March 29, 2024

Newton High AD takes pride in program, school, community

Image 1 of 2

Yes, his name is on the award. However, Scott Garvis believes the national award he received belongs to Newton High School students, teachers, coaches, administrators, parents and the community of Newton.

Garvis was recognized Saturday at the 2015 National High School Athletic Coaches Association’s national convention in Rochester, Minn.

He was one of eight finalists from across the nation for the organization’s national athletic director of the year award.

“No, I didn’t win the big award, but it was a great experience. It’s a nice honor to know people around you appreciate what you do,” Garvis said.

“Being there for the few days of the convention was fun. I got to sit down with other athletic directors and share stories. Some of the men I met have been doing this for 30 or 40 years.”

Garvis said each finalist gave a presentation to all the athletic directors attending the convention. Glancing at Garvis’ presentation it is evident he talks the talk and walks the walk, as they say.

“Operating a First Class Athletic Program,” was the title of his presentation. Garvis is going into his fourth year as NHS athletic and activities director and he takes pride in his job because “I’m so fortunate to have so many great people here in Newton who do some awesome things,” he said in an earlier interview.

“It’s been a fun experience being here and working with people at the school and in the community.”

Garvis is more comfortable promoting those good things the NHS students are doing in athletics and activities than talking about a personal award. He was excited about the opportunity he had in attending the convention and meeting other athletic directors.

“Listening to the stories, I concluded there’s a great deal which is very much different, but some things are very much the same for those of us in this position at our schools,” he said.

When he returned home, he found another award in his mailbox at the high school. He wanted to talk about it and another award given to Newton High recently.

“This new one is an Iowa Character Award from Drake University and the National Advisory Council for The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center,” Garvis said. “The character awards are given on the strength of character of a school’s athletics and activities department, which means it is about our kids and community.”

Newton High School’s Athletic Department has received the National Interscholastic Athletic Administration Association’s Quality Program Award designation at the Exemplary Level.

“Very few schools receive this NIAAA award, and I’m so proud of our program for these two awards,” Garvis said.

“These awards speaks to and focuses on the fact we have some great kids, parents, teachers, administration and a great community here in Newton. We have awesome kids who do great things here,” he said.

Garvis is an Iowa native, who was called tagalong by high school students coached by his father. He said he grew up on the sidelines.

Garvis has walked the walk of his students at Newton. He was a high school athlete, who went on to play football at Westmar University in LaMar.

Law school was where Garvis had set himself up to go after obtaining an undergraduate college degree. The law’s lost is Newton’s gain.

With encouragement of his college football coach, Garvis went down another path more than 16 years ago. Newton High School and several other school districts have benefited from the Iowa native’s work ethic and devotion to education, athletics and activities.

He stayed at Westmar as a graduate assistant football coach. He was the intramural activities director at Westmar and later at William Penn.

“Being a football coach and in charge of all the intramural activities gave me a good base to start on as an athletic director,” Garvis said.

He worked in three Iowa school districts — MFL Mar Mac in Monona, Muscatine and Newton. Garvis was the district director of athletics in Burnsville, Minn., then went to Eastside Catholic High School, a Seattle, Wash., area district as senior director of athletics.

Family brought him to Newton. He said he and his wife, Jayne, wanted to move their family closer to home and family.

Newton is real close to family.

“My sister, Cassie and her husband Pat Riley live here. It was Pat who called me to tell me Newton’s athletic director position was open. He asked if I’d be interested,” Garvis said. “I flew back here from Washington for an interview. I enjoyed meeting everyone at the school and in the community. I felt at home.”

He and Jayne moved to Newton with their three children — son Grant, now 16 and will be a sophomore at NHS; and daughters Alex, 8, and Brooke, 6.

Garvis’ undergraduate degree is in political science and history. He has master’s degrees in educational leadership and athletic administration.

“I’d be lost without my wife. I’m very lucky. She’s a great mom and does so much at home, because I’m not there much,” he said. “She loves sports, so she and the girls come to a lot of the games.”

In his presentation at the convention last week, Garvis talked about operating a first-class athletic department, mentioning a lot of familiar aspects seen here at Newton High.

“It’s about putting the kids first, surrounding yourself with good people,” Garvis said. “Here at Newton, we have a great staff which makes my job easier. We all work hard to provide our students with the best possible opportunities in athletics, activities and academics.”

Garvis has helped implement several new programs in Newton, including the all-inclusive NHS Hall of Fame. It recognizes Newton alumni in many walks of life. The second class was inducted two weeks ago.

One of those big changes for athletic directors in social media. Garvis has established a strong Newton High Cardinal website and Facebook page. He can be found on Twitter, but his updates on all social media are not strictly about sports.

“I’m activities director also and an assistant principal. We’re proud of all of our students involved in activities. We have a ton of kids who are talented musicians,” Garvis said.

Garvis said he asks each of the NHS coaches to have one team community project each year. Coaches come to him with ideas and they run with those.

“We’re not just all about athletics and not just all about winning. There are definite life lessons and these are definitely educationally-based athletics here at Newton,” Garvis said. “I believe that is what makes high school athletics so unique and great.

“We have kids doing great things, which doesn’t mean they win every game or always make the right decisions. But, our kids work hard to do the right things on and off the field of competition.”

Garvis works closely with the Newton High School Athletic Booster Club. He announced at its annual wrap-up meeting in May a partnership with UnderArmour athletic apparel for the 2015-16 school year.

“It’s great for our kids. We’re co-branding Newton Cardinals and UnderArmour. They asked us. The partnership brings the school perks on purchasing power and there is some upfront funding from them,” Garvis said. “It brings consistency to our programs.”

Garvis said this year’s theme is “Protect This House.” He said the school will kick off the season at the Aug. 20 football scrimmage. Garvis said all the teams would be there along with a representative of UnderArmour.

“We’re always trying new things to promote our kids, our school and our community,” he said. “Some things haven’t gone over, but you go to the next idea.”

There’s no big secret to being successful as an athletic director, Garvis said.

“You keep your door open to the kids. Allow them to know you care about them not just as athletes, but as people and students,” Garvis said. “Part of my job is to check grades, and I have conversations with students about making sure their doing well in the classroom.”

Garvis strives to reach beyond the daily management of being just an athletic director. He said he wants to reach further to incorporate different things to better serve the students.

“I love my job. You have to love what you’re doing to do it well. I’ve always said my biggest accomplishment is being able to meet so many great kids and people, and establishing relationships with those I meet,” Garvis said.

“Every day is something different. You have to be willing to work hard and willing to learn. It’s about education for yourself, the kids and the community.”

Garvis said the tiles for all the NHS all-state athletes are finished and ready to be put up near the high school gymnasium. There will be a similar display of all-state and all-American athletes on the brick wall near the booster club store building at H.A. Lynn Stadium.

Newton High is launching a new mobile app for the coming year. Students and adults can check in on the app when they attend activities. Points are awarded for attending activities and prizes can be won by students and adults.

Contact Jocelyn Sheets at
641-792-3121 ext. 6535
or jsheets@newtondailynews.com