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THE RIGHT PATH How to be an

ethical coach

PRESEASON 2011 | VOL. XIX NO. 14 | $7.00

FOOTBALL

Circle No. 100

CONTENTS | FOOTBALL Edition | preseason 2011 | Vol. XIX, No. 14

Coaching Management

25 COVER STORY 16 THE RIGHT PATH

FUNDRAISING 25 SELLING THE PASSION

NUTRITION 31 FUELING FOR SUCCESS

Coaches are under constant pressure to win games, but winning the right way should be just as important. Maintaining an ethical program is the key to building a true legacy.

There’s nothing like the excitement surrounding a high school football game. Upgrading your fundraising efforts starts with conveying that passion to local businesses.

As your athletes perform summer workouts to prepare for a new season on the gridiron, their nutrition choices may determine the success or failure of their training programs.

Q&A 13 MARIO CRISTOBAL

OFFSEASON

BULLETIN BOARD

Results from GOALS study … New rural division formed in Florida … High school team practices in a courtyard … Fund established for injured college players … Saying goodbye to a historic stadium … Three questions with Georgia’s Mark Richt … Update on Drake’s trip to Africa.

On the cover

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE 36 PRODUCT LAUNCH 38 COMPANY FORUM

In his fourth year as Head Coach at Florida International University, Mario Cristobal led the Panthers to a Sun Belt Conference title and Little Caesars Pizza Bowl victory.

46 CASE STUDY 40 ADVERTISER’S DIRECTORY

Oregon State University Head Coach Mike Riley shakes hands with cornerback Jordan Poyer at a game against Arizona State on Oct. 2, 2010. Riley and others talk about the importance of ethics in our cover story, beginning on page 16. PHOTO BY DAVE NI sHITANI

Publisher Mark Goldberg

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Mailing lists for Coaching Management Football are provided by the Clell Wade Coaches Directory. The Coaching Management Football edition is published in March, May, and November by MAG, Inc. and is distributed free to college and high school coaches in the United States and Canada.

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Coaching Management 1

BULLETIN BOARD Preseason 2011

CONTENTS

2 Fund created for injured players

4 GOALS study results

6 New HS

division in Florida

6 Three Qs with Mark Richt

9 No room

to practice

10 Celebrating a stadium

sports medicine

Added Insurance The devastating injury suffered by Rutgers University defensive tackle Eric LeGrand in a game against Army on Oct. 16, 2010, was a sobering reminder of the physical dangers of playing football. LeGrand fractured his third and fourth cervical vertebrae while covering a kick return and was paralyzed from the neck down. When Southern Methodist University Head Coach June Jones learned of LeGrand’s injury, he began to think of ways to help. Jones was already involved with Gridiron Heroes, a group set up to provide resources to high school athletes who suffer spinal cord injuries, but at the time of LeGrand’s injury, there wasn’t a similar program in place for college athletes. The NCAA has a catastrophic injury insurance program, which provides up to $20 million in lifetime benefits, but there are caps on the amount a player can receive for certain procedures and families may face some costs that are not completely covered. “When I saw the Rutgers young man go down—Eric LeGrand—I realized there is nothing really for college kids,” Jones told the Orlando Sentinel. So Jones started making calls to other coaches, and on Jan. 10, at the American Football Coaches Association annual conference, he announced the creation of the College Football Assistance Fund (CFAF). The organization is non-profit, and its mission is to raise money to help mitigate the costs of medical treatment for college football players who suffer a serious injury. For more information on the CFAF, visit: cfafund.org. For more on Gridiron Heroes, go to: www.gridironheroes.org.

2 Coaching Management

To help with the costs of medical treatment for severely injured players, like Rutgers University’s Eric LeGrand (pictured), Southern Methodist University Head Coach June Jones created the College Football Assistance Fund.

about the realities these players face following an injury. As coaches, we have the ability to spread that message through discussion.” Support initially came from board members and other sponsors, which include the Mountain West and Sun Belt Conferences, as well as the Citrus and GoDaddy.com bowls. Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban also recently pledged $25,000. Sponsorships currently provide most of the money the fund has brought in. There is not yet a formal criteria for determining which players will receive money. On Feb. 9, the fund announced that its first grant would go to LeGrand. The $15,000 was designated for making his home more accessible. “It is only fitting that our first grant be made to the inspiration for the College Football Assistance Fund,” Jones said in a press release. CoachesNetwork.com

AP PHOTO/MEL EVANS

“It is our hope that the CFAF will provide much needed support to these young men who suffer life changing injuries through playing college football,” Jones said in a press release “The costs associated with these injuries goes way beyond what is usually covered by health insurance. It is our objective to ease the financial burden.” According to information posted on the CFAF Web site from the National Spi-

nal Cord Injury Statistical Center, there are an average of 841 neck/cervical spine injuries in college football each year. The expenses associated with some of these injuries can be staggering. For example, the first-year cost for a high tetraplegia (CI-C4 vertebrae) injury is $829,843 and lifetime costs can exceed $3 million. Many of Jones’ fellow coaches quickly jumped on board with the foundation, as did Texas Christian University Athletic Director Chris Del Conte, Chairman and CEO of the Kansas City Chiefs Clark Hunt, and Oklahoma State University booster T. Boone Pickens. “This is one of those ideas that is long overdue,” says Air Force Head Coach Troy Calhoun, who is a member of the CFAF advisory board. “Hopefully, the attempt to offset as many of the costs as we can will expedite the recovery process, and provide some peace of mind for the athlete. “This fund is also helping to create a greater awareness and provide more education to people about the costs associated with the injury,” he continues. “There is certainly a gap in place between the medical costs and existing coverage, and we hope to fill that, but our focus also needs to be on educating individuals

Circle No. 101

BULLETIN BOARD student-Athlete welfare

Coaches Score Well in Survey A recent NCAA survey of nearly 20,000 student-athletes, including 4,000 football players, offers a chance for all to see how college athletes view their coaches’ ethical leadership. Football coaches generally received the highest scores, although there were some areas where athletes expressed concern. Released in January, the GOALS study—which stands for Growth, Opportunity, Aspirations and Learning of Students in college—surveyed athletes in all sports from all three divisions during the spring of 2010. Results were reported separately for athletes in football, baseball, men’s basketball, and women’s basketball.

4 Coaching Management

Northwestern’s Pat Fitzgerald (left) and Texas Tech’s Tommy Tuberville shake hands following the 2011 TicketCity Bowl. A majority of NCAA football athletes say their coach defines success by winning fairly.

agreed, followed by 58 percent in Division II, and 57 percent in Division I. Each of the totals was the highest in its respective division. Football players were, however, hard on themselves. When asked whether winning was more important to them than good sportsmanship, 50 percent of Division I players somewhat or strongly agreed, the highest percentage in the survey, slightly above Division I baseball (48 percent) and men’s basketball players (47

percent). Those figures were quite a bit higher than all other men’s sports (36 percent). The numbers in Division II football (43 percent) and Division III (42 percent) football were also similar to baseball and A copy of the 2010 men’s basketNCAA GOALS study ball while 32 can be found by selectpercent of ing the “Resources” Division II and tab at: www.ncaa. III athletes in org, then clicking other men’s “Research,” and then sports agreed. “Student-Athlete Academic Experience Research.” honesty was another area where football did not score as well at the Division I level. When asked whether academic honesty was strongly valued at their school, only 61 percent of Division I football players strongly agreed—the lowest total in the division. The numbers in Division II (66 percent) and Division III (77 percent) were more closely in line with the total for most men’s sports. Other results from the study include: Recruiting: Division III football players and Division I women’s basketball players were most likely to say that coaches contacted them too often during the recruiting process with 35 percent of each group agreeing with the statement. The numbers were slightly lower for football players in Division I (32 percent) and Division II (28 percent), but still relatively high compared to other sports within division. Choice of school: Most football players were glad they made the choice to be at their school with 59 percent of players in Division I and Division II agreeing with that statement, along with 67 percent in Division III. Time demands: Among all sports, Bowl Subdivision football players reported spending the most hours per week in season on athletic activities at 43.3, while Championship Subdivision football players reported spending 41.6 hours. The number fell to 37.5 hours per week in Division II and 33.1 in Division III. Division I football players also reported the highest amount of time spent in academic activities among male athletes. FBS players reported averaging 38.0 hours per week on academic activities and the FCS average was 38.2. No other sport matched the combined academic and athletic time demands of football, which was 81.3 hours in FBS and 79.8 in FCS. Division I men’s and women’s basketball were next highest at 76.5. Football players also missed the least amount of class time, ranging from an average of 1.7 missed classes a week during the season in FBS to 1.0 in Division III. CoachesNetwork.com

AP PHOTO/MEL EVANS

All other remaining men’s sports were grouped together, as were other women’s sports. The results were also broken down by division. In the survey, athletes were asked how strongly they agreed with statements regarding their coaches, the recruiting process and their choice of school. In their responses, football players were more likely than other athletes to say their head coach can be trusted. Two-thirds of Division III football players strongly agreed that their coach can be trusted, the highest percentage in the survey. The percentage strongly agreeing in Division II was slightly lower at 63, but still higher than any other Division II sport. Football coaches were also the most trusted in Division I, with 56 percent of players strongly agreeing with the statement.

