In an effort to recognize and commend excellence in the implementation and administration of outstanding high school athletic programs, the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) has initiated the NIAAA Quality Program Award.

Hood River Valley High School and its high school athletic program have been identified as a 2021 recipient of the NIAAA Quality Program Award at the Exemplary Level. To be recognized as a Quality Program Award Exemplary High School Athletic Program, an applicant athletic director must have successfully completed LTC 799 and present evidence of existing policies, practices, and procedures that meet suggested content rubrics within the ten Quality Program assessment categories. For each of the ten assessment categories, providing documentation of existing school and/or district policies and procedures and program achievements claim points.

Hood River Valley Athletic Director Trent Kroll will be presented with the Quality Program Award at the 2021 NIAAA/NFHS National Conference in Denver, Colorado.

The NIAAA/NFHS/OSAA congratulate Hood River Valley for this award.

Link to NIAAA Quality Program Award Page: https://members.niaaa.org/page/QPA

LTC 799 Athletic Administration: Standards of Excellence in Interscholastic Athletic Programs

Leadership Training Course 799 has two purposes and potential benefits for high school athletic administrators. For those athletic administrators who are new to the profession, the course provides references to a variety of best practices outlined in 27 NIAAA Leadership Training Courses (LTCs) including concepts, strategies, and suggested best practices. Whether working to improve a program or looking for long-range strategic planning guidance, this overview of 27 course components will inspire and encourage significant review, change, and visionary growth. The course manual provides nine chapters that are summarized with detailed checklists developed from topics experienced in the other LTCs. For the more experienced athletic administrator, the same planning and guidance can be derived. However, an additional benefit and incentive discussed in the course is an opportunity to seek the NIAAA Recognition of Program Excellence. This recognition program will identify an exemplary athletic program through the Quality Program Award (QPA) process. The LTC 799 information (its resources, rubrics, and applicable examples) provides guidance of the assessment instrument describing in detail, important components (policies, operations, and best practices) of an educationally sound interscholastic athletic program. This course is required for athletic administrators applying for the QPA at the Exemplary Level.