How does it feel to be an athletic director? Algoma Athletic Director Whitney Ebert answered that question by going back to when she was an athlete at the school.
She says on her time growing up that she grew up liking sports. "I love being active and thrive off of movement. In my Elementary and Middle School years, I enjoyed having the opportunity to play just about every sport throughout the year. I played Soccer, Basketball, and Softball and I ran Cross Country and Track & Field.”
She adds she was a dedicated athlete who had success because she was willing to put in the work and miles in the off-season and focused on the little things like strength training, recovery, and nutrition.
Being an athlete helped her in her job, as she says, because she was a multisport athlete for her high school and college careers. "You learn the importance of athletics for personal development and the needs of student-athletes and coaches. Every sport has highs and lows, and every athlete has gone through high and low points in sports. I am here to relate, listen, and help them through the process. The ability to relate as an Algoma student-athlete and Algoma alumni is something that gave me pride to pursue this role and give back to the community.”
Ebert was brought back to Algoma after college, after she graduated in May 2020, during Covid. "I believe it was a blessing in disguise as I got to be a part of a few of my family” 's business adventures. I was able to be a part of my family’s start-up of Salmon’s Meat Products and Homestead Kitchen Tap."
In 2022, Ebert decided that she wanted to do something more related to her Bachelor’s degree in Public Health & Community Health Education that she earned at UW-LaCrosse. "I was drawn to the Algoma Community Wellness Center as I like the atmosphere and was familiar with it as it opened my senior year of high school in 2015." Since March 2022, Ebert has managed the Algoma Community Wellness Center, valuing how it is making the Algoma community a happier and healthier place.
In July 2022, Ebert started her role as the Middle School and High School Athletic & Activities Director, which has often been challenging and rewarding. "An Athletic Director is responsible for managing all aspects of their school’s athletic programs. This can involve scheduling, hiring, finding officials and workers, ordering equipment, student grade checks, athletic director meetings, coaches meetings, facility and game management, etc."
According to Ebert, every day is different as an athletic director, as there are multiple sports that have different levels. The role revolves around problem-solving and working ahead. "Deep down, the AD role is rewarding as you get to watch the student-athletes grow together as a team and improve their skills as individuals. Yes, there may be late nights and long days, but what keeps you going is that you are helping the students and giving them opportunities."
Ebert says the most fun part of being an athletic director is making connections with the students and helping them grow as not only an athlete but as a person. "I also enjoy how every day is different as an athletic director. Yes, sports seasons are seasonal, but you are always working on something for an upcoming season and problem-solving. In a nutshell, you get to be around and work with sports as your job."
