(This is one of our profiles on this year’s recipients selected by an anonymous committee out of an extensive list of nominees for the 2024 Lincoln Leader Award. The Lincoln Parish Journal thanks Mayor Ronny Walker and the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce for their support of this award. We would like to thank Kevin Hawkins at HawkinsPhoto.com for the headshots).
_________________________________________________
Name: Kyle Kavanaugh
Age: 39
Employer: Louisiana Tech University Athletics
Title: Senior Associate AD for External Affairs & Chief Brand Officer
Hometown: Benton, LA
Years Living in Ruston: 21
Civic Volunteer Organizations: Through my work with Essential Coaching and Playmakers, I have had the opportunity to work with students, players, coaches, and teams on a local, national, and global scale through the lens of leadership and character development. Essential Coaching has provided a platform to reach people in all corners of the world through our weekly social media professional development chats and Essential Coaching Conversations podcast, while also allowing for the opportunity to work with students and athletes in person at local and regional schools.
Professional Highlights: I served 13 years as a classroom educator and coach within the parish spending time at Cedar Creek, Simsboro, and Ruston High; taught 11 different disciplines, ranging from 7-12 grades, and coached four sports, which included back-to-back state championships in basketball and a state runner-up in track and field at Simsboro; able to return to my alma mater, Louisiana Tech, where I began my coaching career as a GA for the men’s basketball team, and being able to serve in the capacities of Assistant AD, Associate AD, and Senior Associate AD; began my own business, Essential Coaching, to help coaches and other leadership professionals while also managing a 3-on-3 basketball business, Playmakers League, which exists to create a better, more positive experience for kids in youth sports
Gerald Jordan on Kyle Kavanaugh:
“Kyle Kavanaugh has developed into a respected leader in the Louisiana Tech Athletics department. During his tenure as the Assistant Athletic Director in Athletic Communications, his tireless work ethic, superb social media skills, disposition as a leader and great collaborative abilities stood out to me. This is someone I and others recognized as a leader in the making.
“When the lead role in external relations / lead brand officer became open, we knew he would be someone who possessed the transferable skills that would be a perfect fit for us. The impact he’s having on advancing the Louisiana Tech Athletics brand and the value he brings to our team are immeasurable. Our future with Kyle a the helm of this unit is bright and getting brighter every day!”
Q&A with Kyle Kavanaugh:
What makes Lincoln Parish special?
The short answer? It’s home. The long answer? It’s where I met my wife, Meghan, most of my best friends, started and raised a family, and has afforded me several professional opportunities in multiple corners of the parish. It’s the place that matured and molded me into the person I am today. I owe so much to Ruston. My family ties and history run deep through Lincoln Parish and Ruston been a part of my entire life, so much so I was named after a Tech quarterback. Some of my first childhood memories include playing in my grandmother’s office Kenny Hall at Louisiana Tech, where she served as Assistant Registrar, and running down the hill near the TAC into Joe Aillet stadium on a Bulldog Football game day. I know there are countless others here with those same stories and memories that work every day to leave Lincoln Parish better than they found it. The people, culture, and fabric make this an incredible town to call home. The fact that I get to wake up every day and represent a piece of the parish is a dream come true.
How do you see your role/place in making our parish such a wonderful place to call home?
All I have ever wanted to do is serve and positively impact others and create exponential generational change. I’ve been fortunate to do that in several arenas and in several ways. Whether it be in a classroom, gym, office, or meeting room, there are opportunities every single day to recruit those around you, connect in a deep and meaningful way, and work to influence them for the better. Culture is hard to change by yourself or change in an instant, but the Climate of the present moment is in your total control. How we respond to what happens to us or simply how we interact with someone has the power to change that moment instantly and completely. That’s powerful. I try to stay as aware as I can and remember that every moment is an opportunity to impact someone for the better, even though that result may not happen until many years down the road. I have faith that living life in such a way can make the world a better place.
Who has played a role in your professional development and why?
My business partner, Aseem Rastogi, has pushed me to professional and personal heights I did not know were possible. I often say the best professional development I have ever had is the daily conversations I have with him. It’s not so much about the answers we seek, but the depth of the questions we are willing to ask ourselves. My career has pulled me in so many different directions, but he has helped me see the common denominator regardless of title, position, or role of it all; the people.
Ben Haddox served as not only my athletic director at Cedar Creek for several years but was a mentor in helping me learn what it took to be a head coach, a leader of student athletes, and how to manage coaching while starting a family, and has helped me stay grounded and centered with my life’s priorities even after my coaching career.
Most recently, all those that have helped bring me along and trusted me at my various steps along the way at Louisiana Tech where I have learned what it means and what it takes to serve as a collegiate athletics administrator. Dr. Eric Wood, Malcolm Butler, Gerald Jordan, Ryan Ivey, Hunter Geisman, Mary Kay Hungate, Tim Padgett, Colton Primm, and Dr. Jim Henderson have all played a huge part in not only my personal and professional development but have given me the confidence I need each day to show and be my best.
Most importantly, my wife Meghan, parents Lee and Katherine, brother Ryan, and a host of incredible friends for being my biggest support system. I don’t think you can positively develop professionally without developing personally, and any fork in the road or hurdle for me in my career where I have doubted where I was or what was next, they are the first to lead me and tell me I can do it.
All a leader is, is someone that has influence over others. Any good leader must also be a great follower and been influenced by other great leaders. While reflecting on all this I can’t help but think of several people, along with those previously mentioned, that at one time or another took a shot on me, believed in me, and influenced me since my time in Lincoln Parish. To all those, thank you.
Follow the Lincoln Parish Journal each morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. It’s FREE! Just CLICK HERE to sign up.
