Communication Guideline For Parent/Guardians And Coaches

Both parenting and coaching are extremely difficult vocations.  By establishing an understanding at each position, we are better able to accept the actions of the other and provide greater benefits to children.  As parents, when your children become involved in our program, you have a right to understand what expectations are placed on your child.  This begins with clear communication from the coach of your child’s program.

COMMUNICATION YOU SHOULD EXPECT FROM YOUR CHILD’S COACH:

1. Philosophy of the Coach.
2. Expectations the coach has for your child as well as the players on the squad.
3. Locations and times of all practices and contests.
4. Team requirements, i.e. Fees, special equipment, off-season conditioning.
5. Procedure should your child be injured during participation.
6. Discipline those results in denial of your child’s participation.

Community support is important to running a successful athletic program.  Parent/Guardians provide the main avenue for this support.  Communication from parent/guardians is necessary for the coaches to make appropriate decisions for their programs. 

COMMUNICATIONS COACHES EXPECT FROM PARENTS/GUARDIANS:

1. Concerns expressed directly to the coach.
2. Notification of any schedule conflicts well in advance.
3. Specific concern in regard to a coach’s philosophy and/or expectations.  As your children become involved in the programs at S-M High School they will experience some of the most rewarding moments of their lives.  It is important to understand that there also may be times when things do not go the way you or your child wishes.  At these times discussion with the coach is encouraged.

APPROPRIATE CONCERNS TO DISCUSS WITH COACHES:

1. Treatment of your child, mentally and physically.
2. Ways to help your child improve.
3. Concerns about your child’s behavior.

It is difficult to accept your child’s not playing as much as you may hope.  Coaches are professionals.  They make judgment decisions based on what they believe to be best for all students involved.  As you have seen from the list above, certain things can be and should be discussed with your child’s coach.  Other things, such as those on the following page, must be left to the discretion of the coach.

ISSUES NOT APPROPRIATE TO DISCUSS WITH COACHES:

1. Playing Time.
2. Team Strategy or Play Calling.
3. Other Student-athletes and coaches

There are situations that may require a conference between the coach and the parent.  These are encouraged.  It is important that both parties involved have a clear understanding of the other’s position.  When these conferences are necessary the following procedure should be followed to help promote a resolution to the issue of concern.

IF YOU HAVE A CONCERN TO DISCUSS WITH THE COACH THIS IS THE PROCEDURE YOU SHOULD FOLLOW:

1. Please DO NOT attempt to confront a coach before or after a contest or practice.  These can be emotional times for both the parent and the coach.  Meeting of this nature does not promote resolutions.
2. Call to set up an appointment with the coach.  If the coach cannot be reached, call the Activities Director, Josh Lee at 1-218-894-5400.  He will set up the meeting for you.
3. All meetings should have all parties involved.  This includes coach, parent/guardian, and student athlete. 

If the meeting did not provide a satisfactory resolution, call and set up an appointment with the activities director to discuss the situation.  At this meeting the appropriate next step can be determined.

Since research indicates a student involved in extra-curricular activities has a greater chance for success during adulthood where programs have been established.  Many of the character traits required to be a successful participant are exactly those that will promote a successful life after high school.  We hope the information provided within this flier makes both your child’s and your experience with the Staples-Motley High School activities program less stressful and more enjoyable.

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Staples-Motley Activity Contacts/Head Coaches

Activities Director:  Josh Lee joshua.lee@isd2170.k12.mn.us

Activities Administrative Assistant:  Lori Nienow  lori.nienow@isd2170.k12.mn.us

Baseball:  Shane Tappe

Basketball, Boys:   

Basketball, Girls:    Bruce Fuhrman    

Cross Country Run, Boys:  Bruce Fuhrman    

Cross Country Run, Girls:  Bruce Fuhrman    

Football:   Drew Potter 

Golf, Boys:  Glen Hasselberg    

Golf, Girls:  Glen Hasselberg    

Hockey, Boys:   Coop with Wadena/DC

Music:    Band:  Kristina Haataja  kristina.haataja@isd2170.k12.mn.us

               Choir: Cade Bestland   cade.bestland@isd2170.k12.mn.us

               Orchestra: Kristina Haataja    kristina.haataja@isd2170.k12.mn.us

One Act Play: 

Softball, Girls:  Darren Host 

Speech:  Heather Sams 

Swimming and Diving, Girls:  Coop with Little Falls

Tennis, Girls:   Justin Edin 

Track and Field, Boys:   Bruce Fuhrman 

Track and Field, Girls:  Bruce Fuhrman    

Visual Arts:   Jill Schneider 

Volleyball, Girls:   Gretchen Bestland 

Wrestling:   Jim Jackson