I’ve been quiet on the blog front while we wrap up a busy season and close-up shop, but I did have a chance to go to NACDA in Vegas late last week and get a little professional development. I am always happy to get around other ADs and sports-minded individuals. It was refreshing and a reminder of the importance of constant professional development in what we do.
Why Professional Development Matters
Athletic directors and coaches are the foundation of any sports program. We decide policy, lead our programs, and set the direction for our athletes’ experiences and our teams’ success. Our professional development is essential for many reasons.
1. Staying Current with Industry Trends
Since the sports industry is constantly changing, from regulation to technology alterations, training methodologies, and best practices, attending the NACDA convention helped me better understand future sports trends. Timely sessions on new sports technologies and athlete training advancements influence how our programs are administered or how our athletes are coached.
2. Networking Opportunities
Meeting with peers at other institutions is more than networking – it is a bonding experience. I found that by going to touchstone conventions with other ADs and sports professionals, I’ve developed good relationships that led to possible collaborations, knowledge of best practices, and support networks in my day-to-day operations. The groundwork of relationships began at these meetings and continues today as information and inspiration are shared often among us.
3. Enhancing Leadership Skills
This kind of leadership is more than sport management; it inspires and motivates athletes, staff, and the public. Professional development courses focus on so-called leadership skills, such as conflict resolution, effective communication, and strategic planning. These are essential skills for creating an enjoyable and productive place for athletes and staff.
4. Personal Growth and Motivation
This is also an investment in ourselves! As a personal development initiative, investing in professional development refreshes our spirits, inspires us, and rejuvenates our desire to succeed in sports administration or coaching. Our learning helps to reignite our passion, but our professional development experiences also provide the impetus to retain our love at work.
5. Improving Program Outcomes
Overall, it is imperative for professional development because if we keep on learning along the way, we can slowly but surely implement new ways to execute and devise new strategies to make athletes more productive, create a stronger team dynamic, and make our athletic program successful. Therefore, professional development plays an imperative role in the overall sports program structure through training that improves our training, resourcefulness, and coaching techniques.
Embracing Lifelong Learning
The biggest takeaway from the NACDA convention in Las Vegas was that we all mustn’t stop learning throughout our careers. Professional development for a professional doesn’t happen only once at the beginning, then at the end. Still, it is a path we must remain on daily as athletic directors and coaches and for our programs to grow and succeed.
Professional development is vitally important to all athletic directors and coaches. It keeps us in the know, in the loop, and in the right mindset to positively impact our programs and athletes. It doesn’t matter if you are an athletic director or coach in elementary, middle, high school, or college. Let’s all continue seeking opportunities to grow, learn, and connect. This way, we can also keep up with the dramatic changes in the world of sports.
Stay Loc’d in!
