From Corporate America to High School Sports: The Unique Leadership Journey of Gahanna Lincoln’s Matt Welsh

Pursuing Excellence: Leadership in Education-Based Athletics with Matt Welsh

In the latest episode of Bound for Greatness, Scott Jarvis sits down with Matt Welsh, the Athletic Director at Gahanna Lincoln High School, to explore how his corporate background shaped his leadership approach in education-based athletics. Welsh, who transitioned from the world of corporate sales and marketing to athletic administration, shares how those experiences continue to influence his work, including his focus on communication, customer experience, and team collaboration.

Welsh’s career began in sales, climbing the ladder to director of marketing and operations in corporate America. “I learned things like drive, grit, and perseverance,” he explains. These skills transferred naturally into his current role at Gahanna Lincoln, where Welsh emphasizes understanding the “consumer experience”—whether that’s the perspective of student-athletes, coaches, or parents.

One of the key lessons Welsh carried over from the corporate world is a powerful piece of advice: never make a decision from behind the desk. He emphasizes that real leadership happens when you're present and actively engaged, rather than isolated behind office doors. Welsh makes it a priority to be visible—whether he's on the sidelines at a game or meeting with coaches and students. His proactive style is crucial, especially in a large school like Gahanna Lincoln, where collaboration is key to sustaining success.

As Welsh settled into his new role, he worked to build relationships and trust with his coaches and staff, employing a simple but effective approach. “I do this thing called the list,” he shares. “What do we need right now? What do you want? And if we win the lottery, what would you ask for?” This method not only encourages open dialogue but also establishes him as a leader who listens, cares, and takes action.

Welsh’s perspective on student-athletes is equally insightful. While coaches view each year as just another cycle, Welsh notes that for students, especially seniors, this year might be their last. His goal is to make every season count, ensuring that each athlete has a memorable, enriching experience before they leave the program.

Welsh’s commitment to professional development is another area that sets him apart. As a Certified Master Athletic Administrator, he values continuous learning. “We are in the education business,” he says. “If we’re not demonstrating a willingness to learn and get better, why are we here?” His dedication to self-improvement extends to mentoring others, where he strives to build his own “AD tree,” fostering the next generation of athletic administrators.

At Gahanna Lincoln, Welsh is leading with a vision of excellence, grounded in collaboration, humility, and a drive to always get better. His unique blend of corporate savvy and passion for student-athlete development makes him a standout leader in the ever-evolving world of high school sports.

Catch the full conversation on Bound for Greatness as Scott and Matt dive deeper into the nuances of leadership, the challenges of transitioning from corporate to high school athletics, and how Welsh is making an impact at Gahanna Lincoln High School.

Bound for Greatness Podcast

Bound for Greatness is a podcast that addresses current issues facing athletic professionals and also offers leadership strategies for coaches and athletic administrators. Coach and athletic administrative veteran, Scott Garvis, tackles the issues facing education based activities from a unique perspective; sometimes irreverent, sometimes cynical, and sometimes serious. Scott covers current topics while also providing leadership lessons from his career as coach and administrator.

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