AD 360 Live From NADC in Tampa (Dec 17, 2025)

Podcast: AD 360
Host: PlayOn Sports
Guests: Greg Vandermade and Scott Rosenberg (former athletic directors)
Event: National Athletic Directors Conference (NADC), Tampa, FL

Episode Overview

This special live episode of AD 360 captures the vibrant energy of the National Athletic Directors Conference (NADC) in Tampa, Florida. Greg Vandermade and Scott Rosenberg, both former athletic directors, immerse listeners in the sights, sounds, and conversations shaping the profession. The episode serves as a pulse check on key themes among high school athletics leaders—offering practical advice, spotlighting technology trends (notably, AI), and reflecting on the professional camaraderie that defines the AD community.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Conference Experience and Atmosphere

• Anticipation & Energy
  • Both hosts express excitement about being together in person, noting the event's large scale and high energy.
  • Scott Rosenberg: “Like the energy is amazing. Things are just starting out, but people are excited to be in the vendor hall.” (00:50)
• Well-Organized Event
  • Praise for NIAAA and NFHS on event logistics and responsiveness to feedback.
    • “They've been doing this for a long time. They refine every year. They get feedback...and they make improvements.” – Scott (05:14)

2. Strategies for Maximizing the Conference

• Planning vs. Flexibility
  • Greg prefers a hybrid approach: scheduling 2–3 must-see sessions, but leaving flexibility to explore vendors, network, and absorb ideas:
    • “Schedule out a couple key important things...and then take time to network and go around, see the various vendors, learn about different products and technologies.” (03:03)
• Networking & Takeaways
  • Reiterates the value of bringing back “at least one thing” from every event, whether it's an idea, connection, or tool.
    • “If you're only bringing one thing back, you're probably doing something wrong. Like you should be able to bring back...ideas, thoughts, connections, gear…” – Scott (04:27)
• Autonomy in Scheduling
  • Scott highlights the rarity for ADs to have unstructured time away from their schools, making conferences especially valuable.
    • “Having a little bit of autonomy, I think works pretty well.” (04:58)

3. Social Connections & National Networking

• Value of Social Events
  • Both hosts emphasize the camaraderie, networking, and sharing of challenges across state lines during social events:
    • “That's what I really look forward to…being able to connect more with them, learning about the challenges that they're seeing on a day to day basis.” – Greg (06:39)
• Suggestions for Improvement
  • Scott jokingly advocates for beachside sessions and more prominent name tags for easier networking.
    • “If I could change one thing, it might be making [name tags] more prominent because you're kind of having to look down...” (07:50)

4. Trends, Challenges, and Themes at NADC 2025

• Young and Ambitious Attendance
  • Notably more first-time and younger ADs attending, bringing fresh perspectives on technology and engagement.
    • “There's a lot of younger, I think probably newer ads here, which is awesome because they have fresh thoughts.” – Scott (11:42)
• Peer-to-Peer Problem Solving
  • Many themes revolve around sharing best practices and solutions with colleagues.
• Tech & Automation
  • High demand for automation, integrated solutions, and eliminating redundant processes:
    • “A lot of what I'm hearing is automation, make my life easier, removal of duplicate efforts.” – Greg (10:46)
• Data and Fan Engagement
  • Discussion about data analytics, short-form video, and contemporary fan engagement strategies.
• AI in Athletics
  • Growing interest in the use of AI to manage workload and streamline tasks—recognized as both a challenge and an opportunity:
    • “Just AI in general. Like how can I use AI to make my life easier?...Schools are still trying to figure out how to allow kids to use AI with integrity in the right way...ads are still trying to figure out, I think, to an extent, like, how far can they push it...” – Scott (13:39)
• Digital Platforms
  • Increased adoption of digital tools for ticketing, payments, streaming, and analytics.
    • “Continued utilization of digital platforms for whether it be ticketing concessions, a payment platform, seeing more and more engagement and wanting to learn about streaming analytics.” – Greg (12:58)

5. Key Takeaways & Professional Practice

• Lifelong Learning
  • Scott underscores the importance of perpetual growth, regardless of tenure:
    • “You can be an AD for 25 years if you think you know everything, you're in a lot of trouble.” (18:39)
• Justifying Attendance & Sharing Learning
  • Greg discusses post-conference reporting: outlining main takeaways and actionable follow-ups with new contacts and vendors.
    • “A key takeaway for me would be...building in follow ups of the various people that I met with, that I networked with...Any vendors that I spoke with, you know, follow up with them...” (17:33)
• Maximizing the Investment
  • Scott notes that show-exclusive deals—discounts and opportunities—may require advance budgeting and coordination with one’s business office.
    • “Walking around the vendor hall, there are some deals out there, like show deals. So you maybe you consider like getting some money budgeted that you can spend...” (19:32)
• Encouragement to Attend National Conferences
  • Even for those who must plan/budget years in advance, attending a national event exposes ADs to broader perspectives and deeper learning:
    • “It's worth investing early in that and starting to talk to like your bosses...about trying to get to a national conference at some point.” – Scott (16:30)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Energy in Tampa:
  “It's wild. It's huge...There's giveaways, there's contests. It's fun. So I think overall it's a really good vibe.” – Scott (02:01)
• On Change in the Profession:
  “They're like ambitious. They understand terms like data analytics, short form, video, fan engagement...I think they get it.” – Scott (11:55)
• On Trends Toward Technology:
  “The technology piece is becoming the bigger trend...continued utilization of digital platforms...The technology scope is becoming more of the day to day life.” – Greg (12:58)
• On Being a Lifelong Learner:
  “You can be an AD for 25 years if you think you know everything, you're in a lot of trouble.” – Scott (18:39)
• On Building Networks:
  “Just the opportunity to really build a strong network and pick people's brains...bring something back from this. So that's what I'm excited for.” – Greg (07:19)
• Friendly Banter:
  “Maybe we'll just tell them that we need a cabana instead of a booth. Well, you can Visit us at Cabana106 next year.” – Greg (05:36)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Opening/Atmosphere: 00:23–02:08 (Energy, setup, first impressions)
• How to Approach the Conference: 02:47–05:14 (Planning, flexibility, networking strategies)
• Social Aspects & Awards: 06:03–07:16 (Value of social events and ceremonies)
• Trends & Tech Discussion: 10:46–14:11 (Automation, data, AI, focus on technology)
• Mid-Show Takeaways: 14:51–19:36 (New ADs, maximizing value, reporting, vendor deals, lifelong learning)
• Closing Thoughts & Looking Ahead: 19:36–21:15 (Personal excursions, the importance of returning, gratitude)

Final Thoughts

The episode is a lively, comprehensive snapshot of the state of high school athletics leadership in 2025. Greg and Scott blend humor, practical advice, and genuine passion for lifelong learning and peer support. The conversation is especially valuable for new and veteran ADs seeking to engage with industry trends, explore technological innovations (especially AI and data analytics), and grow strong professional networks.

Next Steps:

• Look out for future episodes featuring first-time ADs’ perspectives.
• If possible, invest in attending national-level events for lasting professional growth.