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Athletic director cover letter
Cover letter template for an athletic director
Format your athletic director cover letter
How to write an athletic director cover letter
Attach your resume
Key takeaways
Resources to help you prepare for your interview

As you look for your next job, it’s important to share the story of your career. A cover letter is a great way to do this.

Whether you’re a seasoned director or stepping into the world of athletic administration for the first time, your cover letter plays a pivotal role. It’s your chance to showcase your attention to detail, your leadership skills and how your strategic approach distinguishes you in your career field.

Feeling uncertain about where to begin? Don’t worry. We’re here to make the cover letter-writing process straightforward for athletic directors like you.

Here’s what you can expect:

Engaging cover letter examples to inspire you.
Flexible templates that showcase your unique leadership in athletics.
Tips on emphasizing your strategic planning and team-building skills.
Resources tailored to advance your career in athletic administration.

Ready to make your cover letter now? Our Cover Letter Builder is specially designed to support any job title or industry, including athletics. It features user-friendly templates and phrases tailored to your strengths in athletic administration. It’s the perfect tool to ensure you make a memorable impact.

Athletic director cover letter

Cover letter for an athletic director

Popular cover letter example athletic director

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Here are the key elements that stand out in this example:

Begins by spotlighting key strengths
Right from the start, the opening paragraph showcases the applicant’s main skills, emphasizing their leadership in sports programs and the enhancement of team performance.
Highlights significant achievements
Throughout, it focuses on the applicant’s ability to improve athletic programs and foster a positive team culture, without relying on specific statistics.
Ends on a high note
The cover letter concludes with sincere excitement and a readiness to bring value to the new team.

Browse other popular samples

Cover letter template for an athletic director

Copy and paste this template to use as a starting point for your athletic director cover letter.

Wanda Richardson
Youngstown, OH 44512
555-555-5555
example@example.com

March 29, 2024

Lawrence Griffin, Co-CEO
Punahou
9709 Henry Smith St.
Youngstown, OH 44512

Dear Mr. Griffin,

I am writing to express my interest in the athletic director position at Punahou, as advertised. With over 13 years of experience in athletics coaching and management, I am confident in my ability to contribute effectively to your team.

Throughout my career, I have demonstrated a strong commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive environment for athletes of all skill levels. At Metropolitan OH Sports, I have had the privilege of coaching beginners and accomplished athletes alike, emphasizing not only skill development but also safety, health, teamwork and confidence-building. My experience in managing thousands of students’ eligibility and ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations has equipped me with the necessary skills to navigate the complexities of athletic administration.

I am particularly drawn to the opportunity to leverage my skills and experience to enhance the athletic program at your company. I am confident that my strong organizational and communication skills, coupled with my passion for athletics, make me a valuable asset to your team.

Thank you for considering my application. I am eager to further discuss how my background, skills and passion align with the needs of Punahou. I am available for an interview at your earliest convenience and can be reached at 555-555-5555 or via email at example@example.com.

Sincerely,

Wanda Richardson

Format your athletic director cover letter

Just as you strategize and lead your athletic programs with dedication and focus, your cover letter should mirror that same commitment to excellence.

Here are a few tips to ensure your cover letter formatting is as effective as your leadership in athletics.

Font: Use bold or italics to emphasize particularly important points, but keep the overall look clean and straightforward. Opt for a basic, legible font and a size that’s easy to read, like between 10.5 and 12 points.
Bullet points: Similar to how you outline strategies for team success, use bullet points to showcase your main achievements or skills. This makes them stand out immediately.
Margins and alignment: Keep to standard margins, roughly 0.75 to 1 inch, and align your text to the left. This organization mirrors the structured approach you bring to your athletic director duties.

Your cover letter is a prime chance to show how meticulous and detailed you are in your role.

Choosing the right template

Create your cover letter

When picking a cover letter template, remember that for athletic directors, any style works — from creative and bold to simple and straightforward — as long as it’s readable and embodies both the professionalism of athletic leadership and your personal style.

You might consider creating one in Microsoft Word or Google Docs. However, if design isn’t your strong suit, this task can become a hurdle. So, weigh your options carefully when selecting the design and platform you want to go with.

As you prepare to write your cover letter, think of it as organizing your game plan for the season — a well-prepared plan sets the stage for victories ahead!

How to write an athletic director cover letter

As an athletic director, your cover letter gives you the space to share how you lead sports programs, build strong teams and foster relationships within the school and community, especially during the season.

What’s more, many hiring managers think cover letters are essential. So, don’t skip this unique chance to leave a lasting impression.

Step 1

Focus on what the employer needs

Begin with a careful review of the job posting. To stand out and get past any applicant tracking systems (ATS) the employer might use, it’s important to use the right keywords. The right language can make your application pop.

Look for keywords the employer wants, like “team leadership,” “program development,” “community engagement” and “budget management.” Make sure you talk about these skills in both your resume and cover letter.

This approach customizes your cover letter for the role, showing you’re a perfect fit for the job.

Step 2

Set up your header correctly

Your cover letter’s header, though a small part, is quite important. It’s more than just for looks — it makes sure the hiring manager knows how to reach you.

Make sure to include:

Your full name
Your city and state
Your phone number
A professional email address

Pro tip

You don’t need to add your full mailing address, but your email should be professional and straightforward.

