Photo credit: Matt Phouts, Director of Communications for Randolph Public Schools 

By Steve Sears

Randolph High School Athletic Director, Dave Hutchinson, was recently named a Certified Athletic Administrator by the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA). 

Hutchinson, 47, who lives in Parsippany, has been AD at Randolph for three years.

“I’m part of the DAANJ (Director of Athletics Association of New Jersey), and then we also have dual membership with the NIAAA,” Hutchinson explains. “They offer the courses and offer you opportunities to get professional development on the national level. I attended a national conference – my first one – back in December of 2018. By going to the national convention, I learned a little bit more about getting certified nationally, so I came back and decided to start taking some courses.” 

Hutchinson had to take five courses and then a virtual test, but in between there was an application process where his credentials are listed, and Hutchinson has much. “I’ve sat on committees, I’ve helped run tournaments, I’ve just completed my 9th year as an Athletic Director,” he says. “I had a resume prior to coming here (Randolph), and so a lot of that stuff kind of helps with this, too.”

Hutchinson, who previously served as AD and was also a teacher for North Arlington High School, got word of the recognition in July.

A national professional organization, the NIAAA consists of all 50 state athletic administrator associations, and also has more than 12,000 members nationwide. And for Hutchinson, he looks at the whole process as an educational experience. “You take five courses that range from everything from event management to some law classes that go over really important things like Title IX, different legal aspects of the job, so really what it means is that you’ve got to learn some more things that I think are important, besides the everyday stuff.” Also, there is the national exposure. “Not just here in Randolph or even in the state of New Jersey, so it’s just nice to get into those (national) circles, and sit at those tables a little bit.” He continues. “I felt it was something that was a point of growth for me. That’s what I was really looking to do. I’ve picked up a lot and learned a lot in the process of getting it (the certification). I think it’s going to help me be better at my job here at Randolph.”

And, Hutchinson plans on some more study. “I plan to go back to the nationals and learn more. There’s at least two more levels of certification, so we’ll see. I’ll probably want to do something more with that in the future.”

As for the current, Hutchinson eyes the 2021-22 school year and seeks to continue the winning sports tradition at Randolph High School, and his certification is a plus. “To make our programs stronger, and give our kids the best opportunities,” he says is his goal.