The Critical Construct of Management in Athletic Program Success -- Part 4 of 5

The Critical Construct of Management in Athletic Program Success -- Part 4

The most successful institutions in the college game want to know what resources and materials are needed to compete with other elite competitors. These institutions care far less how much this “upping the competitive ante” costs. Governing bodies frequently step in to attempt to keep the programs from driving over the cliff and endeavor to decelerate a materials race, with mixed results. This explains why Northwestern is Northwestern in most sports and Indiana is historically so different in football and basketball. Northwestern, an outstanding private institution, simply does not have the chips to ante in with larger players. Notre Dame, a similar institution, has made a determination to make every effort to keep the historical success of certain athletic programs and has been aided by large amounts of media and merchandise revenue, essentially enabling the university to sit at the table with a chip amount equal to any big player.

So, what can help the actual management state when resources and materials are not on par with competitors? There is an optimum physical state that can be achieved. This is not cheap but within the range of most athletic programs. The smaller schools can get good physical training facilities, but must share with the other sport programs. The big players have dedicated facilities and staff for single sport ventures. Lesser institutions will get lesser athletes and one way, a difficult way, to level the playing field is through taking the lesser athletes and developing them to a level that is close to the larger programs. This is easier said than done and the only way to accomplish this is taking the extra time required away from time normally allotted to the teaching of the individual sport. In other words, make the player a better athlete before making them a better athlete. Do both? This is a good idea, but there are regulations on time allotments. Summer is the loop around the time barrier.

The mental state of players can be improved through program management with little cost, just hard work and sound philosophy. This can also be an equalizer to narrow the gap. The big players are falling in line and now employ mental coaches. Most people take this as academic tutors, but these experts shape and develop the beliefs, motivation, and expectations as defined by program philosophy. A great mental conditioning program provides valuable outcomes, such as increased motivation, intensity, focus, efficiency of actions, leadership, thinking and analysis skills, the ability to react to pressure and adversity, and confidence. Confidence is a result of being prepared and achieving success and frequently needs a third entity, experience. Experience takes a player from preparing to do something to actually and successfully doing something.

Leadership, another management state that can level the playing field, is never overlooked by coaches, but is by the general public not involved with daily program happenings. There are clear benefits to strong leadership. Team communication is greatly enhanced. Players can use leadership as a vehicle to express ideas, concerns, and conclusions, without upsetting the chain of command. Coaches and players improve others through good leadership shills. There is unity and bonding in leadership, there is a common cause to uphold.

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Written by Doc4blue