Raymond High School Athletic Director Mike Tully
The Herald talked to Mike Tully, who was recently appointed athletic director at Raymond High School. Tully earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Western Washington University in 2002. He graduated from Raymond HS in 1998. Tully teaches seventh grade science and junior high physical education. Mike is entering his 11th year at the Raymond School District.
Tully coached junior high football for nine years and is entering his second year as a high school football assistant. He also coached for one year with the junior varsity boys team. Mike coached for seven years as varsity boys basketball coach and one year as a junior high boys basketball coach. Tully coached for two years with the junior high track and field team and completed his seventh year as the head coach of RHS track and field.
Tully directed the Seagulls to two Pacific League championships in basketball in 2012 and 2013. He was voted the Pacific League Coach of the Year by his peers in 2012. Tully lead the Seagulls boys track and field team to four straight Sub-district titles (2012-2015), three straight District championships (2013-2015), and two straight State championships (2014-2015). Tully coached 11 individual and relay State champions (boys and girls).
Mike, and his wife, Karen, have two children, Gabe, 2, and Sasha, 4 months.
When did you start as AD at RHS?
I was officially hired in March, but I didn't really assume AD duties until school got out in June.
Why did you decide to accept the position as RHS AD?
I never had any real desire to be athletic director, but I was looking for a way to be more of a leader among the coaching staff. When the AD position opened up, I was approached by several of my fellow coaches, asking if I was applying for the position. After much thought and discussing it with my wife, I decided to apply for the position. Knowing that I had the support of the coaches made it an easy decision.
What will be your philosophy as an athletic director?
My philosophy as an athletic director is that athletics is an extension of the classroom and school. Winning is great, but not if it comes at the expense of student-athletes learning life lessons. This is something that I will be emphasizing with my coaches and student-athletes. I want to win, but I also want to win the right way, with coaches and athletes that strive for the highest character standards as well as performance standards. I've made the mistake of focusing more on winning than character, and I hope that our coaches and athletes can learn from my mistakes.
Is there a college AD who you might pattern yourself after?
There isn't one AD in particular that I am hoping to pattern myself after, but there are a number of AD's that I'm sure I will picking the brains of as I go along. My hope is that I can take elements of some of my predecessors at Raymond, like Jeff Hasu, Mark Miller and Jason Koski, as well as other successful AD's, like Tom and Bud Sanchez, John Peterson, etc., and develop my own way of doing things.
Do you have goals for the school as the athletic director?
My number one goal as athletic director is to help develop our current coaching staff and create a collaborative environment where coaches feel free to share ideas with one another to help all our programs. I also want to develop leaders among the student-athletes by meeting with a captains group on a regular basis to discuss leadership and how they can become better leaders within their respective teams. If I can achieve these two goals, I think it will help enhance the school environment and boost school spirit.
Will you incorporate your coaching style as the way you will carry-on as an athletic director?
I think my style as athletic director will be similar to my coaching style. One of the things I've learned as a coach is that you have to let your personality shine through in the way you lead. I see the athletic department as a big team, so I don't think my style will change much.
Exactly what goes into being an athletic director. Give our readers an idea of what all your duties will encompass.
The duties of an athletic director are pretty wide-ranging. The duties that most people see are things like game management and administering pre-season parent meetings and post-season awards ceremonies. Other duties include things like arranging officials, workers, and transportation, evaluating and working with coaches, scheduling practice times and games, making game programs, taking care of the athletic budget, checking student eligibility, and hiring new coaches.
Do you still plan to coach at RHS? Track and Field, Football?
I am still planning on assisting with high school football and coaching track. My hope is that I will be able to do these jobs well while still completing all my AD duties. It may be something that I have to evaluate at the end of the school year.