“My passion has been and always will be seeing ALL kids find success and reach their potential.”
Louis Franklin is the Athletic Director South Tahoe High School and Director Lake Tahoe Football Camp, where he has successfully built up the football program which led 10 student-athletes to commit to 4-year universities. Louis also carries over his love for sports into his volunteer positions with High Sierra Softball, NIAAA – National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association, NFHSS – National Federation of High School Sports, and AFCA- American Football Coaches Association.
Congratulations to this week’s 40 under 40 honoree, Louis Franklin!
Can you tell us a little about your responsibilities and accomplishments in your current position?
As Athletic Director, I am in charge of all student-athletes and athletic competitions for the high school. I am also South Tahoe High’s Varsity Head Football Coach and the JV Girls Basketball Coach. The football program has won more games in the past 5 years than the schools’ previous 12 years combined. The football program has seen 10 student athletes commit to 4 year universities straight out of high school. I was a Special Education teacher for 15 years prior to my new position as a Teacher on Special Assignment as Athletic Director. My passion has been and always will be seeing ALL kids find success and reach their potential.
What has been your favorite professional moment in the last year?
This year posed a unique situation where I had to align myself with our rival schools. We came together to propose, and ultimately reach an agreement with the Nevada Interscholastic Athletic Association to realign our league. The amount of travel time and monetary costs were exorbitant with the previous league. We now, with the new league, are able to keep kids in class longer and save the District financially tens of thousands of dollars.
Do you have a professional/life mantra that you live by?
Nothing in life worth having comes easy. You either get better or worse, you never stay the same.
Who is your role model?
Professionally-Dr. Tarwater. His enthusiasm and dedication to kids is absolutely unparalleled to anyone I have ever met. I hope to always keep my focus centered on kids and that each decision I make will ultimately benefit the greater good of all student-athletes at South Tahoe High school-just as Dr. Tarwater does.
Why choose Tahoe to make your home and career?
When the opportunity presented itself here, it was a very tough decision to move my family from the town that my wife and I grew up in. Ultimately, I was complacent and knew I needed a new challenge. The vision of Dr. Tarwater and the leadership within Lake Tahoe Unified drew me to this place. Never in any of the previous schools I worked at was the vision so incredibly student-centered. I knew this was a place that I wanted to be a part of and raise my family. It’s not without its challenges-there are many factors here that were new to me, but I welcome each new day with the goal of making it better than the last.
Are you active in any volunteer roles or community groups?
High Sierra Softball
NIAAA – National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association
NFHSS – National Federation of High School Sports
AFCA- American Football Coaches Association
What is your favorite thing to do outside of work?
I love enjoying the lake with my family-the water, the mountains, the rivers, the streams, the golf courses too!
I love coaching my children in all of the sports that they are passionate about (I’m learning a lot about girls’ soccer!!)
Where are your favorite South Shore stomping grounds?
Baldwin beach-when there isn’t a sporting event to attend, and the high school gym and football field…basically any sporting venue.