After a half a year on the job, Mr Gordy is getting a feel for the OA community and athletic department, as he takes on the job of being the new athletic director. It has been a learning curve but Mr. Gordy really hopes to make a difference in the culture and community of OA athletics.
Since he came to OA Mr. Gordy has had really positive experiences with the community, athletes, and coaches of OA. He hopes to continue OA traditions and connect more with the community.
¨The community loves their sports here, which I love; For me learning and understanding traditions so I can continue on with them with the community is important; To see the community come out and support our state championships was a really cool thing.¨
For the first year Mr. Gordy hopes to build new relationships but also create high expectations in the athletic department so we can make progress as a school.
¨I think the first year is really about learning and listening, building relationships, and building trust. After that we can see gaps and start to fill them and really make progress; My expectations are high but are accompanied with a high level of support. ¨
As Mr. Gordy strives to learn more this first year he tells why he chose this job in the first place.
¨I really do this because I believe in trans-formative experiences and I think sports is a great platform for that, and then meaningful relationships; When I get to watch an athlete overcome adversity and fight through something that has been troubling them and come out on the other side successful, that stuff really fuels me, I love that stuff.¨
As Mr. Gordy navigates this new job he describes both the joys and challenges he has faced so far.
Mr. Gordy said favorite part is ¨The ability to work close with coaches and athletes, navigate situations, and grow as people¨ But he also states ¨because it’s a new job for me it’s a learning curve, and it’s not just a new job it’s a new community, and I think that there’s a steep learning curve for an important job like this.¨