PROGRAM BUILDINGFOR VETERANS AND ROOKIES

2015 OATCCC ClinicRod O’Donnell

“LIVE IT, LOVE IT, LEARN IT.”Joe Newton

How Veterans Benefit From Program Building

• A. Improve your present program –”You CAN teach an old dog new tricks!”

• B. Help save our sport

“We are not drawing in new fans, whereas in soccer, in comparison, there is a tremendous amount of new fans in the U. S. We are not doing anything to draw in new fans because there has not been any change.” (Michael Johnson, Nov. 2014, T&F News)

• C. Help our sport grow – we must keep up with promoting our sport on all levels if we are to compete with the emerging and established sports.

• D. You can and you must always want to improve as a coach, improve as a team, and help our wonderful sport on the youth, junior high, high school, collegiate, and post-collegiate levels.

How Young Coaches Who Are Just Starting Out Benefit

• A-D – Same• E. Learn from veterans• F. Read, read, read, absorb, absorb, absorb

PROGRAM BUILDING FROM CALDWELL TO PARKERSBURG

• 1. Great young men who bought into the program quickly.

• 2. Parental support• 3. Newspaper coverage• 4. Administrative support• 5. Freedom to do the things necessary to get the job

done. (Travel, equipment, facilities, etc.)• 6. Willingness to put up with a veteran – willingness

to put up with a rookie.

CHECKLIST

• Key people who can help you succeed: Secretaries, Sports editor, Local Running Club,

Assistant Coaches, Superintendent, Athletic Director, Girls’ Coach, Custodian, Parents, Booster Club, Football Coach, Other Head Coaches, Meet Officials, Business Leaders, Service Clubs (Rotary, Lions, etc.), School Board Members, Alumni

Secretaries

• They keep you organized, and they have access to information/history that you will need.

• Always show appreciation to these unsung heroes!

Sports Editor

• Let them know that they are important to your success. Always report results, win or lose; give them ideas about good human interest stories.

• Follow guidelines for posting results.• Be honest, be available.• Thank them!

Local Running Club

• Help them with local road races• Encourage them to get involved in your

program by officiating, etc.• Invite officers to your banquet• Join the club• Thank them!

Assistant Coaches

• Give each coach a three-ring notebook each season with information about their events

• Clearly designate their responsibilities within the program

• Ask their opinions (be inclusive)• Give them credit• Anything you wear, they wear.• Thank them.

Superintendent

• COMMUNICATE the goals, methods, and need for their support.

• Thank them.

Athletic Director

• State your expectations of them and the goals of your program. Make sure these goals are in line with THEIR expectations and support.

• Be positive. • Present solutions, not problems.• Let them know how important the sport is to

you.• Thank them.

Girls’ Coach

• Work together on schedules, practice organization, travel arrangements, equipment.

• Thank them.

Custodial/Maintenance Staff

• Support them• Make sure your athletes keep locker rooms,

track areas, and stadium clean and clear• Give them track gear• Go out of your way to cooperate.• Thank them

Parents

• Arrange parent meetings• CLEARLY STATE TEAM RULES AND CONSEQUENCES OF

VIOLATIONS• Importance of this sport• Determination of who competes• Your goals and expectations• Standards for lettering• Banquet date• SAT/ACT dates• Inclement weather practices• Thank them.

Football Coach

• Ask them how you can help their program• Let them know that your program is based on

improving strength, speed, and is disciplined• Give them copies of your rules• Attend games• If possible, encourage the assistant football

coaches to join your staff.• Thank them.

Other Head Coaches

• Support them by attending their games and practices, when possible.

• Let them know that you will help make their programs better.

• Thank them.

Meet Officials

• Recruit from civic clubs, running clubs, officials organizations.

• Encourage young adults and former athletes to get their certification.

• Feed them.• Support their decisions.• Thank them.

Businesses and Civic Groups

• Ask for their support.• Let them know your philosophy.• Give them your schedules.• Take along an athlete if you are asked to

speak.• Show them how your sport can benefit them.• Thank them.

Alumni

• Let them know they are very important and are not forgotten.

• Honor past athletes and teams at home meets.

• Establish social media accounts.• Send an online or USPO newsletter, telling

them about your team.

Booster Club

• Elect hard-working officers• Establish annual fund raisers• Delegate responsibilities throughout the

group.• Remember that they are volunteers.• Thank them often.

RECRUITING

#1 Reason that kids participate is

THEIR FRIENDS!Your team is your best

recruiting resource.Other sources are PE

classes and other teams.

• Don’t be afraid to ask: Remember the formula:• The more suspects• The more prospects• The more athletes

• If you contact 1,000, and you get 10%, • you will have 100.

• If you contact 100, and you get 10%, you will have 10.

• BE ORGANIZED • TAKE CARE OF THE LITTLE THINGS

• THEY MATTER• Ex. Give detailed itineraries prior to trips, so that athletes know when you are leaving, when

they should be eating, when they are competing, when they will arrive back home.

Don’t assume they will know what the schedule is!

Sample ItinerarySTATE MEET ITINERARY

NOV. 3-4, 2006Friday, Nov. 39:00 a.m. – Dismissed from school9:20 a.m. – Send-off9:30 a.m. – Leave school10:30 a.m. – Brunch – Lodi11:15 a.m. – Leave Lodi2:00 p.m. - Arrive in Columbus, go directly to course (Scioto Downs)3:30 p.m. – Leave course4:00 p.m. – Check into hotel (Spring Hill Suites, Gahanna – 614-501-4770)4:45 p.m. – Leave for dinner5:15 p.m. – Dinner (Brio – Easton)11:00 p.m. – Lights out

SATURDAY, Nov. 47:30 a.m. – Wake-up call8:00 a.m. – Breakfast9:45 a.m. – Check out of hotel – take key to front desk10:30 a.m. – Arrive at course11:35 a.m. – Begin warm-up12:35 p.m. – Division I Championship

QUOTE: “I firmly believe that any man’s finest hour – his greatest fulfillment to all he holds dear – is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle – victorious.” Vincent Lombardi

Directions to course: I77 South to Columbus – 270 East to Rt. 23 South, approx. 2 miles. Scioto Downs will be on your left.

Admission: $8.00

Sell Your Program!• A. Let them see your passion • B. Have attractive schedules• C. Provide stylish uniforms, warm-ups, travel bags• D. Offer affordable spirit-wear• E. Make morning announcements• F. Make sure you are included in pep rallies• G. Recognize success• H. Use bulletin boards – keep them up-to-date• I. Promote your sport – EVERYWHERE• J. Establish elementary school meets, junior high programs with

well-trained coaches who reflect your philosophy• K. Remember the program’s history. Let people know what it is.

• REMEMBER• LIVE IT, LOVE IT, LEARN IT

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CONTACT INFORMATION

• Rod O’Donnell• rrodonnell41@gmail.com