BACKGROUND Executive Director- NY 2 Years Associate Director- NM 10 Years High School/ Middle School Teacher/ Coach- TX 3 Years

AREAS OF INTEREST Future of high school sports Where will we be in 20 years? Impact of high school sport participation on GPA, School Attendance and Discipline Promoting the value and benefits of education based athletics

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS Everything right about education today is found in high school athletics: Community Support Teamwork Coaches recruiting kids for their “team” Practice after school day Goal setting Leadership development Competition (victory/ defeat)

THE ROLE OF HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS Extension of the classroom Character building Life long lessons Leadership laboratory

THE ROLE OF HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS Next level of competition “ My son is going to play Division I” Professional Sports Self Promotion Role models?

ARE WE ON THE DEFENSIVE? “ Saving our programs ” “ Building support ” “ Ensuring value ” “ Promoting programs ”

NYSPHSAA does not seek to prepare students for the next level of competition, but the next level of life

CONSTANT CHALLENGE 3 P’s 1) Protect 2) Preserve 3) Promote

RIVALRIES Healthy rivalries Fierce competition Respect Passion Crackdown model Enforce traditional codes of conduct Ownership model Empower students and parents Structured events to bring communities together

RIVALRY TO BE PROUD OF…… Joint effort T-shirts/ buttons with both school logos Welcome opposing team as guests rather than “visitors”

COACHING ETHICS Lack respect Lack integrity Lack understanding

COACHING ETHICS

HOW DO WE ENSURE STUDENT SAFETY? Athletic trainers & shrinking budgets Pressure on coaches & students to succeed Community, parents, media, etc. Concussions Specialization

SI.COM NOV. 2012

HONESTY IS THE KEY Dr. Gregory Stewart Tulane University

SPECIALIZATION Three sport athletes are nearly extinct Entertainment options today 44.5 hours per week in front of a screen AAU/ Club Sports Quest for College Scholarships

CONSEQUENCES OF SPECIALIZATION Over use injuries Becomes a job Lack of ability to adapt to diverse situations Reduced participation numbers Greater focus on “me” instead of “team”

PROMOTING SPORTSMANSHIP Innovative & Creative Messaging in new ways Social Media New programs

NAIA FIVE STAR LEADERSHIP

STAY IN THE GAME Recognize those schools who have no disqualifications at any level for the entire school year.

BATTLE OF THE FANS Program to recognize positive sportsmanship. Schools submit videos online via YouTube.

DEALING WITH PARENTS More active today Behavior towards coaches, officials Social media More investment Time, Money, Travel and Training More information Internet makes everyone an expert!

PARENTS 10 COMMANDMENTS 1) Always encourage your child. 2) Do not criticize your child. 3) Do not criticize other children. 4) Do not yell at officials. 5) Do not allow your child to quit a team.

6) Do not ask a coach about playing time. 7) Do not miss your child’s game if possible. 8) Do not force your child to play. 9) Do not speak poorly about a coach. 10) Allow your child to have fun.

ROLE OF THE MEDIA Accommodate without catering Pressure to get the story The media has a job just like you Be prepared Speed is much more important than deliberation

THE MEDIA Media reports on planes that crash, not those that land.

EVERYONE IS A WINNER MENTALITY Winning at all cost “ Whatever it takes ” Devalue winning Revised focus on winning

EVERYONE GETS A TROPHY

Sports “should” teach life lessons. Everyone doesn’t always win in life. In Life, the most effort doesn’t equal winning Creates entitlement attitudes Need a balance that is age appropriate Give kids a goal (most improved, best team player, hardest worker, MVP, etc.)

THANK YOU Robert Zayas (cell)