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NCAA Nutrition and Performance - Athletics Administrator

De-emphasize weight; coaches have to be careful regarding weight and body issues; by not triggering anxiety and body concerns, coaches allow the athlete to be healthier, worry less, and most likely, perform better (Female Athlete Triad book p.40-41)

Demonstrate a commitment to the fair treatment of student-athletes, particularly in their academic role as students.  Student-athletes, on the whole, are treated in the same manner as the undergraduate student body.

The coaching staff is notified of any changes in Athletic Training policy and procedures that may affect the health and welfare of student-athletes.  The coaching staff are provided with memoranda, guidelines, and/or publications that may help them identify health or safety risks, and/or help them take necessary precautions to minimize occurrences such as heat illness, etc.

Model Learning -- Lead the Way

As athletic administrators, we must accept responsibility for being not only competent managers, but effective leaders as well. Coaching education can certainly be a vehicle for this to occur. It's critical that athletic administrators be the first to enroll and complete a coaching principles course. Encouraging or requiring coaches to do so, before you have yourself, can potentially diminish your credibility. In simple words, walk the talk; lead the way. After completing the course, the A.D.s should begin to incorporate the coaching principles into everyday athletic department operations and into their interaction with coaches. Here are just a few suggestions:

1. Develop a solid philosophy and shared vision based on "Athletes First, Winning Second."
2. Help coaches to develop their communication skills. 
3. Help coaches to better understand and implement the principles of reinforcement and motivation.
4. Help coaches to better understand and implement strategies for effective planning and teaching of sport skills. 
5. Help coaches to develop more effective physical development programs by better understanding and implementing the principles of training. 
6. Help coaches to practice effective risk management by fulfilling their nine legal duties.

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