New Fort Hall Recreation Director looks forward to positive change
Fort Hall Recreation Manager Juan Rodriguez
FORT HALL — Recently hired Fort Hall Recreation director Juan Rodriguez is hoping to see the program continue to grow and be impactful.
He realizes Recreation lost almost 100-years in experience with the previous staff. But he believes it provides opportunity for a new outlook and for positive change. One of the sayings that is fading away is, “it’s always been that way,” or “the weight room has always looked like that.” He said their new staff has a chance to make immense changes and he’s enthusiastic about the opportunities.
In the new role he sees there is opportunity for Recreation, “We will continue to move forward with what has already been established with some changes in the near future, but strengthening internally will be key for the Recreation program moving forward.” He noted Recreation covers many aspects besides tournaments but includes events, little league football, baseball, boxing, summer activities, programs, partnerships, sponsorships, and is the heart of the community. “To some that may seem overwhelming but I feel like life has prepared me for that weight,” he said.
A flexible schedule, managerial position and working with students and sports again is what led him to accept the offer of Recreation manager July 31.
“I knew I had the credentials and experience working in high schools as an athletic director, coaching, and refereeing. Working with universities in athletics during my graduate program gave me insight paired with the managerial skills and grants sustaining experience that I gained as the Indian Education Coordinator with the Blackfoot School District. It was a perfect match,” he said.
November 6 was his new hire date. He is a Shoshone-Bannock tribal member. Even though Rodriguez lived in Moreland, he said he was an active participant in Recreation.
“I gained some life-long friendships and experiences at Recreation instead of being the 10th man at S.R. I got to play every down and it was inexpensive. It prepared me for my high school career. It provided me with opportunity."
A graduate of Snake River High school, He lettered in track, cross country, played football and basketball. He then went on to obtain a Social Work degree from Brigham Young University-Idaho and a Master’s Degree in Coaching and Athletic Administration from Concordia University-Irvine.
He has been employed in the Blackfoot School District as the Indian Education Coordinator and has coached high school basketball at several schools throughout Southeast Idaho, including North Fremont, Blackfoot, Sho-Ban and Century and led Oakley High School to a state tournament berth in his first season.
He has been coaching youth sports at Marsh Valley, Snake River and Idaho Science and Technology. He recently was an employee at Idaho National Laboratory working in Security, As a persec specialist.
“I am forever grateful for the INL Senior management, gave me an opportunity to work in security. There compassion and belief in me were instrumental in my professional career. I learned countless leadership skills from my managers.”
Rodriguez, has three children Conley, Corbin and Caliah. The family likes to spend time participating in the outdoors together, traveling and working on their individual interests: basketball, running, Rubix cube tournaments, musical instruments, gymnastics and cheerleading. “I absolutely love being a father and helping my kids achieve their goals. I have high expectations for them we work hard and play harder.”
Rodriguez, has many interests and hobbies which include lifting weights, hanging out with friends, any athletic event, rock climbing, skydiving, dancing, traveling, hiking and especially running. Running provides me to challenge myself.
“I’ve run triathlons, Spartans, and half marathons but running a marathon has been the biggest challenge.”
“When I was obtaining my master’s degree, it taught me how to manage the weight and my volume potential — I had 3 kids under the age of 7, I was a full-time student, working full-time with Blackfoot School District, an athletic director with Sho-Ban and coaching basketball at Century, he continued. He was also serving in the bishopric in his church calling, and working on some personal goals. He graduated with a 3.8 GPA and grew through those experiences especially as a manager.
His Recreation goals are creating, implementing policies and re-forming job descriptions. He’s establishing a vision, mission statement, and branding. “This internal growth will allow for external growth. I love the direction we are headed. The community has been very supportive,” Rodriguez said.
They’ve established a fitness schedule, and a new weight room atmosphere. “We will be going digital with our program, you will see less paper and more technology.”
There’s a need for new bleachers as the ones Recreation currently has doesn’t have a walking path and needs updating. “The building is in rough shape in general. There are few objectives I want to implement as soon as possible, but I am also seeking community input with a survey.”
The new wellness sports complex is also on my radar I want to push it into fruition. Its going to take a community effort, grants, momentum and tribal leadership involvement.
Currently, though it’s about getting the program running because they have been short staffed for almost a year now. “Once we get our staff situated, we start to know our roles and policies and procedures. Our efficiency and being on the same page will allow us to get through some growing pains,” he said.
He is thrilled for their new staff members:
Shelly Honena will cover game management and operations with finances. “I’ve worked with her at Sho-Ban and have always been impressed with her organization and knowledge of her job.” He said she is also a mover — she gets things done and it’s needed. She will have a lot of responsibilities, she is very capable. “I’ve had the privilege to coach both her kids in basketball and they are expectational people,” he said. Her background working at a school district helps with the type of culture he want to set. She sets the tone with our new staff of change.
Magic Smith, people know him for his basketball athletic pedigree, but he is a better person. His character as a man, just being in presence and having conversation with him. He’s hard not to like, Rodriguez said. He is easy to get along with, “This approachability and patience are another tone setter for our staff. He possesses a winner mentality, it’s going to help us get through some growing pains.”
Bob Johnson is Recreation’s longest tenured staff — he provides that veteran leadership and helps avoid those common mistakes a new manager could make. “I lean on his leadership for coordination and planning. He also thinks he is funny and can make a room smile.”
He said Vanessa and Steven have been Recreation staff members just under five years and work a lot of the leagues and tournament game management noting they make the leagues and activities possible. Steven is in charge of scheduling and documents. Rodriguez said he’s worked with Vanessa for a lot of years in the Blackfoot School District and her heart has always been in the correct place — he’s reminded of that by her gratitude of selfless actions.
The staff is going to look different but a lot of what make Recreation so great is going to stay, service, the tournaments, leagues, summer activities, clubs and events, he said.
Change in management and familiar faces can be difficult, “I know God is aware of everyone in this pivotal time of transformation. This new staff have been able to step forward into growth and provide safety to the community in a transitional time.”
Rodriguez said it’s the first time a tribal member has been able to lead Fort Hall Recreation, “I am grateful for this opportunity, I get to do the things I love and call it work.”
