Coaching Management 19.13

2011 NFCA Convention Issue

SOFTBALL

> Q&A with Arizona State coaches > Previewing the Speakers > Information on Exhibitors

CONVENTION 2011 | VOL. XIX NO. 13 | $7.00

NFCA Booth No. 210

Circle No. 100

CONTENTS | SOFTBALL Edition | CONVENTION 2011 | Vol. XIX, No. 13

Coaching Management

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12 COVER STORY 12

Powerful Season

HONORING EXCELLENCE 19 STAFFS OF THE YEAR

Coaches Clint Myers, Robert Wagner, and Chuck D’Arcy talk about their strategies and philosophies in leading Arizona State University to a national title.

From NCAA Division I to high school, we present a complete rundown of all the coaches honored by the NFCA for their accomplishments in the 2010-11 season.

Which coaches reached new milestones this year? Fresno State’s Margie Wright, Wayne State’s Gary Bryce, and Denny Dock of Lakeshore (Mich.) High School are just a few of the coaches on the list.

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CONVENTION PREVIEW

Learn, Network, Discuss

The 2011 NFCA Convention, to be held in Las Vegas, includes clinics, a special seminar on recruiting, and the Hall of Fame induction. A full schedule of events can be found on page 6.

VICTORY CLUB 23 Easton Award Winners

EXHIBITORS

LATEST PRODuCTS

Get an advanced look at many of the companies that will be exhibiting their products during exhibit hall hours.

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ALSO IN THIS ISSUE 28 PRODUCTS ON DISPLAY 30 PRODUCTS FOR THE SEASON 34 PRODUCT LAUNCH

Publisher Mark Goldberg Marketing Director Sheryl Shaffer Editorial Dept. Eleanor Frankel, Director Abigail Funk, Dennis Read, R.J. Anderson, Patrick Bohn, Mike Phelps

34 ADVERTISERS DIRECTORY 36 COACHING GUIDES

Business Manager Pennie Small Art Director Pamela Crawford Production Dept. Maria Bise, Director, Natalie Couch, Neal Betts, Trish Landsparger Circulation Dept. Dave Dubin, Sandra Earle

Mailing lists for Coaching Management Softball are provided by the Clell Wade Coaches Directory.

The Coaching Management Softball edition is pub­lished in November by MAG, Inc. and is distributed free to college and high school coaches in the United States and Canada.

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Mandy Urfer powers Arizona State to its second NCAA Division I title in four years. Our Q&A with the Arizona State coaching staff begins on page 12.

Advertising Sales Associates Diedra Harkenrider (607) 257-6970, ext. 24 Pat Wertman (607) 257-6970, ext. 21 Ad Materials Coordinator Mike Townsend Special Projects Dave Wohlhueter

Business and Editorial Offices 31 Dutch Mill Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850 (607) 257-6970, Fax (607) 257-7328 info@MomentumMedia.com

Copyright © 2011 by MAG, Inc. All rights reserved. Text may not be reproduced in any manner, in whole or in part, without the permission of the pub­lisher. Un­­solicited materials will not be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Coaching Management, P.O. Box 4806, Ithaca, N.Y. 14852. Printed in the U.S.A.

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2011 NFCA CONVENTION PREVIEW CONTENTS

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3 Convention overview

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3 New ideas in recruiting

Overview

Learn, Network, Discuss The 2011 National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Convention includes opportunities to learn, network, and discuss—covering topics from recruiting to pitching to getting along with umpires. It all starts Nov. 30 and runs until Dec. 3 in Las Vegas. Here is what to expect: • Pre-Convention Seminar: Dan Tudor, an expert in the recruiting field, will take college coaches through a series of advanced recruiting concepts in this fourhour seminar.

• More Than Two Days of Clinics: Learn valuable drills and tips from some of the best speakers in softball today, as veteran coaches and national experts reveal their secrets.

• Mentoring Session: Take part in the convention mentoring session as either a mentor or participant. Arranged as a roundtable discussion, mentors and their groups will tackle important coaching topics, followed by a question and answer session.

• The Latest Innovations in Softball Equipment: More than 100 different companies are expected at the Exhibitor Show, Dec. 1-2. Learn about the latest in softball training technology.

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3 Mentoring sessions

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4 Lineup of speakers

• Forums To Discuss Changes and the Future: Dec. 1 and 2 will feature business meetings for individual membership groups. All NFCA members are welcome to share ideas with the entire membership at the Softball Summit on the afternoon of Dec. 1.

• National Fastpitch Coaches College (NFCC) Courses: Get the full impact of your learning opportunities by taking an NFCC course in conjunction with the convention. Advanced Analysis of Hitting, Pitching & Short-Game Skills will be held Nov. 28-29. Two courses will be offered immediately following convention activities, Dec. 3-5: The Art of Championship Coaching and Winning Strategies for Game-Day Coaching.

Recruiting Strategies

Get A Jump Coaches can get a head start by attending the Pre-Convention Seminar on Nov. 29. Titled “Mastering Advanced Recruiting Strategies,” it will provide college coaches with new ideas on landing high school prospects. It is presented by Dan Tudor, President of Tudor Collegiate Strategies, who created the popular “Selling for Coaches” training program for college recruiters.

Previously, Tudor founded one of the nation’s largest recruiting services for high

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5 Two to enter Hall of Fame

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6 Full schedule of

dates and times

school athletes and their parents, showing them how to attract the attention of college coaches and maneuver through the complicated recruiting process. It was then he discovered that most college coaches were just as unfamiliar with how to sell themselves and their programs to the athletes they needed.

Tudor Collegiate Strategies and “Selling for Coaches” started modestly in 2005, with Tudor sending a free weekly newsletter with recruiting tips and strategies to about 600 athletic directors and coaches.

Now, more than 43,000 coaches and athletic directors in college sports receive the report, “College Recruiting Weekly.”

Apart from the newsletter, Tudor holds seminars and visits campuses throughout the country, and serves a growing list of coaches who retain his firm to improve their recruiting messaging efforts.

The seminar will cover these four areas: • The Seven Critical Mistakes that Softball Coaches Make When They’re Recruiting • What Millennial Softball Recruits Want • How to Totally Turn Around Your Prospect’s Recruiting Objections • Technology, Recruiting, and YOUR Softball Prospect.

The information covered is designed to be used immediately, regardless of your division level and budget. It’s a no-nonsense, advanced theory session that will give you the tools for completely overhauling your recruiting plan, and attract the attention of the top prospects you need to take your program to the next level.

Mentoring Sessions

Around the Kitchen Table Sometimes, the most important lessons are learned while sitting around a table. The Mentoring Session on Dec. 1 is designed with this idea in mind. Coaches of all ages and experience levels are encouraged to join one of the roundtable discussions at this event.

Originated at the 2010 convention, the Mentoring Session was a huge hit, with 60 mentors and 300 participants involved. Although young head and assistant coaches are encouraged to attend,

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anyone who thinks it would be beneficial is welcome to take part.

NFCA Hall of Famer Sue Enquist will once again facilitate the event. Enquist, who concluded her 27-year career as UCLA Head Coach in 2006, has won more national championships (11) than anyone in the history of collegiate softball. Her .835 winning percentage (887-175-1) makes her first all-time in Division I coaching, and she is the only person in NCAA softball history to win a championship as a head coach and a player. Hailed a “coaching legend” by ESPN, Enquist’s tenure produced 65 All-Americans and 12 Olympians.

She was inducted into the NFCA Hall of Fame in 2006, and is also a member of the Women’s Sports Foundation International Hall of Fame and the UCLA Hall of Fame. Enquist was the recipient of multiple National Coach of the Year and Pacific-10 Conference Coach of the Year honors.

Beyond her roles as coach and player, Enquist is regarded as a leading innovator of softball instructional materials and equipment. In addition to her 25 instructional videos covering all facets of the game, she is the author of the book 101 Offensive Drills for Softball. Together with MLB player Don Slaught, she co-developed and co-produced RightViewPro hitting instructional software. She is also the inventor of the SB401 training bat, as well as the Kwik-Slide Sliding wrap, which increases player protection when sliding.

Her forthcoming book on leadership is slated for release later this year.

Off the field, Enquist has gained a reputation as a dynamic and highly sought-after motivational speaker. She also finds time to surf daily and enjoys spending time with her family.

Now Announcing

The Lineup The NFCA has lined up a diverse group of speakers for this year’s convention, who will discuss everything from creating a championship culture to the art of catching. Those speaking include coaches, media professionals, umpires, and business people. Here’s a preview of some of the speakers: Brent Mayne, a former Major League Baseball catcher, will speak about “The Art of Catching” on Friday from 9 to 9:50 a.m. Mayne’s career lasted from 1989 to 2004, playing most of his years with the Kansas City Royals, but also spending time with the New York Mets, Oakland A’s, San Francisco Giants, Colorado Rockies, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Los Angeles Dodgers.

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He ranks 75th in the history of baseball with 1,143 pro games caught, and his .993 career fielding percentage is fourth all-time.

Mayne caught Bret SaberhaBrent Mayne gen’s no-hitter in 1991, and he also has the distinction of being the only catcher in the 20th century to have won a game as a pitcher. In retirement, Mayne serves on the board of directors of the Braille Institute and the Center for Hope and Healing, and authored the book The Art of Catching.

Shanon Hays, Head Coach at Texas Tech University, is scheduled to speak on “Driving the Ball: Developing the College Hitter” on Friday from 10 to 10:50 a.m. In just two seasons as the Red Raiders’ coach, Hays has taken the team to two NCAA regional berths and back-to-back 30-plus win seasons, including a 42-16 campaign in 2011 that marked the highest winning percentage in school history.

Under Hays, Tech has consistently produced one of the top lineups in the nation as the Red Raiders spent most of the 2011 season with the highest batting average in the nation before ending the year fourth overall. The squad’s 7.17 runs per game Shanon Hays ranked fourth in scoring nationally, while its .533 slugging percentage was ninth nationally.

Also Friday, Patti Gerckens, Head Coach at the University of California-San Diego, will talk about “Practicing What We Preach: Mental Skills for Coaches and Athletes” from 1:15 to 2:05 p.m. Gerckens led the UC-San Diego softball team to its first national championship in her 19th season as head coach in 2011. This past season was Gerckens’s seventh NCAA postseason appearance and fifth at the Division II level.

Since guiding the team’s transition from Division III to Division II in 2001, Gerckens has accumulated a 337-269 record (485-433 for her overall career) while competing as a member of the ultra-competitive California Collegiate Athletic Associa-

tion (CCAA), widely considered one of the best Division II conferences in the country.

In CCAA play, Gerckens has accumulated a 194-158 mark over the last seven seasons.

Meg Aronowitz will be part of the “ESPN Television Panel” on Friday from 2:15 to 3:05 p.m. Aronowitz oversees ESPNU’s coverage of college soccer, volleyball, softball, NCAA championships, and high school football as a coordinating producer. She also manages the 24-hour college sport network’s social media efforts, as well as the logistics for the Home Depot College Football Awards.

Aronowitz played softball at Emory University and graduated in 1999 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history.

Also participating in the panel will be Carol Stiff, ESPN Vice President for Programming & Acquisitions. In her role, Stiff is involved in the programming acquisition and scheduling for a variety of sports on ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNU, including the Women’s College World Series and professional softball. Stiff is a member of several professional groups, including the Women’s Sports Foundation and the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame Board of Directors, and has served as a panelist and/or lecturer for several sports-related events.

On Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:20 p.m., Mark Drosos, President, Lodestone Social Media, will give a talk on “From Coach to Chief Marketing Officer: Using Social Media to Promote You and Your Team.” Drosos is an award-winning digital/social media professional and the founder of Lodestone Social Media, a leading sports social media company.

Lodestone provides social media services for several well-known athletic departments, including the University of Alabama, Brigham Young University, and Texas Christian University.

Denise Davis, Owner of Planet Fastpitch, will speak about “Change-Up: Speed vs. Slow … It’s All About the ‘Role’ of Thumb,” on Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. Planet Fastpitch trains over 1,000 players and coaches each year inside a 12,000-square foot performance center, offering innovative instruction in all softball skills in a supportive environment.

Davis graduated from Rutgers University and played softball for the Scarlet Knights, serving as a team captain and earning Atlantic 10 All-Conference, Atlantic 10 Denise Davis

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Academic All-Conference, and All-Northeast Region Honors. She also played for the Topton VIP’s, earning first team AllAmerican honors at the ASA Women’s Major nationals. She was invited to attend the USA National Team Camp and firstever Olympic team trials.

Former Fresno State University Associate Athletics Director Diane Milutinovich, will present on “Athletics 101: Title IX Basics and Keeping Your Job” on Saturday from 2:30 to 3:20 p.m. Milutinovich, a longtime advocate for Title IX and gender equity, recently retired following a 27-year career at Fresno State that ended when her discrimination lawsuit was settled for $3.5 million.

