Thursday, March 28, 2024

Ozee Earns National Athletic Director Of The Year Award

Carroll's Kevin Ozee has been named Athletic Director of the Year by the National Association of Sports and Physical Education.

Carroll Dragons Athletic Director Kevin Ozee has earned national recognition for his efforts leading the Dragon programs. Ozee has been named the National Association of Sports and Physcial Education 2013 Athletic Director of the Year. Ozee was selected by the NASPE Sports Award Committee and will be honored at the NASPE Hall of Fame Banquet in April.

Under Ozee’s direction, the Carroll Dragons won their first University Interscholastic League Class 5A Lone Star Cup last spring. The Dragons also became the first 5A program in the state’s history to produce six state champions in one school year. This fall, the Dragons have already claimed state titles in boys’ and girls’ cross country. Ozee, who arrived at Carroll at 2009, has helped build on the success of the athletic department and implemented several new projects and programs for coaches.

The NASPE award is given in recognition of secondary school athletic directors who exemplify the highest standards of their profession, and who, through their influence on the lives of young people under their direction, have made significant contributions to their schools and communities.

Ozee oversees the athletic programs at Carroll Senior, Carroll High, Carroll Middle and Dawson Middle and manages 68 coaches in programs that include 2,500 athletes and 20 teams.

According to NASPE President Dr. Mary Jo Sariscsany of California State University at Northridge, “Kevin Ozee has made an outstanding contribution to his school and community by making a significant impact on the lives of his students. He is also recognized as an administrator of an exemplary athletic program and educator who keeps athletics an integral part of the total education program.”

“Coach Ozee has broadened the excellence of the athletic programs at Carroll ISD, raised the level of professional management of our athletic programs, and most importantly, he has made our student athletes the focus of his leadership,” said Read Ballew, Carroll ISD School Board President. “In addition Coach Ozee has also excelled at one of the less heralded, but important functions of managing the business of the athletic programs. While increasing parent support, he has also found ways to increase revenue and reduce costs.”

Rusty Dowling, executive director of the Texas High School Athletic Directors Association, said “Kevin Ozee is on the forefront of concerns and issues that face athletic administrators today and constantly exhibits the ability to resource his staff with the best knowledge, skills and programs available.  His willingness to provide all health and physical education and extra-curricular programs with the best possible vision and direction is among the most highly respected in the State of Texas.”

Ozee is a member of AAHPERD and NASPE. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Texas High School Athletic Directors Association, a member of the Texas High School Coaches Association, Texas Girls Coaches Association, the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association and the Texas A&M Letterman’s Association.  He received his Master of Science in educational administration and his Bachelor of Science in kinesiology with specialization in sport management from Texas A&M University. 

The Dragon athletic program expects to conclude another successful athletic school year when softball and baseball end in the spring. Prior to the print deadline, the Carroll boys’ and girls’ swim teams were headed to the regional meet and the wrestling team won its third consecutive district title. The girls’ basketball team also clinched another district title.

“My family and I are truly blessed to be a part of this great district,” Ozee said. “To me, this award is really more a reflection of our great student-athletes, administration’s support, our wonderful community, and in my opinion the best coaching staff in the nation. I am very honored to be selected and I’m humbled that I get the opportunity to work daily with great people. I’d like to thank all of the Dragons who have a hand in making our district and our athletic program one of the best in the nation.”

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