Ensuring Your Student-Athletes AreSuccessful at the Next Level:

A Coaches’ Guide.

Kim DurandAssociate Athletic Director for Student

DevelopmentUniversity of Washington

July 31, 2010

Session Outline

• A High School Coach’s Unique Role• Academic Preparation• Social & Emotional Preparation• Unofficial & Official Visits• Working with College Coaches• Working with Parents• Additional Resources• Questions & Open Discussion

A High School Coach’s Unique Role

• Level Head in the Craziness.• Can be Neutral & Unbiased.• Integrity & Trust.• “Coach” vs. “Agent”.• Know the Student-Athlete.• It’s Not About You.

Coaches’ Involvement with Academics• Be educated on Admissions Standards & NCAA Initial Eligibility

Requirements.• Understand 16 core class requirements & the NCAA sliding scale. • Academic eligibility and Amateurism eligibility.• Be “hands on” in following up with your student-athletes regarding

academic progress each semester. • Freshman – Senior progression.• Ask questions about the admissions process/deadlines.• Guarding against Senioritis and “downward trends”.• Stress “best effort” EVERY time your student-athlete

takes the SAT/ACT.• Call any school’s academic or compliance department

if you have questions.

Social and Emotional Preparation

• Stress Independence Not Dependence.• Reinforce Team & Personal Leadership.• Educate Against Drug & Alcohol Abuse.• Emphasize Team Over Individual Success.• Enforce Self & Team Discipline.• Encourage Humility & Appreciation.• Assist in the Development of “a Tough Skin”.• Check In Regularly Once in

College.

Unofficial & Official Recruiting Visits

• No Limit on Unofficial Visits. (own expense)• Maximum of 5 Official Visits. (school expense)• Most Student-Athletes Are Making Decisions

WITHOUT Taking Official Visits. (junior year).• Welcome High School Coaches on Campus Visits.• Assist Student/Parents With Preparation for Visit(s).

Compose Questions/Topics to Cover.• Debrief Following Visit(s).

Working With College Coaches

• Know the EGO.• Be Involved in H.S. Campus Visits.• Provide Transcripts & Film/Tape When

Requested.• Be Honest and Expect the Same of Them.• Trust Your Gut.• Don’t Hide Information. • Call Coaches if You Have a Prospect.

Working With Parents

• Help Us Cut the Apron Strings!!• Helicopter Parents – Before, During & After

College.• Enforce the Need for Student-Athlete to Be

Involved and Informed.• Information Gathering about Athletics,

Academics, Campus Environments, Teams.• Don’t Believe the Hype!

Resources

• NCAA Guide for the College Bound Student-Athlete (www.ncaa.org).

• UW, WSU, and SU Compliance/Academic Services Offices. (www.gohuskies.com) (www.wsucougars.com) or (www.goseattleu.com).

• WIAA event at Key Arena (Feb) inconjunction with UW/SU hoops.

Questions & Open Discussion