Hosts: Steph & Todd

Guest: Jason Bott – Athletic Director at Crystal Lake South High School

In this episode, Steph and Todd sit down with Jason Bott, the athletic director at Crystal Lake South, to talk about what innovation looks like through the lens of leadership, athletics, and community. For Jason, innovation starts with a fresh mindset—approaching every year as a new opportunity to grow, adapt, and improve.

He shares how his focus on “innovation with purpose” shapes programs that support leadership development for both students and coaches. Jason highlights the school’s Student-Athlete Leadership Group, open to all student-athletes and focused on building confidence, character, and mental performance. He also explains how the coaches-only Lunch and Learn sessions create space for ongoing professional growth, collaboration, and reflective practice among the coaching staff.

Jason also discusses the Coaches CLT and the MVP process (Mission, Vision, and Core Principles), which guide athletic programs toward a shared purpose. That work extends to families, too, through parent training sessions designed to align values and strengthen South athletics' overall culture.

At its core, Jason’s message is simple: innovation isn’t just about doing something new. It’s about staying adaptable, intentional, and connected to the people you lead.