The Challenge: Managing a High School Athletic Department Without the Right Tools
When Casey Fisk became Athletic Director at Scott High School in Kentucky seven years ago, he inherited a daunting challenge: managing 26 varsity sports programs with outdated, disconnected systems that consumed precious time meant for student-athletes.
“The list never ends,” Casey explains about his responsibilities. “Managing the athletic department, balancing budgets, handling gameday operations, hiring coaches, promoting teams, scheduling — plus all the paperwork and legal requirements.”
Before discovering Arbiter’s integrated solutions, Casey’s team battled with:
- Manual payment processes requiring in-person payments to officials on game nights
- Archaic paperwork systems with physical forms, copies, and scanning
- Disconnected tools that couldn’t communicate with each other
- Time-consuming administrative tasks that pulled focus away from student development
The breaking point came when officials would change assignments last-minute. “You couldn’t create a purchase order, write a check, and handle all that on the fly,” Casey recalls.
The Solution: Harnessing the Power of Arbiter
Casey’s journey with Arbiter began in 2018 with Arbiter Pay, expanding to include Registration in 2019, and most recently, being a champion advocate for the KHSAA’s adoption of Arbiter 360 at the state level.
Arbiter Pay: Instant Official Compensation
“As soon as I heard about Arbiter Pay, I started using it to save time,” Casey says. “My officials appreciate that I pay them right away as soon as I see them, whereas other schools might wait a week or so.”
Arbiter Registration: Digital-First Student Management
The 2019 adoption of Arbiter Registration proved prescient. “We were able to be so far ahead of the game when COVID hit. We could keep and store information digitally without having to physically touch or interact — it made life so much easier.”
Arbiter 360: State-Level Integration
When the Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA) transitioned to Arbiter 360, Scott High School was ready. The platform now helps the school streamline state-level reporting — like Title IX compliance and student transfer management — ensuring clean, timely data flows from the school to the state, and removes another point of duplicate entry.
How Casey’s Days Have Changed
Casey’s morning routine demonstrates Arbiter’s integration throughout athletic operations:
“I can manage everything, and I mean everything, in the athletic department from one place,” Casey emphasizes. “I can contact any athletic director in the state, any coach, any principal. I can pull up addresses for other schools. It’s a one-stop shop.”
The Overall Impact of Arbiter
2 Hours Saved Daily
“Arbiter saves me roughly two hours a day where I can spend more time boosting our athletic programs,” Casey reports. This time savings translates directly to increased focus on student-athlete development and program enhancement.
Enhanced Accuracy and Reliability
“I know that everything is going to be accurate and correct,” Casey notes, highlighting the confidence Arbiter provides in critical administrative functions.
Streamlined Coach Experience
“Coaches love that they don’t have to collect paperwork,” Casey explains. The platform enables coaches to focus on coaching while maintaining necessary administrative oversight.
Cost Savings
The integrated platform eliminates the need for multiple disparate systems, providing significant cost savings that can be redirected to athletic programs.
The Recommendation: A Welcomed Change
“As much as I hate change, this has been a welcomed change. Extremely smooth,” Casey reflects. His enthusiasm extends beyond personal experience to industry advocacy:
“I would be more than willing to talk to other states and athletic departments just to show them how beneficial it has been for us.”
For athletic directors considering comprehensive management solutions, Casey’s advice is clear: “It makes your life so much easier.”
About Scott High School Athletics
- Location: Taylor Mill, Kentucky
- Sports Programs: 26 varsity sports
- Arbiter Products Used: Arbiter Pay, Arbiter Registration, Arbiter 360
- Partnership Timeline: 2018-2025
- Key Stakeholders: Athletic directors, coaches, officials, student-athletes, parents, community
Transform Your School With Arbiter
Ready to transform your athletic administration like Casey? Discover how Arbiter’s comprehensive platform can save you time, reduce costs, and enhance your focus on student-athlete development. Click here to learn more.
