A former president of the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA), Tim Flannery has spoken at local, state, and national conferences on topics such as leadership training, mentoring, recognition programs for student athletes, communicating with parents, and evaluating coaches. He developed the NIAAA's Mentoring Course as a part of their Leadership Training Program for athletic administrators, and he has conducted and assisted Leader Level workshops for the American Sport Education Program (ASEP) for over 200 coaches since 1989.
Flannery's hands-on experience comes from 15 years administering the athletics program of a large suburban school district. During this time he served as tournament manager for Division I and II soccer and basketball tournaments; coached boys basketball and football; and planned, promoted, and conducted a drug awareness seminar. His numerous awards include the NIAAA Distinguished Service Award (1998), a National Federation Citation (1996), and recognition as the National Council of Secondary School Administrators' National Athletic Director of the Year (1996).
Flannery completed his masters' work at Cleveland State University and post-masters' work at John Carroll University, Akron University, and Kent State University. He currently serves as assistant director of the National Federation of State High School Associations.
As assistant principal of Bay High School in Bay Village, Ohio, Mike Swank has 11 years' experience as an activities/athletic director. He has developed programs and spoken at the local, state, and national level on the topics of sportsmanship, staff development, communication, and coaching education. He also served on the committee that developed the Mentoring Course for NIAAA's Leadership Training Program.
Swank was formerly a member of the NIAAA publication committee and an editor for the Ohio Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association's newsletter. In addition, he has been published at the local, state, and national level on topics covering sportsmanship, technology, media relations, staff development, and student leadership training.
Swank completed his masters' work at the University of Dayton and post-masters' work at Cleveland State University. He taught social studies and coached football and basketball at the secondary level before entering the field of school administration.