During her tenure as Associate Athletics Director and Senior Woman Administrator, she supervised many areas in the athletics department and served as a supervisor for 15 different men’s and women’s sports. She is also a speaker, consultant, and expert witness on Title IX, gender equity, and athletics. Recent notable consulting and speaking engagements include being an expert witness in two successful trials regarding discrimination, gender equity, and retaliation (2007), serv-

ing as a panelist for the NCAA Gender Equity Forum (2008), and speaking for the NCAA Women’s Coaches Academy.

Hofstra University Head Coach Bill Edwards and Associate Head Coach Larissa Anderson will talk about “Defensive Strategy: Is Your Team Really As Prepared As You Think?” on Saturday from 3:30 to 5 p.m.

Edwards has led Hofstra to the regional finals of the NCAA tournament in the 2004, 2005, 2008, and 2010 seasons, and helped the Pride capture a remarkable 11 straight conference tournament titles from 1998-2008, which is an NCAA Division I record for softball. His career record stands at 806-376-3 in 22 seasons, ranking him in the top 25 in NCAA history in career winning percentage and making him one of only 19 active coaches with 800 career wins. He was inducted into the NFCA Hall of Fame in December of 2009.

Anderson enters her 11th year on the coaching staff at Hofstra in 2012 and her eighth as Associate Head Coach. She is part of a Hofstra staff that has won the NFCA Mid-Atlantic Region Coaching Staff of the Year award five times. Working closely with pitchers, Anderson has helped

Pride hurlers win the Colonial Athletic Association Pitcher of the Year Award six times in the last seven seasons, including the last five.

Best of the Best

Two Coaches To Enter Hall On the final night of the 2010 NFCA Convention in San Diego, NFCA Awards & Hall of Fame Committee chairwoman Kathryn Gleason announced that two more coaches would add their names to the most elite list in all of fastpitch softball—the NFCA Hall of Fame—at the 2011 Convention.

Ithaca College Head Coach Deb Pallozzi and University of Tennessee CoHead Coach Ralph Weekly Deb Pallozzi

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2011 NFCA CONVENTION PREVIEW

2011 NFCA CONVENTION SCHEDULE Monday, November 28 10 a.m.

NFCC Course 402: Advanced Analysis of Hitting, Pitching & Short-Game Skills, through 5 p.m. Tuesday Tuesday, November 29 10 a.m.

Tennis Tournament at Bally’s Golf Scramble Shotgun Start at Revere Golf Club Wednesday, November 30 8:30 a.m.

College Recruiting Seminar/PreConvention Seminar: “Mastering Advanced Recruiting Strategies,” with Dan Tudor, President, Tudor Collegiate Strategies 1:30 p.m.

Committee Meetings 4 p.m.

General Session with keynote speaker and guest speakers, including NCAA bat testing 6:30 p.m.

Louisville Slugger Reception Thursday, December 1 7 a.m.

Continental Breakfast 8:30 a.m.

Caucus/Business Meetings by group 11 a.m.

Exhibit Hall open until 6:30 p.m.

11:30 a.m.

Easton Victory Club Luncheon 1:30 p.m.

Softball Summit : A Look at Issues Facing the Sport 4:00 p.m.

“Creating and Sustaining A Championship Cluture,” with Eric Kapitulik, CEO & Founder, The Program 5:00 p.m.

Mizuno Happy Hour in the Exhibit Hall 6 p.m.

Division I Conference Meetings

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7 p.m.

Mentoring Workshop 9 p.m.

Diamond Sports Hospitality Friday, December 2 7 a.m.

Schutt Sports Continental Breakfast 8 a.m.

Continuation of business meetings if necessary 9 a.m.

Exhibit Hall Open Until 3 p.m.

“The Art of Catching,” with Brent Mayne, Former MLB catcher 10 a.m.

“Driving The Ball: Developing The College Hitter,” with Shanon Hays, Head Coach, Texas Tech 11 a.m.

Exhibit Hall Drawings—Exhibit Hall closes at 3 p.m.

1:15 p.m.

“Practicing What We Preach: Mental Skills For Coaches And Athletes,” with Patti Gerckens, Head Coach, UC-San Diego 2:15 p.m.

Dual Session: ESPN Television Panel with Meg Aronowitz & Carol Stiff, ESPN Dual Session: “Developing A Smarter Softball Recruiting Plan,” with Dan Tudor, President, Tudor Collegiate Strategies 3:15 p.m.

“Not A Pitcher? No Problem. You Can Still Be A Great Pitching Coach,” with Rachel Lawson, Head Coach, Kentucky 4:15 p.m.

“Getting The Most From The Umpire/ Coach Relationship: Umpire Panel,” with members of the National Softball Umpire Program Staff 6:30 p.m.

NFCA Hall of Fame Banquet

Saturday, December 3 8 a.m.

Texas Woman’s University Master’s Info Session 9 a.m.

NFCA Coaching Staff of the Year Brunch 10:30 a.m.

“Softball Field Maintenance Workshop,” with Grant Spear, UNLV Athletics “Adjusting The Curve Ball To Get Maximum Results,” with Kyla Holas, Head Coach, Houston “Hitting Drills To Correct Faults,” with John Tschida, Head Coach, St. Thomas 11:30 a.m.

“From Coach To Chief Marketing Officer: Using Social Media to Promote You And Your Team,” with Mark Drosos, President, Lodestone Social Media “Change-up: Speed Versus Slow . . . It’s All About The ‘Role’ Of Thumb,” with Denise Davis, Owner, Planet Fastpitch 12:30 p.m.

Box Lunch: “Drills, Drills, Drills,” with Emily Friedman, Assistant Coach, Fordham (glove work drills) 1:50 p.m.

“Drills, Drills, Drills” continued, with Van Stuedeman, Head Coach, Mississippi State (pitching drills) 2:30 p.m.

Title IX Basics & Keeping Your Job,” with Diane Milutinovich, Former Associate Athletics Director, Fresno State 3:30 p.m.

“Defensive Strategy: Is Your Team Really As Prepared As You Think,” with Bill Edwards, Head Coach, and Larissa Anderson, Associate Head Coach, Hofstra 6 p.m.

NFCC 401: The Art of Championship Coaching, through 11 a.m. Monday NFCC 407: Winning Strategies for Game-Day Coaching, through 11 a.m. Monday

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will become the 54th and 55th members of softball’s most exclusive club when they are inducted into the Hall of Fame on Dec. 2.

In 22 Ralph Weekly years at the helm of the Ithaca softball program, Pallozzi has turned the Bombers into one of the elite teams in Division III. Under her guidance, Ithaca has made nine trips to the NCAA Championship game, most recently in 2010, won the 2002 national title, and has posted 21 straight winning seasons. With 627 career victories, Pallozzi ranks seventh amongst active Division III coaches in wins and 12th all-time.

While Pallozzi has earned five Empire 8 Coach of the Year awards in the past 10 seasons, the accolades also extend to her athletes. She has coached 14 NFCA AllAmericans and eight CoSIDA Academic All-Americans. Off the field, Pallozzi also

extracts greatness out of her players, as the Bombers have been ranked in the top 10 for Division III GPAs in each of the past two seasons.

Weekly has led every program he has ever coached to greatness. Whether it was winning two NAIA National Championships with Pacific Lutheran University or guiding the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga to four Southern Conference titles, success has followed Weekly at every turn.

Since moving to the flagship institution of the Tennessee system in 2002, Ralph and Karen Weekly, his wife and CoHead Coach, have led the Lady Volunteers to four Women’s College World Series berths. In 2007, Tennessee became the first SEC team to have a No. 1 ranking.

Under his tenure, Tennessee also became the first SEC program to reach the best-ofthree finals of the WCWS. Since arriving in Knoxville, Ralph and Karen have helped produce 30 NFCA All-Region honorees and 18 NFCA CoSIDA All-Americans.

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Art & Humanities // Business // Education // Management // Public Safety & Health // Science & Technology // Security & Global Studies Circle No. 103

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University of Minnesota

14 GOLD Medalists 7 NCAA Championships

28 BIG 10 TITLES

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2011 NFCA CONVENTION EXHIBITORS 3N2..............................................................400 BSN Sports.................................................124 1901 Diplomat Dr. 111 Atlantic Annex, Ste. 1 Farmers Branch, TX 75234 Maitland, FL 32759 800-527-7510 407-862-3622 www.bsnsports.com www.3N2sports.com A4................................................................409 BuntDown Bat...........................................606 49 Calumet Rd. 6199 Malburg Way Holyoke, MA 01040 Vernon, CA 90058 413-532-9337 323-488-4131 www.buntdownbat.com www.A4.com Activities Socal..........................................522 Buster’s Design Team................................406 421 2nd St. 18 Anchorage Way Ann Arbor, MI 48103 Newport Beach, CA 92663 734-913-2781 949-279-5785 www.bustersdesignteam.com www.activitiessocal.com Adams USA............................................. 512 CBS Maxpreps...........................................604 4080 Plaza Goldorado Circle, Ste. A 610 S Jefferson Ave. Cameron Park, CA 95832 Cookeville, TN 38501 503-313-9171 931-526-2109, 800-251-6857 www.maxpreps.com www.adamsusa.com Adams has been a trusted name for over Clell Wade Coaches Directory.................217 P.O. Box 177 50 years and we still let our tradition Cassville, MO 65625 of excellence and continued product 417-847-2783 performances improve the way you www.coachesdirectory.com prepare for and play the game.

Columbus Georgia Sports Council..........132 See ad on page 2 P.O. Box 1519 adidas................................... 405,407,504,506 Columbus, GA 31902 5055 N Greeley Ave. 706-660-1996 Portland, OR 97217 www.columbusgasports.org 913-397-9874 Combat Sports...................................605,607 www.adidas.com 6651 South 216th St. AIST.............................................................307 Kent, WA 98031 3887 SW Harbor Dr. 404-514-6103 Lee’s Summit, MO 64082 www.combatsportsgroup.com 816-256-3828 Crossover Symmetry.........................311,313 www.aist.us 5405 W 56th Ave., Unit H All-Star Sporting Goods....................133,135 Arvada, CO 80002 1 Main Street 303-403-0126 Shirley, MA 01464 www.gocrossover.com 800-777-3810 Dartfish...............................................610,612 www.all-starsports.com 6505 Shiloh Rd, Ste. 110B Atlanta Legacy Showcase........................119 Alpharetta, GA 30005 P.O. Box 1523 435-714-0883 Forest Park, GA 30298 www.dartfish.com 404-557-7585 Diamond Sports.................. 205,207,304,306 www.legacyshowcase.com 11130 Warland Dr. Baden Sports.............................................505 Cypress, CA 90630 34114 21st Ave. S 562-598-9717 Federal Way, WA 98003 www.diamond-sports.com 800-544-2998 Disney Softball..........................................228 www.badensports.com P.O. Box 10000 Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830 BigSigns.com....................................... 210 407-938-3594 22 S. Harbor www.disneyfastpitch.com Grand Haven, MI 49417 Dynamic Team Sports...............................401 800-790-7611 18 Lamy Dr., #4 www.bigsigns.com Goffstown, NH 03045 sales@bigsigns.com 603-627-8461 Comprised of unique teams www.completeteamoutfitters.com of designers, project managers, national Easton Sports..............................343,442,443 account representatives, 2424 NW 45th St. and production technicians, BigSigns.

Oklahoma City, OK 91406 com is ready to serve your stadium 951-545-9829 graphics and signage needs. www.eastonsoftball.com See ad on Inside Front Cover ESPN Coaches Fundraising Program.......613 Boombah..........................................323,325 P.O. Box 10000 3727 N Division St. Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830 Morris IL 60450 407-947-4021 815-941-1431 www.coaches.espn.com www.boombah.com Evoshield.............................................120,122 BowNet..................521,523,525,620,622,624 300 Commerce Blvd 1693 Ramona Dr. Bogart, GA 30622 Newbury Park, CA 91320 770-725-2724 805-310-1650 www.evoshield.com www.bownet.net

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Fellowship Of Christian Athletes............121 8701 Leeds Rd. Kansas City, MO 64129 816-921-0909 www.fca.org FieldWallPads.Com...................................329 1791 Page Ave. Clarion, IA 50525 515-532-2857 www.fieldwallpads.com Front Rush..................................................337 287 S Main Street, Ste. 12 Lambertville, NJ 08501 215-489-2100 www.frontrush.com G Tee Batting Tees....................................309 1721 Ne 19th Ave. Ocala, FL 34470 352-662-3271 www.thegtee.com GameChanger............................................229 116 W 23rd St. Floor 5 New York, NY 10011 202-642-5333 www.gamechanger.io Glover’s Scorebooks.................................129 5630 Fallen Apple Lane Forestville, CA 95436 707-887-2812 www.glovers-scorebooks.com Got Bustos?................................................221 789 B Harvard Dr. Lebanon, OH 45036 513-849-6227 www.gotbustos.com GSC.............................................................510 1334 W Spruce Dr. Chandler, AZ 85286 480-241-3717 www.gscbats.com Hitting Jack-It LLC..............................243,342 1500 Rosecrans Ave. Suite 500 Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 310-486-7646 www.hittingjackit.com Hooks Inc...................................................418 P.O. Box 373 Banks, OR 97106 503-324-9072 www.hooksinc.com Insignia Athletics................................429,528 1675 Lakemont Ave. #202 Orlando, FL 32814 866-677-4554 www.insigniaathletics.com Jugs Sports..........................................518,520 11885 SW Herman Rd Tualatin, OR 97062 800-547-6843 www.thejugscompany.com Lee County Sports Authority..................538 2305 Broadway Fort Myers, FL 33901 239-707-3950 www.leeparks.org Liquid Grip.................................................320 1611 Athol Ave. Henderson, NV 89011 702-277-2615 www.liquidgrip.com Lodestone Sports......................................231 815-A Brazos, #553 Austin, TX 78701 512-944-0874 www.lodestonesocial.com

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St. Louis, MO 63132 314-652-3757 www.markwort.com M.A.S.A. Inc./Osborne.............. 411, 413 1413 S. Meridian Rd. Jasper, IN 47546 800-264-4519 www.sportsadvantage.com M.A.S.A. is your one-stop source for quality athletic field maintenance and training devices. M.A.S.A. specializes in softball equipment at competitive prices.

