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Athletic director details participation, mental-health plan and switch to Bound scheduling
Summary
Saint Croix Falls athletic director Daryl reported high student participation rates, outlined a new mental-health emergency action plan for coaches, described a move to the Bound scheduling platform, and said he will appeal a WIAA divisional move for wrestling at an upcoming meeting.
Daryl, the district athletic director, told the board the department’s purpose is to develop ‘‘high-character’’ students and provide meaningful experiences while pursuing competitive excellence. He said 61% of high school students participate in WIAA athletics this year (down from 62%) and 73% of middle school students take part in athletics.
Daryl said the department will roll out a mental-health emergency action plan next year to give coaches and the athletic trainer a step-by-step protocol for handling students in crisis, including suicidal ideation and severe depression. "It would give the coaches and athletic trainer tools and the steps of if a student is in mental health crisis," he said.
He described professional-development work tied to WADA (Wisconsin Athletic Directors Association) and a cohort-based quality program assessment, and noted his work toward a national quality program assessment. Daryl said several routine compliance items—CPR certification and concussion training for coaches—are being tracked more consistently and that the department uses Sports U for team communication.
On technology and logistics, Daryl said the district and its conference elected to adopt Bound as the scheduling platform after comparing it with Arbiter, citing user interface, integrated ticketing and facility management. "Bound was the clear winner and a better program," he said, adding that the district will test digital ticketing and explore moving athletic registration from RevTrack into Bound to centralize eligibility and compliance records.
Daryl also reported a trial virtual athletic-training service for April–May to provide remote rehab appointments and additional coverage when an athletic trainer is not on site. He credited GoFor (athletic-training vendor) with filling many events this spring and named three trainers who have supported coverage.
On competitive classification, Daryl said he submitted an appeal to the WIAA after his wrestling program accrued enough points to move it from Division 3 toward Division 1. He said he will speak at the WIAA meeting to request clearer member feedback and better appeal outcomes: "We didn't know the amount of points…they haven't approved a single appeal except for one," he said.
Daryl closed by noting facilities needs—locker rooms, a training room overhaul, better sound and covered dugouts at multiple fields—and by recognizing Coach Joe Reger for a coach-of-the-year honor. He emphasized the department’s focus on leadership, sportsmanship and safety as justification for the listed improvements.
The board did not take a formal vote on the facilities items; Daryl presented them as long-range targets for future budgeting and planning.
