School Athletic Directors Association, a state organization specifically for athletic administrators. The first officers of this new Association are Joe Bill Fox (President), Stoney Phillips (Vice President) and Lon Goldstein (Secretary).

1971 First independent meeting of the THSADA is held at the La Mansion Hotel in San Antonio the week after the state basketball tournament. The main goals of the meeting were to improve the means of communication within schools and fill a much-needed role in athletic administration.

Attending this meeting are Barry Ehlert (San Antonio ISD), Joe Golding (Wichita Falls ISD), Lon Goldstein (Fort Worth ISD), Homer Johnson (Garland ISD), Shorty Lawson (Abilene ISD), Chuck Moser (Abilene ISD), Stoney Phillips (Pasadena ISD), Tom Pruitt (Victoria ISD), Howland Reich (Port Arthur ISD), Bob Shelton (Dallas ISD), Pete Sultis (Goose Creek ISD), Joe Tusa (Houston ISD) and James Willingham (Fort Worth ISD).

1981The Hall of Honor begins, with the first inductee Pete Sultis (Goose Creek ISD). More than 115 members have been added in the past 40 years.

1988 Joe Means (Round Rock ISD) is the first honoree for the State Award of Merit. The annual award winner has demonstrated longterm contribution of leadership and meritorious service to their profession of interscholastic athletics at the state and national level. The award now includes the name of the late Kelly Reeves (Round Rock ISD).

1998 Ruth Meredith (El Paso ISD), who became the first female inducted into the Hall of Honor in 1994, becomes the first female to serve as association president. Karen Funk (North East ISD) follows suit as president in 2013, Debbie Decker (Katy ISD) in 2018 and Debbie Fuchs (retired, Clear Creek ISD) in 2022. Leslie Slovak (Richardson ISD) was voted by membership as President-Elect in 2023.

2006 South Texas ends a 10-year gap and returns as host of State Conference, in Brownsville. The city of Brownsville would host again in 2009. Laredo served as host in 1979, ’82, ’84,

’85 and ’96.

2008 The Frank Kovaleski Professional Development Award is launched. The Kovaleski is presented annually to a NIAAA member who has made significant contributions and demonstrated excellence in professional development at the local, state and national levels. The first honoree is Larry Peil (Cy-Fair ISD), who would later serve the THSADA as one of the primary architects of its TAAC program.

2012 With the growth and elevated profile of the THSADA, the first-ever Executive Director is selected in March. Rusty Dowling, formerly Director of Athletics for the Katy ISD, is hired to oversee the organizational and administrative concerns while also generating association revenue through marketing initiatives and annual membership.

2013 Region Athletic Administrators of the Year begin being recognized, as well as another annual platform sponsored by Whataburger to award a pair of $1,500 scholarships to deserving student-athletes. Membership in the THSADA exceeds 250.

2014 Leadership model changes in July to better represent all regions of Texas. An annual membership election for the office of Vice President is instituted, with the process of the VP moving through the administrative positions of Vice President, then to President-elect, then eventually into the position of President. Three additional Board members are selected to fully represent all eight THSADA regions. The Board Historian and Board Secretary were re-purposed to permanent, non-voting members of the Board.

2015 The Joe Bill Fox Award is launched, to annually honor an individual who has provided invaluable service to the THSADA in truly outstanding fashion. The first honoree is Kathy Mathis, who served the THSADA faithfully and tirelessly in a varsity of key roles (led by membership oversight) before her retirement in 2019.

2016 Membership in the THSADA doubles in three years of hiring an Executive Director and exceeds 500.

2017 The Waco Convention Center begins its three-year run as annual host of State Conference. Membership in the THSADA exceeds 750.

2018 Continued growth of the THSADA allows for the addition of an Assistant Executive Director. This new position is filled by Bob DeJonge, formerly Director of Athletics of the Keller ISD.

After years in development, the Texas Athletic Administrators Certification curriculum is launched at State Conference, thanks in part to the foundational efforts of Larry Peil (retired, CyFair ISD), among others.This athletic administrators’ curriculum comprised of 28 courses utilizes a faculty of current athletic administrators, industry professionals, UIL/TAPPS staff and school superintendents. Johanna Denson (retired, Tyler, Waco and Pflugerville ISDs), currently oversees TAAC for the THSADA.

2019 Members of the inaugural TAAC graduating class are honored with certificates at their respective Region Meetings beginning in the fall. With online education available to complete certification, this number totaled 74 administrators by the end of the year.

A 1½-day workshop, Fall Forum is launched as an annual fall event to provide another educational opportunity for membership. Nearly 200 members attend Fall Forum at the Northside ISD’s Farris Athletic Complex in San Antonio. Speakers included superintendents, representatives of the UIL, athletic administrators, sponsors and industry leaders in athletic facilities. Membership in the THSADA exceeds 1,000.

2020 Due to Covid-19, the State Conference is postponed, then moved virtual, in December.

2021 In March, Kalahari Resorts & Conventions in Round Rock hosts the inaugural Spring Sponsor Showcase. Similar to Fall Forum, Spring Sponsor Showcase provides another engagement opportunity between membership and our sponsor family, sandwiched around educational opportunities for membership.

The association celebrated its 50th-annual by returning its State Conference to the Austin area for the first time since 2005. The site was Kalahari, which remains as annual host of State Conference. Joe Bill Fox attends, and is celebrated, during festivities celebrating the 50th State Conference Membership in the THSADA exceeds 1,250.

2022 Fall Forum Presented by HomeTown Ticketing begins the first of two years headquartered at Estancia del Norte in San Antonio. Professional development offerings were held on Day 2 at the North East ISD. Membership in the THSADA exceeds 1,500.

During its December meeting, the THSADA Board of Directors announced that Dr. Roland Hernandez (Superintendent of Schools, Corpus Christi ISD) and Dr. Joe Young (Superintendent of Schools, Brownwood ISD) have been selected to serve a two-year term on the THSADA Board of Directors. Both Dr. Hernandez and Dr. Young will serve as Ex-Officio members of the Board. The THSADA voted unanimously to add two ISD Superintendents to the BOD in order to bring a district leader’s perspective to the THSADA and to further strengthen the alliance between Athletic Directors and ISD Superintendents.

2023 Spring Sponsor Showcase Presented by ProtectED brings membership back to Waco for the first time since State Conference in 2019. Membership in the THSADA exceeds 1,750.