See ad on page 10 Miken Sports.............................................423 131 Bissen St. Caledonia, MN 55921 877-807-5291 www.mikensports.com Mizuno.........................................105,107,109 3520 Ridgewood Dr. Loomis, CA 30071 916-652-2257 www.mizunousa.com MotionPro! By CyberAccess123, Inc.......416 P.O. Box 86 Cary, NC 27512 888-407-9665 www.motionprosoftware.com National Collegiate Scouting Association................................................339 1415 N Dayton St. Chicago, IL 60642 773-209-0786 www.ncsasports.org National Pro Fastpitch..............................321 3350 Hobson Pike Hermitage, TN 37076 615-232-2900 www.profastpitch.com National Sports Products.........................513 3441 South 11th Ave. Eldridge, IA 52748 800-478-6497 www.nationalsportsproducts.com Nemo’s Speed Hitting Program..............317 1128 SE 70th Ave. Hillsboro, OR 97123 503-848-7889 www.speedbat.com Nokona/Cutters.........................................417 2650 S 46th St., Ste. 105 Phoenix, AZ 85034 602-381-5434 www.cuttersgloves.com, www.nokona.com On Deck Sports..................................422,424 88 Spark St. Brockton, MA 02302 508-580-6171 www.ondecksports.com Own The Zone Sports..............................300 2807 Bald Eagle Ave. Salem, OR 97304 503-930-5411 www.ownthezonesports.com Panama City Beach...................................421 P.O. Box 9473 Panama City Beach, FL 32417 850-233-5070 www.playpanamacitybeach.com Coaching Management CONVENTION 2011 9

2011 NFCA CONVENTION EXHIBITORS Patrick’s Sunsreen.....................................239 RevFire Corporation.......................... 305 2111 Iowa Ave., Ste. G 2143 Willow Creek Dr. Riverside, CA 92507 Boulder, CO 951-784-1025 866-414-3040 www.patrickssuncreen.com www.revfire.com RevFire measures pitch spin and speed Pocket Radar, Inc............................... 428 to give pitchers instant feedback, and is 3535 Industrial Dr.., Suite A4 easier to use than a radar gun.

Santa Rosa, CA 95403 See ad on page 16 www.pocketradar.com 888-381-2672 Pocket Radar, Inc., produces innovative training tools, including the world’s smallest radar gun. Used by thousands of coaches, the Pocket Radar is great for pitching, hitting, and running.

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805-807-4635 www.progliderbats.com ProGlider Bats promote good hitting habits that keep your hands inside the ball. With instant feedback! You’ll be able to adjust your release point which will allow you to hit the ball where you want. The quickest way to becoming a more productive hitter is with this bat!

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Ringor..................................................218,220 7929 SW Burns Way Wilsonville, OR 97070 Pro Glider Bats.......................... 243, 342 503-582-9889 9710 Owensmouth Ave. www.ringor.com Chatsworth, CA 91311

NFCA Booth Nos. 411, 413 10 Coaching Management CONVENTION 2011

Rixstine Recognition..........................128,130 2350 O Street Lincoln, NE 68510 402-476-3810 www.rixstine.com

Schutt Sports...............................111,113,212 2233 Hollyhill Lane Denton, TX 76205 217-710-3037 www.schuttsports.com Shoeless Joe..............................................131 6755 Burger Dr. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49546 616-437-3588 www.shoelessjoellc.com Shoulder Shield.........................................404 299 3rd Ave. Sherman, MS 38869 662-401-8787 www.shouldershield.com SKLZ.....................................................425,524 5823 Newton Dr. Ste. 130 Carlsbad, CA 92800 760-707-5600 www.sklz.com Slow The Game Down.............................301 1100 S Coast Hwy, #203 Laguna Beach, CA 92651 949-309-2866 www.slowthegamedown.com Softball Excellence....................................219 4211 Saltwater Blvd Tampa, FL 33615 813-417-0238 www.softballexcellence.com

Softball Factory.........................................123 9212 Berger Rd, Ste. 200 Columbia, MD 21046 443-909-8799 www.softball-factory.com Softball Power Drive/ Hitters Power Drive...........................316,318 539 Fiske Street Holliston, MA 01746 252-469-5813 www.hitterspowerdrive.com, www.softballpowerdrive.com Southern California ASA Players Association................................................511 7381 Pheasant Run Rd. Riverside, CA 92509 951-233-7922 www.socal-asa.com Southwest Host Services.........................209 3412 Rolling Green Dr. Fort Collins, CO 80525 970-223-6665 www.southwesthost.com Sports Attack............................. 410, 412 P.O. Box 1529 Verdi, NV 89439 800-717-4251 www. sportsattack.com Sports Attack is a manufacturer of professional sports training equipment for all levels, from beginner to pro.

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2011 NFCA CONVENTION EXHIBITORS Sports Tutor, Inc. . ..142, 143, 242, 244 3300 Winona Ave. Burbank, CA 91504 800-448-8867 www.sportsmachines.com Sports Tutor is a leading manufacturer of ball-throwing machines for baseball, softball, tennis, volleyball, and soccer.

See ad on page 14 St. Petersburg/Clearwater Sports Commission...............................................439 13805 58th St. N., Ste. 2-200 Clearwater, FL 33760 727-464-7200 www.floridabeachsports.com Stabilizer Solutions, Inc.......... 117, 216 33 South 28th Street Phoenix, AZ 85034 800-336-2468 www.stabilizersolutions.com Stabilizer Solutions, Inc. is advancing the evolution of natural soil for baseball and softball fields. The company offers advanced mound clays, as well as infield and warning track mixes in both its Stabilizer® organic and Hilltopper® waterless product lines. As the official playing surface of the NFCA, Stabilizer® “Pro Red” Infield Mix and Hilltopper® Waterless Mound Clay save time while providing protection from the elements.

See ad on page 16

Stalker Radar.............................................516 2609 Technology Dr. Plano, TX 75074 972-398-3780 www.stalkerradar.com Sterling Athletics.......................................139 16719 110th Ave. E Puyallup, WA 98374 253-845-0677 www.sterlingathletics.com Summit America Insurance Services.......338 7400 College Blvd., Ste. 100 Overland Park, KS 66210 913-754-5614 www.summitamerica-Ins.com TaterGrip....................................................338 1345 Specialty Dr. Vista, CA 92081 800-573-8033 www.tatergrip.com Throwing Consultants..............................500 3641 Reavis Barracks Rd St. Louis, MO 63125 636-219-9664 www.throwingconsultants.com ThrowTrac Enterprises..............................507 23864 Via Segovia Murrieta, CA 92562 951-704-6859 www.throwtrac.com

Tomark Sports...........................................420 1180A California Ave. Corona, CA 92881 951-371-1844 www.tomark.com Total Control Sports..................................419 2000 S 25th Ave. Unit C Broadview, IL 60155 773-299-7763 www.totalcontrolsports.com Tucson Invitational Games.......................438 100 S Church Ave. Tucson, AZ 85701 520-770-2170 www.tigsports.com Under Armour....................................125,224 1020 Hull St. Baltimore, Md 21230 410-246-1801 www.underarmour.com USA Baseball.............................................222 403 Blackwell St. Durham, NC 27701 919-474-8721 www.usabaseball.com USSSA.........................................................319 611 Line Dr. Kissimmee, FL 34744 321-697-3636 www.usssa.com

Vizual Edge................................................509 6 E Phillip Rd, Ste. 1110 Vernon Hills, IL 60061 847-816-3131 www.vizualedge.com Wilson Sporting Goods, Demarini Sports & Atec Sports.......................... 223,225,322,324 8750 W Bryn Mawr Ave. Chicago, IL 60631 773-714-6400 www.wilson.com, www.demarini.com, www.atecsports.com Worth Fpex.......................... 501,600,601.602 6707 Keaton Corporate Pkwy O’Fallon, MO 63368 314-819-5347 www.worthsports.com WSI Sports.................................................517 1325 Eagandale Blvd, Ste. 170 Eagon, MN 55121 651-994-9945 www.wsisports.com

These companies are exhibiting at the NFCA convention (as of Oct. 25, 2011). Information was provided by the NFCA.

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COVER STORY

POWERFUL

SEASON

Q&A With NFCA NCAA Division I Coaching staff of the year: arizona state university

S

ix years ago, Arizona State University’s softball team was in a bit of a rut. In 2005, the squad finished 30-26, after a 33-31 season in 2004 and a 2003 record of 32-25. The Sun Devils had not advanced to the Women’s College World Series (WCWS) since 2002.

That changed, however, when Clint Myers was hired as Head Coach prior to the 2006 season.

Myers took Arizona State back to the elite level in his first year, guiding the squad to the WCWS while posting a school-record 53 wins. Two years later he brought home the school’s first NCAA Division I softball championship, concluding a 66-5 season.

per game, while D’Arcy worked with Sun Devils’ pitchers, mentoring freshman Dallas Escobedo to first-team All-America honors.

The three were honored by the NFCA as the 2011 NCAA Division I Coaching Staff of the Year.

This past spring, Myers again had the team firing on all cylinders. Arizona State earned the top seed in the WCWS, and once there, the Sun Devils rolled through the competition. They didn’t drop a single game, and outscored the University of Florida in the title series’ two games 21-6.

In this three-part interview, Myers talks about his coaching philosophy, hiring quality assistant coaches, and eliminating fielding errors. D’Arcy shares ideas on creating confident pitchers. And Wagner, who has become Head Coach at Scottsdale Community College, provides thoughts on developing hitters.

Working with Myers over the 2011 championship season were Associate Head Coach Robert Wagner and Assistant Head Coach Chuck D’Arcy. Wagner guided Arizona State’s offense, which finished third in NCAA Division I in scoring, at 7.23 runs

Clint Myers, Head Coach

In his six seasons at Arizona State, Myers has compiled a record of 324-79, while guiding the Sun Devils to the WCWS five times. Prior to his success in Tempe, Myers was racking up

First baseman Mandy Urfer hits a two-run homer during Arizona State’s 4-0 win over Baylor University during the WCWS, helping the Sun Devils advance to the championship game series, where they beat Florida two games to none.

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Coaching Management CONVENTION 2011 13

COVER STORY

wins and awards during a 19-year stint at Central Arizona College.

He spent his first nine seasons at the school coaching the Vaqueros’ softball team to a 481-43 record and capturing six National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) titles, while earning six NJCAA National Coach of the Year awards.

He was named the school’s Head Baseball Coach in 1996, and won 406 games in 10 seasons, with a national title in 2002.

CM: In 2010, Arizona State missed the World Series for the first time in your tenure. How did that affect the 2011 squad?

Myers: It made us that much more determined to get back to the World Series.

This past year, we had a group of seniors who had been a part of the title-winning

team in 2008 as freshmen. They refocused in the off-season and came back committed to helping us return to the World Series this season. The group provided the senior leadership that every team needs. They helped the team view itself as a unit, rather than individuals, and that kind of unity is a rare quality in a group of people.

How did that unity play out during the season?

As a coach, you’re like the conductor of an orchestra. You put the pieces in place and direct them, but in order for it to sound good, the performers playing the instruments have to jell and have confidence in each other. You can be the greatest coach in the world, but if the players don’t believe in each other, it won’t matter.

These players totally believed in each other. If someone didn’t have a quality atbat, she didn’t go back to the dugout and sulk. She got excited for the next hitter because she believed the person behind her would come through. It was a great thing, and as a result, we had different heroes every night.

Your team lost only six times all season. How did you keep the athletes focused and ensure they didn’t take success for granted?

That’s a result of our team-wide belief system. We tell our players they need to become a little better every day in order to turn into the player they want to be. We also strive to make every pitch in every inning the best we can.

Additionally, we talk about how this is a crazy game and things can change quickly.