Additionally, football players were the least likely to report that their head coach puts them down in front of others. Only 12 percent of Division III football players agreed either strongly or somewhat with the statement, the lowest total among the 18 division/sport combinations reported. Football players were also the least likely among Division II athletes to report being put down publicly at 15 percent. The Division I total of 22 percent was slightly higher than the division total for men’s sports other than football, baseball, and basketball (20 percent) and women’s sports other than basketball (21 percent). The results were similar when athletes were asked whether their head coach defines success not just by winning, but by winning fairly. Sixty-one percent of Division III football players strongly

Circle No. 102

BULLETIN BOARD competitive equity

Leveling the Playing Field

QUESTIONS

In Florida, the Class 1A playoffs —comprising the state’s smallest schools— have historically been dominated by teams from Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando,

and Tampa. For years, coaches at small schools in rural areas of the state have complained that the system is stacked against them, and after making noise about leaving the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA), they’ve been given a league of their own. In summer 2010, the FHSAA unanimously approved a new classification in

Relying on a freshman to be a significant contributor is never easy. When that freshman is your starting quarterback and you play in the rigorous Southeastern Conference, it’s even tougher. That was the situation facing Head Coach Mark Richt and the University of Georgia in 2010, as the Bulldogs turned to freshman Aaron Murray under center. While the team got off to a rocky start, losing four of its first five games, Murray was eventually able to right the ship and Georgia won five of seven down the stretch, earning a berth in the Liberty Bowl. In all, Murray completed 61 percent of his passes for the year and threw for 3,049 yards and 24 touchdowns against only eight interceptions. He also tossed three touchdown passes in each of the Bulldogs’ final four regular season games, including a matchup with eventual national champion Auburn. For his efforts, Murray was named Freshman AllAmerica by the Sporting News, CollegeFootballNews. com, and Rivals.com; was selected to Phil Steele’s AllFreshman First Team; and was the All-SEC freshman team quarterback. Here, Richt talks about how he got the most out of his young signal caller.

six sports, including football, for small rural schools. Entry into the new Division 1A is limited to schools with an enrollment of 600 students or fewer and located in rural areas as defined by the state Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development Office. These schools had the choice between joining the rural division or the urban division.

Mentoring a Freshman believe in them. It doesn’t matter how good they are or how confident they are, if they don’t think you’re behind them, they’re not going to have much success. You have to give them the chance to learn.

Are there other things you did to boost his confidence?

We didn’t overload him at the beginning. No matter what we accomplished in the meeting room or in practice, we had to subtract some of that before the first game because there were going to be other issues that complicated things. We didn’t want him to blow up on the front end and then have to try to rebuild his confidence. Once a guy blows his confidence, it’s so difficult to get it back. So little by little, we opened up the playbook. We wanted to ease him in and make sure he was playing well before we gave him more to deal with.

CM: What was the key to Murray stepping in and succeeding as a freshman?

Richt: Most freshmen turn the ball over at a rate that can be a little bit scary. But Aaron did a good job of hanging on to the ball. He had a lot of good habits in his quarterback-center exchange, ball handling, dropping back in the pocket, and his decision making was solid. That kept him from just spewing the ball out there like a lot of freshmen do. We helped Aaron understand that his job was not to try to win the game by himself. We taught him to trust all the really good players around him and that his role was to get the ball to the guys who were going to make the plays and run the system as designed. We also understood, as a coaching staff, that he was going to make mistakes. We needed to be patient and allow him to do so. When freshmen make mistakes, they absolutely need to know the coaches

6 Coaching Management

University of Georgia Head Coach Mark Richt (right) helped guide quarterback Aaron Murray to a successful freshman season in 2010. Murray was named to the All-SEC freshman team.

CoachesNetwork.com

phillip faulkner/uga athletic communications

What was your strategy for mentoring him?

Coach Jake Anderson Central College, Pella, Iowa

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BULLETIN BOARD scheduling flexibility. “I am pretty excited about it,” Chris Baker, Head Coach at Trenton High School told The Gainesville Sun. “Since the district is not so big, it gives us a little more freedom to schedule other teams in the area. We didn’t get a chance to play Mayo (Lafayette) the last couple of years. This could open that up. We are always going to play Branford, Bell, and Chiefland, but we want to bring in some other local teams that will interest the crowd.” overcoming adversity

A Tight Squeeze

aaron e. daye/the gainseville sun

Trenton (Fla.) High School, featuring wide receiver Brandon Kornder, is one of 36 schools that will join the Florida High School Athletic Association’s new rural class in 2011-12. The division was created because of differences between small rural and urban schools in the state.

The addition of a new division for 2011-12 also forced a renumbering of the classifications from 1A to 8A. For example, the largest schools will now play in Division 8A instead of 6A. A total of 36 schools signed up to join the new rural class—32 were needed for the division to hold state playoffs. The schools were split into four regions with each comprising two districts of four or five schools. By comparison, the classification for the smallest urban schools, Division 2A, will consist of 56 teams in eight districts. Most of the 1A schools, including Wewahitchka High School, are located in the northwest part of the state, known as the Panhandle. “This new system will give schools in rural areas a level playing field when it comes to the playoffs,” says Todd Lanter, Athletic Director at Wewahitchka. “It’s a needed change that will benefit schools our size, providing us a CoachesNetwork.com

better opportunity to advance in the state playoffs and win a championship.” Although in many states there is tension between public and private schools, for coaches at small schools in Florida’s Panhandle, the differences between rural and urban programs are much more significant. “[It] was important, if a private school in a rural area wanted to join, they could,” Superintendent of Gulf County Schools Tim Wilder, a small-school representative on the FHSAA Board of Governors, told the Port St. Joe Star. “None did and I was surprised, but the option was there and I think that helped alleviate some of the tension.” With most Florida counties allowing open enrollment, rural coaches believe there is a competitive advantage for similar-sized schools in urban areas that draw from large population bases. “Kids who are good at a certain sport tend to gravitate toward schools that have good teams in that sport,” says Bob West, Athletic Director at Bishop Kenny High School in Jacksonville, and a member of the FHSAA Urban/Rural Advisory Committee that recommended creating the division. “So even though the schools are the same size, the ones in urban areas are more likely to get better players.” With fewer teams in each district, schools in Division 1A will also enjoy more

Last season, Brooklyn’s Erasmus Hall High School finished 7-3, qualified for the New York City Public Schools Athletic League playoffs, and ended the year ranked fifth among all high school teams in the city. Not bad for a team that had to use the school’s courtyard for a practice field. Before the start of the 2010 season, Head Coach Danny Landberg was notified that construction to renovate the school’s football field was behind schedule and the facility would not be ready for use. There were no available parks the team could use for a practice site, so Landberg was left with only one option: Erasmus Hall’s courtyard—a manicured patch of lawn used mainly for graduation and other school ceremonies. At just 45 yards long and 30 yards wide, the courtyard did not provide much room to run—or pass. “It was tough to have anything that resembled a normal practice,” Landberg says. “When we ran

“We watched more film, lifted a lot more, and did a lot more conditioning work ... We decided that if we couldn’t get much out of practice, we might as well be strong and do a lot of running.” Danny landberg Erasmus Hall High School

drills, we didn’t have any realistic idea of where we should line up. There were no lines, numbers, or hash marks, and it was too small for equipment like blocking sleds and things like that. Plus, we couldn’t practice in cleats because the school didn’t want us to ruin the grass.” So how did Landberg and the team’s 44 players make the most of the land they were dealt? To start, the offensive strateCoaching Management 9

new facility,” Landberg says. “We have everybody back from last year’s team, so we should have a great season.” Facilities

Saying Goodbye

The team at Erasmus Hall High School in Brooklyn, N.Y., was forced to practice on the school’s courtyard this past season due to construction. Despite being limited to a 45-yard patch of grass, the team finished 7-3 and qualified for the playoffs.

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Peabody High School in Trenton, Tenn., will move to a new stadium (pictured) next year. But before that, the school held a special ceremony to give the stadium that hosted the team since 1939, Freed Field, a proper goodbye.

NY DAILY NEWS (TOP)

gy focused more on running and short passes. With only 45 yards to work with, drawing up plays for a vertical passing game was not realistic. During practice time, coaches broke the team into smaller groups in order to effectively utilize the tight space. “We had to concentrate on moving faster through our practices,” Landberg says. “For example, we would work on our passing and screen game with our backs and receivers at the beginning of practice while the linemen were working in the gym or the weightroom. Then we would bring the linemen out to the field and send the backs and receivers into the gym or weightroom.” Additionally, the Dutchmen did not spend much practice time in full pads. The field was too tiny to scrimmage on and the lack of cleats meant players couldn’t get quality footing and push off or engage each other in a safe manner. Landberg describes most on-field practices as being at three-quarter speed—like a walkthrough. So Landberg found value in other areas, such as added weightroom work and more time in the film room. “We watched a lot more film, lifted a lot more, and did a lot of conditioning work on a concrete area next to the courtyard,” he says. “We decided that if we couldn’t get much out of practice, we might as well be strong and do a lot of running.”

Game days were the only time during the week Erasmus Hall players could stretch out on 120 yards of grass, and they took full advantage of those opportunities. “We would arrive at our opponent’s facility a lot earlier than in years past so the players could get used to being on a full-size field again,” Landberg says. “Once, we came out on the field before the home team.” The team also used the difficult situation as motivation. “We … bring this field up and everyone gets mad,” quarterback Wayne Morgan told the New York Daily News. “We say, ‘They’re playing on a good field and look what we’re playing on!’ But I can’t wait to go back to our field next year.” With the field renovations complete, Landberg, Morgan—an ESPN Top 50 recruit—and the rest of the Erasmus Hall team have high hopes for the 2011 season. “We’re looking forward to having a home game and taking advantage of our

The construction of a new facility is an exciting time for any team, and Peabody High School in Trenton, Tenn., is no different. The Golden Tide will begin play in a new stadium in 2011 as part of a larger facilities upgrade at the school. But before that happens, they wanted to take time to say goodbye to an old friend: Freed Field, which had been home to the football team since 1939 and will be torn down. To do so, Peabody administrators invited anyone who had been associated with the program since 1939 to come back and celebrate the final regular season home game at Freed. “It created an atmosphere like a class reunion, and we had an excellent turnout from all the decades,” says Peabody Principal Tim Haney. “Everyone enjoyed it, and a lot of stories were shared about past games.” A committee of local media representatives, school administrators, and community members planned the event. The group sent invitations to former school board members, coaches, and band directors, and it attempted to reach former student-athletes through the Peabody High School Alumni Association. Several articles ran in the local newspaper, and information about the game was posted on the school district’s Web site. To make sure the night was memora-

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BULLETIN BOARD ble, the field was marked with signs to commemorate each decade the field was in use. Alums from each decade were invited to stand on the field in their designated area before the game, and released black and gold balloons into the air when their decade was recognized. Special announcements were also made to recognize former coaches and their families. The highlight of the evening was “Lights Out on Freed Field.” At the end of the third quarter, a drawing was held to determine who would turn the field lights off for the final time. The winner was a Peabody assistant coach, who passed the honor to the widow of Walter Kilzer, the program’s longest-tenured and winningest head coach. For the current athletes on the field, the significance of the game was not lost. “We made our players aware that they had been playing in the oldest stadium in west Tennessee and they would be the last squad that represented us there,” Haney says. “Our seniors took a great deal of pride in being the last senior class to play at Freed. Our students have done a good job respecting the sentiments of the older folks and the tradition that Freed Field represented.”

follow up

More from Drake In the last issue of Coaching Management Football, we reported on Drake University’s upcoming trip to Tanzania, during which the team will host a football clinic, play a game against a team from Mexico, and climb Mount Kilimanjaro, among other activities. More recently, the organizer of the game, Global Football, has announced it is working to provide clean water to the Tanzanian village of Sokoine through the Kili Bowl Water/Orphans Project. Sokoine, located in the Singida Region, has a population of 2,830, including 885 households. Each household spends approximately seven hours per day walking to the closest fresh water source to take care of the family’s daily needs. The goal To learn more and make a donation to the project, visit: of the project is to provide a fresh water www.kilibowl.com/donate. well directly in Singida. “The Global Kilimanjaro Bowl is having a profound impact on all the American and Mexican travelers, as well as upon the youth and sports fans of Tanzania,” Global Football President Patrick Steenberge said in a press release. “Now through our Kili Bowl Water/Orphans Project, we can have a lasting influence on an entire village for decades to come.”

