VYPE: When did you take over as AD, and what was your professional background prior to this position?
Jason Lingo: I took over the AD’s position at Moore High in late July after spending the last 18 years being a softball coach at Southmoore and those last three years as the Asst. AD there as well.
VYPE: What is new in the athletic department, and are there any plans for future developments?
JL: We are always looking to the future at Lion Athletics. We’ve been utilizing our new turf and indoor facilities that Moore patrons provided us in our bond sales and we’ve been busy upgrading and branding those facilities since. We’re also looking into more information and technology driven displays and interactive stations for our fans and students at games and events in the coming school year.
VYPE: Why is community support essential to an athletic department?
JL: We as athletic departments and school systems rely on the help and generosity of our patrons and fans to put on first class events for our student athletes. Our booster clubs and alumni association at Moore High are second to none and they help our athletic department in more ways than we can count. I feel very blessed and lucky to have such engaged and supportive booster and fan groups for all of our sports and organizations. My Asst. AD Coach Hardin, my secretary Shari Douglass and our athletics intern Aylor Purser are the real reason MHS Athletics runs smoothly on a daily basis and we couldn’t operate without those three. And I’m luckier than most because I have an administration both in our building and downtown that care about our kids and athletics and help us in any way possible.
VYPE: What should parents of incoming freshmen know as their student-athletes prepare to compete at the varsity level?
JL: Our incoming students and their parents can find a lot of info related to Moore Athletics on our Vype website. Our coaches will be busy putting out info for camps and summer pride workouts for our teams. If you need info on who to talk to, email us @ [email protected] and we will point you in the right direction!
VYPE: Which community partners and sponsors have supported your student-athletes this season?
JL: We have had tremendous partnership support this year for the Lions. As always, we partner with Ortho Central to help our athletes in the event of an injury. We’ve also had a long time partner in KREF Sports for our livestream services and coaches shows. Horn Equipment, Htea0, Kona Ice, Integris Hospital, Raisin Cain’s Chicken, MHSAA (Alumni Association), Slim Chickens.
VYPE: Given the changing landscape of high school athletics, what is your perspective on the current state of prep sports in Oklahoma, and how can the experience be improved for students?
JL: I know that there is a lot of uncertainty about the changing HS sports landscape, but I’m really excited about the future of Lion Athletics. We’ve got a lot of great young athletes coming up through our system and a bunch of coaches that work tirelessly to help develop those athletes. I look to hire coaches that are very sport knowledgeable and must be able to form positive and trusting relationships with our student athletes. Our programs aim for a family atmosphere where all of our athletes feel welcome and safe and know that our coaches are there to help them and help develop athletic abilities and mold them into productive citizens in our community. I think Athletic Departments that focus on those things going forward will see an influx enroll in their schools and want to be a part of
VYPE: How do you enjoy spending your free time away from school?
JL: I am an outdoorsman to my core. When I’m not on campus or attending events, I love spending time outside and around nature. I try to find new lakes and rivers each summer to fish and camp. I love playing golf and working in my yard. I also spend a couple of weeks each summer working on the ground crew at the Softball Hall of fame for the Women’s College World Series.
VYPE: What advice would you give to a first-time athletic director taking over a program?
JL: Being a HS Athletic Director is tedious. There is a ton of new information and new requirements for your time the second you step into the job. I went from being in charge of 6 coaches and 60 athletes to 85 coaches and 850 athletes. I can’t begin describe the difference. I would tell other new AD’s to keep your head down, stay focused and stay in the work. The load may not lighten, but your procedures, regulations, and preparations will help ease that load. And the relationships you build with your coaching staffs is invaluable in helping form a team environment where everyone is pulling on the same rope the same direction. Once that starts to happen, it becomes less like a job and more like that team dynamic that coaches and athletes can grow and flourish in.
VYPE: What is your message to the senior class of 2026, and what would you like returning students to know?
JL: I’m proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish this year at Lion Athletics. Our programs are moving in the right direction and our facilities are top notch. I personally want to thank the class of 2026 for everything they have done to represent MHS this year and in their careers. I came into a brand new school from a rival institution and the class of 2026 has welcomed me with open arms and made me feel like I belonged. They have been great role models and leaders for our younger lions and I can’t wait to see how they change the world. As for our returning Lion student athletes, alumni and fans that are looking to the future of Moore Lion Athletics- just wait, because we’re just getting started!!
