GAINESVILLE, FL (6/1/16) – After a remarkable eight-year run where he increased member school bene ts by $1.5 million annually, Florida High School Athletic Association Executive Director and Chief Executive Of cer Dr. James “Roger” Dearing announced his retirement Wednesday morning.
Consistent with the FHSAA’s comprehensive succession plan, the organization’s Board of Directors will begin an extensive nationwide search immediately following the next board meeting, scheduled for June 13-14 in Gainesville. The new hire is expected to begin in spring 2017, at which point Dearing would leave his post.
“I have nothing but gratitude when I re ect on my tenure,” Dearing said. “This position was the epitome of shaping young lives and my goal from day one was to do just that. Our achievements during my time at the FHSAA were founded on a commitment to build leaders through teamwork, sportsmanship and citizenship, and I am very proud of what we accomplished.”
Prior to being voted into his current role on June 12, 2008, Dearing served the Sunshine State as a teacher, coach, athletic director, principal and superintendent. In his last stop before the FHSAA as Manatee County Superintendent, he served on the FHSAA Board of Directors from 2005-08. Investing years of hard work and dedication into his stakeholders, Dearing has grown membership, increased revenue and enhanced participation opportuni- ties for student-athletes across the board.
Dearing arrived in Gainesville with a vision to replace membership fees with corporate sponsorships, merchandising and media contracts. He went to work immediately, saving membership more than $400,000 by reducing membership fees to just $25 per school. Beginning with the latest policy changes going into effect this coming year, he’s slashed sanction, classic and participation fees by more than $366,000. In terms of revenue share, the CEO has reduced the FHSAA’s cut by $160,000 and increased championship team payouts by $168,000. In total, member schools are $1.5 million better off annually than before Dearing’s arrival.
Contact: Kyle Niblett Florida High School Athletic Association 352-372-9551 kniblett@ saa.org
The Executive Director also broadened the national visibility of the brand by partnering with Bright House Sports Network and the NFHS Network, making championships avail- able worldwide. Thanks to Dearing, student-athlete participation in the FHSAA’s 32 sports has increased by 33 percent, with 141 teams and 294 individuals experiencing the feeling of winning a state championship.
Aside from on- eld competition, Dearing made safety his top priority from the beginning. The Executive Director implemented a concussion policy during his tenure, including an action plan, return to play protocol and a mandated education for all student-athletes and coaches. In addition, he also created a heat acclimatization policy and a sudden cardiac ar- rest policy.
“I am forever thankful for the relentless effort my staff gave on a daily basis, the genuine servant nature of our Board members and the unparalleled work ethic of our stakeholders,” Dearing concluded. “Their focus on bettering the lives of thousands of young people never wavered and they should be commended for their efforts.”
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ABOUT THE FHSAA
The Florida High School Athletic Association supervises and regulates interscholastic ath- letic programs for high school students at member public, private and charter schools. The organization also recognizes and honors academic achievement among student-athletes at almost 800 middle, junior and senior high schools statewide. Headquartered in Gainesville, it is the of cial governing body for interscholastic athletics in Florida.
What led to this decision?
Dr. Dearing: I have given almost half a century of my life to public service. After consulting with my family and my closest of friends, I feel it is in the best interest of all if I step aside and give someone else the absolute privilege and honor of taking on this role. It is simply time.
What will a typical day be like for you until you leave of ce?
Dr. Dearing: It will be just like it has been for the last eight years. The FHSAA will continue to maximize every resource available to promote interscholastic athletics, while monitoring and mentoring our member schools. With great integrity, we will make sure our members are served and that we enhance the quality of that service each and every day.
What are you plans for retirement?
Dr. Dearing: My wife and I are really looking forward to spending a great deal of time with our grandchildren and watching them grow up. We also want to travel. There are so many places in this beautiful country we’ve yet to visit like Wyoming, Oregon, Massachusetts, etc… Another hobby I am excited about is the continuation of my genealogy research. Educating myself on my personal family history is fascinating.
How supportive has your family been the last eight years?
Dr. Dearing: My family has been tremendously supportive throughout my entire career and es- pecially during this decision-making process. In 46 years of public service, my family has made a ton of sacri ces so that I could help others. It is now my time to help them by giving them the quality family time they deserve.
What accomplishments are you most proud of during your tenure at FHSAA?
Dr. Dearing: As an organization, we are most proud of reducing the nancial burden on member schools the past eight years. We were also able to enhance the nancial stability of the FHSAA. Another thing I will treasure once I leave the of ce is the knowledge that in my eight years, the relationship between public and private schools was signi cantly strengthened. From an organi- zational standpoint, I leave very pleased with how much growth there has been in the synergetic relationships between the FHSAA, the FIAAA, the FACA and the FCIS. At the end of the day, I can con dently say we enhanced the concept of fairness and sportsmanship at every level, while at the same time improving and ensuring student-athlete safety. When I rst took this job head on eight years ago, the goals we had have been met and exceeded.
What do you want people to remember about your legacy at the FHSAA?
Dr. Dearing: I hope people will remember that I stayed true to my motto, which is “Work hard and have fun doing it.”
What have the last eight years meant to you personally?
Dr. Dearing: It has meant the world. It is a humbling experience looking back and reminisc- ing about all of the new people I have been fortunate enough to forge a bond with. I worked
in Orange, Osceola, Indian River and Manatee County professionally as an educator, but this Executive Director position has allowed me to build relationships statewide in all 67 counties. Speci cally, the dozens of Board members I worked with throughout the years were always un- sel sh and focused on what was best for student-athletes. Working with so many professionals, like Cheryl Golden or Lanness Robinson to name a few, made it easier for the FHSAA to take great strides in advancing forward in all aspects. I leave here in awe of the fact that everybody, whether we are in the business of private or public education, exist to positively impact chil- dren. That is the most rewarding aspect of all of this.
Are there any special memories/person/students that you will take with you?
Dr. Dearing: I will always remember the inspiring story of a young man named Jacob Goldberg, who was a student-athlete at Pine Crest. He competed and excelled in cross country and was
the rst Floridian to receive the National Federation of State High School Associations Spirit
of Sport Award. The tenacity shown by his ability to be a champion on and off the track de- spite having 20/150 vision and Tourette syndrome was an example to all that greatness can be achieved no matter the obstacle. Jacob just graduated from Harvard this spring with a degree in psychology and continues to be a shining model for any FHSAA student-athlete.
What will you miss the most about the FHSAA of ce itself?
Dr. Dearing: I will miss the family atmosphere in the Gainesville of ce. A lot of people only see us at state series events or conferences, but it is simply galvanizing to observe the work inside these walls and watch the dedication our staff has in serving our member schools. Our culture of “All for one, one for all,” is inspiring and something I am so honored to have been part of.
What do you see as some of the biggest challenges upcoming for the FHSAA?
Dr. Dearing: I am particularly concerned with sports specialization. Student-athletes have a life outside of school. You do not see as many two-sport and three-sport athletes as you use to see. Someone playing only one sport year round presents a challenge to a school. Along with that, we must continue to manage classes in an appropriate manner. Finally, with student-athletes having more choices than ever on where to participate, we must balance the right of choice with maintaining a level playing eld for all.
Do you have any advice for the incoming Executive Director?
Dr. Dearing: Be a good listener. Remember that you are here to serve all of our member schools and all of the student-athletes that participate in interscholastic athletics.