Life of an Athlete

A 4 day event with limited seating is going to be happening on Monday August 5, 2013 a Coaches Training from 8:30 - 3:30, A training on August 6, 2013 for the Student Athlete Leadership Training will be held from 8-12:30, On Wednesday August 7, 2013 an all day Train the Champion day 1 will be held from 8- 3:30 and on Thursday August 8, 2013 Train the Champions day 2 will be from 8 - 3:30 At the Courtyard Marriot at the Grappone Conference Center here in Concord, with free breakfast and lunch for all sessions. This amazing presentation is put on by JJohn Underwood, President and founderr of the American Athletic Institute (AAI). Mr. Underwood is a formor NCAA - All American distance runner and World Masters Champion. An athlete all his life, John has been an Olympic level coach, teacher, trainer and scientist, and is also a crusader for drug-free sports.

Program Overview, what does this comprise of? The Life of an Athlete (LOA) program is a comprehesive program that identifies and works with all aspects of high school athletics, including coaches, Athletic Directors, administrators, parents, communities, and athletes themselves with a proactive approach to athletic participation. While this program focuses on athletes, the model will have residual impacts on all segments of the school and the community. The program is laid out in a 5 phase process and includes (this will be a brief summary of the 5 phases) and it includes Pre season meetings for Entry Level Athletes and Parents which is lifestyle choices, conditions for improvement, expectations, philosophy and what it means to be an athlete. The second phase is, Athletic Codes Of Conduct Conditions for involvement, a basic code of conduct, strategies for fan behavior, parental issues and seven non-negotiable conditions for being a part of an atheltic tem. Phase 3 is Coaching Effectivness Training. Training coaches at all levels and to understand and confront negative lifestyle choices, including how to send a message to your team and use student leaders to monitor team dynamics. Phase 4 Developing Leadership to Confront Behaviors of Concern. Identifying and developingg student (team) leaders who assist the coach with identifying behaviors of concern with the peers. And phase 5. Stakeholder Unity. Ensuring all members of the community take stake in eliminating drug and alcohol use amoung youth.

So who needs to be at the table? Administration representatives who need to be supportive and have clear expectations of the Athletic Directors and coaches. Athletic representatives which includes AD's and coaches. School Resource Officer they need to be aware of the situations, and be willing to share with the AD's coaches and all of those involved, School Board Reps, ones that support the program and that there maybe some resistance from some parents who do not want to change the status quo. Checmical reps dealing with prevention before it goes into the intervention stage. Parent networks, parents need to be educated about this program. Community Reps working with community coaltions that help support the overall program itself Media, need I say more, and finally Others, health care providers, atheltic trainers and even area businesses.

This event is being put on by the NHIAA, Refuel (Chocolate Milk) NHCF and NHBDAS.

So all in all this is a great event to go to , and space is limited so act now for this free event.