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Coaching Management 11

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Circle No. 106

Q&A

On the way up

Led by wide receiver T.Y. Hilton, Florida International University raced to the Sun Belt Conference championship and a berth in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl in 2010, where the Panthers defeated Toledo, 34-32.

Q&A with Mario Cristobal | Florida International University When the final seconds ticked off the scoreboard at the 2010 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl, Florida International University Head Coach Mario Cristobal was sitting on top of the world. As he watched his players dance around Detroit’s Ford Field after a field goal in the closing seconds lifted them to an emotional come-frombehind victory, Cristobal knew all of his hard work had paid off. Cristobal’s rebuilding job at FIU began in December 2006, when he inherited a team that had just concluded an 0-12 season and was sporting a black eye due to an on-field brawl with the University of Miami. Making CoachesNetwork.com

matters worse, soon after he was hired, Cristobal was notified that his team would lose 25 scholarships for NCAA violations committed before his arrival, and that 17 returning players were academically ineligible for the upcoming season. That year, still reeling from the penalties, the Panthers won just one game. But by 2008, Cristobal started making his mark as the team finished 5-7 and he was named the Sporting News Sun Belt Conference Coach of the Year. Cristobal also saw the team’s academic standing improve as it raised its APR 74 points from the year before, earning accolades from the NCAA. Two years later, FIU had firmly established itself as an up-and-coming NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision program by posting a 7-6 record, winning the Sun Belt, and winning a bowl game in the school’s first appearance.

Success is nothing new to Cristobal. During his playing days at the University of Miami from 1988 to 1992, he won two national championships and was a first-team All-Big East offensive tackle his senior year. And as an assistant coach at his alma mater and Rutgers University, he helped develop a number of players who would go on to professional careers. In this interview, Cristobal talks about the steps he took to turn the FIU program around. He also shares his thoughts on developing a winning culture and what it takes to get the most out of players on the field and in the classroom. How did you improve the team so quickly?

Cristobal: The first thing we had to do was overhaul the culture surrounding Coaching Management 13

our team and make sure players knew that moving forward we were focused on establishing a championship mentality—in the classroom, in our community, in life, and of course on the football field. We outlined a five-year plan for success and understood that nothing would change overnight, but from day one we didn’t allow any wiggle room away from that plan. What are your keys to developing a championship mentality?

The culture we hold our guys to inside the football building is the same culture they are held to in the classroom and off the field. We emphasize that academics and graduating are just as important as winning

looking presentable. We spread out all over campus and do these checks. Seeing our coaches do that was a tremendous culture shock at first for our players. We also have a very strong presence in the dorms and at the academic support center. How long did it take for players to buy into the changes when you took over?

Whenever you bring that drastic of a change to a new place, there’s going to be resistance. At first, guys were doing what was mandated simply because it was mandated, not necessarily because they believed it was the right thing to do. We spent a lot of time trying to identify the players who really grasped the concept and who would push

“on the plane ride home, i was like sean payton with the super bowl trophy—i had my wife, my 15-month old baby, and that Little caesars trophy sitting right there next to me. it was all very surreal.” championships. That means getting to class 15 minutes early and sitting in one of the first three rows. It means not wearing hats indoors and keeping your pants pulled up. And I certainly don’t want to hear about players walking into class talking on a cell phone and disrespecting a professor. What are some of the changes you made to improve the team’s academic performance?

We have mandated study hall hours and time management sheets that detail every minute of a player’s day and provide a schedule of every upcoming test and paper. For many of our players, this is the first time they have been held accountable for that kind of stuff. It was a shock to them at the start, but completely necessary. We also have full team and positional academic meetings led by our coaches. The coaching staff has two meetings a week with our academic staff and two more with our players. It’s an academic bludgeoning—but in a positive way. How does your staff monitor players’ classroom behavior?

The coaches can’t go in the classroom, but we can wait outside with a checklist to make sure they’re 15 minutes early and 14 Coaching Management

the rest of the team and enforce our culture and expectations every single day—being a champion had to be an everyday thing, not a sometimes thing. What’s your approach to player development?

We want players to leave here prepared for life. The economy is not getting better, the outside world is not very forgiving, and there is no way for us to sugarcoat that for them. It’s just like in football—our opposition is not going to sit back and let us run our plays exactly the way we want to—everything is going to be met with resistance and you have to out-tough, out-work and outlast it. I tell our coaches to be very demanding, but not demeaning: Don’t cross that line. To get the most out of these guys and push them past their limits, you have to teach them and they have to trust and believe that you’re only trying to make them better. How do you find the line between demanding and demeaning?

Practice here is as intense as it gets. It’s fourth-and-one every day. The atmosphere needs to be high energy and intense, but it can never get personal between a coach and a player. Correcting and teaching technique with intensity is not the same as getting loud

and attacking someone personally. There’s a very distinct line between those two and I talk about that with our coaches all the time. What did you do to change the perception of the program following the brawl with Miami?

With something like that, you address it right away and you don’t shy away from it. Then you make sure that everything you do is geared toward moving forward. It’s no different than teaching a defensive back to have football amnesia: It doesn’t matter if the last play was great or if he got burned for a big gain, he has to clear his mind and move on to the next play. Because of that incident and the scar that came with it, we were very focused on creating a positive image of FIU and going out in the community to tell our story. We made sure people heard about the great things that were going on—the new academic programs we were implementing, and the regimented standards we were holding our guys to—and we were honest about the fact that it was going to take some time to turn things around. How have you sold the program to the community?

The season before I arrived, I don’t think the team completed even 100 community service hours. This year alone, we’re on pace to have more than 1,000 hours of community service. We’ve done everything from Habitat for Humanity to Big Brothers and Big Sisters to passing out pizzas to homeless shelters as part of the Little Caesars Love Kitchen program, and National Reading Day events. These things give our guys great perspective. We want them to understand that it’s not about how you walk into a place, it’s about how you leave it. You have these windows of time to enhance who you’re going to be and we’re going to maximize those windows. Not all of the things that we enforce and emphasize are going to be comfortable. But it’s not about being comfortable, it’s about being the best you can be. After a long, hot day of practicing they may feel tired and that they can’t push anymore, but then we’ll take them to visit a group of kids at a hospital and they start to understand how privileged they are to have these opportunities. There are so many people who would do anything to be in their shoes. The more we can use football as another classroom for life, the faster our players mature and realize everything we do is about the big picture. CoachesNetwork.com

Q&A How did winning the conference and the bowl game last season affect you?

It validated every single minute of tireless work by everyone associated with the program—especially the players who stuck with us through the hard times—and was the greatest, most rewarding part of my football life. I’m big on collecting moments and watching our players hop up and down with the trophy at midfield after the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl was awesome. What were your emotions like after winning your first bowl game?

On the plane ride home, I was like Sean Payton with the Super Bowl trophy—I had my wife, my 15-month old baby, and that Little Caesars trophy sitting right there next to me. It was all very surreal. Then after driving home from the airport at about 7 a.m., I opened the Miami Herald and on the front page there was a big color photo of our fans celebrating and a photo of one of our players scoring a touchdown. That’s when it really hit me: I thought, “Wow! What a great season, and what a big step forward for this program.” How do you keep the momentum going?

When you accomplish something like that you have to take time to reflect and celebrate, which we did. Then January 10—the first day of our off-season workouts—we got everybody together and told them it was time to go back to work. We knew that we would wear a bull’s-eye on our backs in the conference this upcoming season. I told our guys that it’s hard to win a championship, but it’s even harder to defend one. We made sure it was the toughest, most competitive off-season program we ever had. What did you focus on?

Eleven of our 13 games came down to the fourth quarter. We were lucky enough to win seven games, but we also lost four in the fourth quarter. One of our messages was that we have to play complete games and finish strong. South Florida is a hotbed for talent, but recruiting is often hit or miss. How do you find the right players for your program?

going to find those hidden gems by going to games, watching tape, and doing background checks to find guys who want to be champions and do things the right way. What are you looking for in a background check?

You’re dealing with 16-, 17-, and 18year-old kids, so you have to do your due diligence and talk to everybody surrounding the recruit’s high school program. Not every kid is going to be perfect, but you have to understand the difference between a kid who maybe made an adolescent mistake and a kid who did something intentionally or maliciously. We have to make sure we bring in guys who enhance the character of our locker room. Where do most of your players come from?

I think a program needs to reflect the area it’s located in and about 60 percent of our players come from South Florida. But we’re expanding our range to include more of the state. Before my staff arrived, FIU had only visited 140 of the 550 high schools in the state of Florida. Now, we visit every

single high school in the state the maximum number of times we’re allowed. You place a lot of emphasis on keeping yourself in shape. What drives you to do this?

I’ve always been a big fan of being athletic and in shape. Our entire staff is like that. We have a lot of players who are visual learners, so it’s important that our coaches be able to physically demonstrate what they’re trying to teach. It’s also a matter of having pride in taking care of yourself and being healthy. We can never go too far in modeling those behaviors for our players If a coach taking over a down program came to you looking for advice, what would you tell them?