In this past World Series, Florida scored 14 runs in one inning, and when you get this far, all the teams you play can take over a game like that. So we tell our players they have to keep a level head and stay calm no matter what happens. It wasn’t until the final out that I let myself believe that we were going to win.

You were the number-one seed in the WCWS. Is there an additional challenge going in as the favorite?

I think there’s a little more pressure, because any questions you may have about your team sometimes feel answered by the

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committee making you the top seed. But what we emphasized to our players was that our seed is nothing more than a number that determines who we play. We’ve had a different seed every time we’ve gone to the World Series and that’s never determined how we’ve done in the tournament. It’s still all about how we play. Our players knew from 2008 when we were the sixth seed that any team can overcome their seeding and win, as well as under-perform.

You returned almost all your starters from 2010 in 2011. How did you keep bench players ready and competitive?

We had 24 athletes on the team and we had to pick 20 to dress for games, so that fostered a competitive environment in practice, simply because we had players competing for those spots. I also like to move people around and get them experience in a variety of ways, which allows non-starters more playing time. I communicate that to players, so they know that they have the ability to play in key spots, even if they aren’t starting.

It’s a point of emphasis with my players that they need to be prepared to take advantage of those opportunities.

This past year, Arizona State became the first school to go through the entire World Series without making an error. What are some keys to teaching great fielding?

In softball, most errors come from throws, so that’s what we focus on. One drill we do is a fielding competition that involves two players standing a certain distance away from each other throwing the ball back and forth. The person catching the ball can only reach out for a throw or drop to their knees

to get it—if they move their feet they’re eliminated. We start the players at 45 feet apart and keep backing them up until they are 130 to 140 feet apart.

After a while, the players start getting too good at that, so to make it more challenging, the player catching the ball must stand on one leg. Then they really have to be accurate because just reaching out for a ball may cause you to lose your balance and move your feet. This is a great drill for infielders because if they can make accurate throws from more than 100 feet, doing so across the infield will be no problem.

How do you know when players are fatigued and you need to keep practices low key?

It’s a challenge, and often, it’s just about reading body language and noticing if the players are dragging. I’ve gotten better at reading players’ body language as I’ve gotten older. But sometimes, when players are tired, it’s a good time to make practice more challenging, because that helps develop mental toughness. I might say to them, “We’ve got to get through these six things today. If we stay focused and do them right, we can be done in an hour. If you drag through them, it might take two.” This helps them realize that, even when they’re physically tired, they need to push through things mentally. The mind tells the body it’s tired, not the other way around. We constantly tell our players that if they keep their minds motivated, they can do whatever they want.

How would you describe your coaching philosophy?

My coaching style has always been somewhat unconventional. I like to trust my gut

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when it comes to players. For example, in 2008, I gave Michelle Nulliner, a freshman, her first career starts at designated hitter in the title games against Texas A&M. Some people questioned that, but she had come through for us off the bench earlier in the year, so I trusted her in this situation. She got on base twice, so it worked out.

What do you look for in assistant coaches?

First and foremost, I look for the ability to teach. Coaches are teachers, and we have a responsibility to prepare our players for competition just like a teacher prepares students for a test. There are three different ways you can teach a player something: by telling them what to do, by showing them what to do, and by doing it yourself. A good coach is someone who is comfortable with all three methods. You can’t assume the kids are going to learn only one way.

The ability to communicate clearly is another thing I look for. Assistant coaches have to make sure that players understand what they’re being shown and told. One thing we do is to tell our players something and then ask them to write down what they

he spent half a dozen years as an Assistant Coach for the U.S. Women’s National Team, helping the squad win a World Championship in 2006. D’Arcy is also an accomplished softball player himself, pitching nearly 9,000 innings and tossing 15 perfect games in a 30-year Amateur Softball Association career. He was inducted into the ASA Hall of Fame in 1997.

think we just said. What we’re looking for is the same answer from all the kids. That lets you know you’ve communicated the idea clearly. If you get a lot of different answers, you need to think of a new way to get your point across.

I also look for coaches who may bring something different to the table than I do.

I’ve been coaching for a long time, and as I’ve gotten older, I’ve found myself demonstrating things less and talking more. That works out because I have younger assistants who do a great job demonstrating.

CM: In 2011, pitcher Dallas Escobedo became the first freshman in over 20 years to win the clinching game of the WCWS. How do you help young pitchers deal with pressure?

You don’t have any female coaches on your staff. Has that ever been an issue?

No one has ever brought it up to me before and I don’t think anyone minds. For me, it is about hiring the best candidate for the job. We’ve got a great staff.

Chuck D’Arcy, Assistant Head Coach

D’Arcy: The best way I’ve found is to make practices and drills harder than what they’ll see in the game. That way, they become used to challenging situations and won’t be fazed when they face them during

D’Arcy got his first taste of college coaching last season, working primarily with Sun Devil pitchers. Prior to Arizona State,

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competition. I tell our pitchers before certain drills that I expect them to fail several times so they will learn how to deal with frustration. It paid off, because our pitchers showed poise in many tough spots.

It also helps them develop confidence, which is so important. I ask each starting pitcher the same question before every game: How do you feel? And I expect the same answer: Good enough to win. Because

home after a bad pitch, it will be tougher for her to deal with it.

Is there a balance you need to strike between pushing your players and being too tough?

There is, and you can usually tell when a player is getting too frustrated or discouraged because it’s visible in her body language. When I see that in a player, I tell

mound. I asked her, “If we had told you that we’d be beating Oklahoma by one run at this point in the game, what would you say?” She told me that would be great. I said to her, “That’s exactly where we are right now, so don’t worry about it.” She did not give up any more runs and we went on to win the game.

I remind them that no matter what, they control things. I recently gave them a test in

“There are times when I won’t let my pitchers end practice on a positive note. I want them to go home and think about that last pitch and know that they can rebound from it and be strong the next day.”

Chuck D’arcy, Assistant Head Coach pitchers are really the point person. No matter the situation, all their teammates want to hear from them is that they’re ready to go.

What are some ways that you make practices and drills more challenging than games?

There are a number of things I like to do.

We often have strike-throwing competitions where the pitchers have to throw strikes from the mound. I act as umpire. Usually, they throw the first pitch right down the middle, but no matter where they throw it, I call it a ball. They protest and say it was a strike, but I tell them it doesn’t matter. The umpire isn’t going to give them every call, and they need to learn how to handle it if the umpire gets one wrong.

Another thing I do is have our pitchers continully use new balls in practice. That makes it tougher, but they have to be used to them, because you never know when the umpire will bring one in. In one game this past season, we had a new ball come in late in the game with runners on base—a situation where that shouldn’t have happened.

We were able to convince the umpire to not use the new ball, but even if we hadn’t, our pitcher would have been able to handle it, because she’d used new balls in practice situations.

Finally, a lot of times when a pitcher makes a bad pitch near the end of practice, she’ll want to keep going so she can end on a positive note. There are times when I won’t let my pitchers do that. I want them to go home and think about that last pitch and know that they can rebound from it and be strong the next day. There may be a time when a pitcher gives up a walk-off home run in a tournament and is pitching the next day, and if she’s not used to going CoachesNetwork.com

her to take a break and re-focus. No matter how challenging I make things, my pitchers know I’ll take care of them.

What was it like being the rookie on the coaching staff?

It was very easy because Coach Myers handed me total control of the pitching staff. You don’t often have someone, in any profession, who will completely trust you right off the bat. It’s a great environment to come into.

How do you describe your coaching style?

I like to keep things informal with my players. They call me Chuck, not Coach D’Arcy and that’s how it’s been at every place I’ve coached. I don’t want players to think of me as “management” or their boss.

I want them to feel that they’re on the same level as me. It helps form a bond between us, whereas I think a formal relationship would create a barrier. I believe that makes them feel comfortable on the field.

But I still need to establish credibility as a teacher. In my opinion, you can’t teach what you can’t do, so my credibility as an instructor comes from my ability to pitch. If I want them to throw a rise ball, I’ll take a ball and show them how to do it myself. Once they see me make the pitch, my credibility has been established.

Scoring and home run totals have gone up in recent years. How are you helping your pitchers adjust to the increased offense?

It’s all about how you frame the situation to them. We were playing the University of Oklahoma early in the year and were leading 4-0. Our pitcher gave up two home runs to make the score 4-3, so I went out to the

which I talked about a situation where we are up by one run in the seventh inning. I described the next three hitters coming up and asked them: “Which player do you need to worry about the most?” The best answer they can give is “myself,” because I want them focused on what they’re doing.

You have a law degree and served with the Sacramento County District Attorney’s office for 28 years. Has your courtroom experience helped you as a coach?

Yes, because being a prosecutor is all about dealing with people, and so is being a coach. Being in a courtroom also gave me a great understanding of how everyone is different, and how each person needs to be approached and handled in a unique way.

I’m the same way with my pitchers. I’m always fair but I treat every player differently based on what they need.

Robert Wagner, former Associate Head Coach Focusing on the Sun Devils’ offensive game, Wagner helped the team place in the top 10 in NCAA Division I in scoring, batting average, and home runs per game last season.

Before coaching at Arizona State, Wagner was Assistant Coach at the University of Washington, and spent two seasons as Head Coach at Odessa College. He recently accepted the position of Head Coach at Scottsdale Community College.

CM: How do you develop hitters?

Wagner: It’s crucial to be patient. When players first come to college, there’s a good chance they won’t know everything they need to do to be successful, either physiCoaching Management CONVENTION 2011 17

Over 230 drills for improved performance “It’s not often that you get the perspective of a tremendous player and a Hall of Fame coach in one book. Judi and Michelle offer insight and teaching cues that will benefit players and coaches of all ages!”

-Mike Candrea Head Softball Coach, University of Arizona NCAA National Champions: 1991, ’93, ’94, ’96, ’97, 2001, ’06, ’07

COVER STORY

cally or mentally. As a coach, you’re going to want them to change, but that will be tough for them to accept. If you try to change everything all at once, and it doesn’t work, then they’re going to get frustrated with you.

So you need to build their trust by making one small change at a time.

What do you think about the increased scoring in the game today?

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I think it’s validated a lot of what we do as hitting coaches, although the rules changes and technology changes have benefited hitters as well. We also have to remember that these things can be cyclical. If you’ve got a handful of really dominant pitchers, that’s going to push scoring down, so you never know when things can shift.

Overall, I think it’s good for the game because a majority of the general public doesn’t want to watch a 1-0 contest.

That doesn’t mean that pitching and good defense aren’t exciting. But in general, fans want to see scoring in sports, and growing fan support helps the game.

In the WCWS title games, you scored 21 runs against Florida, after scoring only

two in two games against the Gators in the Super Regionals in 2010. What changed?

I’ve asked myself that question a few times, and I don’t know if there’s a great answer. I think a lot of it had to do with confidence. In 2010, when we played them, we were struggling offensively and it carried over. This past year, our athletes were more confident, and they fed off one another.

We didn’t change anything drastic in our approach.

After six years at Arizona State, you recently took a job as Head Coach at Scottsdale Community College. Why did you make that move?

I learned a lot from Coach Myers, and I felt it was time for me to step out and be a head coach again. I’m excited to be in charge of a program. It’s obviously a lot more work, but I like the challenge—I’m the one making the major decisions that affect the program.

What do you see as the biggest issue in softball right now?

We need to continue to grow the sport, and the changes that are going on with conference realignment have a lot to do with that. There’s been talk about the Southeastern Conference breaking through and getting its first title. It’s going to be interesting to see what happens. Overall, I think the game is in a really good place and I hope we keep that up. CM

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HONORING EXCELLENCE

National Coaching Staffs of the Year NCAA Division I Led by Head Coach Clint Myers, Associate Head Coach Robert Wagner, and Assistant Coach Chuck D’Arcy, Arizona State University finished the year 60-6, including a perfect 10-0 in the national tournament en route to the program’s second national championship in the span of just four years. Arizona State turned in a 17-4 record in the very tough Pacific-10 Conference this season to claim its second league crown in school history and earn an automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament. The Sun Devils made quick work of the regionals and super regionals, sweeping through the two rounds with a 5-0 record to advance to the Women’s College World Series for the fifth time in six years. Once in Oklahoma City, the Sun Devils left no doubt as to who was the nation’s top team in 2011 by going 5-0, including a sweep of Florida in the championship series.

NCAA Division II

field set NCAA Division III records for wins and home runs (103) in a season and was ranked No. 1 in the NFCA poll from the start of the season until the finish—the first team ever to do so. The Wildcats put together a 35-game win streak on their way to capturing an eighth straight Northwest Conference championship, a second consecutive regional title, plus the inaugural NWC Tournament crown. At the NCAA regional in Pella, Iowa, Linfield cruised to the title, winning all four games while outscoring opponents 49-0. At the NCAA finals in Salem, Va., the Wildcats won six of seven games, outscoring the opposiJackson Vaughan tion 50-9.

