1 Development of Productive Relationships with Coaches, Parents, and Athletes

Bob Stinchcomb, CMAA Darlington School Rome, Georgia Kristin Kellams, CAA Parkway North High School St. Louis, Missouri

Development of Productive Relationships with Coaches One on One Preseason Meeting Expectations – Budgetary, Scheduling, Staffing, Operations Manual Evaluations Allow coaches to evaluate you as an athletic administrator. Evaluations should start and end on a positive note. Ask questions to help them reflect and plan for next year. What went well? What surprised you? Goals for next year? Specific plans to reach those goals? What can I do to help? Make time to touch base with every coach as often as possible during the season to show support. Conversations should focus on more than schedules, rules, and logistics.

Development of Productive Relationships with Coaches Be Available at Events Pre-Season Coaches Meeting Required rules meetings and parent meetings Bad weather plan Sportsmanship Academic Standards Budgets PO process Award system Team Pictures Spend time emphasizing Core Values Allow Coaches to share “best practices”

Development of Productive Relationships with Coaches Relationships are Productive when you share Core Values How do you want people to describe your athletic program? Use Essential Questions to reflect on what you all value. Examples of Essential Questions to post at meetings What is the Purpose of H.S. Sports? How does Athletics create a Sense of Community? How do you teach Team Chemistry?

Development of Productive Relationships with Coaches What do you do in your program to…. Create opportunities for returning players to mentor new team members? Make sure that every team member feels valued by coaches and teammates regardless of playing time? Communicate with parents and involve them in the program beyond the initial parent meeting? Describe one example of a Team Building Activity that has been successful for your program. Coach of Year Award

Development of Productive Relationships with Coaches Congratulations – Copy Administrators Things not to do: –Don’t let the coaches read about decisions in the press. –Don’t talk to assistant coaches over issues meant for the head coach. –Don’t listen to parent issues without giving the head coach an opportunity to deal with it

Development of Productive Relationships with Parents Preseason Meeting For Each Sport Schedule of events and practices (vacation days) Team rules - Lettering awards - Sportsmanship Athletic Trainers and team doctor – Insurance Academic requirements - Recruitment Detailed Overnight Trip Itinerary Booster Involvement Community Service Survey Monkey

Development of Productive Relationships with Parents Communication with Parents groups (Coaches, AD, Principal) Linking Websites (Coaches, AD, School) Daily Activity Line (AD) Return calls within 24 hours Be accessible at events Encourage Coaches to Involve Parents in their Program Keeping stats, pregame meals, fundraising, Parent t-shirts, concessions, videotaping

Development of Productive Relationships with Parents Issues Begin with The Head Coach not AD Playing Time Things not to do: -Don’t discuss other children when dealing with a parent. -Don’t allow them to engage a coach after a tough game. -Don’t allow one parent to incite other parents. Deal with it.

Development of Productive Relationships with Players D-Club Gives direct line from student-athletes to AD Captains Council Student leaders from Sports Teams and Spirit Squads Must be good role models Meet once per month Use Essential Questions to generate discussions Plan Community Events

Development of Productive Relationships with Players Awards Letter Jackets, State Championship rings, 3-sport athlete, Male and Female Athlete of the Year Scholarships Community Service - Required for each team. Post on Web