Character Education Through Sports 9 th Annual Sports Leadership Conference Long Term Athlete Development: Ethics and Excellence Play Like A Champion Today Mission and Vision Play Like a Champion Today provides leadership in a worldwide effort to renew the culture of sport for youth. It does this primarily by educating ethically responsible sport leaders (coaches, parents, and athletic administrators) who in turn will reach millions of young people. This university-based, not-for-profit initiative is unique in its focus on fostering ethics and moral development in sports through coach and parent education. The Winning Game Plan An important part of the mission of Notre Dame is bringing scholarship into service, and this is what Play Like a Champion Today is all about. I am especially proud of the way it brings academics and athletics together, broadening Notre Dames influence far beyond this campus. Rev. John Jenkins, C.S.C., President, University of Notre Dame Youth sports nurture not only todays athletes, but tomorrows leaders. Play Like a Champion Today embodies the ideals of Notre Dame, including developing the body, mind, and spirit, the pursuit of excellence, the nurturing of character, and the call to personal integrity and responsibility. Jack Swarbrick, Director of Athletics Play Like A Champion Today Play Like a Champion develops the whole person (athletes, coaches, parents and administrators) through sports through our research-based, athlete-centered approach. Our program elevates the culture of sports by: Reasserting the value of play for all, including children who are poor or who struggle with exceptionalities Developing athletes character through our GROW approach Creating partnerships with schools, leagues, and sports organizations Building a coalition of concerned, ethical sport administrators, coaches, and parents Creating a safe and nurturing sports environment for every athlete Since 2006, Play Like A Champion has educated 60,000 coaches and 25,000 parents in 100 sport organizations in 30 states reaching a million and a half athletes. For Youth and High School Sports Coaching as Ministry and Coaching for Character Coaches Clinic Parent Like A Champion Today Workshop Play Like A Champion for Officials Athlete Programming: Champion Player Handbook; Athlete Retreats; Athlete Leadership Development Seminars; and CHAMPS Athlete Group Follow-up and on-going Consultation Weekly Coach Notes Twice Monthly Parent Notes On-Line Coach Recertification (two course options) Interactive Advanced Workshops for Re-Certification Advanced parent programming METROPOLITAN AREAS WITH PLAY LIKE CHAMPION PARTNERS Alabama: Mobile Arizona: Tucson and Scottsdale California: Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange County, Irvine Colorado: Denver Connecticut: Manchester Florida: Orlando, Sarasota, Tampa/St. Petersburg Georgia: Atlanta Idaho: Boise Illinois: Chicago Indiana: Gary, Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, South Bend Kansas: Kansas City, Salina Kentucky: Southgate Maine: Portland Michigan: Detroit, Grand Rapids, Saginaw Minnesota: Minnesota Soccer Association, Minneapolis Missouri: St. Louis, Kansas City, Columbia Nebraska: Omaha Nevada: Reno New Jersey: Camden, Summit, Wayne New York: New York City, Long Island North Dakota: Bismarck Ohio: Cincinnati, Columbus Oklahoma: Oklahoma City, Tula Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh, Erie, Gettysburg Rhode Island: Providence South Carolina: Greenville South Dakota: Aberdeen Texas: Dallas, Houston, Austin, Fort Worth, Laredo Washington: Seattle, Walla Walla Ontario, Canada: Niagara, Hamilton Research-Centered Results 91% of coaches surveyed said they were satisfied with the clinic. 90% of parents intend to fully implement our approach to positive sport parenting. Significant changes in coaching behaviors and enhancements include: leading discussions with the team about ethics and values correcting mistakes while building confidence addressing negative fan behavior developing autonomy and responsibility in their players Reducing pressure on athletes in the sport environment 87% of coaches and parents believe face-to-face discussion is essential to the learning experience 92% of parents said they would spend more time being encouraging, positive and supportive with their child 93% of parents commit to being a positive influence in the stands and 90% agree to avoid coaching from the sidelines Champions for Children Developing an Ethical Culture in Collegiate Athletic Departments The Freeh Report calls for creating a values and ethics-centered community. Article 2.4 of the NCAA Constitution begins by stating that college athletics are to promote the character development of participants. That article concludes that each institution should educate on a continuing basis all constituencies about the institutions policies regarding sportsmanship and ethical conduct. NCAA President Mark Emmert explained, We are trying to reshape a culture so that they can never say the culture of hero worship or the culture of sport is ever going to overwhelm our values again so that we dont make the right choice at the right time. April 24, 2014 Collegiate Ethics Symposium hosted at Notre Dame Educating ethically responsible sports leaders and promoting a positive sports culture. Join us in Partnership!