Rockford — It’s clear from the hugs she gets everywhere she goes that Jennifer Domagalski, athletic director for Rockford’s middle schools, makes a big impression on students.
Even when visiting the high school, where the student-athletes haven’t been in her immediate charge for years, Domagalski is greeted with beaming faces and warm embraces, like an old friend or a family member.
The lasting impression Domagalski makes on both students and peers could have something to do with why she was recently named the Region XIV Athletic Director of the Year by the Michigan Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association, receiving the award during a conference in Traverse City in mid-March.
While sitting down with SNN to talk about the award and what it means to her, Domagalski led with humility.
“I feel like I’m doing the same work that everybody else is doing: trying to be 1% better every day, and trying to do better for our kids,” she said.
‘One of my biggest goals in my role is that (students) learn those life lessons that they can carry with them.’
— Jennifer Domagalski, middle school athletic director
Opportunities for Belonging
In addition to overseeing athletics at North Rockford and East Rockford middle schools, Domagalski is also in charge of all middle-school-level clubs — sports-related and otherwise — which she believes play a vital role in giving students opportunities to find belonging.
“If a student isn’t able to participate in a sport that season … then they’re able to have another opportunity to participate or connect with a group in some capacity,” she said.
She’s done some recent work in that area that might have counted in her favor, including starting up a boys volleyball club and an e-sports club. And she’s always on the lookout for other new additions.
“With all those offerings … we’re able to provide those additional opportunities for kids to figure out what they like and give them the fortitude to try something new,” she said.
Domagalski also assists each year with the Michigan High School Athletics Association state finals for competitive cheer, and she spends lots of one-on-one time with student-athletes to make sure they’re meeting eligibility requirements to continue participating in their chosen sport.
That kind of mentoring ties in with one of her main focus areas: students’ mental and emotional well-being, and its connection to physical health.
‘She’ll remember your name’
Domagalski herself is a proud Rockford alum whose life was shaped in part by athletics. One of the most rewarding parts of her job, she said, is making sure students coming through the district’s middle schools have the same opportunities she had.
“For middle school, it’s a balance of pushing them, but also understanding that they’re at a delicate point in their life,” she said. “I love seeing them succeed in whatever arena they’re in … and experience that success, but also work hard in the classroom.”
Seniors Corbin Starkey, Andrew Hambelton and Anna Wypych can attest to Domagalski’s commitment to seeing students succeed. Each said Domagalski has been a fixture in their lives since they first encountered her in middle school.
“She’s always at our football games and our wrestling meets as well. Any sporting event she can attend, I usually see her at,” said Corbin. “She’s super uplifting right off the bat, she always gives me a hug whenever I see her, she always has a smile on her face. She’s just an overall good person to be around.”
Andrew, who is Domagalski’s nephew, said she puts everything into what she does, even the “little things” like recognizing names and faces.
“I see all the time all these middle-schoolers that she knows by name, and all these athletes that she knows,” he said. “It’s just a really impactful thing, getting to know people.”
“She’ll remember your name for as long as you can imagine,” said Anna. “She’s really welcoming, too, and she’s a really good listener. … Even if it’s not school-related or sports-related. She always sees the positive in everything.”
All three seniors praised Domagalski’s tremendous capacity for empathy, and her eagerness to pass that quality on to students.
“One of my biggest goals in my role is that they learn those life lessons that they can carry with them, no matter if they’re in an event or an arena or competition or they’re just going through life,” Domagalski said.
Beyond Athletics
East Rockford Middle School Principal Adam Burkholder, who wrote a letter in support of Domagalski during the nomination process, said she’s an “incredible asset” to Rockford’s athletic community.
“Her efforts go far beyond athletics at the middle school level,” Burkolder said. “She’s passionate about creating meaningful connections for all students outside of the classroom. Whether it’s a gaming club, movie club, guitar club, or Dungeons & Dragons, Jen actively seeks out student interests and finds ways to connect them with staff who can help bring those interests to life.”
Domagalski said it’s an honor to be recognized for her work.
“Honestly, I was very surprised, but grateful and humble that I was selected to represent middle school athletic directors across the state,” she said.
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