Being a successful coach in 2019 is about more than measuring wins and losses.

To help current and future coaches navigate these changing expectations, the Chester County Intermediate Unit is hosting “Coaching Beyond the Game” at West Chester University’s Madeleine Wing Adler Theatre on Saturday, April 27 from 9 AM-12:30 PM.

The inaugural event will help current and potential K-12 athletic coaches in the region gain new strategies to improve their impact on and off the field. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from keynote speaker and former Philadelphia Eagles coach Dick Vermeil and coaching expert Lindsay Helm, obtain new strategies to help meet the growing needs of student-athletes, and network with other professionals.

“Coaching Beyond the Game” was conceptualized by the CCIU after receiving feedback from local athletic directors about the complex challenges facing coaches. Dr. Joseph O’Brien, the CCIU’s executive director, used the feedback to help develop this new concept.

“Our student-athletes are dealing with so much more than just the wins and losses on the field, and many of today’s coaches don’t feel equipped to support them,” Dr. O’Brien said. “After meeting with dozens of athletic directors across multiple counties, we kept hearing the same challenges come up. The goal is for ‘Coaching Beyond the Game’ to empower these athletic leaders to make a greater impact on their athletes as a whole.”

Vermeil spent 15 years coaching in the NFL and led the St. Louis Rams to a victory in Super Bowl XXXIV. Helm, the co-owner of Stand Strong Training Center in Downingtown, is a lifelong athlete who led the Downingtown High School girls soccer team to back-to-back state championships.

Those in attendance will also have the opportunity to learn more about a new coaching certification program being offered by the CCIU. The Athletic Leadership & Coaching Development Program will utilize a cohort model to help coaches engage in topics surrounding the physical, mental, and academic development of student-athletes. Participants will be able to engage in professional and career development with expert instructors who will leverage their coaching experience with topical expertise. Current and aspiring coaches will leave the program with a certificate from the CCIU and a professional portfolio showcasing work completed throughout the program.

“Coaches play a vital role in many students’ lives, building their self-esteem and teaching them invaluable life skills,” said Dr. O’Brien. “The CCIU is recognized as an educational leader across the state, so why not extend that into the athletic realm as well.”

This event is open to all levels of current and aspiring K-12 athletic coaches. General admission for the event is $20, with a college student discount rate of $10 with the presentation of a valid college ID.

All attendees must register here by April 19. There is limited seating for this event, so early registration is encouraged.

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