July/August 2023 - 4

EDITORIAL between the lines
CULTIVATING
THE NECESSARY
SOFT SKILLS
By Wesley Sykes, managing editor
W
hen it comes to player health, t is essential to recognize
that roles can extend far beyond the confines of the
field or locker room and encompasses the holistic
development of those under your care. This is why incorporating
soft skills into our practice is of utmost importance.
One aspect of a coach's job that often goes unnoticed is the
ability to establish a deep level of trust and rapport with athletes.
Honing communication skills can create an environment where
athletes feel comfortable expressing their fears, concerns, and
aspirations. This allows the coach to better understand their
individual needs and tailor our treatment plans accordingly.
Whether it's calming an anxious player before a game or
providing emotional support during a difficult recovery,
empathizing and listening attentively can make all the difference
in their journey to success.
Moreover, effective collaboration is a vital soft skill that
works seamlessly within a multidisciplinary team. By fostering
strong relationships with trainers, strength coaches, and other
healthcare professionals, coaches can provide comprehensive
care to athletes. Sharing knowledge, exchanging ideas, and
coordinating treatment plans ensure that athletes receive the
best possible support and attention. This collaboration not only
benefits the athletes but also fosters a culture of mutual respect
and trust among the entire athletic department.
In this month's issue, there are plenty of soft skill techniques
to help coaches to better connect with their athletes. There
is a submission from Dr. Conor Hogan on how to build
unbreakable bonds within your team. There is another article
highlighting what coaches can do and the role they can take on
in destigmatizing mental health struggles among athletes. Dr.
David Hoch gives some steps to better mental health for athletic
administrators. And the team of Bruce Brown and Rob Miller
offers 14 tips to help define your program's athletic attitude.
And, of course, there is the annual Coaches Survey Results
story that helps us keep our finger on the pulse of what matters
most to coaches across the country. From questions like what
parents confront coaches the most about to how supportive their
athletic administrators are to how many teams coaches coach
during the calendar year, we asked coaches the questions that
matter when it comes to effectively doing their jobs.
So dive in and start flipping through this newest crop of
stories to see what you can add to your toolkit ahead of the new
school year.
Enjoy this month's issue of Coach & Athletic Director!
4 JULY/AUGUST 2023
SENIOR CLIENT SUCCESS
REPRESENTATIVE
JUNIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
MANAGING EDITOR
EDITORIAL
Wesley Sykes, 616-520-2149
CADedit@coachad.com
ADVERTISING SALES
GROUP PUBLISHER
PUBLISHER
Brian Virgona, 616-520-2140
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Jolan Godrey, 616-520-2148
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CIRCULATION
AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT
DIRECTOR
Becky Stovall, 616-520-2138
CADcirculation@coachad.com
CORPORATE
CFO & DIRECTOR OF
HUMAN RESOURCES
COO & CMO
CEO
Deb Carnes, 616-520-2169
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Kim Baker, 616-520-2135
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EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD
TOM BASS, Former NFL Assistant, Cincinnati Bengals, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
& San Diego Chargers * DR. DAVID HOCH, Retired Athletic Director, Baltimore
County, MD * ABE WEHMILLER, Director of Athletics, Charlotte Country Day
School, Charlotte, NC * ALAN STEIN, Head Strength and Conditioning Coach,
Nike Elite DeMatha Catholic High School, MD * PETE KITTEL, Principal, Brillion
High School, WI * DARREN FENSTER, Minor League Manager, Boston Red Sox
& Founder/CEO, Coaching Your Kids, LLC, Neptune, NJ * JOSH HILS, Soccer
Coach, Coe-Brown Northwood Academy, NH * DR. BRANDEN LIPPY, Athletic
Director, Lampeter-Strasburg High School, Lancaster, PA
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July/August 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of July/August 2023
