The Georgia Athletic Directors Assocation selected Darlington Athletic Director Bob Stinchcomb as its nominee for the NIAAA Frank Kovaleski Professional Development Award. Established in 2007, this award is presented annually to a recipient who most possesses and has contributed to the vision of professional development – the legacy of Frank Kovaleski.
Kovaleski was instrumental in the creation of the Leadership Training Program of the NIAAA. The Frank Kovaleski Award is presented annually to an NIAAA member who has made significant contributions and demonstrated excellence in the area of professional development at both the state and national levels.
Stinchcomb, a past president of the Georgia Athletic Directors Association, is a three-time Region Athletic Director of the Year and member of the GHSA Executive Committee. He also served on the Public/Private Split Committee for GHSA. With 30 years of experience in the high school and college arenas, Stinchcomb holds a bachelor’s degree in physical education and health from Bethel College and a master’s in athletic administration from Florida State. He is also a doctoral candidate, earning a degree in sports management through the United States Sports Academy, and an NIAAA certified master athletic administrator.
Prior to his work at Darlington, Stinchcomb served as athletic director and head football coach at Eagle’s Landing High School in McDonough, Ga., and athletic director and head football coach at Tift County High School and Appling County High School, both in Georgia. He also held positions as special teams coordinator at the University of South Carolina, recruiting coordinator at Auburn University, and interim head football coach at Samford University.
Each district is permitted to nominate one person from their area to receive the Frank Kovaleski Professional Development Award. The nominee must be a member of OIAAA, NIAAA, and their local district by no later than Oct. 31 during the school year in which they have been nominated. The winner is selected by the
NIAAA Executive Committee.
