The Connecticut State Legislature has passed a law PA 6383 that will for the first time give athletic directors statutory recognition.  This law will define the position of athletic director and establish qualifications for hiring anyone after October 1, 2013. Athletic Directors employed prior to October 1, 2013 are grandfathered as long as they possess the proper credentials according to current State Department of Education certification regulations. 

The athletic director position is now defined in the new law: The new law spells out general duties and responsibilities of an athletic director stating - "An athletic director administering the athletic program of a school or school district shall have the following responsibilities: (1) Ensuring that each athletic coach in the athletic program holds a coaching permit issued by the state board, (2) supervising and evaluating athletic coaches, pursuant to section 10-222e of the general statutes, as amended by this act, (3) supervising students participating in interscholastic athletics, (4) possessing knowledge and understanding of all rules and regulations of the governing authority for interscholastic athletics, (5) administering and arranging the scheduling of and transportation to athletic activities and events, (6) administering and arranging the hiring of officials, (7) ensuring a safe and healthy environment for all athletic activities and events, and (8) any other duties relevant to the organization and administration of the athletic program for the school or school district."  Of course school districts can create additional responsibilities as many do but the law now outlines the basic covenants of the position.

How this new law affects current athletic directors: The law grandfathers all current athletic directors in their current positions provided that they are currently holding the proper credentials according to the current certification regulations that went into effect July 1998.  Anyone hired after July 1998 is currently required to hold a coaching permit AND either a certificate in administration & supervision (092) if they are a district athletic director, or a Connecticut teaching certificate if they are a school athletic director, or   just the coaching permit if they are considered an athletic program facilitator with no supervisory responsibilities.  Those hired prior to July 1998 are grandfathered in their current positions in their current district only.  Anyone grandfathered who moves into a new district or to a new position must comply with the new law effective October 1, 2013.

The law spells out new hiring standards:  Effective October 1, 2013, any school district hiring an individual as "school" athletic director must make certain the applicant has a coaching permit and either a state of Connecticut approved teaching certificate or the appropriate certification from the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association.   For schools districts hiring an individual as a “district wide” or “multi-school” athletic director must make certain the applicant have a coaching permit and either a state of Connecticut approved certificate in administration and supervision (092) or the appropriate master certification from the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association.  For more information about the new hiring standards contact Fred Balsamo, Executive Director, Connecticut Association of Athletic Directors, fbalsamo@casciac.org

How do I get the Appropriate National Certification Required for Non-Certified Teachers? The alternative route for a non-teacher who will be hired for a single building is the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) "Certified Athletic Administrator"(CAA). In order to receive this certification you must complete four specified leadership training courses (501, 502, 504, 506) and take a written exam. (Note: Upon completion of the four courses the NIAAA will issue a 3 year provisional CAA certificate which will satisfy the law until it expires giving you the adequate time needed to sit for the exam).  In anticipation there will be schools caught off guard this first year we are offering these 4 courses.  They are $125 each, however, LTC 502 on August 16, 2013 is offered FREE to any first year Athletic Director. To register go to the following links:

LTI 502 (August 16, 2013, 9am-1pm)- https://www.casciac.org/scripts/register.cgi?confid=CAADREGLTI

LTI 504 - (August 23, 2013, 9am-1pm) - https://www.casciac.org/scripts/register.cgi?confid=CAADREGLTI2

LTI 501 - (August 26, 2013, 9am-1pm) - https://www.casciac.org/scripts/register.cgi?confid=CAADREGLTI3

LTI 506 - (August 30, 2013, 9am-1pm) - https://www.casciac.org/scripts/register.cgi?confid=CAADREGLTI4

The alternative route for  someone who is being hired as a district-wide athletic director and who does not possess a 092 is the NIAAA "Certified Master Athletic Administrator" (CMAA).  In order to receive this certification you must be a CAA and then complete 7 more additional specified courses and submit a worthy project.