The Texas High School Athletic Directors Association recently presented Austin ISD Athletics Director Leal Anderson with the Regional Athletic Administrator of the Year award.

“I am truly honored and thankful to receive this award,” Anderson said. “I just try to show up every day at work and give the very best that I can. There are so many benefits that kids get through participation and I want our kids and coaches to have every opportunity possible for them to be successful not only right now but when they graduate and leave our programs.”

Previously named Outstanding Coach of the Year by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches, Anderson became AISD’s athletics director in 2014.

The appointment came after his decade-long tenure at Anderson High School, where he was the record-breaking head coach for the Trojans’ basketball team.

“I am thankful to everyone in the athletic office, our administration and all of our coaches that support our student athletes everyday,” Anderson said. “We could not do this without the help of our parents and communities being involved. We face many challenges, but I see them as opportunities to improve, grow and get better. There is still a lot of work to be done and I am proud to work in a district that is striving for improvement and excellence.”

Dedicated to supporting athletics departments and those who operate them throughout the state, the THSADA aims to provide members with professional development training, leadership examples and opportunities for support.