NAIA

Head Coach Patti Gerckens and Assistant Coaches Jessica Millsap, Allison May, Nichole Willis, and Sara Robinson coached the University of California-San Diego to a 45-13 overall record, including 22-9 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association to clinch the first regular-season league title in program history. The 45 wins by the 2011 team is a new school record and the .775 winning percentPatti Gerckens age also broke the program’s previous top mark. After dominating performances in the first two playoff rounds, it was more of the same for UC-San Diego when it arrived in Salem, Va., for its first NCAA Championship appearance. Gerckens’s team went 4-0 at the final site, including a 10-3 rout of then top-ranked Alabama-Huntsville in the championship game.

Head Coach Greg Stewart and Assistant Coaches Bill Fagan and Ryson Mauricio led Oregon Tech to a win over topranked Cal Baptist to win the NAIA National Championship in May in Gulf Shores, Ala. The Hustlin’ Owls won the first tournament matchup of the two heavyweights, 1-0. Cal Baptist fought back through the losers’ bracket and forced a second title game with a 7-0 victory. But Oregon Tech was up to the challenge with another thrilling 1-0 victory.

Ranked 18th in the final NAIA regular season coaches’ poll, Oregon Tech made the most of its second-ever appearance in the national championship tournament.

Greg Stewart The Owls also posted a school-record with 42 victories against only 13 defeats. Oregon Tech won the Cascade Collegiate Conference regular season championship before launching its national title run.

NCAA Division III

NJCAA Division I

Under Head Coach Jackson Vaughan and Assistant Coaches Ericka Hancock, Greg Herman, and Shelley Vaughan, Linfield College finished 51-3, culminating in its second national title in five seasons. Lin-

CoachesNetwork.com

Yavapai College, under the direction of Head Coach Stacy Iveson and Assistant Coaches Lisa Parks, J.R. Barringer, and Joe Cappelli, captured its second national championship in three years on the back

of a stellar 67-4 overall record. Yavapai clinched its fourth straight trip to the national tournament by claiming the Region I title from the elimination bracket and winning three games in one day.

NJCAA Division II Head Coach Andy Lee and Assistant Coach Brandi Alonzo brought Louisiana State University-Eunice its first national title in program history, in just its seventh year as a collegiate team. LSU-Eunice finished the 2011 campaign with a record of 58-10 and picked up the team’s first Region 23 title en route to the national crown.

This year’s trip to the national tournament was only the second in the history of the Andy Lee program.

NJCAA Division III Gloucester County College won its first national title and finished 49-5 under Head Coach Steve DePasquale and Assistant Coach Mark Enders. After finishing first in Region XIX in the regular season, Gloucester County advanced to its second NJCAA Division Steve DePasquale III Championship by winning the regional crown. Once at the national tournament, the Roadrunners cruised past the competition and won the tournament in four straight games.

Cal JC Head Coach Brad Pickler and Assistant Coaches Dennis Blas, Amanda Fernandez, Mike Hicks, Frank Mendoza, and Mandy Rockwell led the Cypress College

Cypress College coaching staff

Coaching Management CONVENTION 2011 19

HONORING EXCELLENCE

Chargers to their second state title in as many years to increase their overall total to seven Cal JC crowns under Pickler. The back-to-back championships marks the first time that Cypress has accomplished that feat since the 1998-1999 seasons.

Pickler and his staff piloted the Chargers to a 42-8 overall record.

NWAACC Walla Walla Community College, Head Coach Mike Staudenmaier, and Assistant Coaches Jessie Buehler, Katie Buehler, and Tressa Robins went 34-10-1 this season and claimed their first region title since 2002. In the league tournament, the Warriors went 1-2 and advanced to the quarterfinals of the championship Mike Staudenmaier bracket.

High School The Woodlands High School won its first Texas Class 5A state title, led by Head

Coach Richard Jorgensen and Assistant Coaches Tim Borths and Paula Miller. The Highlanders beat Northside O’Connor 7-5 in the championship game. The Woodlands ended its dream season at 44-1, with the only loss of the year coming to Tomball in a best-of-three regional finals series, which The Woodlands won two games to one.

elimination play during the summer. Conroy’s squad won both the Orland Park Sparks tournament and the Boulder Independence Day tournament in 2011. At the Boulder event, the Bandits were the only team from the Midwest in the final eight and were the only team from outside of California in the final eight at the Premier Girls Fastpitch National Championships, where they finished third. In addition to success on the field, all 17 seniors from this year’s team have signed with NCAA Division I teams and will continue to pursue their education through the help of softball.

The Woodlands High School staff and players

Travel Ball Led by Head Coach Bill Conroy and Assistant Coaches Russell Cooper, Brittany Dixon, Chris Morris, and Jen Tyrell, the Beverley (Ill.) Bandits 18U Gold turned in an astounding 72-8-2 record over the 20102011 season and lost just three times in

Beverley Bandits staff and players

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Circle No. 112 20 Coaching Management CONVENTION 2011

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HONORING EXCELLENCE

Regional Coaching Staffs of the Year NCAA Division I Central Region: Baylor University Head

Coach Glenn Moore; Associate Head Coach Mark Lumley; Assistant Coach Britni Sneed Great Lakes Region: Syracuse University Head Coach Leigh Ross; Associate Head Coach Wallace King; Assistant Coach Mike Bosch; Volunteer Assistant Coach Lindsay Wasek Mid-Atlantic Region: Fordham University Head Coach Bridget Orchard; Assistant Coaches Bob Baxter, Emily Friedman; Pitching Coach Brealand Edwards Mideast Region: East Carolina University Head Coach Tracey Kee; Associate Head Coach Natalie Kozlowski; Graduate Assistant Coach Cristen Aona Midwest Region: Oklahoma State University Head Coach Rich Wieligman; Assistant Coaches Claris Crowell, Tom Gray; Director of Softball Operations Pam Stubbs Northeast Region: University at Albany Head Coach Chris Cannata; Assistant

Coaches Mairin Dudek, Joe Reardon; Volunteer Assistant Coach Jack Coons Pacific Region: University of California, Berkeley Head Coach Diane Ninemire; Assistant Coaches Tammy Lohmann, John Reeves; Volunteer Assistant Coach Angie Jacobs South Region: University of Alabama Head Coach Patrick Murphy; Associate Coach Alyson Habetz; Assistant Coach Vann Stuedeman; Director of Operations Kate Petullo Southeast Region: University of Florida Head Coach Tim Walton; Assistant Coaches Jenny Gladding, Jennifer Rocha; Volunteer Assistant Coach Coy Adkins

NCAA Division II

Atlantic Region: Indiana University of Pennsylvania Head Coach Bill Graham; Assistant Coach Megan Timpf Central Region: Minnesota State University, Mankato Head Coach Lori Meyer; Assistant Coaches Kristle Wolcott, Mallory Michel

East Region: C.W. Post Campus of Long

Island University Head Coach Jamie Apicella; Assistant Coaches Matt Whittington, Tracey Lynch; Pitching Specialist Julie Soviero Midwest Region: Grand Valley State University Head Coach Doug Woods; Assistant Coaches Dana Callihan, Jennifer Mackson South Region: University of AlabamaHuntsville Head Coach Les Stuedeman; Assistant Coach Melanie Carter Southeast Region: North Georgia College & State University Head Coach Mike Davenport; Assistant Coach Laura Voyles South Central Region: Midwestern State University Head Coach Brady Tigert; Assistant Coach Kasi Carroll; Volunteer Assistant Coach Amiee Duke

NCAA Division III

Atlantic Region: Christopher Newport University Head Coach Keith Parr; Assistant Coaches Todd Winegrad, Kristen Rowe

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Coaching Management CONVENTION 2011 21

HONORING EXCELLENCE

Central Region: DePauw University Head Coach Bonnie Skrenta; Assistant Coaches Curtis Lawrence, Bob England East Region: Messiah College Head Coach Amy Weaver; Assistant Coaches Alex Quigley, Sam McLoota, Jen Thuma, Dana Randall Great Lakes Region (tie): University of Wisconsin-River Falls Head Coach Jody Gabriel; Assistant Coaches Pam Latterell, Ashley Bertrand, Rachel Minch Great Lakes Region (tie): Ripon College Head Coach Jen Mueller; Assistant Coaches Dennis Lauer, Ryan Konitzer Midwest Region: Luther College Head Coach Renae Hartl; Assistant Coaches Tracy Hjelle, Teri Olson New England Region: Eastern Connecticut State University Head Coach Diana Pepin; Assistant Coaches Peter Maneggia, Tammy Schondelmayer, Bill Mullins, Ashley Sullivan Northeast Region: State University of New York at Cortland Head Coach Julie Lenhart; Assistant Coaches Brad Posner, Tracy Granozio, Sami Dieffenbach, Kevin Jackson

NAIA

Midwest: Kirkwood Community Col-

East Region: William Carey University

Head Coach Wendy Hogue; Assistant Coach Craig Fletcher; Student Assistant Chase Coleman Great Lakes Region: Judson University Head Coach Becky Stenning; Student Assistant Coaches Danielle Curylo, Matt Langston, Kaiti Niggemann, Becky Prokuski Midwest Region: MidAmerica Nazarene University Head Coach Steve Babinski; Assistant Coaches Kevin Juber, Hallie McMillen Midwest Region: Morningside College Head Coach Jessica Jones-Sitzmann; Assistant Coach Mark Ouellette

NJCAA Division I

Midwest: Blinn College Head Coach Rick

Church; Assistant Coaches Jamie Ingram, Haley Long South: Tallahassee Community College Head Coach Patti Townsend; Assistant Coaches Jennifer McKibben, Jennifer Whitley, Shea Lodes

NJCAA Division II

lege Head Coach Joe Yegge; Assistant Coaches Bre Milnes, Nikki Price

Cal JC

North Region: College of San Mateo Head

Coach Nicole Borg; Assistant Coaches Dale Bassman, Denise Fabris, Toby Garza, Michelle Tating South Region: Santa Barbara City College Head Coach Paula Congleton; Assistant Coaches Bill Hilliard, Allison Slade

High School

East Region: Pittsford-Mendon (N.Y.) High

School Head Coach Maureen Kempski; Assistant Coach Eva Lyons North Region: Carmel (Ind.) High School Head Coach Emily Good; Assistant Coaches Connie Fiems, Andi Pruner, Art Grecco South Region: Niceville (Fla.) High School Head Coach Danny Hensley; Assistant Coaches Karen Jones, Bob Hartness, Amanda Moore West Region: Piedra Vista (N.M.) High School Head Coach Kevin Werth; Assistant Coaches Frank Whalen, Tommy Ward, Robin Price, Bryan Chavez, Julie Lovato

East: Mercyhurst North East Head Coach Brian Dewey; Assistant Coach Ron Bretz

Circle No. 115 22 Coaching Management CONVENTION 2011

CoachesNetwork.com

HONORING EXCELLENCE

2011 Easton Victory Club Award Winners Each year, the Easton Victory Club recognizes head coaches who reach 100-win milestone increments. The following coaches will be honored at the Convention on Thursday, December 1 at the Easton Victory Club luncheon.

Coach

School

Margie Wright

Fresno State University

Carol Hutchins

Coach

School

1400 DI

Ron Faubion

Southeastern Oklahoma State University 600

DII

University of Michigan

1200 DI

Len Maiorani

St. John Fisher College

600

DIII

Eugene Lenti

DePaul University

1100 DI

Monte Sherrill

Alexander Central High School (NC)

600

HS

Ken Bailey

SC Bandits 18

1100 TB

Jayne Clem

Wallace State Comm. Coll.-Hanceville

600

JC

Jay Miller

Mississippi State University

1000 DI

Dave Williams

California State University San Marcos

600

NAIA

Ralph Weekly

University of Tennessee

1000 DI

Mike Smith

California Baptist University

600

NAIA

Gary Bryce

Wayne State University (MI)

1000 DII

Gina Loudenburg

Lynx of Colorado

600

TB

Milton Simmons

Sports+Plus

1000 TB

Dr. Craig Coleman

Robert Morris University (PA)

500

DI

Jo Evans

Texas A&M University

900

DI

Paul Wetmore

Liberty University

500

DI

George Wares

Central College (IA)

900

DIII

Dan Burns

Lincoln Memorial University

500

DII

Denny Dock

Lakeshore High School (MI)

900

HS

Dean Johnson

Caldwell College

500

DII

Bill Edwards

Hofstra University

800

DI

Jamie Apicella

C.W. Post Campus of Long Island Univ.

