Running an
Education-Based
Athletic Program
Dr. David Hoch, CMAA
Director of Athletics (retired)
April 15, 2011
Just what is Education-Based
Athletics?
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Philosophical concept
promoted by NFHS/NIAAA
Student-centered approach
Educational, Life-long
values
Opportunities to grow &
develop
School or Athletic Department
Mission Statement
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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)
Athletic Mission Statement
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…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)
Another Example of Mission
Statement
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…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)
Hiring the ‘Right’ Coach is a good
Starting Point - not Isolated Effort
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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!)
Winning is not Everything?
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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?
What about Winning?
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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?
You should want Coaches who are:
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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
Locating Quality Coaches
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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 Educationbased athletics?
Interview Questions to Reveal Fit
for Education-Based Program:
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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
Additional Interview Questions …
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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?
What is Mentoring Coaches for
Education-based Athletics?
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Guiding
Teaching
Inspiring
Prodding
Leading
Molding
Encouraging
Praising
…and more …
Mentoring not just for New Coaches!!!
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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
Topics for Teachable Moments within
Mentoring of Coaches:
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Hazing
Communication skills
Dealing with parents
Athletes & the Internet
Dealing with parents
Media protocols
Dealing with parents
How to nurture athletes
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Encouraging academics
Dealing with parents
Positive motivation
College recruiting
Dealing with parents
…get the idea that this is
important?
…And others
One plea with Mentoring Coaches in
Education-based Athletics!!!
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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!!!
Hiring & Mentoring Ties-in with
Evaluation in Education-based Athletics
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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
Hire & Mentor based upon same
desired Qualities / Goals of your
Program
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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
Part the Coach plays in your
Program:
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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
Beyond Winning – how do we
measure Success? Some Benchmarks:
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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
Additional Benchmarks:
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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?
How do you Recognize Success?
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Nothing wrong with
championship banners, but
what else?
Sign board recognizing
nationally certified coaches
Announce Minds in
Motion Award winners
Additional Recognition of Success
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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
Do you run an Education-based
Athletic Program?
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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!