July/August 2019 - 6

THE FRONT COURT
Make time for your
PROGRAM'S FUTURE
By Kevin Hoffman, Editorial Director
The basketball season is a period of
chaos. Between running practices and
developing strategies for upcoming games,
there's little time for all the " extras " that go
into running a successful program. That's
what the offseason is for.
We spend a lot of time during the
summer months publishing articles about
offseason training and revamping your oncourt
philosophy, but what about fortifying your program? It
can be easy to overlook the long-term health of your program,
but it's every bit as valuable as discovering the perfect practice
drill or inbounds play. A major point of emphasis for all
coaches should be bolstering their numbers.
High school basketball participation nationwide dipped to
963,000 players during the 2017-18 school year, according to
the NFHS's annual survey. That's a decline of nearly 17,000
players from the year prior, and the sport's lowest participation
figure since 1994. This is hardly a crisis, but the greater
concern is that it could become a trend. And the best way to
maintain participation is a grassroots effort by coaches in their
respective communities.
So, while you focus on strategy and self improvement this
offseason, consider these additional efforts that can keep your
program running strong.
* Camps & clinics. Maintaining participation begins at the
youth level, and you'll have the best luck finding youth
players at local camps and clinics. Consider taking part
in these events, and get to know those who run them. The
organizers can become valuable assets in your campaign to
preserve the sport and your program.
* Fundraisers. Help your program financially while getting
to know those in your community. You could host
something basketball-oriented, like a shoot-a-thon, or any
event of general interest that will entice the audience you're
looking for. Take some time to research what other coaches
are doing.
* Network. Get to know the coaches in your community -
youth, middle school, high school and club. Few things are
more important than having these individuals on your side,
and their support goes a long way in getting young players
excited about your program. Consider hosting a coaches
cookout or organizing a golf outing.
* Promotion & branding. Coaches have had a lot of success
by simply making their program the pride of the community.
Teams do this by printing full-size posters of their players,
and these players often make appearances at youth/middle
school games to support the future class. Give away shirts
and hats to younger players. The idea is to get them excited
about playing for your school.
These aren't earth-shattering ideas, but they are proven
tactics for strengthening participation. Best of all, they're
simple. Regardless of whether you adopt these suggestions,
make it a point this summer to do something - anything - to
brighten the future of your program and the sport.
4 JULY/AUGUST 2019
GREAT AMERICAN MEDIA SERVICES INC.
P.O. Box 128, Sparta, Michigan 49345
Phone: 616-887-9008 * Fax: 616-887-2666
Email: frontdesk@greatamericanpublish.com
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
GROUP PUBLISHER
INTEGRATED MARKETING
CONSULTANT
MULTIMEDIA DESIGNER
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT
ASSISTANT EDITORS
Kevin Hoffman, 616-520-2149
WHedit@winninghoops.com
Brian Virgona, 616-520-2140
WHsales@winninghoops.com
Mark Goldberg, 607-592-0770
mgoldberg@greatamericanpublish.com
Emily Peterson, 616-520-2165
WHproduction@winninghoops.com
Samantha Orsi, 616-520-2148
sorsi@greatamericanpublish.com
Zeke Jennings, 616-520-2159
zjennings@greatamericanpublish.com
Sam Ujvary, 616-520-2167
sujvary@greatamericanpublish.com
GROUP MARKETING DIRECTOR
CIRCULATION
ACCOUNTING/BILLING
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
DIGITAL CONTENT DIRECTOR
CUSTOM CONTENT MANAGER
COO & DIRECTOR OF
CUSTOM MEDIA
VICE PRESIDENT &
PUBLISHING DIRECTOR
CEO
Melissa Gray, 616-520-2153
mgray@greatamericanpublish.com
Erica Bernard, 616-520-2143
WHcirculation@winninghoops.com
Sally Ostman, 616-520-2136
accounting@winninghoops.com
Kristina Howell, 616-520-2168
khowell@greatamericanpublish.com
Ana Olvera, 616-520-2171
aolvera@greatamericanpublish.com
Jess Schmidt, 616-520-2141
jschmidt@greatamericanpublish.com
Kimberly Baker, 616-520-2135
kbaker@greatamericanpublish.com
Bob Ziltz, 616-520-2174
bziltz@greatamericanpublish.com
Matt McCallum, 616-520-2133
publisher@coachad.com
WINNING HOOPS (ISSN 0893-6439) is published in Jan/Feb, Mar/Apr, May/
Jun, July/Aug, Sept/Oct, Nov/Dec by Great American Media Services Inc., 75
Applewood Dr., Suite A, Sparta, Michigan 49345. Copyright 2018 by Great
American Media Services Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form is
strictly forbidden without the prior written consent of the publisher.
North American subscriptions: $24.95 for 1 year. $64.95 for 3 years. $9.95 for 1
year digital edition. Write for foreign rates. Periodicals postage paid at Sparta,
MI and at additional mailing offices.
The opinions and views expressed by authors, contributors and advertisers in
Winning Hoops do not necessarily reflect those of the editors and publisher.
Appearance in Winning Hoops does not constitute endorsement by Great
American Media Services or Winning Hoops of the advertiser, its products,
or services. Great American Media Services and Winning Hoops accept no
responsibility of liability for the validity or accuracy of information supplied by
contributors, vendors, advertisers, or advertising agencies. Great American
Media Services and Winning Hoops do not make any claims or guarantees
as to the accuracy or validity of information supplied by contributors, vendors,
advertisers or advertising agencies.
Postmaster send address changes to: WINNING HOOPS, P.O. Box 128,
Sparta, Michigan 49345. Telephone: 616-887-9008. Fax: 616-887-2666.
Email address: frontdesk@greatamericanpublish.com.
Winning Hoops is a publication of
a division of Great American Publishing
July/August 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of July/August 2019