Step 3

Directly address the hiring manager

When writing your cover letter, keep it friendly and clear, as if you’re chatting with a fellow coach or team member. To start, address your letter’s salutation to the hiring manager.

If the job ad doesn’t give you a name you can address, using “Athletic Director Search Committee” or “Hiring Team” works just fine.

But, if you can, find out the hiring manager’s name through the school or organization’s website. This effort shows you’re really interested and that you focus on the details.

Step 4

Start with a strong introduction

Begin your cover letter with a line that shows your excitement for the job.

Here are two ways to start, depending on your experience:

For new athletic directors:

I’m thrilled to apply for the athletic director position at [School/Institution Name]. My background in sports education and passion for school athletics have equipped me to make a meaningful contribution to your sports programs, enhancing team performance and community engagement.

For experienced athletic directors:

With [Number] years of experience in leading athletic programs, I’m eager to join the team at [School/Institution Name]. A highlight of my career was leading our teams to a state championship while securing substantial funding for program enhancements. This experience underscores my dedication to developing competitive and inclusive athletic programs. I’m excited to bring my leadership and strategic planning skills to your school.

Pro tip

Sharing a specific instance of how you improved a program or achieved success on the field can vividly demonstrate your skills and commitment, making your application stand out.

Step 5

Highlight why you’re the best fit

In the main part of your cover letter, you need to explain why you’re the right person to be the next athletic director. Break this down into two or three focused paragraphs.

Here’s what to cover:

Diverse skill set: Talk about your mix of skills. Mention things like sports equipment management and strategic planning (hard skills) along with teamwork and communication (soft skills). Focus on transferable skills if you’re changing industries.
Key achievements: Share times when you made a big difference. Maybe you brought in a new training program that boosted the team’s performance. Make sure to mention that.
Personal anecdote: In some cases, you might want to share a short personal story that grabs the employer’s attention and shows a bit more about you.

Example body paragraphs:

At [School Name], I led an initiative to overhaul our athletic training programs. The aim was simple: to introduce advanced, evidence-based training methods that would elevate our teams’ performances across the board.

This initiative, grounded in comprehensive research and ongoing performance assessments, led to the adoption of a state-of-the-art training regimen. The results were immediate and impressive, with our teams achieving higher win rates and fewer injuries.

This project didn’t just prove the power of thoughtful strategy and innovation in sports training; it also underscored my dedication to excellence. By identifying areas for growth and pushing for smart, effective changes, I played a key role in advancing our athletic department’s ambitions. This has deepened my skills in leading sports programs, confirming my capacity to drive progress and secure outstanding outcomes.

Pro tip

Use active words like “led,” “overhauled” and “introduced” to show how you take charge and make things happen. These verbs bring your contributions to life in a powerful way.

Step 6

Encourage a follow-up conversation

End your cover letter by expressing your excitement to show you can make a difference in their athletic programs, thanking the reader for their time and attention and inviting them to get in touch. You could say, “Thank you for reviewing my application and considering me for the role. I’m eager to discuss how my leadership can support and grow your sports teams.”

Pro tip

Let your unique self shine through. Your cover letter is a chance to show your personality. Share why you’re passionate about athletic direction, giving your application a personal touch that your resume can’t.

Step 7

Sign off with courtesy

Finish your letter with a polite signoff like “Sincerely,” “Thank you,” “Best regards” or “With best wishes.”

Pro tip

Choosing a traditional signoff shows respect and professionalism. Showing gratitude will reflect well on your ability to work with teams, schools and the community.

Attach your resume

Create your resume

Think of your cover letter and resume as your personal introduction to potential employers in the world of athletics. Together, they showcase your leadership, strategic planning and team-building skills.

Make sure your resume template and cover letter look like they belong together. This consistency shows you’re detail-oriented and professional — key traits for an athletic director.

Not sure how to show off your skills on your resume? Look at resume examples from others in your field. Try to find resumes that highlight leadership in sports programs, effective communication with students and staff, and success in enhancing team performance.

Running out of time? Consider using a resume maker. These tools are built to help you quickly put together a standout resume, with different templates and customizable sections that best represent your experience and achievements.

Key takeaways

Focus on key skills

Carefully review the job description to understand the essential skills needed for the role, such as “team leadership,” “program development” or “community engagement.”
Choose a clean layout

Select a resume design that’s straightforward and easy to read. Your choice should showcase your organizational skills and ability to present information clearly.
Keep your formatting consistent

Pay attention to your use of fonts, spacing and margins. Proper formatting isn’t just about looking good; it shows you’re thorough and detail-oriented.
Start with a strong opening

Begin your cover letter with a sentence that grabs attention. Make it short but powerful to quickly spark the reader’s interest in learning more about you.
Highlight your achievements

In the main part of your cover letter, connect your past successes to your target role. Share examples where your efforts positively impacted your team or program.
Finish on a positive note

Wrap up your application with a hopeful and forward-thinking message. Show your excitement about the chance to contribute to the school’s athletic success and how you’re looking forward to bringing your skills to their team.

Resources to help you prepare for your interview

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Don is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with more than 10 years’ experience creating digital content, including four years helping job seekers develop their careers. He holds an M.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University.