Frequently Asked Questions

What type of organization is the Institute for Sport Coaching?

The Institute for Sport Coaching is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization dedicated to developing and delivering the educational experiences and leadership tools critical to the advancement and continued improvement of American sport coaches. It is based in Acton, Massachusetts.

Why is sports coaching education important? To parents? To athletes? To community leaders?

We believe well trained sport coaches are the key elements to providing quality sports experiences for America's youth. Studies indicate there are thousands if not millions of sport coaches who would benefit from formal, sport coaching education. Parents and community leaders desire the best sports experiences for their children. Good experiences lead to healthy lifestyles. Some pertinent facts from studies:
  • Fewer than 10 percent of the 2.5 million American volunteer coaches, and fewer than one-third of interscholastic coaches have had any type of coaching education. [National Youth Sports Safety Foundation, June, 1999]

  • The nearly 2.5 million volunteer youth coaching workforce: is too small; is not competent enough. [Role of Organized Sport in the Education and Health of American Children And Youth, Carnegie Corporation, 1996]

  • Less than 5 percent of volunteer coaches in community-based programs receive any coaching education. Less than 8 percent of school coaches receive any coaching education. [Coaching Education in America: A White Paper National Federation of High Schools, 2001]


Why is leadership development important to sport coaches?

Sport coaches need leadership development to become better coaches because coaching entails leading and teaching athletes. Also, the sports industry needs leaders among coaches to lead coaching associations, promote particular sports in their communities and participate in their respective sport national governing bodies. Of particular concern is the growing need to recruit and train sport coaches to replace the baby boomer generation coaches who are entering retirement by the thousands each year.

Why are quality coaches important to athletes and their communities?

We believe trained sports coaches are better equipped to create positive sports experiences, which in turn keeps youth involved in sports. The Institute agrees with the strategy from the federal government's, "Promoting Better Health for Young People Through Physical Activity and Sports" study. "Enable youth sports and recreation programs to provide coaches and recreation program staff with the training they need to offer developmentally appropriate, safe and enjoyable physical activity experiences for young people." [A report to the President from the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Education: Promoting Better Health for Young People Through Physical Activity and Sports -- Strategy 7]

Is there demand for coaching education in the United States?

The Institute believes American sport coaches are an underserved community. Each year, veteran coaches, sport scientists and coaching educators expand the knowledge pool of how to coach more effectively. Yet the majority of coaches do not have access to this information. The Institute, as a steady supplier and organizer of sport coaching professional development training and education, can provide this information to more coaches. What coaches are saying about professional development and education:
  • 67 percent -- Paying a fee would not be discouraging

  • 72 percent -- Mandatory coaching education encouraged them to continue

  • 85 percent -- Prefer a league that requires training

  • 85 percent -- Believe that training increases skill and confidence

  • 86 percent -- Would attend training even if not required [Coaching Education Survey: National Youth Sports Research and Development Center, 2000]


What is the primary market for the Institute for Sport Coaching?

The Institute's focus will be the approximately 750,000 interscholastic sports coaches who work with our nation's middle and high school teams and clubs. Our second market, America's youth coaches, will also be served by the Institute's products and services.

Where else can I get the proposed products and services the Institute for Sport Coaching will offer?

The sport national governing bodies offer coaching education programs at regional sites throughout America. However, the locations and courses vary from year to year. The Institute's primary product line will feature the only nationally accredited sport coaching education program along with career and leadership development training. These services are unique -- no other entity is offering programs on this scale. More importantly, no organization is providing career or leadership development training. The Institute envisions several lines of products and services catering to the sport coach throughout his or her career.

Who leads the Institute for Sport Coaching?

Christopher Hickey has been the creative force behind ISC for three years. A Naval Academy graduate, he has been in numerous leadership and management-leadership development positions. A track and field coach since 1989, Hickey is deeply committed to the growing professionalism movement for American sport coaches and to the critical importance they play in our communities and specifically, our young people's lives. The Institute's management strength has everything to do with Hickey's enthusiasm and vision of what needs to be accomplished in the development of quality sport coaches in the United States.

The Institute's Board of Directors represents strong leaders and business entrepreneurs from whom many ideas and concepts on starting and sustaining the Institute have flowed:

Chairman: Jay Shanley III, CFO, Silopanna Enterprises, Annapolis, Md.
Vice chairman: John Healy, CEO, @Court, Alameda, Calif.
Secretary/Treasurer: Christopher Glass, Vice President, Knowledge Associates, Inc., Adamstown, Md.
At-large: William Clapper, President, Clapper Communication, Annapolis, Md.
 
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