Welcome! February 2006 Coaching & Sports section targets Parent Roles in Youth Sports; and invites Karen Brown, Director of Sports Done Right at University of Maine to introduce a program that went to the heart of high school sports - to the students - in order to learn what they want in sports programs. .

Parent Roles in sports have been the focus of television shows, newspapers, and professional journals in an attempt to establish guidelines to assist sporting parents. Directors of University Coaching, Sport Education & Administration, and Recreation Programs are collaborating with school districts, state recreation programs and state high school athletic associations in an effort to define and emphasize positive, respectful behaviors within the sports arena by all involved.

I hope you find the information provided helpful. Please contact me if you have any questions or suggestions regarding this topic, and our Athletic Leadership Faculty at Clemson University will be pleased to respond. Remember, Kids First, Quality Coaching, Positive Environments!

Deborah Cadorette
Coaching & Sports Section Editor

Deborah Cadorette, Coaching and Sport section editor for February is full time faculty in Secondary Education, and Coordinator of The Athletic Leadership Program, Eugene T. Moore School of Education, Clemson University. In August-September 2006 issue Cadorette will address the administration and planning of Parent-Athlete Orientation Programs!

Outside the Lines: Parental Guidance Suggested
Publisher ESPN

	Parents rush an umpire on the field after a disputed call in a game of 5 and 6yr olds.
	An upset parent butts an umpire in the chest with his head and asks him what he’s going to do about it.
	A parent yells negative comments at an athlete on the field, the athlete’s parents take it personally, and a fight breaks out.

The link above will take you directly to the complete transcript from a weekly ESPN presentation. Professionals, parents and youth athletes participate in this factual and opinionated discussion about Sporting Parents. This transcript is from show 68 of the weekly Outside the Lines – Parental Guidance Suggested Announcer – July 15, 2001 Bob Ley, host – Anger and conflict, part of sports at the highest level, and at your neighborhood park where adults are supposed to set the tone.

Protocol for Sporting Parents
By Deborah Cadorette

Most parents want a positive experience for their child-athlete and are willing to abide by the rules to provide it - but what are the rules? Do the school district and recreation department provide Parent-Athlete Orientation Programs that foster positive relationships and provide guidelines that clearly define parental roles? Do the school district and recreation department collaborate on defining appropriate behaviors that are consistent for parents to make a smooth transition from supporting their child in youth recreational sports, to the middle and high school level programs?

Appropriate behaviors for 'Sporting Parents' must be defined. Bruce E. Brown, author of Teaching Character Through Sport, provides excellent suggestions and guidelines for The Parent Role in Athletics. He does it gracefully, and as a personal request by the student athletes he has coached over many years in his professional career. The following are some suggestions Brown makes for parents - many that come from student-athletes themselves - so parents might understand what their child wants and needs from them.

Appropriate Concerns for a Parent to Discuss with Coach:
	Mental and physical treatment of your child
	Ways to help your child improve
	The child’s behavior

Inappropriate Topics for Parents to Discuss with Coach:
	Playing time
	Team strategy or play calling
	Other team members

Brown suggests that parents ask themselves several questions:
	Why do you want your child to play sports?
	What will determine a successful season?
	What do you want your child to gain from the experience?
	What do you think your child’s role will be on the team?

Take time to answer these questions honestly. Then, select an undisturbed time when your child can respond to these same questions. My suggestion is to have your child write the answers down in privacy, unaware of the parents’ response to the questions. Read your child’s responses. Brown suggests listening to your child’s responses, because whatever goals your child has are the goals you must support, and the reason your child is playing.

Children should not be expected to live up to their parent’s expectations in sport. It is the child’s sport experience, and parents must realize and respect this. Brown also suggests that once parents know their child is participating in a safe sports environment they should release their child to the sport. It is critical that parents allow the child to have a relationship with Coach without interference from the parent, and experience mistakes that teach life lessons.

Guidelines for The Parent’s Role in Athletics (Brown, 2003):
	Be a model, not a critic; model appropriate behavior, poise and confidence.
	Attend preseason parent meetings.
	Do everything possible to make the athletic experience positive for your child.
	Release your child to the coach and team.
	Accept the judgment of the officials and coaches; remain in control.
	Demonstrate winning and losing with dignity.
	Accept the goals, roles and achievement of your child.

Students enrolled in the Athletic Leadership Minor at Clemson University are required to participate in planning a Parent-Athlete Orientation Program that can be used by the local high schools. Prior to the project all students are required to observe and evaluate local high school athletic events. Coaching styles, Coach-Athlete relationships, methods of communication, and environment climate are observed and noted on a written evaluation form.

The Administration and Athletic Directors of the local high schools have a working relationship with Clemson University and the Athletic Leadership Program. Positive communication and environments are reinforced at every opportunity. Athletic Leadership Minor Degree students are placed in local high school athletic programs, or summer camps with mentor coaches, to complete a required coaching internship. Students can graduate Clemson University with a degree in Teaching; or Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management; and a minor in Athletic Leadership (coaching and athletic administration).

Professional Development Courses are available through the Eugene T. Moore School of Education curriculum to assist S.C teachers and coaches with credit toward state certificate renewal.