One need only walk around the Churchill building and grounds to see the impact Jesse Smith has had on the Bulldog Athletic program and community. Jesse is constantly looking for ways to boost spirit and pride in our sports programs, to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of our student athletes and teams, and to represent Bulldog Athletics to the best of his ability.

As athletic director, Jesse oversees all school sports programs—supporting coaches, scheduling games, managing facilities, ensuring athlete safety, and upholding sportsmanship and school values. From big-picture planning to day-to-day problem solving, Jesse works to create an environment where student-athletes can compete, grow, and succeed—on the field and in the classroom.

Get to know more about this MVP AD!

🐾 Bulldog Basics

What first drew you to Churchill and Bulldog athletics?

The history and community. I grew up in this county and I have played against, coached against or followed Churchill for the last 40 years. I knew about the amazing history of the school and was always so fascinated by it. I also knew how connected the community is. I grew up in Poolesville, so having a job with a strong community was always important. Without the support of a strong community, I knew I would never be able to accomplish the things necessary to have a successful athletics program. So when the job opened up in 2016, it was a no brainier for me to apply for the position and I am so thankful I did!

What does it mean to you to lead the Churchill athletic program?

I mean, it’s the best job I could possibly ask for. I absolutely love this job. I not only get to be involved with athletics year round but I get to work with amazing people and students. I am so very proud to tell people that I am the Athletic Director for the best high school in the state!

What does a “typical” day look like for you during peak season?

The first thing I do everyday is check my email. Much of my day involves communicating with people involved with our program. From coaches, to administrators, to parents and vendors, there is always something going on that requires a response. From there it depends on the season. If it’s the fall or spring, my days often revolve around field maintenance. I spend a lot of my afternoon mowing fields and making sure our facilities are taken care of so that they are ready to go by the time practices begin. Then if we have a game that night, it’s preparing the fields for that game. In the winter, I am a lot more sedentary and my days revolve around catching up on all the computer work that I am unable to get to in the fall. For instance, I am working on an addition to our website that will highlight our athletics program history. And regardless of the season, there is a lot of time going into social media and data.  

What’s the most challenging decision an Athletic Director has to make?

Hiring and firing coaches is very difficult. Finding great coaches is extremely difficult. We have been spoiled by having so many through the years and currently but it takes a lot to determine if someone will be a good fit for our program. Thankfully, I have been around so many amazing coaches throughout my time that I have a strong criteria on what I look for in a coach. Removing a coach is also very difficult. Coaches dedicate so much time and energy to their teams but sometimes it just doesn’t mesh. Sometimes their style doesn’t work for our program and I have to replace them.

What’s one thing most people don’t realize about the role of an Athletic Director?

I think a lot of people think I don’t know about or care about their sport because they may not see me at an event or I’m not giving enough social media attention to them. In reality, I am constantly talking to our coaches about their sport, watching games on NFHS when I’m not there, and just being a fan of every single team we have. I know just as much about each of our teams as the athletes do.

 🐾 Heart of the Huddle ❤️

How do athletics shape students beyond wins and losses?

Athletics teaches us so much about ourselves and shape us into the people we will become. It teaches us how to work with others, introducing us to new people, ideas, beliefs and more. We learn to work outside of what we know and develop relationships with others that can last a lifetime. Athletics also teach us how to push ourselves past our perceived limitations and overcome adversity. Finally, I think it teaches us the importance of being healthy and active, ideas that we can carry on well past our athletic careers.

Share about a formative athletic experience of your own

I don’t know if I have one experience. I got involved in sports in elementary and fell in love with it right away. Following high school it was a former coach who recruited me almost 30 years ago to coach and I have been involved with high school athletics in MCPS ever since.

🐾 Leading the Pack 🐕‍🦺

What’s the biggest challenge in supporting so many teams and athletes?

With teams, it’s difficult to be able to give equal time and energy to them. Getting to see teams that are offsite like swim & dive or track is very difficult because I have four children at home that require dad to be with them, so going to these meets or games takes away time from my family. So it becomes a real juggling act. Regarding athletes, its difficult to know everyone when we have almost a 1000 athletes competing throughout the year. So that means talking to coaches on a regular basis to learn about their teams and who is standing out.

What’s something you’re excited about for the future of Bulldog sports?

What excites me is finding ways to make the kids proud of their school and the athletics program. I’m always looking at ways to make them proud of their school and their experience with athletics memorable. I’m also excited about what we are doing on the county level to make athletics better for all of our kids such as the introduction of new sports and extra funding to make experiences better.

🐾 Bulldog Community & Spirit 🎉

What makes Churchill fans and families special?

It’s how much they care about each other. Everyone is rooting for each other’s success and doing everything to root them on. We are one of the few schools in our county that still has that small community feeling of support.

How do boosters and parent support impact our programs?

The support we receive is what makes this program so great! From the beginning of the year, Boosters and parents are involved in making the experience of playing a sport, special for all of our student athletes. Through fundraising and donating their time, every parent involved is vital to making sure that each team has a successful season.

What’s your message to students thinking about joining a team?

Administratively, register as soon as you can and get your physical in. Personally, always take a chance. If you’re not sure you’ll make a team or like a sport, just try. You don’t know what the outcome will be if you don’t take that chance and try it out.

Best post-game meal in town?

It’s usually too late for me to get food anywhere after a game that isn’t McDonald’s, lol! But when I can, I love Chipotle.

When you are not cheering on the Bulldogs, what teams do you root for?

Any team my kids are playing on.

🐾 Quick Paws (Rapid Fire)

• 🎶 Walk-up song if you had one? "Blind" by Korn

• 🧢 Go-to Bulldog gear? Hoodies, I am all about jeans and a hoodie.

• 🍿 Best concession stand snack? A slice of pizza is always satisfying.

• 🐕 Most under the radar Churchill sport? Oh man, I can think of a bunch but one that stands out right now is Girls swim & dive. They are so good!

• 🥇 Favorite type of win: close comeback or dominant performance? Dominant performances are less stressful but a comeback is so much more gratifying, especially against a rival.

• 🐾 One word to describe Churchill athletes? Underrated