The 2025 school sports season is in full swing, and Athletic Directors are leading their programs, coordinating schedules and technology, and prioritizing student-athlete success. At K12 Sports Tech, in collaboration with our AD Think Tank, we ensure ADs nationwide have the insights, partnerships, and tools to make this season exceptional.
As the year progresses, collaboration remains at the heart of that mission. Through the AD Think Tank, we’re bringing together ADs and vendors to share real-world insights, shape technology, and champion innovation across school athletics. Transparency and ease of discovery also continue to guide everything we do — from connecting ADs with trusted partners through our Vendor Directory to creating opportunities for leadership, professional growth, and lasting program impact.
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AD Think Tank at a Glance
- 600+ members nationwide
- Voices from 47 states shaping school athletics
- 70+ vendors in our Vendor Directory helping ADs find the right solutions
- ADs actively influencing product design, pricing, and program innovation
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Insights from the AD Think Tank
The AD Think Tank remains a vital platform for ADs to share their expertise and shape the technology that powers school athletics. Today, the Think Tank includes 600+ members representing voices from 47 states, ensuring that the insights and feedback gathered truly reflect the real-world needs of school athletic programs.
– Voices That Matter: Think Tank members are driving real change. Their insights have pushed vendors to rethink how they serve schools—prompting rebranding efforts, new pricing models, and solutions that better reflect the realities of athletic programs.
– Member Spotlights: ADs are sharing actionable insights mid-season, helping peers adopt best practices that make a tangible difference.
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Leadership & Growth Opportunities
It’s never too late to take on a leadership role or contribute your expertise. This season, the AD Think Tank is offering:
– Consulting Projects: ADs can collaborate with vendors to provide feedback that shapes products and services. Through popular initiatives like AD Engagement projects, members earn recognition for their expertise and are compensated for their time and insights.
– Leadership Roles: State Lead positions showcase leadership and expand influence within the industry – with opportunities to share insights and connect through our upcoming Meet at the 50 Workshop.
– Professional Development: Exclusive webinars, resources, and tools – including the Meet at the 50 Workshop – help ADs stay ahead of trends and continue growing their skills.
– PCA Partnership: AD Think Tank members gain access to leadership training, culture-building strategies, and insights to enhance student-athlete experiences.
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Driving Collaboration & Innovation
By bridging the gap between ADs and vendors, we’re enabling real innovation in K-12 athletics. This season, our focus areas include:
– Pilot Programs & Feedback Loops: ADs will have opportunities to test emerging technologies and provide critical input that shapes product development.
– Strategic Partnerships: Strengthening vendor relationships ensures tools evolve to meet real needs. Through the Vendor Directory, ADs collaborate with trusted companies to influence products and services that better support their programs.
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Streamlining Athletics Management
Efficiency is essential for successful athletics programs. This season, ADs are using the K12 School Sports Vendor Directory and work in the AD Think Tank to find solutions and collaborative partners that streamline schedules, raise funds, engage the school community, and simplify daily operations.
– Vendor Collaboration and Integration: We focus on bringing together partners whose tools work seamlessly and whose teams collaborate transparently — creating connected, efficient systems that make life easier for ADs and strengthen the overall athletic experience.
– Trusted Vendor Search and Procurement: Through our K12 Sports Tech Directory, ADs can easily discover, evaluate, and connect with vetted vendors who share their commitment to reliability, transparency, and program success — simplifying procurement and building trust across the industry.
– Real-World Impact: These technologies not only save time but also improve compliance, streamline communication, and enhance student-athlete safety – allowing ADs to focus on building strong teams and experiences.
– Vendor Solutions in Action: Companies like Helmet Tracker (equipment and inventory management), Rank One (scheduling, compliance, and communication tools), and Omella (payments and fundraising) continue to provide seamless solutions that make program management easier and more efficient.
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Looking Ahead
The season is underway, but the work of shaping school sports technology never stops. By engaging with K12 Sports Tech and the AD Think Tank, ADs are building better programs today while helping shape the future of athletics for tomorrow.
Join the AD Think Tank to share your expertise, connect with peers, and help drive meaningful change across school sports technology.
Here’s to finishing the 2025 school sports season strong!