If you played sports growing up, odds are you probably had a coach that played a key part in your life during that time frame. I would also be willing to bet you had a coach that influenced you for the rest of your life for one reason or another. In many cases, the coach is the first significant adult in a child’s life besides his or her parents.
I suggest you dive into the details of successful sports stories. What you will find is what transpired before the events you see on NFL Sundays, Monday Night Baseball and Hockey Night in America. NHSSCA (National High School Strength Coaches Association), an organization established in 2016 shines a light on the importance these coaches play on the field, in the weight room, classroom and in athletes everyday lives.
I’ve had the pleasure of being part of NHSSCA since the origination of the organization. The founding members Rich Gray, Gary Schofield, Fred Eaves and Kevin Vanderbush have dedicated themselves to establishing high school strength and conditioning as a viable profession. The organization’s mission is to Educate, Equip, and Empower coaches to make a positive impact in the lives of student athletes.
“A common mistake among those who work in sport is spending a disproportional amount of time on “x’s and o’s” as compared to time spent learning about people.”
Mike Krzyzewski, Duke Men's Basketball
NHSSCA details the importance of coaches in youth athletics. The organization is there to prove successful programs are more than just a great strength regimen. Establishing a culture and making a positive impact on these young men's and women's lives is just as significant. Personally, I’ve learned about the attention to detail these coaches focus on in order to do what works best for their athletes in all regards. It’s a balancing act.
Rocky Mountain West Coach of the year and Authentic Performance Center Sports Performance Coach Pat Nolan is also the Colorado State Director for NHSSCA. He understands the importance of the relationships athletes and coaches share. During his regional event, he shared "The Point System - Building accountability and teamwork among your team."
"Watching the athletes you train be successful 10 years after your last interaction/ training session with them is far more important than any game winning shot or state championship." Pat Nolan NHSSCA
This organization is here to stay and will continue to grow. If you’re looking for training education, the importance of leadership and culture building strategy, this is a must have membership.
Thank you to all the coaches out there who inspire their athletes today and impact the rest of their lives. Next time you see one, shake their hand.
