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SUNY Youth Sports Institute to Partner with Dutchess Community College
In response to the growing influence that volunteer coaches play in organized youth sports, the State University of New York has chartered the SUNY Youth Sports Institute to be a catalyst for infusing coaching instruction and standards that will have a positive impact on youth sports across New York State, according to Institute Director Timothy Donovan.
"The Institute has established an interdisciplinary curriculum of minimum standards for youth sports," said Donovan, who directs the institute based on the campus of SUNY Cortland. "The catalyst for its creation was a growing concern over the lack of common standards to guide the millions of participants in organized youth sports. The institute is addressing this issue by creating a statewide network of trainers to instruct and certify non-school youth coaches and parents."
To date, the institute's training network numbers 47 instructors at 29 community colleges. These individuals include professors, teachers, college coaches, athletic trainers and athletic directors.
"They are all knowledgeable about the current tenor and direction of organized youth sports and possess an interest to make a positive change," added Donovan.
The SUNY Youth Sport Institute will be partnering in this statewide initiative with Dutchess Community College (http:// www.sunydutchess.edu). The institute will hold its first class for Dutchess County coaches on Saturday, March 22, from 8-11am. Youth coaches must pre-register through Dutchess Community College's Office of Community Services. The special introductory price is $20 per person. To reserve a spot in the class, contact the Office of Community Services at (845) 431-8910.
The one-time, non-credit, three-hour program covers nine modules and concludes with an online exam. Topics and modules include:
- Character Education in Youth Sports - How a Knowledgeable Coach Can Bring It Out
-The Youth Coach as a Teacher
-Organization and Communication: A Coaching Toolbo
-The Development of Young People in Athletics
-Sports Psychology: Why They Play
-Competition Is Fine; Know When It Counts and When It Doesn't Count
-Youth Sport: Its Place in American Culture
-Reducing Risk in a Youth Sports Program
-Injury Prevention
-Recognizing and Managing Youth Sports Injuries
-Creating an Emergency Action Plan
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