500

DII

Clinton A. Myers

Arizona State University

800

DI

Jeanne Tostenson-Scarpello University of Nebraska Omaha

500

DII

Karne Mullins

University of Connecticut

800

DI

Kevin Blaskowski

West Texas A&M University

500

DII

Melanie Davis

Troy University

800

DI

Kristin Mort

Colorado Mesa University

500

DII

Robert L. Coolen

University of Hawai‘i

800

DI

Michele DeGregorio

Bentley University

500

DII

Bo Scannapieco

Brookdale Community College

800

JC

Michelle Caddigan

Wingate University

500

DII

Donna Runyon

Ohlone College

800

JC

Donnie Fulk

Bridgewater College

500

DIII

Bob Heck

Georgia State University

700

DI

Loa Kay Bowthorpe

Union High School (UT)

500

HS

Karen Weekly

University of Tennessee

700

DI

Mark Schusterman

Gulliver Preparatory School (FL)

500

HS

Rhonda Revelle

University of Nebraska

700

DI

Beth Keylon-Randolph

Chattanooga State Community College

500

JC

Judy Lawes

Kutztown University

700

DII

Howie Smith

Dodge County Community College

500

JC

Sheilah Gulas

Ashland University

700

DII

Stephen DePaquale

Gloucester County College

500

JC

Denny Griffin

Alma College

700

DIII

Jerry Breaux

Evangel University

500

NAIA

Duane Ford

Central Columbia High School (PA)

700

HS

Adam Renzi

North Carolina Challengers

500

TB

Mike Lambros

North Davidson Senior High School (NC) 700

HS

Cliff Kilian

Cincy Storm

500

TB

Courtney Miller

Seminole State College (FL)

700

JC

Jenny Allard

Harvard University

400

DI

Ritchie Richardson

Olivet Nazarene University

700

NAIA

Kathy Rodolph

New Mexico State University

400

DI

Wes Holly

Milligan College

700

NAIA

Tim Walton

University of Florida

400

DI

Carol Bruggeman

University of Louisville

600

DI

Jerry Tivey

Cajon High School (CA)

400

HS

Chris Hawkins

University of South Carolina Upstate

600

DI

Ken Fenik

Elyria High School (OH)

400

HS

John Rittman

Stanford University

600

DI

Mike Dyson

Centennial High School (TX)

400

HS

CoachesNetwork.com

Milestone Div.

Milestone Div.

Coaching Management CONVENTION 2011 23

HONORING EXCELLENCE

2011 Easton Victory Club Award Winners Coach

School

Milestone Div.

Coach

School

Mike Saucke

Hubbard High School (TX)

400

Dr. Jennifer Hightower

Alvin Community College

Mike Staudenmaier

Milestone Div.

HS

LuAnn Zullo

Nutley High School (NJ)

300

HS

400

JC

Mikki Jackson

Bingham High School (UT)

300

HS

Walla Walla Community College

400

JC

Paul Moore

Lassen High School (CA)

300

HS

Robb DiGiacomo

Monroe Community College

400

JC

Steve Weber

Elmira Notre Dame High School (NY)

300

HS

Mike Christner

William Penn University

400

NAIA

Thad Dickey

Beau Chene High School (LA)

300

HS

Donley Canary

University of Tennessee at Martin

300

DI

Edward Schutte

Georgia Perimeter College

300

JC

Jeff Franquet

Central Connecticut University

300

DI

Mary Kay Amicone

Salt Lake Community College

300

JC

Mark Montgomery

University of Northern Colorado

300

DI

Michelle Daddona

Riverside Community College

300

JC

Bill Gray

Missouri Southern State University

300

DII

Rick Sanders

Emmanuel College

300

NAIA

Jamie Smyth

St. Joseph’s College of Maine

300

DIII

Cara LaPlaca

University of Dayton

200

DI

John Dumaw

The College at Brockport

300

DIII

Dale Martin

Fairleigh Dickinson University

200

DI

Nan Payne

Capital University

300

DIII

Rick Fremin III

Jackson State University

200

DI

Phil McElroy

Emerson College

300

DIII

Shawn Rychcik

Boston University

200

DI

Doug Kesler

Madison County High School (GA)

300

HS

Fred Gillum

Tusculum College

200

DII

Joe Leicht

Indian Hills High School (NJ)

300

HS

Greta Melstad

Augustana College (SD)

200

DII

John Wayne Harris

Good Hope High School (AL)

300

HS

Bill Saar

Neumann University

200

DIII

John William Deitrich

Holton High School (SC)

300

HS

Anthony LaRezza

Immaculate Heart Academy (NJ)

200

HS

Kim Reichard

Holt High School (MI)

300

HS

Cynthia Zea

Plano Senior High School (TX)

200

HS

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Circle No. 116 24 Coaching Management CONVENTION 2011

Circle No. 117

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HONORING EXCELLENCE

2011 Easton Victory Club Award Winners Coach

School

Milestone Div.

Coach

School

Ken Conrade

Kellenberg Memorial High School (NY)

200

Michael Carrozza

Bridgewater-Raynham HS (MA)

Richard Gigliotti

Milestone Div.

HS

Bill Graham

Indiana University of Pennsylvania

100

DII

200

HS

Mandi Balduf

Chowan University

100

DII

St. Patrick/St. Vincent High School (CA)

200

HS

Megan Pettipiece

Northwood University (MI)

100

DII

Armando Quiroz

Pima Community College

200

JC

Rocco Constantino

Bloomfield College

100

DII

Brian Dewey

Mercyhurst North East

200

JC

Jody Gabriel

University of Wisconsin River Falls

100

DIII

Leslie Messina

Texarkana College

200

JC

Kathy Staib

Elizabethtown College

100

DIII

Nicholas DeGennaro

Sussex County College

200

JC

Kristina Schweikart

Adrian College

100

DIII

Patti Townsend

Tallahassee Community College

200

JC

Bill Bell

Homer High School (AK)

100

HS

Devon Thomas

Brenau University

200

NAIA

Daniel Bates

Hartselle High School (AL)

100

HS

Don Loberg

Lindenwood University

200

NAIA

Dennis Joe Cox

Riverton Parke High School (IN)

100

HS

Greg Stewart

Oregon Institute of Technology

200

NAIA

Jeff Kelley

Iowa City West High School (IA)

100

HS

Steve Babinski

MidAmerica Nazarene University

200

NAIA

Lisa Sappenfield Boyer

Heritage High School (IL)

100

HS

Todd Buckingham

Indiana University Southeast

200

NAIA

Jeff Ellis

Polk State College

100

JC

Tony Segovia

Friends University

200

NAIA

Steve Swazo

Trinidad State Junior College

100

JC

Wendy Hogue

William Carey University

200

NAIA

Tyler Sisco

North Iowa Area Community College

100

JC

Amanda Lehotak

Jacksonville University

100

DI

Ben Tyree

Trevecca Nazarene University

100

NAIA

Kim Camara

Drexel University

100

DI

Heather Hall

Union University (TN)

100

NAIA

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Circle No. 119 Untitled-1 1

Circle No. 120

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Pocket Radar, Inc. • 888-381-2672 www.pocketradar.com

Circle No. 526

M.A.S.A. offers a wide variety of Osborne screens and nets. Osborne protective screens have been highly regarded by coaches as some of the most durable and versatile equipment available. Maximumstrength #72 braided nylon netting and HD galvanized steel ensure years of performance. Innovative features include rotating and telescoping legs for compact storage, height-adjustable frames for infinite positioning and transport options, and swivel-style L-screen tops for right- and left-handed pitchers. M.A.S.A.’s wide variety of sizes and styles can meet any requirement.

M.A.S.A. • 800-264-4519 www.sportsadvantage.com

Circle No. 502

Circle No. 524

Tracking Speed and Spin

Smooth Sliding

Trace 47000 is an extended-length softball sliding knee-guard. The 47000 is designed to contour to a player’s leg for comfort and flexibility. This guard is constructed with nylon/ spandex fabric, features Cool Max ® lining, and is treated with antimicrobial Bac-Shield™, making it a must-have among all softball players. Available in 10 vibrant Trace colors, sizes XS-2XL.

28 Coaching Management CONVENTION 2011

Sports Attack • 800-717-4251 www.sportsattack.com

Durable Protection

The Modstar A Frame Sign System from BigSigns.com is great for displaying sponsor advertisements or stadium graphics on any sport’s courtside, sideline, or end zone. It’s a great way to get your message where you want it simply and easily. Graphics are digitally printed to premium Tru-Satin banner material using a high-resolution TurboJet printer and special matte UV faderesistant inks that reduce sunlight glare and add longevity to the graphics. Call a BigSigns.com national account manager, or visit their Web site today to find how they can help you.

Adams USA • 800-251-6857 www.adamsusa.com

The Hack Attack Softball Pitching Machine’s three-wheel design changes the breaking pitch plane by simply adjusting the wheel speed dials. There are no time-consuming, awkward adjustments between pitches, and the Hack Attack provides significantly more spin. With a quick turn of the dials, you can effortlessly throw fastballs, risers, drops, and right- and left-handed screwballs up and into the hitters. Every pitch has power and accuracy.

Circle No. 534

Deliver Your Message

BigSigns.com • 800-790-7611 www.bigsigns.com

More Movement

Circle No. 532

Easier to use than a radar gun, the RevFire™ measures the spin of pitches as well as the speed. Coaches report that using the RevFire increases pitcher spin awareness and motivation to increase spin rate. Spin rate feedback is critical for pitchers that want to put strong movement on the ball. A growing number of professional coaches rely on RevFire spin stats for assessing potential pitching recruits.

RevFire™ • 866-414-3040 www.revfire.com

Circle No. 501 CoachesNetwork.com

Products on Display Must-Have Uniform Pieces

The new Trace LH1 and WLRP are two great pieces. The LH1 is 100-percent polyester, and its textured, breathable mesh and single-button design make it a must-have in uniform apparel. It is available in: purple, royal blue, black, navy blue, scarlet, pink, and white, and in both adult and youth sizes. When coupled with the WLRP women’s cut lo-rise, tunnel belt, and double knee, it will complete any uniform needs. WLRP is available in black, white, and gray.

Adams USA • 800-251-6857 www.adamsusa.com

Circle No. 528

The Right Ball For You

M.A.S.A. carries softballs made by Dudley, Worth, Wilson, Diamond, and Champro. These balls vary for NFHS, ASA, and NCAA events.

They range in core, compression, and stitching, and come in leather or synthetic material. Let M.A.S.A.’s sales professionals help you find the ball that you’re looking for at the most competitive pricing in the country.

M.A.S.A. • 800-264-4519 www.sportsadvantage.com

Circle No. 505

Clear Vision

The Junior Hack Attack Softball Pitching Machine’s three-wheel design allows you to see the ball clearly all the way through the feeding motion, acceleration, and release, just like a live pitcher. The hitter sees when to stride and the angle of release, giving her an actual live-arm sense of timing and location.

Sports Attack • 800-717-4251 www.sportsattack.com

Circle No. 504

Flags, from BigSigns.com, are one of the most innovative and stylish ways to advertise and draw attention to your athletic event—indoors or outdoors. They require little maintenance and with their unique shape make a bold statement. BigSigns.com’s flags come in three different sizes and are available with either a pole and spike for soft ground placement or an X base for hard ground showcasing. Wherever you choose to use feather flags, they’re sure to make a lasting impression and instantly boost the image of your event.

Circle No. 503

Program Your Pitches

The HomePlate Softball programmable pitching machine can simulate any pitch that batters are likely to face. It can automatically throw a 70-mileper-hour riser, a 50-mile-per-hour drop pitch, a curve, and a slider with only seven seconds between pitches. Coaches can store up to eight different pitches in each of the eight programs. Programmed pitches can be thrown sequentially for specific hitting drills, or randomly to simulate game conditions. HomePlate features an auto-feed system and a 40-ball capacity.

HomePlate Softball model costs $6,595.

Sports Tutor • 800-448-8867 www.sportsmachines.com

Circle No. 500

GET INSTANT FEEDBACK ON SWING

The more a batter practices, the better they get. The better they practice, the sooner their hitting skills become automatic. Using the Pro Glider Bat, you are practicing what to do with different pitches. The instant feedback you get from the ball coming off the bat is conditioning you to predetermine what to do with those different pitches you face in a game. This bat truly shortens the time from practice to success.

Pro Glider Bats • 805-807-4635/ 877-395-BATS www.progliderbats.com CoachesNetwork.com

Multi-Functional and Easy to Navigate At the BigSigns.com Web site, users can learn about the company’s newest and most popular products, see its proven versatility in design, and understand why it is a trusted national leader in stadium graphics.

The user-friendly site showcases an electronic portfolio of projects with sharp photos and in-depth product detail. There are product installation manuals and instructions, tabs for art uploading and proofing, and a link for a quick quote. While online, see how BigSigns. com can help build your sponsorship revenue and elevate your stadium graphics. Get inspiration for your latest projects today.

bigsigns.com

Fly Your Flag High

BigSigns.com • 800-790-7611 www.bigsigns.com

Web News

Circle No. 539

New Site Offers Advanced Features M.A.S.A. is proud to announce its newest Web site. This enhanced site offers extensive search fields, high-quality photographs, and of course all the latest field maintenance, baseball, softball, football, soccer, field hockey, lacrosse, and multi-sport accessories.

Whether you’d like to purchase a gift certificate, get info on the pool truck program, find up-to-date info on M.A.S.A.’s next show or demo, get a quote, or just place an order, the new site is sure to get you what you need.

