Paul Sapienza, Author at Prep Athletic Director https://prepathleticdirector.com/author/psapienza/ Best practices, administrative philosophy and product info for the high school athletic director. Thu, 18 Dec 2025 14:50:43 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.2 https://prepathleticdirector.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/cropped-PrepAthleticDirector-Favicon-080223-32x32.png Paul Sapienza, Author at Prep Athletic Director https://prepathleticdirector.com/author/psapienza/ 32 32 Building Community and Character With Fundraising https://prepathleticdirector.com/videos/building-community-and-character-with-fundraising/ https://prepathleticdirector.com/videos/building-community-and-character-with-fundraising/#respond Mon, 15 Dec 2025 21:17:15 +0000 https://prepathleticdirector.com/?p=5416 Rick Muellenberg, longtime head coach and principal at Bangor Middle/High School (WI), reflects on the power of student-led fundraising and community pride.

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]]> https://prepathleticdirector.com/videos/building-community-and-character-with-fundraising/feed/ 0 From Head Coach to District Leader: Scaling Impact Across 66 Schools https://prepathleticdirector.com/videos/from-head-coach-to-district-leader-scaling-impact-across-66-schools/ https://prepathleticdirector.com/videos/from-head-coach-to-district-leader-scaling-impact-across-66-schools/#respond Mon, 15 Dec 2025 20:56:17 +0000 https://prepathleticdirector.com/?p=5405 Brian Moore, Supervisor of Interscholastic Athletics at Prince George’s County Public Schools (MD), reflects on the mindset shift required when moving from head coach to athletic director—and now, to overseeing one of the nation’s largest school districts.

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]]> https://prepathleticdirector.com/videos/from-head-coach-to-district-leader-scaling-impact-across-66-schools/feed/ 0 Supporting Student Mental Health & Emotional Well-Being https://prepathleticdirector.com/articles/supporting-student-mental-health-emotional-well-being/ https://prepathleticdirector.com/articles/supporting-student-mental-health-emotional-well-being/#respond Mon, 15 Dec 2025 18:27:42 +0000 https://prepathleticdirector.com/?p=5270 From anxiety and depression to social media stress and questions of belonging — today's student-athletes are facing incredible mental stressors. ADs are training coaches, creating referral pathways, supporting injured athletes, and balancing compassion with policy to fight against one of the most complex challenges in modern-day schools.

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]]> https://prepathleticdirector.com/articles/supporting-student-mental-health-emotional-well-being/feed/ 0 Transfers, Eligibility & Recruiting: Protecting Your Program https://prepathleticdirector.com/articles/transfers-eligibility-recruiting-protecting-your-program/ https://prepathleticdirector.com/articles/transfers-eligibility-recruiting-protecting-your-program/#respond Thu, 11 Dec 2025 20:07:39 +0000 https://prepathleticdirector.com/?p=5272 With open enrollment, school choice, and mid-season moves, athletic directors now must handle transfers at the intersection of compliance, communication, and student support.

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]]> https://prepathleticdirector.com/articles/transfers-eligibility-recruiting-protecting-your-program/feed/ 0 Creating A Sense Of Belonging In Athletics https://prepathleticdirector.com/articles/creating-a-sense-of-belonging-in-athletics/ https://prepathleticdirector.com/articles/creating-a-sense-of-belonging-in-athletics/#respond Wed, 03 Dec 2025 21:42:09 +0000 https://prepathleticdirector.com/?p=5220 For new athletes, transfers, and incoming freshmen, feeling welcomed and supported matters more than playing time. Those first impressions often determine whether they stay, grow, or step away.

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]]> https://prepathleticdirector.com/articles/creating-a-sense-of-belonging-in-athletics/feed/ 0 The Most Difficult Decisions Athletic Directors Make https://prepathleticdirector.com/articles/the-most-difficult-decisions-athletic-directors-make/ https://prepathleticdirector.com/articles/the-most-difficult-decisions-athletic-directors-make/#respond Wed, 03 Dec 2025 21:37:26 +0000 https://prepathleticdirector.com/?p=5268 When an injured player wants to return too soon, when a coach’s behavior must be addressed, when a weather call has no perfect answer, or when a parent demands an exception that can’t be given, these moments test an AD’s judgment, values, and resolve.

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]]> https://prepathleticdirector.com/articles/the-most-difficult-decisions-athletic-directors-make/feed/ 0 The Matrix Fitness Magnum Plate-Loaded Kneeling Leg Curl https://prepathleticdirector.com/products-services/the-matrix-fitness-magnum-plate-loaded-kneeling-leg-curl/ https://prepathleticdirector.com/products-services/the-matrix-fitness-magnum-plate-loaded-kneeling-leg-curl/#respond Wed, 03 Dec 2025 21:36:05 +0000 https://prepathleticdirector.com/?p=5295 With built-in storage for weight plates and an overall user-focused design, the Magnum Plate-Loaded Kneeling Leg Curl from Matrix Fitness delivers effective hamstring training for users of all sizes.

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]]> https://prepathleticdirector.com/products-services/the-matrix-fitness-magnum-plate-loaded-kneeling-leg-curl/feed/ 0 Fostering A Culture Of Peer Leadership https://prepathleticdirector.com/videos/fostering-a-culture-of-peer-leadership/ https://prepathleticdirector.com/videos/fostering-a-culture-of-peer-leadership/#respond Mon, 01 Dec 2025 22:23:38 +0000 https://prepathleticdirector.com/?p=5223 Brian Moore, Supervisor of Interscholastic Athletics at Prince George’s County Public Schools (MD), helps build school culture across a large district by empowering student-athletes to lead.

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]]> https://prepathleticdirector.com/videos/fostering-a-culture-of-peer-leadership/feed/ 0 Mondotrack Ellipse Impulse — Enhance Performance And Prevent Injuries https://prepathleticdirector.com/products-services/mondotrack-ellipse-impulse-enhance-performance-and-prevent-injuries/ https://prepathleticdirector.com/products-services/mondotrack-ellipse-impulse-enhance-performance-and-prevent-injuries/#respond Wed, 19 Nov 2025 21:09:53 +0000 https://prepathleticdirector.com/?p=5210 Designed in collaboration with the Polymer Engineering Laboratory at Politecnico di Milano, Mondotrack EI uses a new elliptical air-cell geometry to deliver smoother impact, greater energy return, and a measurable boost in athlete speed while reducing joint strain.

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]]> https://prepathleticdirector.com/products-services/mondotrack-ellipse-impulse-enhance-performance-and-prevent-injuries/feed/ 0 How To Select A School Mascot That Strengthens Identity & Pride https://prepathleticdirector.com/articles/how-to-select-a-school-mascot-that-strengthens-identity-pride/ https://prepathleticdirector.com/articles/how-to-select-a-school-mascot-that-strengthens-identity-pride/#respond Tue, 18 Nov 2025 16:34:07 +0000 https://prepathleticdirector.com/?p=5189 From symbols rooted in local history to characters who create unforgettable memories, mascots bring school spirit to life.

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