In the latest episode of the Cobb Sports Podcast, Don Baker, Director of Athletics for Cobb County School District, discussed current trends and developments in school athletics across the district. He noted that student participation in sports is rising both nationally and locally, with Cobb County seeing more students joining athletic programs due to increased opportunities.
Brad McBrayer, a member of the district’s sports reporting team and a graduate and parent within Cobb County, shared his experiences covering local sports. He spoke about the high level of competition as well as the compassion he has witnessed among athletes and staff.
Cobb County School District includes over 16 high schools that support a wide range of sports. The podcast highlighted that since the pandemic, there has been a notable rise in student involvement in athletics, which aligns with broader national patterns.
Flag football and esports were identified as some of the fastest-growing activities within the district. These new options have contributed to higher levels of student engagement in athletic programs.
The podcast also introduced the AD Impact Award, which aims to recognize the dedication and contributions of athletic directors throughout Cobb County schools.
Additionally, it was mentioned that Pope High School recently renamed its football field to Matt Hobby Field to honor an individual who made significant contributions to youth sports in the community.
Cobb County has placed a strong emphasis on student safety by implementing a 20-minute emergency action meeting before each sporting event. This measure is designed to improve preparedness and response during emergencies.
“More and more students are becoming athletes, thanks to more and more choices and opportunities,” said Don Baker.