The company would also love to hear suggestions on how to improve and make your experience even better, so check out the customer service tab and share your thoughts and ideas.

sportsadvantage.com

Coaching Management CONVENTION 2011 29

Products For the Season Long-Lasting Windscreen

The Tuffy ® Windscreen lasts many years because it’s made of the company’s exclusive VIPOL® Matrix. A superpremium product that is surprisingly value-priced, it’s the official windscreen of the U.S. Professional Tennis Association and used by NCAA, MLB, NFL, and hundreds of high school teams. This product is available in 20 standard colors including purple, burnt orange, sky blue, and true scarlet. Chroma-Bond Imprinting produces logos in team colors that do not fade like digital versions. This product comes with a five-year factory warranty.

Aer-Flo, Inc. • 800-823-7356 www.aerflo.com

Circle No. 506

Nature’s Recovery Drink

Help athletes refuel with “nature’s recovery drink”—lowfat chocolate milk. It has what it takes to help tired muscles recover after a hard workout.

Low-fat chocolate milk offers high-quality protein and key electrolytes like calcium, potassium, sodium, and magnesium, which is found naturally in milk and which most sports drinks add in the lab. Low-fat chocolate milk provides the right mix of protein and carbohydrates to refuel exhausted muscles.

What’s more, milk has nine key nutrients, including some not typically found in sports drinks, like calcium and vitamin D—to strengthen bones and reduce the risk of stress fractures—and B vitamins for energy.

MilkPEP • 202-737-0153 www.milkdelivers.org/refuel

Circle No. 529

Meeting Your Specs

Memphis Net & Twine makes its products in the U.S., offering batting cages and backstops to meet customers’ exact specifications. The company also fabricates custom windscreens out of vinyl-coated polyester in 11 different colors. These windscreens can be made to any height or width. Memphis Net & Twine also sells benches, stadium bleachers, and tip-n-roll bleachers.

Memphis Net & Twine Co., Inc. • 800-238-6380 www.memphisnet.net Circle No. 536

Comfortably Tackle Tough Jobs

The new Toro® Workman® MD Series of utility vehicles combine a coil-over shock absorber suspension design with a patented Active In-Frame twister joint. These features deliver SRQ™ —Superior Ride Quality—for added operator comfort and vehicle control.

The Toro Company • 800-803-8676 www.toro.com 30 Coaching Management CONVENTION 2011

Net Gains

SPI Nets’ full-service net building facility offers topquality nets at unbeatable prices. The company stocks and custom-builds a wide variety of nylon and poly batting cage nets, protective screens, and deflective barrier netting products. All custom nets are guaranteed to be of the highest quality, and are built in the USA to meet all your needs. Call the company toll-free or go online to learn more.

SPI Nets, Inc. • 866-243-6387 www.spinets.net

Circle No. 523

Quality Time

Vero Beach Sports Village provides the ideal setting to enable your team to grow together and better prepare for your upcoming season. Everything you need is here at this 67-acre sports and conference center. The complex can be configured to accommodate a variety of sports, and features an abundance of competition and practice fields, along with on-site housing, dining, and recreation, allowing your team to spend quality time together on and off the field.

Vero Beach Sports Village • 772-257-8557 www.vbsportsvillage.com

Circle No. 525

For Better Fields

Diamond Pro has a complete line of professional groundskeeping products, including infield conditioners, calcined clay, mound and home plate clay, bricks, marking dust, and infield and warning track mixes. The company offers fast and convenient delivery. Diamond Pro’s vitrified red clay infield conditioner is available in bulk nationwide, and is easy to handle and apply. Truckloads are available in 10-, 15-, and 24-ton loads that save you both time and money.

TXI/Diamond Pro • 800-228-2987 www.diamondpro.com

Circle No. 522

TAILORED FOR SOFTBALL

Welded Armour™ is a new line of field equipment tailored exclusively for softball programs that insist on the highest quality products for their field. Welded Armour™ products are an allweld construction using 1 1/4” Schedule 40 pipe. All screens have a #60 gauge heavy-duty treated nylon net and 8” phenolic wheels. With the Welded Armour™ line, you’ll no longer have to sacrifice quality in the name of price. This line is sure to meet and exceed your field equipment needs.

Welded Armour • 941-758-8550

Circle No. 537

Circle No. 538 CoachesNetwork.com

Products For the Season Oversized Medicine Ball

Improve your core strength and rotational power with the Mega™ Medicine Ball. Perform dynamic movement patterns specific to your sport or other conditioning activities. This 14-inch non-bounce ball is made of a heavyduty polyurethane material shell with proprietary filler for weight. It’s not designed for ball slams. Comes in red and white and is available in the following sizes: six, eight, 10, 12, 15, 18, 20, and 25 pounds.

Up to Speed

The TurfCordz™ Modular Speed Belt is designed for speedassisted and resisted running exercises. This two-person system allows the lead to run against the resistance provided by the trailing runner. It also enables athletes to change running positions quickly without removing belts. The system includes a modular 20-foot (six-meter) heavy rubber tube with Safety Cord, mounting loop and two two-inch (five-centimeter) adjustable Velcro™ closure belts that fit up to a 52-inch (1.3-meter) waist. Contact the company for more on the full line of TurfCordz resistance products—designed to meet the extreme demands of high-level athletic training.

NZ Manufacturing • 800-866-6621 www.turfcordz.com

Circle No. 510

Power Systems, Inc. • 800-321-6975 www.powersystems.com Circle No. 507

Convenient Pre-Game Fuel

G Series Prime 01 is a pre-workout or pre-game fuel in a convenient and functional fourounce pouch. With 25 grams of carbohydrates, it is designed to be used within the 15 minutes before a workout or competition to provide energy Untitled-13 by maximizing the availability of carbohydrate energy to muscles.

Gatorade Prime 01 also contains three B vitamins that help with energy metabolism as part of a daily diet.

Gatorade • 800-884-2867 www.gatorade.com Circle No. 508

Head of the Class

Order direct from the Prep Gear Headwear’s factory for the highest quality at the lowest price. Every hat and visor is custom-made using premium materials, and Prep Gear Headwear’s embroidery is among the best in the industry. There are no set-up charges.

Just call the company’s toll-free number to start working on your design. You can receive your order in four to six weeks. In this economy, can you afford not to call Prep Gear?

Prep Gear Headwear • 800-279-7060 www.prepgear.com Circle No. 509

Circle No. 121

1

TurfCordz™ are a sure hit.

12/30/08 11:38:50 AM

TurfCordz™ resistance products meet the extreme demands of high-level athletic training, from core strength and agility workouts to explosive start and quick-reaction drills.

• Safety Super Bungie

Best seller for increasing speed and improving endurance

• Quick React

For use between two people for agility, explosive start and quick reaction drills

• Cuff Tuff

Strengthens shoulder rotator cuff

TurfCordz help you overcome physical and mental barriers to enhance performance.

Order today!

Call 800.886.6621 or visit turfcordz.com now.

Made in USA

Circle No. 122

CoachesNetwork.com

Coaching Management CONVENTION 2011 31

Testimonial

Recommended by a Winner

Products For the Season Enhance Hydration

Original G, part of the G Series, is a sports drink designed to enhance hydration during prolonged training and competition when fluid and electrolyte losses can be significant. It delivers a unique formula of sodium, potassium, and essential carbohydrates to your muscles and mind during the heat of a battle. G2 is a low-calorie thirst quencher option that delivers functional hydration, but with less than half the calories of Gatorade Thirst Quencher.

Gatorade • 800-884-2867 www.gatorade.com

Circle No. 511

Harness the Power Penny Siqueiros, Emory University head women’s softball coach, has a winning record that proves she knows what she’s talking about. The Hack Attack Pitching Machine is the training aid adding to her coaching effectiveness, allowing her team to stay ahead of the growth of the game.

Versatile: “For the first time, I had a pitching machine that could provide exaggerated movement on the ball, overpowering speed and an accuracy I’ve never seen from another machine. The exaggerated movement challenged my hitters, the velocity shortened and quickened their swing, while the accuracy eliminated any fear.

Mechanical improvement was quickly the result of our sessions.”

Clear Vision: “I never thought that a wheel machine could simulate a live pitcher’s motion, but there it was.

My hitters were able to see the ball roll down the feed chute, through the acceleration and release, allowing them to track the movement of different pitches and stride at the exact right moment repeatedly. We could really work on the deficiencies.”

Portable: “While rugged and heavy enough to absorb the recoil of overpowering speeds, it rolls easily to any place on the field. The rolling wheels and balanced design combine to make it the most portable and functional pitching machine available.”

Sports Attack 800-717-4251 www.sportsattack.com 32 Coaching Management CONVENTION 2011

Increase the rate of force production and develop maximum leg drive for improved acceleration with Power Harness™.

This harness system uses partner-controlled resistance. It’s suitable for short sprints, lateral shuffles, and explosive forward and backward movements, and is ideal for improving your base-path speed. Each unit includes a strong nylon lead, a padded handle, and your choice of a waist belt or shoulder harness. Waist belt allows for multi-directional training.

Power Systems, Inc. • 800-321-6975 www.powersystems.com

Circle No. 512

Replicates Natural Grass

Consistent ball bounce and roll are integral to the performance of a field’s surface at any level of play.

A-Turf systems are engineered specifically for baseball and softball, replicating the best characteristics of natural grass while providing optimal play in any weather conditions. A-Turf features “green” attributes by using recycled materials and eliminating the need for watering, mowing, and applying chemicals.

A-Turf • 888-777-6910 www.aturf.com

Circle No. 513

Many Satisfied Customers

Beam Clay has supplied products to every Major League Baseball team, more than 150 minor league teams, more than 700 colleges, and thousands of towns and schools. Beam Clay supplies special mixes for infields, pitcher’s mounds, home plate areas, red warning tracks, infield conditioners, and drying agents, plus more than 200 other infield products, including regional infield mixes blended for every state and climate from bulk plants nationwide.

Beam Clay • 800-247-BEAM www.beamclay.com

Circle No. 514

Instant Feedback

Why is the Advanced Skills Tee from Muhl Tech used by more than 2,000 high school and college programs? You get instant feedback with every swing. Its unique forward arm and outside barrier help develop a nice swing path and keep the hands inside the ball. The tough polyurethane construction will give you years of worry-free use. Try one this season, and if you don’t like it, the company will buy it back.

Muhl Tech • 888-766-8772 www.muhltech.com

Circle No. 515 CoachesNetwork.com

Products For the Season Best of Both Worlds

A-Turf, a national synthetic turf field builder, introduces A-Turf Titan. With alternating rows of Mono and Premier XP fibers, this dual-fiber construction offers the best of both fibers—durability and aesthetics. A-Turf’s dense fiber construction, combined with ideal infill volume and grade, provides the perfect balance of traction and foot release. With a comprehensive choice of infill—rubber and sand or rubber-only—the surface meets your needs. Ask about the 12-year warranty.

A-Turf • 888-777-6910 www.aturf.com

American Public University offers affordable online degrees to help you achieve your career goals. Pursue an online bachelor’s degree in Sports and Health Sciences or an online master’s degree in Sports Management, and focus your studies on coaching, exercise science, pre-sports medicine, sports administration, or other courses. Programs are 100-percent online, and eight- and 16-week courses start monthly. Tuition starts at $250 to $300 per credit hour.

Circle No. 517

Top Bunt Trainer

Bunt Zone® Trainer’s color-coded targets use visualization to teach the proper placement of bunts for a hit (yellow) or sacrifice (green) and the deadly pitcher’s triangle (red).

Made with a tough vinyl-polyester mesh fabric that lasts for years. This product is currently used by scores of high school and college teams. The Bunt Zone system is widely accepted as the best bunt trainer available today. This product is stocked at factory but available only through authorized dealers.

Aer-Flo, Inc. • 800-823-7356 www.aerflo.com

Circle No. 518

Go “Skill-Specific”

Muhl Tech Baseball & Softball offers equipment to make your practice time more productive. Since 2001, the company has been developing a line of “skill-specific” training equipment that gives hitters instant feedback with every swing. The products are designed to withstand heavy use during high school and college team practices.

The company also offers its own line of batting cages and screens, sold direct to save you money.

Muhl Tech • 888-766-8772 www.muhltech.com

Save Time and Protect Your Field

Circle No. 516

Learn to Achieve

American Public University • 877-468-6268 www.studyatapu.com/sports

Company News

Circle No. 519

Stabilizer Solutions, Inc. is advancing the evolution of natural soil for baseball and softball fields. The company offers advanced mound clays, as well as infield and warning track mixes in both its Stabilizer ® organic and Hilltopper ® waterless product lines. As the official playing surface of the NFCA, Stabilizer ® “Pro Red” Infield Mix and Hilltopper ® Waterless Mound Clay save time while providing protection from the elements.

