VYPE Aldine ISD Winter 2022-23

feature A I S D Leading Leaders \\ By Matthew Ogle Mader Earns National Recognition for Service

ALDINE ISD’S DIRECTOR OF ATHLETIC SERVICES SANDRA MADER WAS PRESENTED THE FRANK KOVALESKI AWARD AT THE NATIONAL INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETIC ADMINISTRATORS ASSOCIATION (NIAAA) HONORS CEREMONY IN NASHVILLE, TN IN DECEMBER. The Kovaleski Award is given to those who embody the vision of professional development in areas such as writing, instruction, presenting and service. Mader was selected from eight section candidates across the country, who have excelled at the local, state and national levels. “I’m very humbled and blessed,” said Mader.“ To know that you’ve been able to touch the lives of athletic directors of various levels and allow them to broaden their horizons and become better athletic administrators, really touches home. As we attend professional development at the local, state and national levels, the real benefactors are the students. We become better leaders for our coaches, our students and our communities.” After graduating from SHSU, Mader began her tenured career as a head softball coach for seven years at North Shore High School and two years at Alvin High School. She then became the athletic director for Galveston ISD, before moving to Aldine ISD, where she has served for the last 16 years. With all the accolades and experience, both coaching and administrative, Mader recognized her mentors along the way. “A real mentor for me early in my career was [Dr.] Bill Farney (Former Executive Director of the UIL),” she said. “When I started coaching softball, fast-pitch softball was not a UIL state-recognized sport. So, a few head softball coaches and myself were able to bring fast-pitch softball to the UIL and get it recognized as a UIL Sport at the state level. After that , he [Dr. Farney] said, ‘Sandy, you’re really good on your feet presenting to the UIL. You need to think about going into athletic administration.’ He was the one who really spearheaded my career and got me to look into that direction.” Fastpitch softball being accepted as a state sport by the UIL, led Mader to be inducted in the Texas Girls Coaches Hall of Fame for outstanding contributions to girls’ athletics. Mader is another example of Aldine ISD’s consistent pursuit of excellence.

Sandra Mader AI SD

12 \\

ALDINE ISD \\ WINTER 2022 -23 \\ vype .com