Have a plan and stay the course, hire the right people, and don’t try to please everyone—because there’s no way you can. You’re probably going to ruffle some feathers but as long as you’re doing the right thing by the university, the program, the players, and their families, and you can look yourself in the mirror at the end of the day, you’re doing your job. CM

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Coaching Management 15

COVER STORY

THE RIGHT

PATH

Coaches are under constant pressure to win games, but winning the right way should be just as important. Maintaining an ethical program is the key to building a true legacy. | By Patrick Bohn

he year was 1940, and Cornell University was the second-ranked team in the country and winners of 18 straight. Facing Dartmouth College in the penultimate game of the season, the Big Red drove to the opponent’s 5-yard line with less than a minute to play, trailing 3-0. On fourth down, Cornell quarterback “Pop” Scholl threw an incomplete pass, and the game was over. Or was it? an extra down, against the University of Missouri. With mere seconds remaining, Colorado was trailing 31-27 and a yard away from a game-winning touchdown. After spiking the ball to stop the clock on what he believed to be third down, Colorado quarterback Charles Johnson ran for the game-winning touchdown on the next play. However, as it turned out, game officials had forgotten to flip a down marker after second down, meaning Colorado spiked the ball on what should have been fourth down, and scored on “fifth” down.

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Inexplicably, game officials thought the play occurred on third down and allowed Cornell to keep possession. The Big Red scored on the ensuing play to win, 7-3. However, after reviewing game film the next day and spotting the error, Cornell’s president, coaching staff, and athletic director agreed they should offer to forfeit the game. Dartmouth accepted, and was granted a 3-0 victory. Half a century later, the University of Colorado, then ranked 12th in the Associated Press poll, was also the beneficiary of

Oregon State University Head Coach Mike Riley has led the Beavers to six bowl appearances in 10 years at the helm. He also involves discussions on ethics in all of his meetings with his coaching staff.

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Coaching Management 17

COVER STORY

Colorado declined to forfeit the game, and the Buffaloes went on to win the only national championship in school history, splitting the title with Georgia Tech. Head Coach Bill McCartney later admitted that he regretted what happened and how he handled it. “I went to school at Missouri, OK?” McCartney told ESPN years later. “I’m an alum, OK? And all of this has tarnished that. That is a regret that I’ll carry with me to my grave.”

While few coaches will ever face such a tricky situation, you will face many other ethical decisions throughout your coaching career. For example, what would you do if you stumbled upon a rival team’s playbook? Or, would you ever skirt a rule if you knew nobody would find out? Have you thought about how you would handle unethical conduct by an assistant coach or player? We talked to top coaches and experts in the field about these types of tough situations,

A TRUE GRAY AREA One of the biggest ethical controversies in NCAA Division I football is the practice of oversigning and grayshirting. Although NCAA rules limit Division I Football Bowl Subdivison schools to 85 scholarship players and a maximum of 25 new ones per year, some coaches sign more than 25 players to letters of intent as a safeguard against players who don’t end up meeting qualification standards or get hurt. However, if every signee qualifies, then some won’t get a scholarship. Or if a coach exceeds the team limit of 85, he has to cut existing scholarship players to get under the limit. It’s a practice that’s drawn plenty of criticism, but not all coaches agree on the ethical considerations of oversigning players. Larry Kindbom, Head Coach at Washington University in St. Louis and a member of the AFCA Ethics Committee, feels oversigning needs to be stopped. “If you have a seat on an airline and they overbook the flight and you get bumped off, you’d be upset, wouldn’t you?” he says. “It’s the same thing here. Coaches are gambling with other people’s lives by saying, ‘Well, I think this many people will make it.’ As a former D-I assistant, I’ve been involved in conversations about how many players

won’t make a team because of injuries or academics, and I think it’s unethical. “At the very least, coaches need to be willing to tell a kid they sign, ‘Look, I may not be able to renew this scholarship each year,” Kindbom continues. “But how many kids would sign with them if they did that?” Mike Riley, Head Coach at Oregon State University, sees the issue a little differently. “We can’t limit our yearly scholarship offers to 25 because some of those guys may not qualify and we’ll be short on players,” he says. If Riley sees his team is in danger of exceeding scholarship limits, he explains to some of incoming recruits that they may have to grayshirt (take a semester or year off and begin when more scholarships may be available) which gives them the opportunity to decide if that’s the right situation for them. But Riley says he’ll never knowingly bring in excess scholarship players with the intent of getting rid of others in order to make the roster stronger. “We shouldn’t be in the business of eliminating players from our programs,” he says. “You’re responsible for those guys already on the roster, so if you all of a sudden decide one of them isn’t good enough and try to bring in extra guys so you have an excuse to get rid of him, that’s unethical.”

and they share what they’ve learned from past experiences. WHY BE ETHICAL?

The competitive nature of sports sometimes obscures the importance of ethical behavior. Slogans like, “Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing,” can push ethical considerations to the background. And according to those we spoke to, many coaches today are judged more on their win-loss record than their moral compass. “Even for coaches who want to be ethical, the desire and pressure to win can lead to rationalization or moral compromise,” says Michael Josephson, President of the Josephson Institute of Ethics. “Plus, there is a far greater chance that a coach will lose his job for not winning than for engaging in questionable ethical conduct or unsportsmanlike behavior. So you see some coaches who pay lip service to the idea of being ethical, but are clearly more focused on winning. That sends the wrong message to the players and other coaches.” The fact that today’s coaches are often given just a season or two to prove themselves adds to the pressure. “It takes a few years to establish ethical principles in a program, but in our world, if you don’t win right away, you don’t keep your job,” says Mike Riley, Head Coach at Oregon State University. “We’re involved in the development of young men, and the game gives us a great opportunity to do so. But if you lose a lot of games, you won’t get a chance to develop anyone—no matter how ethical you are.” So why be ethical? The most compelling reason may be the opportunities coaches have to shape players’ choices and decisionmaking. “There’s overwhelming evidence that a coach has a huge impact on the type of person a player becomes,” Josephson says. “Coaches need to understand that and act accordingly.” Some coaches choose to be ethical because of the influence of a previous coach they played for or worked with. “I’ve had the privilege of working with Hall-of-Fame coaches Tom Osborne and Hayden Fry, and the last thing I want to do is let them down,” says Appalachian State University Head Coach Jerry Moore. “The things they taught me are always on my mind. I’d hate for them to call me up and say, ‘Jerry, we’re disappointed in you.” A coach’s conduct also sets the tone PATRICK BOHN is an Assistant Editor at Coaching Management. He can be reached at: pb@MomentumMedia.com.

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for the whole program. When players see coaches trying to skirt the rules and gain an advantage, whether fair or unfair, they’re more likely to feel other rules, including yours, may not always apply. “You have to respect the game,” Moore says. “We’ve got that phrase on the wall in our locker room, and I abide by it. As a coach, you need your players to respect you, and they won’t if they see that you’re doing things you’re not supposed to.” This means leading by example. “You have to shoot straight with your players,” says Hingham (Mass.) High School Head Coach Paul Killinger. “It won’t do me any

those suspended players told me, ‘My son is still upset about his decision-making, and he’s so sorry that he let you down,’” Killinger says. “This kid is now at college and doing really well, and hopefully he’s learned something from that situation.” BREAKING IT DOWN

With so much on your to-do list as a coach, how do you make ethics a priority? Josephson says the key is to take the time to think critically about your decisions. “Most coaches want to do the right thing,” Josephson says. “They are intuitive about ethics, but they don’t think about them systematically

“I believe there are three distinct categories of ethical responsibilities for coaches. They have an obligation to be ethical within the framework of the game as it occurs on the field, how they relate to players, and to the sport itself.” michael josephson, josephson institute of ethics good to tell them they can’t drink and then have their parents see me out at a bar three sheets to the wind. Kids see right through that stuff, and once you lose credibility with them, you’ve lost them for good.” Larry Kindbom, Head Coach at Washington University at St. Louis, agrees. “You can’t flip a switch and change in front of your players and be a different guy than the one who goes home at night,” he says. “You are who you are. If you want to be the kind of coach who stands for character, honesty and integrity, then you have to do that the best you can. Even though you can’t be perfect, it’s important you’re consistent about how you act.” Killinger faced a challenging situation in 2006, when his team was on its way to the playoffs. “I lost seven starters because they were at a party where there was alcohol,” he says. “In Massachusetts, if you’re underage and at a party where there’s alcohol, you’re in trouble—even if you’re not drinking. Half the police officers in our town played for me, and I might have been able to get the players out of trouble by making a phone call. But I would never do that. Our kids knew they weren’t allowed to be at a party with alcohol, so they missed the playoff game and we lost.” As disappointing as the defeat was, it wasn’t until earlier this year that Killinger saw that his handling of the situation earned the respect of his players. “I was working a basketball game, and a parent of one of 20 Coaching Management

and don’t understand the scope and depth of their ethical obligations. This results in a huge gap between what the coaches need to do and what they actually do.” To help coaches think through the topic, Josephson breaks ethics down into smaller subsets. “I believe there are three distinct categories of ethical responsibility for coaches,” he says. “They have an obligation to be ethical within the framework of the game as it occurs on the field, how they relate to players, and to the sport itself.”

ing that the right rules get passed, reporting other coaches’ misconduct, or simply being a good example and not embarrassing the game or profession.” Coaches would never enter a game without thoroughly preparing for the contest. It’s just as important to develop an ethics plan. This means thinking about different ethical dilemmas and how you would react—before you actually face them. The Josephson Institute offers training sessions to help coaches with this process. “We try to walk coaches through the challenges and ethical obligations of their profession,” Josephson says. “Take the concept of ‘gamesmanship.’ For example, some coaches feel that it’s okay to turn the heat up or to leave half an inch of water on the floor in the visiting locker room. Those things may not be illegal, but they don’t show respect for the game or their peers. Coaches should think through where they stand on those issues and how they will respond if someone brings up an idea that they consider unethical.” Riley suggests thinking about why regulations exist in order to choose the correct path. “If there’s a rule in place that limits the amount of contact you have with a recruit in the off-season or during the recruiting process, you have to realize that’s being done to protect his private life,” he says. “Maybe you can get around it and get some more contact with him, but at what cost? If you understand the spirit of the rules, then you won’t have to lose any sleep at night worrying about the wrong decision.” And it’s important to remember that often the people you work for may have their own expectations for your behavior,

