What do pizza and ice cream have to do with sports? Put a pin in that—we’ll revisit. First, let’s talk about what makes sports enjoyable to watch and play. As an Athletic Administrator, we get to attend more events than the average fan during any given year. Last year as an example, I was able…
Recent News
InSideOut Team – An Update from Grand Rapids, Minnesota
The WHY WE PLAY InSideOut Team Cohort of athletic administrators along with their Coach Implementation Teams met on August 2nd at US Bank Stadium. They were provided with training, guided discussions and the first of ten lessons to take back and implement in their school community. Lesson One – The Purpose for a Purpose and Building…
Grassroots Change
From the August/September 2017 issue of Athletic Management: As a school leader, sometimes you can’t help but feel like you’re behind the wheel of a pace car, hoping you are leading students down the right path, while questioning every turn. And if the path is wrong, how do we get everyone back on track? Guiding…
Expanding Our View, Twisting Our Lens, Redefining Our Purpose
With the start of another school year, we are provided with a fresh start and an opportunity to provide great experiences for the students we coach. As we begin this new year and reflect on this opportunity please take a moment and ask yourself the following simple question — “Why Do I Coach?” Why Do…
What Makes Educational Athletics Different
In a previous blog post I discussed the importance of “starting with why.” My “why” is centered on the belief that high school sports have the potential to make the world a better place. This “why” is what sets educational athletics apart from other youth sports opportunities. John Wooden has been attributed as wisely stating,…
Four Steps to Move Coaches Down the Transformational Continuum
One of the things I love most about my job is the constant collaboration I share with my coaches. Many of our conversations quickly go from congenial in nature to collegial as we discuss best practices in coaching. These conversations are often followed up with a book or article recommendation. I was recently emailed a link…
Minnesota High Schools make commitment to transform the “Win-at-all-Costs” sports culture
Eighty Minnesota high school athletic administrators have made a year-long commitment to address the specific needs of today’s youth as part of a collaborative partnership with the Minnesota State High School League, the InSideOut Initiative and the Super Bowl LII Host Committee Legacy Fund. The kickoff for the training—Why We Play InSideOut Team—begins Wednesday, August…
Winning Beyond the Scoreboard
Winning is the goal in every athletic contest. Even at the youngest of ages, kids look at the scoreboard to see who won the game. Newspapers, websites and television stations report the scores and standings so often that many can recite the record of the local NFL team much easier than they could remember their…
Baltimore Ravens Inspire Youth with Gatorade Junior Training Camp
From WMAR Baltimore—Football fans ages 12-14 experienced an inspirational afternoon on Friday at the Baltimore Ravens Gatorade Junior Training Camp. Campers had the opportunity to perform football drills with former NFL players while learning essential health and life skills that apply to both on and off the football field. Featured speakers included Parade Magazine’s “Most Important…
Starting with WHY?
In the book, InSideOut Coaching, one of the four big questions Joe Ehrmann asks is “why do you coach”? Knowing why we are leaders and coaches in high school sports is fundamental to being an InSideOut leader. Too often, many of us are guilty of not reflecting on the reasons why we do something. We know…