GREENSBORO, N.C. (theACC.com) – Twelve Atlantic Coast Conference coaches across 10 member institutions recently completed the league’s Fall/Winter professional development program “Coaching the Whole Athlete.” The eight-week immersive leadership program equips coaches and administrators with the knowledge and skills to support the needs of the whole student-athlete.
“The ACC is proud to sponsor such an outstanding program that leads to better support of our student-athletes,” said ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips, Ph.D. “Investing in our coaches and student-athletes will always be a top priority and we applaud those that took part in this meaningful professional development program.”
The program comes at an especially relevant time, post COVID, when there has been:
- Heightened awareness around the mental/emotional challenges of the athlete experience
- A growing need to be better prepared to assist them in these struggles and understand how to connect on a more individualized level with student-athletes
- A greater emphasis on adding interpersonal and intrapersonal knowledge to the coaching toolbox
In a continually evolving athletic climate, the goal of the program is to support leadership in our sports communities in ongoing personal and professional growth through learner-centered and reflective programming. The virtual program provides a safe space for coaches to authentically connect with a community of their peers, engage in a process of introspection, and translate important concepts into practical implementation with their own teams.
Coaches across a variety of sports – cross country, lacrosse, rowing, swimming & diving, tennis, track & field – and different experience levels gathered on a weekly basis this fall to examine ways to evolve practices and relationships with student-athletes to foster a supportive space to thrive and empower them to reach their potential in athletics and in life.
The program facilitates understanding of key elements of an empowering athletic climate and highlights the impact of the coach-athlete relationship on student-athletes’ athletic outcomes and development outside of sport. It reinforces the importance of fostering a supportive and positive experience to enhance well-being and improve performance for all involved in the athletic community, coaches, athletes and administrators alike.
Coaching the Whole Athlete is founded and led by Brianna Welch, former Duke Women’s Track and Field/XC student-athlete. Brianna supports leaders in athletics in ongoing personal and professional growth to positively transform the learning environment in which they work. Welch assists them in enhancing their coach-athlete relationships and helps them to become adaptable as they continue to evolve in their profession. She is joined by three other co-facilitators, who are experts in the field of coach development: Cameron Kiosoglous, four-time U.S. Olympic Rowing Coach and Assistant Professor at Drexel University; Jody Langdon, Professor of Exercise Science and Coaching at Georgia Southern University; and Sarah McQuade, Founding Director of e.t.c coaching consultants, an international coach development practice working with clients such as USA Weightlifting, USA Football and United Soccer Coaches. Additionally, Madison Granger, a former top athlete in the ACC, personal trainer and human capital management consultant, serves as co-facilitator and business development support.
The next cohort of the Coaching the Whole Athlete Academy will begin in May.
Quotes from coaches:
Megan Cooke Carcagno, Head Coach, Duke Rowing – “I found the program to be absolutely incredible and a great resource for all of the coaches and administrators out there that are currently serving student-athletes. It really taught me what was important in what I do..and just gave me an entirely new perspective on how powerful we are as coaches and leaders”
Vincent Culpepper, Director of Operations, North Carolina Men’s Lacrosse – “Taking the opportunity to join the Fall ACC Coaching the Whole Athlete Cohort was one of the best investments I have made in my career as a coach. The cohort gave me an opportunity to evaluate myself as a coach and to take a deeper inventory into what my athletes want from me. I learned concrete tools and strategies to reach my student-athletes on a deeper level than x's & o’s…and I enjoyed the opportunity to be stretched and challenged by the course administrators and my fellow coaches from the ACC.”
George Kiefer, Head Coach, North Carolina State Men’s Soccer – “This course was excellent in that it dug into how you build relationships with your players, how you help your players understand what their goals are, and what the processes are in order to reach their goals.”
Coaches who completed the Fall/Winter ACC Coaching the Whole Athlete Academy:
Andrew Carlson, Louisville, Track and Field/XC, Assistant Coach
Chase Graham, Duke, Rowing, Associate Head Coach
Claire Frenkel, Miami, Rowing, Assistant Coach
Erin Neppel, North Carolina, Rowing, Head Coach
George Kiefer, NC State, Men's Soccer, Head Coach
Jeffrey Wyshner, Wake Forest, Women's Tennis, Head Coach
Kelsi Dahlia, Notre Dame, Swimming, Associate coach
Lennox Graham, Clemson, Track and Field, Assistant Coach
Megan Cooke Carcagno, Duke, Rowing, Head Coach
Steve Barnes, Florida State, Swimming & Diving, Assistant Coach
Taylor Schram, Boston College, Women's Soccer, Associate Head Coach
Vincent Culpepper, North Carolina, Men's Lacrosse, Director of Operations