I participated in a Navy version, Officer Indoctrination School, now Officer Development School. It included topics like Sea Power, Correspondence, Leadership, Military Law, and Military Indoctrination...with a physical fitness and swimming component.
The NFL has a rookie transition program including benefits, social responsibility, media interaction, rules changes, and more.
What transition services and information might fit student-athletes in high school? It doesn't have to be voluminous, but ideally is written, online, and signed off. Guidelines protect both schools and students.
- Academic requirements and expectations
- Athletic department rules (including Chemical Health Policy)
- School/program culture
- Fitness requirements (if specified)
- Personal responsibility including Hazing or Harassment
- School health resources (including Mental Health)
- Social media policy
- Coach specific values, such as the importance of mentoring/upperclass leaders
What specifics might merit inclusion? This is not comprehensive.
- "Care as much about academics as you do about basketball." (Dawn Staley thrived at Virginia once she made that choice.)
- Review alcohol and drug (including smoking) policies. Locally for basketball it's a four-game suspension for a violation.
- Represent yourself and the program. Be a program ambassador.
- Here is information for some fitness options. I like the Lee Rose sets of 220s. In high school soccer, we had to complete two laps (a bit more than 600 yards) around the soccer field (at the end of practice) in under 1:50 to test out.
- Review athletic training and mental health resources available in your school.
- "Don't let 140 characters take $140,000 scholarship from you." Respect teammates, opponents, officials, and the game. A social media faux pas can follow you forever.
- Zero tolerance for hazing. Share examples of area community problems...and there are always problems.
We're not looking to become the behavior police but to develop responsible adults while encouraging respect, dignity, responsibility, and sportsmanship.
Key takeaways:
- Get everyone on the same page of culture and behavior.
- Care about academics as much as sport.
- Know and follow the chemical health policy.
- Be a program ambassador.
- Have a defined social media policy. Social media mistakes follow you.
- Have an agreed upon fitness policy.
- Embrace representing yourself, team, school, and community.
Lagniappe. Everything enters our 'brand' including verbal, non-verbal, and written communication. That covers moral, ethical, and legal territory. For some, it will impact their NIL status. A highly compensated athlete may have earnings contingent on adhering to behavioral standards clauses.
Lagniappe 2. John Deere is famous for its first day.
Lagniappe 3. "The square is your friend." Study great players. Here is terrific video on Tim Duncan, master of footwork and glass. The top corner of the square was Duncan's bullseye.
