Jim Meyerhoff Assistant Executive Director

“A community investment in America” available from the NFHS You need to have “all the facts” to be able to successfully promote high school athletics as well as your individual athletic programs The script of the video is part of the handout today

Some updated Washington State Information A 2003 survey of Washington high schools indicated the following: –GPA for athletes: –School GPA: ALMOST a.50 GPA HIGHER (.462) for students participating in athletics/Activities

More Washington Update The same 2003 survey indicated: –Athletic Attendance Percentage: % –School Wide Attendance Percentage: % STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN ATHLETICS/ACTIVITIES HAD A BETTER ATTENDANCE BY (.637%) or OVER 1/2 DAY PER STUDENT

Final Washington Update The 2003 survey indicated Washington High Schools are spending 2.5% of their school district Budget on Athletics/Activities Programs

Who are the shareholders in your program? Athletes Coaches Parents/families Studentbody Community

How do you involve (sell) each group of Shareholders Let’s share things you as a coach do to get students in your school involved in your program

How would you encourage someone to become an assistant coach in your program. How do you get the rest of the school’s coaching staff involved in supporting your program

How do you get your parents and or families involved in your program?

How do you get your school involved in your program? How do you promote your program in your school?

How do you get your community involved in your program?

How can you the coach, get everything done when your plate is already full? Recruit others to be you sales force Be media friendly, they will help spread the word Delegate, Delegate, Delegate YOU DON”T HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING

You can do to sell your program

Make your Pre-season Meeting “An Event” Make the pre-season meeting more than just a meeting Guest Speaker Family BBQ or Picnic Bring back Alumni to speak Feature your athletes

SCHEDULE A SPECIAL EVENT Host a tournament Take a team trip to compete Cross Town rival event Take your team to a college or professional game Take your team to another school event

Find ways to have “fun” beyond your sport at each practice Funny hat day Dog patch Olympics Take a Popsicle break College sweatshirt day Rambo day

Make your Awards Programs Sizzle Parental involvement Make food part of the program Multi-media recap of the season Develop special team awards that do not focus just on winning Invite others to attend

ESTABLISH A COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT FOR YOUR TEAM Get parents and families involved Many small projects can be more powerful than one big project—start small Adopt a grandparent Alert the media

Athletics are the “OTHER PART” of education Focus on the athletes Teach them to be better people, not just better athletes You need to be the #1 Salesman for your program if you expect others to follow

BRAINSTROM IDEAS THAT WORK FOR YOU Please share some things we have not discussed that you have done in your sport to “Sell your program”? What has worked, what hasn’t worked?

Thank you Jim Meyerhoff-WIAA