THE FRONT ROW WITH JASON ELLIOTT: Saturday, October 17, 2015

For all the hours and time spent making sure fans don’t notice all the other behind-the-scenes things that happen on game days, it takes a strong group of people to make sure things go off without any issues.

And for that, Lakeland High athletic director Trent Derrick is the 2015 Idaho Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Athletic Director of the Year.

“Awards are nice, I guess,” said Derrick, who was honored in August. “That’s not why we do the job. Some recognition validates what we’re trying to do is going the right direction. Any award that anyone gets, it’s an award that really is about the entire organization. Me receiving this is a result of great people in the building and in this community. The only reason you get these things is because those people, parents, booster clubs do such a great job in helping and supporting us. Nobody is an island. They’re a product of a lot of great people around them.”

DERRICK, WHO also serves as assistant principal at Lakeland, spends game day making sure that all the essential items are ready for not only that night’s game, but those in the future.

“It depends a lot on the day,” Derrick said. “I’m trying to make sure we’ve got all the rosters we need, the game help (scorekeepers, gate workers, officials, clock operators) are going to be in place, as well as scheduling staff for future events and checking on transportation for buses and making sure we’ve got everyone in place.”

All that without an official athletics secretary.

“I’ve always had lots of help with that,” Derrick said. “The office staff here is wonderful and is always willing to help with whatever I might need. There’s always people calling with questions and I’m always answering questions from coaches about scenarios, future games and what’s going to happen for the regional tournament.”

As well as working with other schools in the area on scheduling games.

“My day is really varied, which is neat,” Derrick said. “I’ve got a lot of interaction with different people — not just in our building — but with others in the community and other schools about different events coming up.”

Derrick, who coached the boys basketball team and was a teacher in the district, took over as athletic director when Will Havercroft retired in 2010. He was the boys basketball coach for 15 years, stepping down in 2011.

“When you’re a classroom teacher or coach, everything you do is relative to the grand scheme of things in that area,” Derrick said. “As the athletic director, your focus broadens and you’re able to see the bigger picture of what goes on. And I love being able to go to a practice or game and see how coaches coach, and players compete. That’s one of the best parts of the job.”

IT WILL be a busy couple of weeks for Derrick and Lakeland athletics as they boys have advanced to the state 4A tournament next Thursday through Saturday in Caldwell. The girls team can join them with a win in a play-in match today vs. Middleton High at Walker Field in Lewiston at 1 p.m. All this while preparing for the state 2A volleyball, which will be hosted by Lakeland on Oct. 30-31.

“There is no not busy time,” Derrick said. “Will Havercroft is a great mentor and there’s never a moment when you’re wondering what to do. There’s going to be some things that come up with the state 2A volleyball tournament that’s going to take precedence over things, and we’ve got to make sure the facilities are looking good. Our custodial staff is working to re-paint and touch up some stuff also.”

The Lakeland Junior Tackle program is also considering hosting a playoff game at Corbit Field on Oct. 31.

“We’ll try to accommodate community and club programs and try to continue to foster a good relationship with the club programs,” Derrick said. “Soccer is a great example of the club and high school programs working together. We’ve had a great transition between club coach Danny McDevitt and that group. It’s been a great transition with (Lakeland varsity boys) coach (Andrew) Craig. They still visit and talk through the year and that’s good stuff to have. It doesn’t always happen that way.”

AS FAR as a return to the sidelines for Derrick, don’t count on it anytime soon.

“I feel like I’ve got the best of both worlds,” Derrick said. “I’m around coaches and athletes all the time. Anytime I want to get that coaching fix, I can go to practice and every once in a while, coach (Dave) Stockwell lets me run a drill from time-to-time, but I don’t that often. It’s kind of like being in the classroom. I enjoyed teaching, but don’t miss grading papers. I don’t have to worry about that now. The biggest thing is the kids. To see the kids working hard, improving and getting better, that’s what I care about.”

Jason Elliott is a sports writer for the Coeur d’Alene Press. He can be reached by telephone at 664-8176, Ext. 2020 or via email at jelliott@cdapress.com. Follow him on Twitter @JEPressSports.