Lynelle Mosley, WSSD, Director of Athletics & Activities, 6th to 12th grade
By Havenstatguys
How would you like to be responsible for sixty-seven sports teams involving at least 1,000 athletes, dozens of coaches, umpires, and referees? Schedules need to be set, facilities available for games and practices. Uniforms and equipment for each sport from baseball to bocce to ultimate Frisbee to ice hockey to track and field. Travel arrangements need to be made for all away games. Welcome to the world of the high school Athletic Director!
Who would be crazy enough to take on this job? Meet Strath Haven’s newest Athletic Director, Lynelle Mosley.
We sat down with Ms. Mosley in July in her office where the a/c had been shut off due to repairs (just another hurdle (pun intended) in her getting ready for the fall season).
Havenfootball.net – Welcome to Strath Haven. Tell us a bit about your background.
Mosley – I’ve been involved in all levels of coaching youth sports for many years. All the way from the youth sports and little league up to the college level in basketball. My experience in college sports, including some sports and game management, had prepared me for this new job. I’m also on the Board of Directors of the Lewis “Jumbo” Johnson Media Youth Center and have a degree in Public Administration.
Havenfootball.net – We should point out that the structure here has changed a bit in this department with your hiring.
Mosley – Yes, my title is Director of Athletics & Activities, 6th to 12th grade. So, I am covering both the middle school and high school. I have a full-time Athletic Director at the middle school who manages those teams and activities as part of my department. I also have a full-time secretary, Debbie Sherman, who is a vital team member.
Havenfootball.net – This is a humongous job. Why would you want to take it on?
Mosley – My previous job experience had been as a probation officer. As you can imagine I’ve seen some very tough situations. I believe that offering sports and similar activities in middle and high school is one of the greatest life lessons we can offer our children. Sports offers so many lessons in teamwork, comradery, self-improvement, taking direction (coaching), responsibility. And of course, we want the kids to have fun while they are learning all this! It also brings a sense of school spirit and community, which is also important.
Havenfootball.net – What makes you feel comfortable in a high school environment?
Mosley – I love the high school environment. I just had a daughter graduate from Haven a couple of years ago and I have my younger daughter entering middle school this August. I’m not only “in-touch” with sports and sport’s management but with what tweens and teens are dealing with in their middle and high school experiences.
Havenfootball.net – In addition to all your regular responsibilities there are some big facility changes coming this fall.
New football turf, Summer, 2023
Mosley – You bet! We have a new artificial turf infield which has just been laid down so we are hoping that we are on schedule for the first game. New, portable stands are being brought in for our 400+ member band to free up more seats for fans and we hope to have a brand-new scoreboard in place for our first home game as well.
Havenfootball.net – With so many teams and students involved and so many games being played, how many nights a week are you at school?
Mosley – (laughing) Well, somebody from administration must always be present at our games so I don’t expect to be home much at night during the week. I’ll get a day off on the weekends, occasionally. I’m sure my first year will be chaotic and I’m expecting to be here a lot of the time.
Havenfootball.net – So many kids, so many games, so many moving parts. Have you figured out how you are going to manage it all?
Mosley – I’m a bit of an Excel spreadsheet freak. I am creating dozens of sheets and using them to make sure every element, from uniforms, to booking travel buses, to making sure facilities are available are all taken care of. Like any system I’ll learn what works and what doesn’t. This has all been done before so I’m counting on Mr. Clancy (previous Athletic Director) and others, including all our great coaches, to give me some guidance as I navigate all of this.
Havenfootball.net – We’re sure it will be challenging, and we want you to know that anything Havenfootball.net can do to take a little pressure off of you we are more to help out.
Mosley – It’s good to know that your website and broadcasting will be in place and is one aspect of our football program that I don’t have to check on. Thanks for stopping by.
Havenfootball.net – Thanks for your time and good luck!