Here are some programs that use Stabilizer Solutions: Arizona State University University of Arizona Oklahoma State University Northwestern University University of Pennsylvania Oregon State University Harvard University Dartmouth College University of Iowa Baylor University Oklahoma City University Cal State - Bakersfield New Mexico State University University of Notre Dame University of Louisville Central Michigan University Northern Illinois University University of Illinois University of Michigan University of Nevada-Las Vegas

Developing Agility and Quickness

From the National Strength and Conditioning Association comes Developing Agility and Quickness, packed with 100+ drills to help in the development of agility and quickness training programs.

The NSCA hand-picked its top experts to present the best training advice, drills, and programs for optimizing athletes’ linear and lateral movements. Applicable to almost every sport, this new book focuses on improving athletes’ fleetness of foot, change-of-direction speed, and reaction time.

Human Kinetics • 800-747-4457 www.humankinetics.com CoachesNetwork.com

Circle No. 520

Stabilizer Solutions, Inc. 33 South 28th Street Phoenix, AZ 85034 800-336-2468 www.stabilizersolutions.com info@stabilizersolutions.com Coaching Management CONVENTION 2011 33

Directory

Advertisers Directory Circle #. Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page #

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A-Turf. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Adams USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Aer-Flo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 American Public University. . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Beam Clay. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 BigSigns.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IFC Diamond Pro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Gatorade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BC Human Kinetics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

M.A.S.A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Memphis Net & Twine Co. . . . . . . . . . . . 26 MilkPEP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Muhl Tech. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 NFCA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Pocket Radar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Prep Gear. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Pro Glider Bats. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 RevFire. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

SPI Nets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Sports Attack. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IBC Sports Tutor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Stabilizer Solutions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 The Athlete’s Guide To Nutrition . . . . . . . 25 TurfCordz™/NZ Manufacturing . . . . . . . . 31 Vero Beach Sports Village. . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Welded Armour. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Products Directory Circle #. Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page #

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A-Turf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

A-Turf (Titan) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Adams USA (BH77 Batting Helmet). . . . .

Adams USA (Trace 47000) . . . . . . . . . . .

Adams USA (Trace LH1 and WLRP). . . . .

Aer-Flo (Bunt Zone®). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Aer-Flo (Tuffy® Windscreen). . . . . . . . . .

American Public University. . . . . . . . . . .

Beam Clay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

BigSigns.com (feather flags). . . . . . . . . .

BigSigns.com (Modstar A Frame). . . . . .

Diamond Pro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Gatorade (Original G) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Gatorade (Prime 01™). . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Human Kinetics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

M.A.S.A. (Black Poly-Cap). . . . . . . . . . . .

M.A.S.A. (Osborne protective screens) . .

M.A.S.A. (softballs). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Memphis Net & Twine Co. . . . . . . . . . . .

MilkPEP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Muhl Tech (Advanced Skills Tee). . . . . . .

Muhl Tech (training equipment). . . . . . .

Pocket Radar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Power Systems (Mega™ Medicine Ball). .

Power Systems (Power Harness™) . . . . .

Prep Gear. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Pro Glider Bats. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

RevFire. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

SPI Nets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Sports Attack (Hack Attack) . . . . . . . . . .

Sports Attack (Junior Hack Attack). . . . .

Sports Tutor (HomePlate Softball). . . . . .

Sports Tutor (TriplePlay Pro Softball). . . .

Stabilizer Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The Toro Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

TurfCordz™/NZ Manufacturing . . . . . . . .

Vero Beach Sports Village. . . . . . . . . . . .

Welded Armour. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Product Launch

BH77 Batting Helmet

Black Poly-Cap

M.A.S.A. www.sportsadvantage.com 800-264-4519 Circle No. 521

Adams USA Inc. www.adamsusa.com 800-251-6857 Circle No. 527

Unique features:

Benefits for the user:

Unique features:

Benefits for the user:

• Trace BH77 has a sleek but functional design • BH77 and BH76 have bold colors to complement any team color • BH76 is available in a matte finish

• Meets the NEW NOCSAE 022-10m-11 standard • PVC closed cell shockabsorbent padding, a high-gloss shine finish, six smooth ventilation points, and an ABS shell for remarkable performance.

• Facemask sold separately

• Thick wall creates unequaled durability • Available in rolls of 100 feet or 250 feet • Weather-treated and features UV protection • Features a rich black color to complement fence color

• Reduces player injuries • Increases visibility • Beautifies any field

34 Coaching Management CONVENTION 2011

CoachesNetwork.com

COMPANY YOU KEEP...

KELLY INOUYE-PEREZ Head Coach, UCLA 2010 NCAA I Champion NFCA Member since 1994

CLINT MYERS MIKE CANDREA Head Coach, Arizona 2006 & ‘07 NCAA I Champion NFCA Member since 1987

HEATHER TARR Head Coach, Washington 2009 NCAA I Champion NFCA Member since 1998

Head Coach, Arizona State 2008 & ‘11 NCAA I Champion NFCA Member since 2005

CAROL HUTCHINS Head Coach, Michigan 2005 NCAA I Champion NFCA Member since 1985

Although the NFCA was founded by college coaches, it has grown to over 4,000 members consisting of travel ball, high school, and college coaches. We offer memberships for all levels of fastpitch softball: NCAA Division I, II, III, NAIA, NJCAA, CCCAA, NWAACC, High School, Travel Ball, Pro League, International, Athletes, Fans, Parents, and Businesses.

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Circle No. 123

Coaching Management CONVENTION 2011 35

COACHing IS MORE THAN X s ANd Os SPORTS MEDICINE

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For every decision about offenses and defenses, there is another one about dealing with parents, developing leaders, and handling budgets.

That’s why Coaching Management is producing a series of Coaching guides addressing these important off-the-field topics. Topics will include strength training, leadership, nutrition, management, and sports medicine. Read advice from experts and other coaches about handling these vital, yet often overlooked, areas.

For a limited time, we are offering a sample guide that will include articles on each of these important subjects. You can get your e-version by submitting the form below or going to coachesnetwork.com

COACHES NETWORK

GUIDE Use this form for your free sample guide.

LEADERSHIP

Throughout these discussions, let your leaders know how important they are to the program. Don’t be afraid to tell them how much you will rely on them to set the standards, keep the team focused, and handle conflicts. You may even want to tell them that it is “their” team. You will be there to help them, but ultimately it’s the athletes— particularly the leaders— who determine how far the team will go.

Here is a sample list of responsibilities coaches can give to team captains:

School: _______________________________________

issues like how to best discipline a teammate who has broken team rules. Whatever the case, we will expect you to add your insight to help our decision making.

Lead warmups and drills: We expect you to get your teammates organized and keep Talk with struggling L E A D E R S H I P teammates: We expect you to everyone in line, literally and figuratively. talk with teammates who might be struggling with their performance Set the right toneon for depend you for leadership, pageItand leading together as or role on the team. is your the team: We expect you to guidance, and support a unified front, great things can jobastothey understand them, support start practices off with the right them, They challenge happen them, and step up to their challenge. in figure your program. attitude, focus, and work ethic. howato get them back on rely on the theirteam coach toout create You must also refocus track. positive and productive environwhen practices get sloppy, create ment that is conducive to helping a positive momentum going into Handle conflicts: We may Starting on them lead. the competition, and recharge ask you to get involved with team Provide team when needed. We expect you conflicts when they arise.

If aRight Foot the In other words, great team capOpportunities to be the mental and emotional small problem crops up, we may both catalyst for thetains team.are made whenask youroles to find out exactly what is of the coach-captain going equation on and develop a workable Keep coaches informed: are tended to. What can easSpending time at the very start solution.

While talking about their We expect you to keep us ily occur, however, is that one of the season working with your responsibilities is important, informed about issues that impact Plan team activities: becomes frustrated with the captains builds the basis for the success andside psyche of the We will ask you to plan and your captains need conthisevents leadership team. We want other. to know who coordinate various so team. To be on tinual opportunities to make the might be in conflict with whom, your teammates can same betterpage, get to you need to real leadership decisions.

Some coaches’ frustrations stem whether playersfrom are accepting each other.talk Wethrough will rely what on being a team It often works well to start a belief that theknow athletes their roles, if anyone’s social life captain means you to initiate these events and and how to be an small and build up to more of today don’t seem to have the is getting out of control, and so make sure everyone is invited effective one. and complicated tasks. strong leadership skills they did forth. Of course, we don’t need involved. thething. past.You’ll I often hear coaches Step number one is to clarify to know every in little For example, let them Be loyal: that we of them. Many lament, “Kidstotoday don’t un- Understand your expectations have to use your discretion oversee warmups before are putting a tremendous amountsay to their capderstand what coaches simply decide which issues might haveit ameans to be a practice and make any of trust in you. For example, negative impactleader. on theThey team.aren’t Be nearly as votains, “You’re our leader. I expect team announcements. Have we may tell you things that we careful to respect trustneed of your cal the as they to be.” Another to step up will not tell youryou teammates.

In and lead.” But this them contact teammates teammates as well.

You don’t want is, “They frequent complaint alone is too vague to give proper return, we expect you to respect to inform them of schedto be viewed asaren’t a tattletale. willing to standand up support and the direction. decisions we ule changes. You can even confront their teammates Provide input on team makewhen for the team.

You than may assuming your let them lead some pracRather necessary.” decisions: We will ask your disagree with them behind closed tice drills, or take it a step captains understand their duopinion on a variety of decisions doors, but we will expect you to further and let them plan a captains ties,toasthe well as your philosophy that will affect And the team.

This don’t always show afeel united front team. practice from time to time. they have the necessary and could include minor decisions We guidalso will insist on expectations, your loyalty sit down and ance or to support fromand their carefully clarify like what wearmagically. that you never bad mouth uswhat you need It’s teams also key to solicit your great leaders.

Great always include But itwarmup doesn’tgear happen coaches coaches. recent conductfromThere them.

Create or where the team prefersA to eat. polltoI your teammates. must be a job descripcaptains’ inputinon team de- roles, providing must invest time explaining opportunities, and giving afeedback. ed ofmore student-athletes revealed Or it could involve serious sacred trust between tion of us. the eight to 10 priorities cisions. These can be minor that over 60 percent of captains you expect them to handle. (See

By Jeff Janssen felt their coaches do a “Job Description” on next page.)

Jeff Janssen is director of the Janssen Sports Leadership center,needed in cary,toN.c., better job of working them.

Clarification of their roles and and a former athletic administrator at the University of arizona.

Thiswith article is In essence, captains complain responsibilities on the front end an adapted excerpt from his book, The Team captain’s Leadership Manual. that too many coaches preach will prevent misunderstandings the need for athlete leadership as the season goes on. but don’t teach it.

Next, discuss the risks and chalRather both sides blaming Yourthan team captains lenges of leadership. Let your the other,make they must the captains know that this new recan ormake break effort to work together and forge sponsibility might be difficult and your season. a strong coach-captain partdemanding at times. They will nership.

I like to like think it as a encounter many gray areas and f that sounds anofoverstateleadership team.

When bumps along the way, and they ment, think back overcoaches your and captainscareer. are onduring the same should understand that these coaching your

_____ _____

_____ _____

LeaderShIP

Name: _______________________________________

JOB DESCRIPTION

Leader Of The Pack

I

most successful seasons, I bet you had great team leaders. Now consider your most frustrating years. did they include poor leaders?

Title: _________________________________________ challenges are a normal part of leadership. Most importantly, let them know that you will be there to support them through thick and thin.

E-mail: _______________________________________

From there, ask your captains to describe what they think it means to be an effective leader.

Their ideas of leadership might be quite different than yours. Ask them to talk about the leaders whom they respect in their lives and why, and the ones they don’t respect and why. This will give you insight into their model of leadership and can start great discussions that get you both on the same page.

Phone: _______________________________________

It can also be helpful to provide your captains with an assessment of their leadership style. Just as each athlete has certain physical strengths and weaknesses, so do leaders. I use a two-part evaluation that rates how a person leads by example and vocally, in several areas, from composure to team building. (Click here for a Web link to the survey.)

This type of analysis can help make the captains aware of their strengths and weaknesses in their leadership qualities.

Encourage your captains to utilize and maximize their strengths and acknowledge areas to improve in. For example, some of your leaders might have a hard time confronting their teammates when necessary. Or, some of your leaders may be too blunt and lack the necessary tact to get their messages across well.

Whatever the challenge, encourage them to make sure that their weaknesses are not a leadership liability as they work to improve

SPORTS MEDICINE

them.

Would you be interested in receiving a complimentary copy of An Athlete’s Guide to Nutrition?_____________ Fax to: 607.257.7328 Mail to: Coaching Management, 31 dutch Mill Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850 COACHES NETWORK

GUIDE

and not only do your captains have a huge impact on your team’s success, but also on your sanity and your satisfaction as a coach. You’ll usually remember a year you had fantastic team leaders with a smile, regardless of the final record.

You rely on your captains to help set and uphold the standards of the squad, monitor team chemistry, and be your voice in the locker room and on the weekends when you’re not around. You need your captains to consistently reinforce the team’s standards and hold their teammates accountable. at the same time, your captains

36 Coaching Management CONVENTION 2011

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