Work. Work. Work.

In the athletic communications profession, there are games to cover, stats to update, videos to
edit, and the list goes on. There is almost ALWAYS some work that should be done. But for
many SIDs, there’s also a family at home that needs just as much attention that work often gets.
In my first year as an SID, my future wife and I were dating and then got engaged. Before my
second year as an SID, my wife and I were married. After my second year as an SID, my wife
and I welcomed our first child. Our son is now 4-years old, and in a few short months we will
welcome child number two.

Family life has evolved for me since I began my career. A challenge that I’m faced with from
August to the end of April every year is spending enough quality time as a husband and father.
I’m in the fortunate position to work at an institution that placed value in honoring the Lord’s Day
and not competing, or practicing, in athletic events on Sundays. However, even with a built-in
day off every week, I still find myself working well over a normal 40-hour week as many SIDs
do.

By no means am I perfect with the balance of work and family, but here are some of the ways in
which I try to maintain a healthy balance.

● Late arrival: My AD understand the crazy hours that I work and allows me the flexibility
to come into the office when I need to after busy nights/weekends. Some SIDs use a 12
hour rule and I try to follow a similar rule. Leave at 10 PM? Then get to work around 10
AM the next day. Work several long days? Go in around 9:30 or 10 AM for a few
consecutive days OR leave work early in the afternoon.

● Cut time out for the family: My son is four and likes it best when mom and dad are at
home and paying attention to him (what 4-year old doesn’t like that?). I have made it a
point over the last year to do what I can to be home for at least bed times, but also take
time off during days to take the family out to lunch or show up to my son’s swim lessons.
With my wife currently five months pregnant, she has more doctor’s appointments and
I’ve either attended those with her or stayed home with the kid so that she can go alone.

● Bring the kid to work: My son loves being around sports and I’ll bring him to the office
sometimes to either give mom a break or just because he wants to go. Working baseball
or volleyball games, I’ll bring him up and let him sit with me and take in what I do for a
living. It’s pretty cool to have those moments with your kid.
This is a continuously evolving challenge for me in this profession. Having an understanding AD
is certainly key to accomplishing some of the tips I mentioned above. We have a saying at
Covenant that we should be pursuing excellence in all we do, and that includes being excellent
fathers and husbands.

The work will always be there, but spending time with family and being a part of that experience
only lasts for so long.