“Our team policy is three simple letters: C.T.R. That stands for ‘Choose The Right,’ and that’s what I aim to do in all my decisions.” ken niumatalolo, united states naval academy On the field: For Josephson, this aspect deals with the written rules of the game and playing the game fairly, while upholding good sportsmanship. Players and parents: “This is about being honest, fair, and respectful to the players,” Josephson says. “A high school coach who, for example, takes advantage of a relationship he has in order to promote a certain college to his players is not upholding this tenant.” To the game itself: “Coaches have an obligation to act in the best interest of the game,” Josephson says. “This may be done by ensur-

both written and unwritten. Ken Niumatalolo, Head Coach at the United States Naval Academy, cites his institution’s ethical standards as a major contributor to shaping his moral compass. “Integrity is a big focus of the Naval Academy,” he says. “Not just in following our honor code, but in doing the right thing whenever possible. Our team policy is three simple letters: C.T.R. That stands for ‘Choose The Right,” and that’s what I aim to do in all my decisions.” When considering your own ethical standards, it can also be helpful to think CoachesNetwork.com

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about what other coaches do in tough situations. Some, like Kindbom, lean on a mentor for advice. Kindbom coached at the University of Akron during the school’s transition from NCAA Division II to Division I, and the head coach at the time, Jim

kids were a big part of our program, and he wasn’t going to run them off. “Mentors and role models allow us to see first hand what it means to have character and integrity,” he continues. “Even if we occasionally see that person do something

“You have to educate your coaches daily just like you do with your players. At almost all our meetings, we discuss how coaches need to make the right decisions because we have major responsibilities to the program and our families.” mike riley, oregon state university Denison, showed him what it meant to act ethically. “Because we were competing at a higher level, we were bringing in better players than we had before,” Kindbom says. “But Jim never said to the holdover D-II players on the roster, ‘You guys aren’t the caliber of players I want, so see you later.’ Those

we don’t agree with, that can also provide a guide for us. We can then ask ourself, ‘Is this how I want to be? Would I make that same decision?’” MAKING IT REAL

Once you’ve established your core ethical standards, imparting them to your players

and staff is the next progression. Kindbom gets his team on the same page as him by running them through ethical scenarios prior to the season, just as he does a twominute drill or sudden change situation. This year, the theme was commitment. “I asked the players to think about a scenario where a quarterback makes a commitment to attend a school,” Kindbom says. “Then the coach asks the player if he’s sure about his decision, and says if he is, the coach will stop pursuing other quarterbacks. The kid responds that he is. A week later, the kid tells that coach he got an offer from his dream school. When the coach reminds him of his commitment, the quarterback says, ‘I have to do what’s best for me.’” When Kindbom told his players that story, one said he was going through a similar situation with two prospective employers. “He had been offered a job by one company and needed to decide by Friday,” Kindbom says. “But the second company wanted to interview him for his dream job on Monday. He told me, ‘I don’t know what to do—I don’t want to lose a guaranteed

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Circle No. 111 CoachesNetwork.com

COVER STORY

job, but I really want to work for this other company.’ So we discussed how to handle it.” Moore makes sure that he sends the right message to players any time there’s a possible gray area. “For example, the day before a home game, we practice late in the afternoon, right before the visiting team,” he says. “The way our stadium is constructed, our players could sit in the bleachers unnoticed and observe the other team practicing. I know that wouldn’t be right, but the players might be tempted to watch and gain an advantage for our team. So I always tell them to clear out of there and not watch.” Athletes aren’t the only team members who should be included in ethical discussions. If assistant coaches and other staff members don’t share your views on ethics, your messages can be diluted or undermined. “You have to educate your coaches daily just like you do with your players,” Riley says. “At

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paul killinger, hingham (mass.) high school almost all our meetings, we discuss how coaches need to make the right decisions because we have major responsibilities to the program and our families. “It doesn’t happen overnight, though,” he continues. “You need to decide what’s important and set down those guidelines early. And once you do, you can’t deviate from them, regardless of the pressure you face.” Usually, it’s easier to head off a problem than it is to solve one. That’s why Killinger uses the job interview process to find out if a prospective assistant coach shows a willingness to skirt the rules. “Whenever you’re talking to a coach, especially a young one, you can pick up on how ethical they are pretty easily,” he says. “If I’m interviewing a coach for the offensive line, and he starts telling me about all the ‘dirty tricks’ he can teach a kid and how to get away with certain things, I’ll end the interview. I don’t want a person like that on my staff.” Doing the right thing isn’t always going to be easy. In fact, the right path is often the hardest road to follow. Still, it’s worth it, says Kindbom. “Our sport will become very different if coaches are constantly crossing ethical lines,” he says. “If you strongly adhere to your ethical base, you may not win as many games, but it’s important to remember that many people will look beyond your record when talking about your legacy as a coach.” CM

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FUNDRAISING

SELLING THE PASSION

There’s nothing like the excitement surrounding a high school football game. Upgrading your fundraising efforts starts with conveying that passion—and explaining the market it can bring—to local businesses. By Scott Garvis

CoachesNetwork.com

Consider these statistics from a 2007 survey conducted by Turnkey Intelligence: Seventy-seven percent of people would be more likely to purchase from and support a company if it sponsored the local high school. And 75 percent of respondents believed that high school sports have a greater community influence than professional, college, or other amateur sports. In other words, those of us in high school athletics are sitting on a gold mine. Our students, parents, teachers, and fans are a target market that businesses are eager to reach. When school district funding covers the costs of athletics programs, there may be no need to bring in additional money for our teams. But as budgets are slashed and Coaching Management 25

FUNDRAISING

parents balk at increased participation fees, it becomes important to recognize the significant marketing power that is at our disposal. By offering advertising and sponsorships to local businesses, we can harness that power and ease the financial pressures we face. All schools have many ways they can promote local companies, from signs and banners on athletic fields to PA announcements to space on a Web site to special promotions. In most communities, business owners covet the opportunity to get their message out to buyers through these means, and they are willing to pay to do so, provided they are approached in the right way.

plan is more involved, but just as important. The broad strategic plan should include a mission statement for your team and a vision for how that mission will be met. For example, at Burnsville, our focus was always on serving student-athletes by providing resources that will develop and enhance their athletic experience. Regardless of the mission, the plan should also include goals that are visible and attainable. It is important to involve others in creating this document to ensure your philosophy coincides with your school district’s mission and vision. The second part of creating a strategic plan focuses on determining what you have

conceived dollar amounts. Rather, I approach the meeting as an opportunity to develop trust, respect, and a rapport for future opportunities. I talk about our athletic program, letting the business owner see and feel my enthusiasm for creating a great experience for student-athletes in their community, and I talk in general about how partnering with the school can increase their recognition and sales—with us, they have the potential to reach a very engaged target audience. I also ask them to tell me about their needs and marketing strategies. Another initial strategy is to provide the business with a tangible connection to your

While it takes work to put together a written plan, we found it provided focus and meaning for those we solicited. When business owners see you have a vision and concrete needs, they feel their money is being used wisely. As Athletic Director at Burnsville (Minn.) High School for four years, I implemented fundraising programs and sponsorships in many areas, and I am starting to do the same in my new job at Eastside Catholic High School in Sammamish, Wash., a suburb of Seattle. While the fundraising programs I put in place were for an entire athletic department, similar programs can be done for just football. START WITH A STRATEGIC PLAN

To accomplish this type of fundraising, you need a lot of help from others. That’s why, to start, you have to convince administrators, parents, and the local community to get on board with your ideas. The best way I found to do this was by constructing a well thought out strategic plan. Start by determining your team’s needs, especially those not being met through the athletic department budget. A strategic plan presents goals for tangible improvements and why you need them. Without stated objectives, it can be hard to get buy-in. For example, many years ago, I started a lift-a-thon for our football program with no defined goals, and the event had limited success. The next year, we put together printed materials that listed and pictured the items we hoped to purchase with proceeds from the lift-a-thon, and we quadrupled the previous year’s totals. When community members had a clear vision for what we were trying to accomplish, they felt like they were a part of the process and were eager to help. When launching a larger campaign, the 26 Coaching Management

to offer local businesses. Before you solicit them, think about all the products, goods, and services your students, parents, and fans use. Then, think about the local companies that sell those products. Identify businesses whose target audience includes the people who attend your games. Consider brand loyalty when developing your plans. Today’s more savvy businesses are focused on cultivating loyalty to their products, which is a huge buying factor among families and teens. The Turnkey Intelligence survey found that 89 percent of youths are likely to switch from one brand to another if the second brand is associated with a good cause, such as a high school—this is a key statistic to use in selling advertising. While it takes work to put together a written plan, we found it provided focus and meaning for those we solicited. When business owners see you have a vision and concrete needs, they feel their money is being used wisely. APPROACH & FOLLOW THROUGH

Before approaching any local businesses, know that the one key to success is developing relationships. Sending a letter or brochure to local businesses and waiting for them to respond won’t get you far. Business owners receive mail and are asked for money from churches, youth organizations, and numerous non-profits constantly. To stand out from others, you need to follow your letter with a phone call or face-to-face meeting. I never go into these discussions with a sales pitch or even any pre-

team. Offering store managers game tickets and invitations to special events when you first meet with them is a nice touch. In Burnsville, I would also bring in memorabilia to hang in their establishment as well as T-shirts and hats for them to use as promotional items or employee give-aways. Businesses get tired of donating to causes without getting much back and this gesture shows you are thinking about what might appeal to them. From there, work with the business to develop opportunities that benefit both of you. At Burnsville, we offered many levels of standard sponsorships. At our lowest level, $400, a business would receive a small Web site ad with a link and two complimentary season passes. Our highest level, $1,500, offered a full-page ad in our game programs, PA announcements, a large banner Web site ad with a link, game sponsorship opportunities, and season passes. A few of our other options were a banner ad ($800), sponsoring a team poster ($500), and handing out promotional merchandise at games ($400 to $600). We also tried to work with each business to figure out their needs. For example, Velocity Sports Performance had just opened a gym in our town and they wanted to educate teens and their parents about their training systems. So our partnership with SCOTT GARVIS became Senior Director of Athletics at Eastside Catholic High School in Sammamish, Wash., last summer after serving as the District Athletic Director at Burnsville (Minn.) High School. He has also been Athletic Director at high schools in Iowa. He can be reached at: sgarvis@EastsideCatholic.org.

