January/February 2025 - 9

G
enerally, community
engagement means or includes
purposefully getting involved to
make a difference, having an impact
upon, or helping a segment or aspect of
the individuals and organizations within
a locality. Logically, you may wonder
what this has to do with teams within
your athletic program.
It has everything to do with your teams. First, there is
the concept of giving back to the community. One of the
foundational aspects of education-based athletics is
community service. It is through these initiatives that
student-athletes understand the purpose and value of
helping others and being a contributing part of society.
In addition, community engagement should be a key
element that is used in your marketing efforts. With your
athletic program, you should be highlighting and
emphasizing the positive aspects of your teams, studentathletes,
and coaches. What better way than through
community engagement and community service?
Where and how do you start? Rather than simply
Photo credit: Shannen Hardy/
Bourne Braves
detailing what can be done, there is first one essential
initial step that has to be taken. This would be that you
have to educate and convince your coaches that there are
value and benefits to being involved in your community. If
you can't get your staff on board, community engagement
may not happen. Therefore, add this topic to the agenda
of your pre-season coaches meeting, share supportive
articles, enlist the help of experts from the community,
and put together a convincing, thorough campaign to win
over your coaches.
Now, what can your teams do? Within the realm of
community service and giving back to individuals and
groups, the following are a few possibilities.
* Volunteer to help with water stops at marathons (the
26.2-mile races), soup kitchens, or projects such as
Habitat for Humanity. These organizations always
need help, and the responsibilities involved usually do
not require extensive technical skills other than
performing simple tasks as assigned.
* Host games for a specific charity. Over the years, this
has been frequently done in connection with one of the
national cancer organizations. But there are any
number of additional causes such as mental health,
suicide prevention, and others that would be beneficial
and worthwhile. If you allow your student-athletes to
help in selecting the project or cause to be supported,
there should be a greater commitment to it.
Photo credit: Shannen Hardy/
Bourne Braves
* Have your student-athletes read to elementary
students. This program would have to be planned and
organized with the respective teachers. But to
enhance reading with young students should be a
no-brainer and a great educational objective.
* Host sports clinics for young people in the
community. You would introduce basic skills in a fun
environment, and this will indirectly help them to
COACHAD.COM 9
http://www.COACHAD.COM
January/February 2025

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of January/February 2025
