By Nunnie Robinson
Rocky holding James L. Jones Lifetime Achievement Award Retiring Broward County Schools athletic director, Roderick Dante “Rocky” Gillis received the Eta Nu Foundation James L. Jones Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the Eta Nu Education Foundation, the scholarship and financial component of the Eta Nu Chapter of Omega Psi Fraternity, Inc., at its 6th annual Benefit Gala & Fundraiser held at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Coral Springs Hotel on Saturday, November 9, 2024. The award, named after iconic Broward County educator, former Blanche Ely High School principal and Eta Nu Chapter Founder, honors excellence and outstanding achievement in professional, community and civic endeavors. Previous winners have included Principal James L. Jones, Coach Johnny Alexander, Coach George Smith, Judge Ilona Holmes, and former Pompano Beach Mayor Lamar Fisher.
Growing up in a nurturing Christian home under the guidance of parents Katheryn and Wesley Gillis at Bethel AME Church in Pompano Beach, Rocky attended Pompano Beach High School, excelling academically and athletically in the classroom and on the gridiron, the epitome of a student-athlete. That dedication and determination earned him an athletic scholarship to Iowa State University, where graduated in 1984 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. While at Iowa State, he joined the ROTC Officers Training Program, became a second lieutenant and a tank commander, highly appropriate on the heels our country’s Veterans Day celebration. After returning home, he found employment with Nabisco Brands and the City of Pompano’s Parks and Recreation Department, serving as a coach and mentor. Rocky found his actual calling working with youth, becoming a full time teacher and coach at Blanche Ely High School when he was hired by then principal James L. Jones, for whom the award is named. The career change to education led to his becoming Broward County School’s first Black athletic director in 1993, both historic and pioneering.
The Westside Gazette recently interviewed Rocky about his life’s experiences both personally and professionally.
WG: I’m especially interested in your background: family history, parents, place of birth, formative schooling, elementary through college and who/what shaped your thinking, philosophy.
Rocky: My parents, family, life experiences and people that cared about my life shaped my thinking and Philosophy.
WG: Did sports come naturally to you or were you influenced by mentors, parents, friends?
Rocky: Sports did come rather naturally, but it was what we did as kids in my community. We grew to appreciate the things that playing sports taught and provided, including the opportunity for a free college education if not more.
WG: Did you always aspire to be associated with sports/athletics ?
WG: I can’t say that I always aspired to work in athletics, but education was probably always a part of my life since my mom owned and ran a kindergarten and sports was a part of everyone’s life in my house.
WG: Prior to accepting the AD’s position in Broward, what other positions did you hold, including your stint at BEHS.
Rocky: I was AD at Blanche Ely HS, covering athletic events. I also served as the basketball coach, track & field coach, football coach, math teacher and athletic director at Pompano Beach HS.
WG: What do think made you an effective AD? Are they qualities you look for in prospective hires?
Rocky: I believe that organization and communication skills have been very important. Having the ability to be able to listen to concerns that people have and keeping focused on what is in the best interest of kids is always key.
WG: What brought you the most satisfaction as an athletic director?
Rocky: I’m always excited when former athletes speak about the importance of their experiences as part of Broward County athletics, especially our special events (All-stars, Championships, Banquets, etc).
WG: What would you consider to be your greatest achievement as Broward County Athletic Director? Can you point to something you’re most proud of?
Rocky: It’s hard to say what is the greatest achievement as there are many things that come to mind with a few of the most current being the athletic events during COVID, partnering with the Broward Education Foundation with the National High School Football Showcase and being able to elevate the amount of scholarship dollars to over $70,000.00 annually.
WG: What strategy did you employ in building an efficient work team?
Rocky: I believe that collaboration and getting input from the team members creates buy-in that can be crucial to team success.
WG: What did you do to motivate your team members in your previous position?
Rocky: I gave them ownership in the decision-making process by valuing their input.
WG: Were you more hands on or did you delegate?
a. I have always been a hands on leader, and I believe that it comes from my military training.
WG: What do you do to stay calm when a project is not going as planned?
Rocky: I know that the possibility for something to go array always exists, so I always focus on the positive and keep a positive mindset. I believe that the positive energy that we can exude will always create positive outcomes.
WG: Rocky, if I recall you replaced Damien Huttenhoff. Was the transition smooth, challenging? Please expound.
Rocky: Pete Mascia and I actually replaced Don Cifra, and we didn’t have any formal training; however , we had played key roles on some committees that we were able to have some insight. We were able to use our knowledge and skills as former coaches and athletic administrators to keep the existing programs moving forward and enhance them.
WG: You coached against me in the 90s. What changes have you seen in athletes physically, mentally, socially, et al. From your perspective, is it for the best?
Rocky: I think many of the athletes are probably bigger, faster and stronger, but I don’t think that they are as prepared mentally and socially overall. There are so many distractions that they must deal with that it often hampers their development. We are also in such a microwave society today that some of the work ethics of yesterday have been lost. We are now also facing the new NIL landscape which tends to cloud the judgement of high school athletes and sometimes their parents as well.
WG: Could you talk about your personal family- married, children etc.
Rocky: I have been married to my wife, Kimberly for 38 years and we have three kids (Ashley, Roderick II, Rodney) that are all adults now, as well as a bonus son who graduated last year. We have three grand children ages 5 (Adonis), 6 (Sire), and 7 (Kennedi). We also have a daughter-in law (Natassia) and a son-in law (Marcus).
WG: What are your retirement plans?
Rocky: My plans are to travel for fun, relaxation, sightseeing and sporting events, but most of all I plan on doing nothing whenever I want.
WG: Finally, how do you feel about being honored by Omega Psi Phi, founded by Your /our mentor, Pompano’s iconic James L. Jones
a. I am honored and it is very special to be the 2024 Eta Nu Education Foundation Jones L. Jones Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient since he was the one who mentored me and set me on this professional path. He gave me my first opportunity as a football and track coach, then later hired me as a math teacher. His faith in me set my life on a course that I could never have imagined.