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them entailed an ad on our scoreboard and the opportunity to set up a table at games with information about their business and coupons for free two-week sessions. Another sponsor did not want to pay for any traditional advertising options, but was interested in getting information about its product into the hands of those people attending our games. For this company, we handed out flyers that promoted its air purifier, and the athletic department received 20 percent of each unit it sold. In some cases, the relationship took some time to develop, but we did not rush it. For example, when I first approached a Burger King restaurant down the street from our

It can also be helpful to create a brochure that serves as a representation of your program. The one I developed at Burnsville listed all our different sponsorship opportunities and included photos of our studentathletes in action, fans in the stands, and some of our promotional items. I also used quotes from business owners already on board to show that advertising with us really worked to promote their companies. And don’t forget to include Web site advertising in your options. In this area, the more visits your site attracts, the more money you can bring in. Take the initiative to work with the IT coordinator at your school to find your current athletic Web page stats. Hard

The goal here was to create some unique programs that would both benefit specific businesses and draw more people to games. For example, we worked with a local car dealership and raffled off a two-year car lease at a game, which raised $15,000 for new uniforms. Another idea is to have cheerleaders throw merchandise with a sponsor’s advertisement on it into the crowd after all touchdowns, which allows double exposure for the business since people would later wear the items around town. Here are some other game-day promotional partnerships that worked well: On the Radio: By partnering with a local radio station and the restaurant Buffalo

In the future, I see conferences and other school groupings joining together to maximize profitability, much like colleges have done. The key is getting a group of high schools together and making connections with national and regional brands. school, they were not interested in spending any dollars with us. But I did get the store to agree to do a cross-promotional sponsorship, in which their employees wore T-shirts promoting one of our games and we handed out coupons for their food. From there, we asked if we could use their parking lot for a car wash fundraiser, which brought a ton of business to them. A few other cross-promotional ideas went well, and soon they were happy to sign on for sponsorships. Make sure you always take the time to write thank you letters and invite your sponsors to events. Also consider hosting a sponsor recognition night, where you present each with some memorabilia or a plaque at halftime. Getting your sponsors to your events allows them to see how their money is working and feel like they are part of the excitement of high school athletics. We found this led to further marketing opportunities. How can you develop these relationships if you are new to the community or have never worked with businesses before? One idea is to work with your chamber of commerce or a similar group. Also, keep in mind that everyone you meet in the business sector of your community can be a future partner, and current relationships can develop new strategic alliances. For example, say you meet a parent who owns a printing company in town. You’ve found the perfect opportunity to trade free advertising in your game programs for the cost of the printing. And you’ve potentially found a new sponsor. 28 Coaching Management

numbers can really open your sponsors’ eyes to the opportunity of advertising with your athletic department online. Adding content to bring in parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, friends, and fans is the next step. Post as much information on your site as you can, and use all of the marketing available to attract visitors there. We have used our Web site to vote for an athlete of the month, which drove enormous traffic to our site. This will be the future of athletic fundraising. One last point about approaching sponsors is that you must do your homework and know what your community businesses are looking for. I have had the opportunity to serve as an athletic administrator in very small districts with less than 100 kids per graduating class, medium size districts, and very large districts with 800 kids per graduating class. I have found that while small communities have a limited number of businesses, they have such an investment in their schools that they are very supportive of sponsorship initiatives. In large metropolitan areas, the sale of sponsorship packages has to appeal to the bottom line. Although there are more corporate dollars to go around, the sponsorship sale is tougher, requiring more detail on who the company’s message will reach and how often. PARTNERS IN PROMOTIONS

Along with offering traditional advertising options at Burnsville, we partnered with businesses on various game-day marketing ideas.

Wild Wings, we turned a late-season game into a very fun event. The radio station promoted the game, provided give-aways, and had a celebrity DJ on hand, along with broadcasting the game, which is rare in the Minneapolis area. There was also a raffle specifically for our students, which was drawn at halftime. The winner received a one-year supply of wings from Buffalo Wild Wings and also got to try to throw a Nerf football through a car window for a chance at a $25,000 college scholarship. The radio station took care of all the logistics of the event, which included securing an insurance provider to cover the scholarship cost in case the student made the throw. While the radio station did not give us any dollars, the event helped increase our attendance, and thus our gate in a huge way—we tripled our revenue from the previous year. Scoring for Cash: Another game-day promotion we implemented asked a sponsor to donate a certain amount of money based on the team’s success. In return, the business (usually a local or regional bank) received a full-page ad in our program and a banner in the stadium or gym. After each payout, an announcement was made thanking the sponsor and a banner ad tallied the total donation. Here’s how it worked: Each interception: $25 Each defensive fumble recovery: $25 Each field goal: $25 Each touchdown: $100 Each game won: $100 CoachesNetwork.com

FUNDRAISING

Winning record for season: $250 Conference championship: $500 Section championship: $750 State championship: $1,000 Let ’Em Eat Cake: One of our more unconventional events was a cake auction, run by our booster club, which raised $25,000. We sent letters to our sponsors, asking them to donate a special cake and some type of product. Attendees at one of our games then bid on each sponsor’s display. The businesses worked hard to outdo each other with their cakes and prizes to get the largest bid. For example, our local Pepsi distributor created a cake that looked like a jukebox and put a real iPod inside. A jewelry store included a nice piece of jewelry with their cake, and others added gift cards. Some cake-prize displays went for as much as $3,000. We also invited all the sponsors to come to the game, so local business owners could network with one another. GROUP EFFORT

As mentioned at the start of this article, an athletic director or coach cannot do this alone. At Burnsville, boosters and parent sup-

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port groups were integral in our fundraising endeavors. One key was asking for assistance in a person’s area of expertise. We asked our creative parents to design brochures, our outgoing boosters to talk to businesses, and the most organized individuals to be in charge of special events. We also asked our Alumni Foundation, Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club, and various community business organizations for assistance. Surrounding yourself with people who understand the vision of your team and care about the tradition and development of athletics within your community is vitally important. Students who want to gain real-world experience can be a great resource, too. Consider asking members of your studentathlete advisory council to help in marketing and fundraising, and don’t be afraid to look beyond your own campus—I have used interns from local colleges to design our printed materials. You might also think about turning to rival schools for help. In the future, I see conferences or other school groupings joining together to maximize profitability,

much like colleges have done over the past decade. The key is getting a group of high schools together and making connections with national and regional brands. A dozen Friday night high school football games can deliver the same exposure as a professional football game. Do the math and you will see that this can mean big money for interscholastic athletics. Done right, raising money will require both time and effort, two commodities coaches rarely have enough of. So it is imperative that fundraising becomes a team effort. When our work at Burnsville started paying off, the students, parents, and community members were proud of our accomplishments. Every time we completed a project, we felt great about making experiences better for both current and future student-athletes. And that is truly what interscholastic athletics is all about. CM

A version of this article appeared in our sister magazine, Athletic Management. To access more articles from AM, please visit: www.AthleticManagement.com.

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Coaching Management 29

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NUTRITION

Penn State University wide receiver Derek Moye led the Nittany Lions in receiving yards in 2010 with 885.

Fueling for success maxwell kruger/us presswire

As your athletes perform summer workouts to prepare for a new season on the gridiron, their nutrition choices may determine the success or failure of their training programs. By Dr. Kris Clark In March 2009, Penn State quarterback Shane McGregor came to me for advice. He wanted to cut body fat and gain weight by increasing muscle mass, so we began with a body composition analysis. It revealed that of his 211 pounds, 165 were lean mass, leavCoachesNetwork.com

ing his body fat at roughly 22 percent. That was our starting point, and after talking through his goals, I put him on a comprehensive nutrition plan. By October, Shane was 17 pounds lighter, but that didn’t tell the whole story. His body comp test showed a loss of 22 pounds of fat, accompanied by a gain of five pounds of lean muscle. He looked fitter and felt better than ever. In fact, he was so happy with the results that he came to me again the next spring, this time wanting to add 12 more lean pounds by August while keeping his body fat in its new range of roughly 10 percent. In football, every pound matters. Players can make major performance gains by adding “good” weight, dropping “bad” weight, or like Shane, doing some of both. And the optimal ratios vary greatly depending on position, playing style, body chemistry, and a host of other factors. Coaching Management 31

As your football players prepare for the upcoming summer, they should know this is the best time of year to optimize their nutritional habits and thereby improve body composition. A successful plan to do so focuses on energy consumption and expenditure, nutrient timing, and the willingness to pay attention to a few key nutrient categories. BALANCING ENERGY

One of the most common off-season goals for football players is to add strength, so many of them hit the weightroom with intensity over the spring and summer. They often don’t realize how much their success depends on their fueling strategy. To increase strength and mass, athletes must be in a state of positive energy balance—they must consume more calories than they’re burning. Even if it’s unlikely that a player will make a habit of counting his daily calories, examining energy expenditure creates an important guidepost around which to set goals for meals and workouts. To make this calculation, you must first determine baseline resting energy expenditure (REE), then multiply it by an activity factor. The Harris-Benedict equation calculates REE as follows: n 66.5 + (13.75 x weight in kg) + (5.0 x height in cm) - (6.78 x age in years) = REE

For example, with a 199-pound athlete (90.4 kg) who is 6-foot-3 (190.5 cm) and 20 years old, you’d come up with 66.5 + 1243 + 952.5 - 135.6 = 2126.4, which we’ll round to 2,125 for simplicity. Standard activity multipliers for football players are: Little/no strenuous activity = REE x 1.6-1.7 Moderate strenuous activity = REE x 1.8-1.9 n Heavy strenuous activity = REE x 2.1-2.4 n n

