Anthony Belew

Student-Athlete, Parent Coach Communications

Both parenting and coaching are extremely difficult vocations.   By establishing an understanding of each position, we are better able to accept the actions of the other and provide greater benefit to students.

Communications You Can Expect from Your Student-Athlete's Coach:

1.      Philosophy as a coach.

2.      Expectations the coach has for your student-athlete.

3.      Location and times of all practices and games.

4.      Team requirements (i.e., practices, special equipment, out of season training).

5.      Procedures to follow should your student-athlete be injured during participation.

6.      Discipline that may result in the denial of your student-athlete participation.

Communication That Coaches Can Expect from Parents:

1.      Concerns expressed directly to the coach.

2.      Specific concerns with regard to coach's philosophy and/or expectations.

3.      Notification of any illness, injury, or missed practices.

Appropriate Concerns to Discuss with the Coaches:

1.      Treatment of your student-athlete, mentally and physically.

2.      Ways to help your student-athlete improve.

3.      Concerns about your student-athlete behavior.

It may be very difficult to accept your student-athlete not playing as much as you hope.  Coaches are teachers.  They make judgment decisions based on what they believe to be best for all involved.  As you have seen from the above list, certain things can and should be discussed with the coach.

Conferences:

There are often situations that may require a conference between the coach and the parents.  The student-athlete may be invited and involved in these meetings.  To resolve the problem, we must have everyone's help and cooperation.

If there is a problem, please do the following:

Have your son/daughter talk to the coach one-on-one (It is a part of growing up).

 If this does not resolve the problem, the parent should:

Call the school and request a return call or meeting with the coach.  Coaches will make time available in their day to meet with students and parents.

Parents should not:

•  Confront the coach before or after practice.
•  Confront the coach before or after a game.

Coaches are teachers.  Parents would not walk into a classroom during class time and yell at the teacher about a poor grade, so they should not confront the coach in public.  There are proper ways to communicate and have concerns addressed.  Practices and games are highly emotional times for everyone involved players, coaches, and parents.  Complaints and concerns DO NOT get resolved during emotional times.

What to Do If the Meeting with the Coach Did Not Provide a Satisfactory Resolution:

Contact: Anthony D. Belew (Athletic Director) at 667-8310, to address your concerns.

We hope this information helps make your student-athlete and your experience with the athletic program both enjoyable and positive.