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Running the show: Haddon welcomes challenge as New Madrid County R-1’s athletic director
NEW MADRID, Mo. — As a child, Jonathan Haddon knew his future was in sports.
“Like every kid I wanted to have a career as a professional athlete. Well, that didn’t work out” he said with a laugh. “But I knew sports was still something I wanted to do with the rest of my life.”
He credits his coaches and mentors with helping him find a way to incorporate his love of all things athletic into a career. Following graduation from Caruthersville High School, he attended Arkansas State University earning his degree in physical education.
Haddon returned to Caruthersville in 2011 where he taught and coached baseball, track and girls basketball.
In the fall of 2021, Haddon joined the New Madrid County R-1 School District. In addition to his teaching duties, he joined his best friend Tyler Fullhart on the football field serving as an assistant coach and coached wrestling at the Middle School while earning a master’s degree in education administration.
In July, Haddon was named the athletic director for the R-1 District.
“I love athletics,” Haddon said. “Between the two school districts I have branched out in a lot of different areas which most definitely helps in this job.”
As athletic director Haddon is in charge of scheduling games and making sure officials are on the sidelines and other workers in place. He communicates with coaches to ensure rosters and physicals are up-to-date and in compliance with the Missouri State High School Athletic Association rules. If teams are traveling to another school, he schedules the buses and drivers.
An entire wall of his office is set aside to track the 14 High School teams and organizations and the 12 Middle School teams. Under the athletic director title, Haddon has the responsibility of not just MSHAA-approved sports such as football, girls and boys basketball, baseball, softball, girls and boys track and field, volleyball, girls and boys wrestling and cheerleading, there is the up-and-coming sport of archery he coordinates. In addition he schedules buses for band, choir and the school’s scholar bowl team.
His goal, he said, is put all participants and their coaches in the best position to be successful.
“It is different for every team’s situation. Not every program has the same needs. Not every kid has the same set of needs. I am constantly working with them to make sure they are getting what they need,” Haddon said.
Transitioning from coach and teacher to athletic director was made easier by his predecessor, Jerry Winberry. According Haddon, Winberry was well organized and worked closely with him.
‘I probably worried him half to death before I ever even stepped into the job in July, just asking him a million questions and coming in with notebooks so I could take notes,” he said. “There are so many moving parts to make everything work that you just don’t realize until you really step into it and you have to find all these different spots to be filled for each event.”
Although there were no major changes, the alterations he has made include working to start all Middle School and non-varsity sports at the same time. Also he tries to make game information available weekly on the Central High School FaceBook page.
But there are nights he admits to waking up because a concern has popped into head and he needs to make a note.
“Obviously sticky notes have become my best friend,” he said with a grin. “At times you can feel overwhelmed. You just have to remember there are a lot of people depending on you and you have to get it done.”
Haddon said he has learned a lot in the first months on the job. Also he has been impressed with the students and fans he has met.
“We are obviously blessed with some really good athletes, but I don’t think people realize how we are blessed with some really hardworking kids. It is not all just natural. These kids have put in a lot of work to be successful,” he said.
The work has ranged from taking part in the weight-lifting program for Middle School and High School students to spending summers on the practice fields. Haddon also praised the work the coaches have put in with the athletes.
The fans also play a part in the success of the programs, Haddon added.
“Our fans are obviously passionate about the sports they are attending. They want to see their kids and all the kids in the school district be successful,” he said.
Now, Haddon is gearing up for the winter competitions. Fans can get a preview of the defending state champion basketball team at the Riverbend Tournament on Nov. 24 and 25 at Central High School.
Checking his computer and his wall board, Haddon noted the first girls varsity basketball game was Nov. 17 will be followed by the Riverbend Tournament. The boys varsity wrestling season starts Nov. 27.