Assuming this athlete is performing highly strenuous off-season workouts, we’ll use the activity multiplier of 2.1 to 2.4, making for a calorie range of 4,463 to 5,100 per day. That figure represents energy expenditure—the amount that the athlete must eat to avoid a calorie deficit. To gain weight, he must consume even more energy. If he understands that calories from all five food groups are essential for getting the full spectrum of macronutrients, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytochemicals—that is, if he’s a generally healthy eater—then the extra calories in his diet should come from the same types of foods he’s already eating every day. When a football player is looking to gain weight, I typically suggest increasing energy intake by 500 to 700 calories per day. About half of the “new” calories should come from foods high in carbohydrates, a quarter from protein-rich items, and a quarter from healthy sources of fat. (For some easy ways to add

STACKING CALORIES One challenge for athletes looking to gain weight is that they’re usually

eating as much as their appetite allows, so they don’t see obvious ways to add extra calories without feeling overstuffed. In these instances, I recommend a practice called stacking calories—making minor tweaks to existing food and beverage choices to increase their caloric content. Healthy fats are more calorie-dense than carbohydrates or lean protein, so here are a few suggestions I offer to athletes who need to stack their calories:

When making a peanut butter and jelly (or banana) sandwich, apply a thicker coating of peanut butter, and try adding a third piece of bread for an extra layer. Two extra tablespoons of peanut butter provide roughly 190 calories, and the third slice of bread can easily add over 100.

instead of water, and add chopped nuts or dried fruit. Each of these adjustments can add roughly 200 calories. n

32 Coaching Management

Instead of eating salsa with tortilla chips, switch to guacamole. Each serving of guacamole typically packs over 150 calories, and avocados are a great source of healthy fat and omega-3 fatty acids.

Drizzle four tablespoons of olive oil over cooked noodles before adding tomato sauce. Each tablespoon contains about 135 calories, so this adds more than 500 to the meal.

Make rice or oatmeal with whole milk

Add extra cheese or meat to any sandwich or wrap. Each extra slice of cheese or ounce of meat can add about 100 calories.

more healthy calories to a diet for weight gain, see “Stacking Calories” below.) If an athlete isn’t already a fairly healthy eater, you should take a step back and explain the basics of healthy macronutrient balance. One of the most critical areas to address with these athletes is carbohydrate consumption, because carbs provide the bulk of energy that’s available to the body during daily workouts. As a general rule, 55 to 60 percent of all calories in a football player’s diet should come from foods rich in carbohydrates. Remind athletes that carbohydrates are not their own food group, but rather a class of nutrients found in all five basic groups. In fact, the vast majority of food sources contain at least some carbs. Roughly 80 percent of calories from foods in the grain and vegetable groups, 100 percent of the calories in fruit, and approximately 60 percent of the calories in dairy products come from carbohydrates. Even some foods traditionally thought of as protein sources, such as beans, nuts, seeds, and nut butters, contain a significant amount of carbs. With the exception of animal tissue (meat) and eggs, carbs are plentiful everywhere, so eating an adequate supply should never be difficult. If an athlete needs further reinforcement on the importance of carbs, try pointing out that many of the best sources are plant-based foods, which also provide other significant “perks.” For instance, orange vegetables, citrus fruit, and green leafy vegetables are rich in antioxidants and hundreds of phytochemicals, which research shows can prevent muscle damage due to intense exercise. In addition, these compounds help stabilize free radicals, which essentially means they neutralize harmful chemicals formed when they body is under physical stress. So besides greater energy stores and support for muscle growth, a carb-rich diet will help speed recovery during periods of intense training. PROTEIN: THE BUILDING BLOCKS

The only macronutrient with a recommended daily allowance (RDA) is protein. That fact underscores its importance for overall health, but for football players, it’s even more critical. Without an adequate supply of protein and the amino acids it provides, the body can’t translate hard work in the weightroom into substantial muscle growth. KRIs clark, PhD, is an Assistant Professor and the Director of Sports Nutrition at Pennsylvania State University, where she coordinates nutrition planning for more than 800 varsity athletes. She can be reached at: klc5@psu.edu.

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NUTRITION

The RDA for protein in the average healthy adult is 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight per day. For athletes, the overwhelming consensus of published research supports a higher daily figure for muscle maintenance, tissue growth, and optimal recovery. In football, research has produced a few different target numbers, but one of the

quantities of protein shakes, lean meat, and other protein-rich items during intense offseason weight training hoping to maximize new muscle, only to be disappointed when it doesn’t produce the desired outcome. The truth is that excess protein (beyond about two grams per kilogram per day) will not produce additional muscle growth. Even

when protein works together with a ready supply of dietary carbohydrates. For years, researchers have debated whether carbohydrates alone, protein alone, or a combination of both promotes faster recovery, greater strength gains, and more mass, and while the debate still exists, more and more researchers are coming on board with the combination

For football players looking to add muscle and recover quickly from lifting sessions, it’s essential to provide the body with protein and carbs as soon as possible after a workout. most common recommendations is a protein intake of up to two grams per kilogram per day. Besides all the benefits of the protein itself, this level practically ensures a positive nitrogen balance in the body (since protein provides nitrogen), which will also aid in muscle growth. Many football players have the misconception that more protein always results in more muscle. They may consume massive

worse, too much protein can have negative side effects. If it displaces carbohydrates in the diet, athletes will have less energy for workouts and daily activities, and they may even experience muscle loss. Research has also linked excess dietary protein to increased risk for lower bone density, dehydration, and kidney stress. The key, once again, is macronutrient balance—optimal muscle growth occurs

approach. A recent study from the University of Texas provides the latest evidence: It showed that carbohydrates and protein together, consumed immediately after an intense two-hour weight training session, increased insulin and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) and improved amino acid absorption by muscle cells more effectively than protein only. The study also highlighted another cru-

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cial component of protein and carbohydrate consumption—timing. For football players looking to add muscle and recover quickly from lifting sessions, it’s essential to provide the body with protein and carbs as soon as possible after a workout to promote glycogen replacement and other main aspects of recovery. I always advise our players to eat something containing protein and carbs immediately after working out, even if it’s as simple as cereal and milk, a cheese sandwich, or yogurt and a bagel. Post-workout shakes, bars, and gels are other convenient and effective options. FAT & WEIGHT LOSS

Fat is probably the most misunderstood macronutrient among athletes. It plays a vital role in strength building, yet fear of gaining “fat weight” prevents many young people from eating enough of even healthy fats. This often proves counterproductive— several studies have demonstrated that diets in which less than 20 percent of total calories come from fat result in decreased serum testosterone, androstenedione, and free testosterone. That’s a huge drawback for foot-

5,000-CALORIE MENU Football players looking to gain weight may need to consume 5,000 or more calories per day for optimal fueling. That might seem like a Herculean task, but it’s not difficult if an athlete focuses on calorie-dense food and beverage choices throughout the day. This sample daily menu provides roughly 5,000 calories.

BREAKFAST

LUNCH

1,095 calories 2.5 cups of raisin bran 1 banana 1 cup of 2% milk 2 cups of orange juice 1 cup of chocolate milk

MID-MORNING SNACK 760 calories 1 bagel 2 tablespoons of peanut butter 2 cups of 2% milk

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DINNER 1,420 calories

815 calories 1/4-pound cheeseburger with whole wheat bun, lettuce, and tomato Side salad with veggies, dried cranberries, sun-flower seeds, and reduced-fat dressing 2 cups of 2% milk

2 cups of pasta 1 cup of marinara sauce 6-ounce chicken breast 1 cup of green beans 1 cup of 2% milk 1 cup of ice cream with chocolate syrup

AFTERNOON SNACK

LATE-NIGHT SNACK

550 calories

360 calories

1 cup of cottage cheese 1 cup of applesauce 1 cup of fruit juice 2 full-size graham crackers

20 pretzels 1/2 cup of grapes 1 cup of 2% milk

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NUTRITION

ball players looking to get stronger. Some of the best options for getting an adequate supply of monounsaturated fats (the healthier alternative to saturated fat) are olive and canola oils, nut-based oils, peanut butter and other nut butters, fish, lean meat (beef, pork, chicken, and turkey), dairy products, and eggs with yolks. Besides healthy fat, many of these foods contain omega-3 fatty acids, which can benefit athletes during intense training by helping to regulate the inflammatory response in muscles after a workout. The athletes most likely to restrict fat to an unhealthy degree are those actively trying to lose weight in their off-season. For these individuals, it’s essential to stress that the way to drop unwanted pounds is by moderately reducing calorie consumption—not avoiding healthy fat intake. For football players, I typically recommend reducing daily calories by 200 to 500 below the range needed for weight maintenance, which results in the loss of half a pound to one pound per week. Anything faster than that, particularly when an athlete is actively training, and the weight loss will

likely come from muscle and not just adipose (fatty) tissue. Of course, most athletes aren’t adept at counting calories on the fly, so when one of our players is looking to lose weight, I ask him to keep a three-day log of all foods and beverages he consumes. When reviewing the results, it’s often easy to cut out those 200 to 500 calories without significantly upsetting his diet. Sometimes it’s just a matter of cutting out sugary soft drinks, replacing the afternoon junk food fix with a healthy piece of fruit, or switching from sports drinks to water for hydration throughout the day. I’m frequently surprised by how many athletes don’t know how to read food labels, so I keep some in my office—things like a box of cereal, a jar of peanut butter, and a bag of potato chips—to give them a basic primer on keeping track of calories. Once my players know what to look for, they find it’s easy to keep a rough count of their calorie consumption throughout the day, and they can also keep an eye on carbohydrate, protein, and fat intake while they’re at it. Sometimes, talking about foods or bever-

ages in terms of activity is a powerful motivator for helping athletes cut excess “empty” calories. For instance, I’ll tell a player that he’d have to run about 1.5 miles to burn off the calories in one 12-ounce beer, or three miles to burn off a couple servings of potato chips or a high-calorie energy drink. These translations make it easy for athletes to improve their nutritional choices on a daily basis, replacing abstract numbers with a more concrete relationship between intake and physical impact. For all aspects of off-season nutrition, education is the key to athletes’ success, no matter what their body composition goals are. As your football players prepare for the upcoming season, now is the perfect time to talk to them about simple changes that can have a huge impact on their ability to rise to the challenges and demands of their sport. CM

A version of this article appeared in our sister magazine, Training & Conditioning. To access more articles from T&C, please visit: www.training-conditioning.com.

