Sara Stadem | Editor
The South Dakota High School Athletic Administrators Association annual conference was held virtually this year due to COVID-19 but that didn’t stop Tri-Valley’s Athletic Director Eric Smart from being recognized as this year’s Region AD (Athletic Director) of the Year for Region 5.
Smart, 2004 Tri-Valley graduate himself, is in his third year as AD at Tri-Valley. Prior to that, Smart was in Canton where he started teaching in 2010 and also coached football and girls’ basketball. Smart became the AD at Canton in 2013, a position he held until he returned to his homeschool in 2018.
When asked what made him want to become an AD, Smart explained that in his third year of teaching, he gave a presentation to the Booster Club in Canton regarding offering financial assistance to coaches who wanted to attend coaching clinics. “Together we came up with a good process to do so and my then superintendent said I should look at getting into school administration,” Smart said. He continued, “That spring, the AD job came open and it fit what I was looking for – an opportunity to help out all programs and work more alongside parents and district stakeholders. I wanted to help coaches be better at their craft and I hope I did so in some small way.”
What Smart enjoys most about being AD is being involved with not one but all programs. He explained he has learned so much from students, coaches and directors over the years as AD. “It’s hard to put into words the intricacies of extra-curricular activities. Students, coaches and directors are balancing so many things and I enjoy being able to be there and lend a helping hand to help everyone keep their balance,” Smart said.
High School Principal Brad McDonald states, “Eric excels at building relationships with our athletes and activities participants while serving as Activities Director.” He continued, “He has also fostered positive working relationships with area Activities Directors which have been beneficial in enhancing the overall activities experiences our district offers.”
Principal McDonald indicated while he was working with Smart when Smart was the Canton AD, McDonald always enjoyed Smart’s positive and upbeat approach to serving others.
When looking back on his AD career, Smart indicates he does not have one particular highlight although being named AD of the Year was a career highlight, especially since the AD’s in the region schools vote on the award.
“Graduating from Tri-Valley in 2004, the district and it’s teachers definitely had a tremendous positive impact on me. Coming back and getting to be a colleague with coaches who once coached me is amazing,” Smart said. He continued, “Being able to follow Brad McDonald who was my high school football coach and then mentor as a young educator is such a blessing. I need to pause more often and be grateful more often that I followed not only him but Dean Luening and Butch Bachman as well. Just being put in the same category, AD at Tri-Valley, as those three individuals is a little overwhelming. In my eyes, those three always did things the right way and put the district before themselves. I hope more times than not I exhibited those same qualities as AD.”
“Eric has earned the respect of area schools (Activities Directors) through his commitment to helping provide activities experiences for all students. He has advocated for expanding activities to increase student participation in activities,” Principal McDonald said. He concluded, “Eric has committed to improving the activities at Tri-Valley…. I look forward to working with Eric in the future as he transitions into a full-time middle school principal next year.”
Being recognized by his peers means a great deal to Smart. For him, it means that he has treated his colleagues well. It also means, according to Smart, its more than a reflection on him, it’s a school award for how the Tri-Valley district hosts other schools as well. “I hope when a school comes to Tri-Valley they leave (hopefully after a loss J) and look back at a pleasant experience because we treated them the right away,” Smart said.
Although Smart is only in his third year as AD, he has decided to take a step back next year to spend more nights at home with his wife, Jenna, and daughter, Louisa (8 months old). For the last five years, Smart explained his wife has spent many nights alone at home or sitting in bleachers watching a game they were hosting. He gives her credit for line judging, keeping book, clock or any other duty he needed assistance with in order to make an event a success.
Smart said, “It’s hard to describe everything that goes into being an AD; your mind never stops thinking about the next event and what is needed to make sure that public event goes smoothly. Jenna has given me so much support since we first started dating.” He continued, “I’m looking forward to spending nights at Tri-Valley events and cheering for the Mustangs next to her; not running around making sure everything is going well. She should be recognized for this award as well.”
“Next year Derik Fossum will be taking over the AD responsibilities. It’s been a great three years as AD and I hope I’ve left things better than they were when I arrived. I had big shoes to fill after Brad McDonald moved to the High School Principal position and was no longer the AD,” Smart said. He concluded, “Derik will do a great job starting next year as well. He has such a vast knowledge of all activities and I feel our district gained a great asset with him filling the position. I’m so excited to see where he takes Tri-Valley activities and be there to support him. We have a really good thing going at Tri-Valley right now.