"Coach Ozee has broadened the excellence of the athletic programs at Carroll ISD." - Read Ballew, CISD school-board president
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Dragon Sports by Rick Herrin
The Carroll Dragons take much pride in their nationally recognizedbrathletic program, which owes much of its success, including its most-productivebrprograms and excellent coaches, to the leadership of athletic director KevinbrOzee.
The National Association of Sports and Physical Educationbr(NASPE) recognized Ozee's achievements recently when its Sports Award Committeebrnamed him the 2013 Athletic Director of the Year. He will be honored atbrthe NASPE Hall of Fame Banquet in April.
Under Ozee's direction, the Carroll Dragons won their firstbrUniversity Interscholastic League Class 5A Lone Star Cup last spring during thebr2011–2012 school year. The Dragons became the first 5A program in the state'sbrhistory to produce six state champions in one school year. This fall, the Dragonsbrhave already claimed state titles in boys' and girls' cross-country. Ozee, who arrived at Carroll at 2009, built on the long-standingbrsuccess of the athletic department by implementing several new projects andbrprograms for coaches.
The NASPE award is given in recognition of secondary-schoolbrathletic directors who exemplify the highest standards of their profession andbrwho, through their influence on the lives of young people, have madebrsignificant contributions to their schools and communities.
Ozee oversees the athletic programs at Carroll Senior,brCarroll High, Carroll Middle and Dawson Middle and manages 68 coaches inbrprograms that include 2,500 athletes and 20 sports.
According to NASPE President Dr. Mary Jo Sariscsany ofbrCalifornia State University at Northridge, “Kevin Ozee has made an outstandingbrcontribution to his school and community by making a significant impact on thebrlives of his students. He is also recognized as an administrator of anbrexemplary athletic program and educator who keeps athletics an integral part ofbrthe total education program.”
“Coach Ozee has broadened the excellence of the athleticbrprograms at Carroll ISD, raised the level of professional management of ourbrathletic programs and most importantly, made our student athletes the focus ofbrhis leadership,” said Read Ballew, Carroll ISD school-board president. “Inbraddition, Coach Ozee has also excelled at one of the less-heralded, but still-importantbrfunctions of managing the business of the athletic programs. While increasingbrparent support, he has also found ways to increase revenue and reduce costs.”
Rusty Dowling, executive director of the Texas High SchoolbrAthletic Directors Association, said, “Kevin Ozee is on the forefront ofbrconcerns and issues that face athletic administrators today and constantlybrexhibits the ability to [support] his staff with the best knowledge, skills andbrprograms available. His willingness tobrprovide health and physical education and extracurricular programs with thebrbest possible vision and direction is among the most highly respected in thebrState of Texas.”
Ozee is a member of AAHPERD and NASPE. He is also a memberbrof the board of directors of the Texas High School Athletic DirectorsbrAssociation, Texas High School Coaches Association, Texas Girls CoachesbrAssociation, National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association andbrTexas A&M Letterman's Association. He received his master of science inbreducational administration and his bachelor of science in kinesiology withbrspecialization in sport management from Texas A&M University.
“My family and I arebrtruly blessed to be a part of this great district,” Ozee said. “To me, thisbraward is really more a reflection of our great student-athletes, thebradministration's support, our wonderful community and, in my opinion, the bestbrcoaching staff in the nation. I am very honored to be selected, and I'm humbledbrthat I get the opportunity to work daily with great people. I'd like to thankbrall of the Dragons who have a hand in making our district and our athleticbrprogram one of the best in the nation.”
Rick Herrin is the Carroll ISD Communications and Marketing Department's Video Webmaster. He also works closely with the athletic department covering events and managing sports news for the district. He is a long-time follower of Dragon athletics and formerly covered Carroll as a sports reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and Grapevine Sun.