1. Running an Education-Based Athletic Program
Dr. David Hoch, CMAA
Director of Athletics (retired)
April 15, 2011

2. Just what is Education-Based Athletics?
Philosophical concept promoted by NFHS/NIAAA
Student-centered approach
Educational, Life-long values
Opportunities to grow & develop

3. School or Athletic Department Mission Statement
What is stated in your document?
Often a disconnect between statements & practicality/reality
May need to educate administration, parents & community (of course you have to buy-in first)

4. Athletic Mission Statement
…to create an environment that maximizes student participation, supports academic progress and promotes physical and social development. It is expected that all participants display competitive spirit, outstanding sportsmanship and exemplary character through the year.
Penncrest HS (PA)

5. Another Example of Mission Statement
…will provide a wide variety of athletic opportunities that will aid in the overall development of our students. Participation in athletics will provide students with significant opportunity to become involved with other students and their coaches in an educational experience that takes place outside their classroom.
Loveland HS (OH)

6. Hiring the ‘Right’ Coach is a good Starting Point - not Isolated Effort
Intertwined with mentoring …and evaluation
An individual who fits into (values) education-based philosophy
It isn’t all about winning
If I hire an individual …I have an obligation to help them improve and grow (from grad class in 1981; made huge impression upon me!)

7. Winning is not Everything?
Life-long values & qualities are more important outcomes
Perseverance, leadership, teamwork
Sportsmanship, citizenship, respect … all fall into formula
AND coaches have direct contact & influence athletes
Many talk about these values – does your hiring reflect them?

8. What about Winning?
Coaches should plan, prepare & have players strive to win
Winning based upon formula:
60-65% athletic ability
20-25% coaching
10-20% lack of injuries, realistic schedule, weather & luck
Do you hire for winning? Or Education-Based Athletics?

9. You should want Coaches who are:
Positive and encouraging
Nurturing
A teacher …not restricted to classroom - of lifelong values
A role model
These qualities should guide your hiring; basis for mentoring AND basis for evaluation process

10. Locating Quality Coaches
Teachers within building
Teachers at middle schools
But key word is ‘Quality’
What is best for the athletes and program?
Who best fits your desired profile/ qualities for Education-based athletics?

11. Interview Questions to Reveal Fit for Education-Based Program:
Give 1 or 2 examples of how you dealt with a sportsmanship issue on your team. …or
Provide the candidate with an actual situation that occurred & ask how they would handle it
Be straight-forward & ask where winning fits into the equation of high school sports

12. Additional Interview Questions …
Why do you want to coach? …And a variation would be, why do you want to coach at our school? Answer better involve: Helping young people grow & develop!
What is a ‘Teachable Moment’ and give me an example that you used with your team?

13. What is Mentoring Coaches for Education-based Athletics?
Guiding
Teaching
Inspiring
Prodding
Leading
Molding
Encouraging
Praising
…and more …

14. Mentoring not just for New Coaches!!!
Obviously inexperienced coaches – a lot to learn
Athletics – like life – constant developments, change
All coaches need to grow
Help, mold them into Education-based coaches

15. Topics for Teachable Moments within Mentoring of Coaches:
Hazing
Communication skills
Dealing with parents
Athletes & the Internet
Media protocols
How to nurture athletes
Encouraging academics
Dealing with parents
Positive motivation
College recruiting
Dealing with parents …get the idea that this is important?
…And others

16. One plea with Mentoring Coaches in Education-based Athletics!!!
Be strong for your coaching staff
Some parents (and administrators) don’t understand that there is more than winning – other outcomes are also important
Help / protect your coaches
Give them strategies for dealing with these pressures!!!

17. Hiring & Mentoring Ties-in with Evaluation in Education-based Athletics
W-L record should have no bearing
Litmus test: Are your athletes having a good experience, learning & representing school in exemplary fashion?
Hire for these qualities; mentor for these qualities & base your evaluation on these qualities

18. Hire & Mentor based upon same desired Qualities / Goals of your Program
What’s important to your program? What type of coach do you want?
Someone who buys into Education-based Athletics
Qualities: Teacher, positive, enthusiastic, encouraging, role model …
This is also what you evaluate

19. Part the Coach plays in your Program:
Prepare athletes with sound instruction – can evaluate this
Provide positive encouragement – can evaluate this
Teach life-long values and skills – can evaluate this
Promotes academics – can evaluate this
Role model – can evaluate this

20. Beyond Winning – how do we measure Success? Some Benchmarks:
The participation rate of program – great barometer
Number of coaches who earned NFHS certification
Number of coaching courses taken; clinics attended
Athletic Director’s certification – CAA; CMAA

21. Additional Benchmarks:
Number of athletes who earned Minds in Motion, or etc.
Teams involved in community service
Sportsmanship awards – may be a little difficult to ascertain
Stability of coaching staff
Others?

22. How do you Recognize Success?
Nothing wrong with championship banners, but what else?
Sign board recognizing nationally certified coaches
Announce Minds in Motion Award winners

23. Additional Recognition of Success
Publicize community service efforts on website
Post participation rate in newsletters; website
Be creative & look for ways to market the educational benefits of your program

24. Do you run an Education-based Athletic Program?
Easy to say that you believe in Education-based athletics …
Actions speak louder than words
The welfare & development of student-athletes has to be paramount
It is much more than wins!