Two Jackson Countians Honored At KAAA Awards Banquet

On Thursday, April 24, 2025 the Kentucky Athletic Administrators Association held their Annual Awards Banquet. During the evening, two Jackson Countians were recognized during the event in Louisville, Kentucky. 

Keith Gabbard, CEO of PRTC was recognized and received the Dr. Rudy J. Ellis State Distinguished Service Award for his contributions to Jackson County Public Schools Athletics. 

Cayden Farmer, a Senior Jackson County High School Baseball player, was recognized and selected as a member of the 2025 Tom Leach Kentucky All-Resilient Team for his resiliency after surgery and his return to pitching this season. 

Congratulations to Keith and Cayden on their awards and for representing Jackson County! District-Wide Athletic Director Wes Bishop nominated both. 

The Kentucky Athletic Administrators' Association (KAAA) is the professional association for middle and high school athletic administrators in Kentucky. The KAAA is dedicated to serving its members by providing leadership skills and professional growth opportunities. As a partner with the Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA), the KAAA promotes positive working relationships between the two organizations and their respective member schools and athletic administrators. 

The mission of the KAAA is to develop, enhance, preserve, and promote the educational value of interscholastic athletics. This mission is achieved through various initiatives, including professional development programs, networking opportunities, and advocacy efforts. The KAAA strives to emphasize the value of education-based athletics and to provide abundant and safe participation opportunities for student-athletes. 

Membership in the KAAA offers numerous benefits, including discounts on registration fees for state and national athletic directors conferences, leadership training courses, certifications, and other services. Members also have the opportunity to serve on state and national committees, nominate students for scholarships, and receive liability insurance coverage while performing the duties of an athletic administrator. 

The KAAA is committed to promoting safety and security within its programs, serving with a sense of ethics and integrity, and representing athletic administrators in the Commonwealth to the KHSAA. The association provides professional-based educational opportunities specifically designed for interscholastic athletic administrators, ensuring that they are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in their roles. 

As the KAAA continues to grow and evolve, it remains dedicated to its core values and mission. The association's efforts to enhance the educational value of interscholastic athletics and to support the professional development of athletic administrators are vital to the success of athletic programs across Kentucky.