Happy New Year – 2009
begins my 40th year of coaching. Sometimes it seems like yesterday that
I started and sometimes it feels like a century ago. The other day when I was
swimming I was reflecting on the way things were in 1969 versus how they are
now, it was certainly a different and simpler world in many respects. Please do
not take this as an old man reflecting on the good old days. Everything was not
better back then, but things were just different. I am very lucky to have a
career that has spanned several eras in sport so I have seen many trends and fads
come and go. I am also very fortunate to have a foundation in the great sport
of track & field, even though over the past 39 years I have worked with
many other sports it is the principles that I learned as a track coach that serve
as the foundation for everything I do. We did not call it
functional training, we just called it training. Good training is based on sound
principles and it works in all environments and with all populations.
Then
Coaches were certified teachers
Now
Anyone can coach, some cursory
requirements of certification
Then
Mandatory daily physical education K -12, including
meaningful fitness testing
Now
No mandatory daily physical education,
watered down fitness tests
Then
Sports centered in the schools at the elementary, middle
school and high school level
Now
Sport taken over by clubs away from school
Then
Outside competition restricted to summer
break
Now
Outside competition year around
Then
Cost to athlete and parent minimal
Now
Cost astronomical
Then
The core was the center of the apple
Now
It is everything
Then
Fundamentals taught and emphasized
Now
Fundamentals an afterthought, it is all
about style and show
Then
Competition limited centered around the
academic calendar
Now
Competition unlimited
Then
Television coverage limited to special events and a game of
the week. No ESPN or regional sports networks
Now
24 hour sports coverage on multiple
channels
Then
No scouting services
Now
Scouting services for elementary school
athletes
Then
Very limited opportunities for girls
Now
Unlimited opportunities for girls
God willing I am looking forward to
many more productive years of coaching and teaching. The opportunities for
excellence are still there. I am blessed to have a supportive family and some
great coaches and athletes to work with. Can’t think of anything better.