A Look At CS Athletic Director, Junior Taylor

What daily challenges do you face?
To make sure everyone has what they need to do their jobs and operate efficiently. Pleasing everyone is difficult; from the JV to the varsity teams, from the players to the coaches. It can never be fair and equal for all.

How do you deal with deadlines, unhappy people and politics?
Working ahead and prioritizing duties. With playoff schedules that aren't announced until a short period before they happen, it's inevitable for some parents to be upset. It's important to bite your lip and listen to what they have to say. It's also important to tell it like it is and to be real with parents. The organizational structure doesn't leave too much serious internal politics. Teachers think the AD doesn't care about academics although he tries dearly to fulfill the mission statement of staying strong and disciplined in the classroom.

What do you like/dislike about the position?
Being able to see things grow from not having any teams at all when he first started three years ago, to state titles and several levels for various sports. He enjoys having a hand in many managerial duties for all of the sports. Usually, in an athletic department there would be a much larger staff taking care of all the things he has to do which makes it difficult but also more satisfying. He is fulfilling his own vision and plan, and doing it his way.

What would makes things more easy?
The new campus. A gym, a field and all the needs of the teams available in one place. A larger staff would help because right now they are operating with less resources than they would like and the quality of programs is important.

How do you deal with depending on others?
Having people with the same vision as him helps. He has the personality trait of a control freak which makes him want to control things and not depend on others all the time. He needs to build more trust which he is doing as the year goes along.

Who are your mentors?
He speaks to the head coach of his high school football team about twice a week. He taught him the value of student athletes working hard and giving them opportunities. He has coached for over 40 years and taught as PE teacher.

What is your vision for your LLC, Taylor Made?
Helping to keep kids on track, prepared for college academically and athletically, providing them with all the tools they'll need. He envisions his company being able to come to any school and get kids ready with tutoring and training that is more useful than what they can get in their current situation. The programs are tailored to every athlete. His company was created last year and the first year was very successful.