July/August 2022 - 8

A.D.MINISTRATION athletic director strategies
a.d.ministration
LIMITING PROBLEMS
BY EFFECTIVELY
COMMUNICATING
WITH PARENTS
By Dr. David Hoch, CMAA
W
hile misguided, challenging individuals get a great
deal of attention, and rightfully so in many cases,
the vast majority of parents are good, positive,
and supportive. With both segments, there is a need
to guide and educate them with respect to the concept
of education-based athletics and how your program
operates. As a result, this effort may also decrease or
mitigate potential problems. And to accomplish all of this,
clear, effective communication is the essential key.
For years, preseason parent meetings were one of the
main methods athletic administrators used to educate
parents with respect to protocols and procedures,
communicate expectations, and explain the role that
parents play within the athletic program. Even though
there are additional means and vehicles that should be
considered in order to reach parents, there is nothing
wrong with this established approach. You may want to,
however, make some adjustments and improvements in
order to keep this approach fresh and effective.
To spice up and yet keep preseason parent meetings
relevant, consider the following.
* Always use PowerPoint, video clips, or similar
aspects of technology for your presentations. These
features help maintain the attention of the audience
instead of a simple, dry verbal message.
* Also, consider utilizing different 'voices' to
essentially deliver the same messages that you
normally would cover. After many meetings, some
of the parents may get a little weary of hearing you
one more time delivering the same material, even if
the details are vitally important. Using your athletic
8 JULY/AUGUST 2022
trainer or team physician, for example, to present
a quick synopsis of concussion protocols or how to
report injuries would be a welcome change for some.
* Try using a different venue and even change the
format of the meeting. Yes, there is still essential
information that you want and need to cover, but you
don't always have to start in the auditorium and then
move to breakout rooms where parents hear from
the coach of their child's team. In the fall, consider
a picnic in the stadium and perhaps you conduct a
question-and-answer segment, in which you have
provided a select number of parents with questions
so that the pertinent information is covered. But
occasionally, do something different.
Beyond preseason parent meetings, what else can you
do to more effectively reach parents?
1
Make better use of your website. While many athletic
administrators post schedules, game results, and
rosters, more can and should be done. On your site,
post articles or provide links to materials that explain
the purpose and value of education-based athletics. In
addition, share all policies and procedures that pertain
to the operation of your program. Also, include all forms
and documents that athletes and parents will have to
complete in order to try out for a team. Be innovative and
include a section entitled " Frequently Asked Questions "
or FAQ in short form. Take the most common and often
asked questions that you typically get, and provide a
simple, straightforward answer. In addition, to quickly
and easily provide the information, you may, as a result,
get fewer phone calls. And who wouldn't like that?
July/August 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of July/August 2022