Stromgren Athletics® FlexPad II™ girdles may be your

solution to hip pointer injuries. FlexPad II™

FlexPad II ™ Football Compression Girdles with Dual Layer Hip Pointer Protection

¼" Padding on both sides of waistband covers and protects the iliac crest

New hip pad design has dual layer protection at the waistband to better protect the iliac crest

⁄8"

Foam Hip Pads

Real Deal

Thigh Pads Meets NFHs Rules

Patent pending

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1585

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3 pads—hip and tail pads (thigh pads not included)

5 pads—hip, tail and thigh pads

7 pads—hip, tail and extended thigh pad

For pricing or additional information, contact your local dealer or call 800.527.1988 Circle No. 120

Product Launch

DX300 Wireless Headset System

New Portable BioSway

HM Electronics, Inc. www.HME.com/DX300 800-909-6604 Circle No. 500

Biodex Medical Systems, Inc. www.biodex.com/biosway 800-224-6339 Circle No. 501

Unique features:

Benefits for the user:

Unique features:

Benefits for the user:

• Provides secure, two-way, hands-free communication • Superior digital sound that can be heard above the crowd

• Wireless form of communication for coaches on and off the field • Simple to use and easy to set up • Handles up to 20 unique users

• New 12.1-inch display, 50 percent larger than previously • Upgraded software enhances user interface and connectivity • Interactive CATCH Game for Balance Training offers progressive skill levels to promote interaction

• Easier for therapists, more engaging for user • Use with Play It S.A.F.E.® for Concussion Management

THE ONLINE SOURCE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT COACHING

VIEW

Educational videos, including skill instruction and drills

READ

Coaching-specific articles and information

FIND

Helpful tips on handling off-the-field demands

www.CoachesNetwork.com Circle No. 121 36 Coaching Management

CoachesNetwork.com

Product Launch

Total Gym PlyoRebounder® and Plyo Balls

COMSTAR Wireless Porta Phone, Inc. www.portaphone.com 800-233-1113 Circle No. 517

Total Gym Global Corp. www.totalgym.com 800-541-4900 Circle No. 520

Unique features:

Benefits for the user:

Unique features:

Benefits for the user:

• Dual-ring spring protection for heavy Plyo Ball usage • Features 11 positions, from flat to 55-degree tilt • Olympic weight receptacles prevent “walking” during workouts

• Reaction training with consistent, high-velocity return • Enhanced proprioception, agility, and coordination • Versatile tool for quick-response plyometrics and sports performance training

• Rugged Headset/ Radio All-In-One with miniaturized transceiver and antenna built in • No beltpack required • Lightweight headset weighs only 12 ounces • Lithium battery with run time up to 10 hours

• Simultaneous talk, full duplex operation • Expandable up to 12 coaches

#1 Source for Impact Safety in Competitve Sports

Athletic Products Offered AC (Acromio Clavicular) Pads protect the joint in the shoulder. We also offer forearm, hand, hip, shin and custom padding. Shock Shield products are a gel-like, shock-absorbing padding. They are easily cut and conformed for any padding need. Shock Shield dissipates the force of the impact; making it essential for the protection of injured areas-especially those that receive repeated contact. Shock Shield is equally as valuable in injury prevention as it is in rehab. To order, contact...

800-815-6826 | www.nsca-lift.org/NatCon2011 Join more than 2,000 fitness professionals on the cutting edge of strength and conditioning. Register today with the code CM11 and receive $25 off the current registration rate. Offer expires 6/17/2011. This promo code is valid with registration rates at the time of online registration. This promo code is not valid for on-site registrations, program books or purchases made at the NSCA store. This discount may not be applied to any pre-registered rates and/or attendees.

Division of school health corporation

866-323-5465 • esportshealth.com

Circle No. 122 CoachesNetwork.com

Circle No. 123 Coaching Management 37

Company Forum

circle no. 502

For many football coaches, AstroTurf ® Game Day Grass systems provide the best playing surface with the most benefits. AstroTurf ® systems eliminate maintenance costs and weather worries. AstroTurf ® systems are safe, reliable, and durable. State-ofthe-art playing fields allow maximum preparation with minimal headaches. For Coach Glen Davis at Brenham High School in Texas, a perfectly lined field available for practice means receivers run better routes and defensive backs provide better coverage. Better practice means better game performance. For Mark Mariakis at Ridgeland High School in Georgia, an AstroTurf ® field means taking full advantage of team speed without worrying about being slowed down by a sloppy field. For Chris Haering at Mount Lebanon High School in Pennsylvania, AstroTurf ® means playing on the same brand of surface for nearly 40 years, which gives him confidence that his team is playing on the best field available. For these coaches and many others, the best call is AstroTurf ®. Call 800-723-8873 or visit www.astroturf.com.

circle no. 504

Cutters makes football gloves for all positions, and their products are designed to perform and last. Cutters Gloves are made with C-TACK—unique because the grip is actually part of the material, so it is a stronger, more durable grip and will not wear away. All Cutters football gloves are machine washable and dryable, a great benefit because washing not only refreshes the gloves, it actually restores the C-TACK grip. Cutters offers a number of position-specific gloves, including receiver gloves in different styles, weights and cuts. The Gamer, model number 017XT, is a multi-purpose padded glove for players looking for grip as well as streamlined, lightweight padding. They also make a lineman-specific glove, The Reinforcer—model number 017LP—that uses the patented Reinforcer system and provides the ultimate in protection. Cutters Gloves has the products that will last and help players perform at their highest level. Call 800-821-0231 or visit www.cuttersgloves.com.

38 Coaching Management

circle no. 503

Colleges and high school programs across the country are utilizing products from BigSigns.com to generate sponsorship dollars, beautify their facilities, and brand their athletic programs. BigSigns.com has many proprietary products, such as the Modstar A Frame sign system, feather flags, GatorAd® concrete decals, and Dura-Mesh™ fence screen that are excellent for improving any stadium’s appearance and promoting team events. Send them your readymade logos or designs, and they’ll produce your sign. And if you don’t know what you want, BigSigns.com has a full design department that can take your ideas and make them a reality on the field, at no extra charge. Send a photo and dimensions of the area you’re looking to improve and their designers will mock up a finished product to show how the design will look in place. Check them out on the Web at www.bigsigns.com , or call 800-790-7611 for more information.

circle no. 505

Brain Armor™ helps athletes optimize their cognitive and visual performance through nutrition, while adding a built-in layer of protection for the brain and other organs. Of the omega-3 fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) represents about 97 percent of the fats in the brain and 93 percent of the fats in the retina. Just like calcium is needed for strong bones, DHA is needed for strong brains. Brain Armor is certified through the NSF Athletic Banned Substance Certified for Sport program and is derived from a natural algal source of DHA. Because it is from algae and not fish, it is completely sustainable and free from the concern of oceanborne contaminants. Martek Biosciences is a leading innovator in the research and development of DHA omega-3 products derived from microalgae, which promotes health and wellness through every stage of life. To learn more, call 888-OKBRAIN (652-7246) or visit www.brain-armor.com.

CoachesNetwork.com

Company Forum

circle no. 506

For high-quality athletic practice equipment, Wizard Sports Equipment, Inc. is the name to know. Since 1984, the company’s football products have been designed and manufactured to meet the highest standards for quality. With input from professional athletes and equipment managers, Wizard Sports continues to improve and offer the best in game and practice sports equipment. Wizard Sports offers a unique line of specialty football kicking products, such as long-snapping target nets, footballs, custom football bags ,and a full line of quality football field equipment. The Toe-Tal-Tee kicking tee works for both kickoffs and field goals, and can be configured four ways—as a 1-inch tee, a 1¾-inch block, a 1-inch block, and an off-the-ground block. Wizard Sports prides itself on its great customer service, prices, and immediate product delivery. Call 888-964-5425 or visit www.wizardsports.com.

circle no. 508

The QB-Tee is a great training tool that can help quarterbacks at any level improve their skills. With the QB-Tee’s unique timing mechanism, the coach can focus on the player and not the stopwatch. When the player removes the ball from the cradle, the timing mechanism is triggered. If the buzzer sounds before the quarterback releases the ball, the play is dead. Players can do more repetitions with greater intensity, and can work on individual objectives on their own. QB-Tee can help quarterbacks use the off-season to improve three-, five-, and seven-step drops and timing. QB-Tee is also great for passing drills and 7-on-7 practices and games. The timer can be programmed to tenths of a second. QB-Tee is made of helmet grade plastic and is highly durable. To find out more, call 330-750-0086 or visit www.QB-Tee.com.

CoachesNetwork.com

circle no. 507

McDavid, the most widely used and recommended brand of supports and braces among sports medical professionals, has grown into a vibrant $45 million international business in just three decades, and is the industry leader in sports medical products, technical performance athletic wear, and consumer merchandising. 200 employees—including a versatile, in-house production team that can improvise on a moment’s notice, and a team of national and regional sales representatives—help generate diversity and growth within the company’s selected markets. The company’s most recent innovation, HexPad Technology, is changing the way athletes wear underclothing by fusing padding to performance fabrics, creating a new category of protective apparel. This lightweight, breathable product allows the body to move in full motion while protecting areas of the body previously protected by heavy plastic and dense pads. The company’s products are now sold in more than 2,000 locations throughout the United States. Call 800-237-8254 or visit www.mcdavidusa.com to learn more.

circle no. 509

Sports Attack has quickly become a leader in quality, innovative sports-training equipment. Benefiting from 45 years of machine design experience, the company has successfully introduced its volleyball, baseball, softball, and tennis equipment to institutional, club, professional, and international markets. Sports Attack has now entered into the realm of football equipment with the introduction of the Snap Attack Football Machine, which delivers precise, reliable, repeatable passes, punts, kickoffs, and snaps. This machine helps teams make the most of precious practice time, allowing players to get more reps from the most difficult drills. With a throwing distance of five to 100 yards delivered at two realistic ball release points—passing and snapping—this machine is a reliable, professional training tool that will help a team realize its championship goals. To learn more, call 800-717-4251 or visit www.sportsattack.com.

Coaching Management 39