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History of Civil Rights Protests in Sports - Kenny Iroegbu

Protesting in American sports over civil rights issues is ingrained into our culture. From Jesse Owens’ four gold medals in the Nazi-hosted 1936 Olympics in Berlin to Jackie Robinson entering baseball, even the presence of black athletes in major sports became a protest in itself. Owens was initially set to boycott the Berlin Olympics because of the Nazi regime, but was ultimately convinced not to by the president of the American Olympic Committee called those pushing the boycott, “un-American agitators.” As long as protest of racial discrimination has existed, there has been a strong backlash from those who call it an attack on an idealized concept of America. This parallel counter-protest movement often decides the protests real purpose is dividing or hurting the amorphous essence of the country and creating racial tension, instead of engaging with the protest in good faith. In an increasingly segmented world, sports is a rare collectivist activity, and a natural platform to build solidarity, despite its tribalist elements. It’s also an arena in which humans physically, emotionally and idealistically clash in person, when few such outlets exist in general society.

The amount of attention on professional and elite amateur athletes gives them the ability to start conversations which reach across all sorts of identity and idealogical divides. Where those conversations go after they enter public consumption (no matter how far they stray from the original message or debate) can never negate the immense power athletes have from their platform to get out messages to the masses. In an era of instant communication, anyone’s voice can be amplified, but the saturation of signal can make it harder to get a point across.

Ever since former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick first protested the oppression of colored people in 2016 by refusing to stand for the national anthem, a national debate over injustice, racism, patriotism and protesting in sports has been ignited in America. Like many contentious issues that have become part of mainstream conversation, Kaepernick’s protest has been co-opted, spun and twisted by a 24/7 media machine that reflexively devoured the story, only to discard it, then pick it back up when it fit another convenient narrative.

In fact, Kaepernick wasn’t even the first NFL player in recent history to protest civil rights disparities in America. Two years before his protest, after Michael Brown, an unarmed black teenager was shot and killed by police officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson, St. Louis, five St. Louis Rams players (Tavon Austin, Kenny Britt, Jared Cook, Chris Givens and Stedman Bailey) protested a grand jury’s decision not to indict Wilson by coming out of the field with their hands raised in the air. Their reference to “hands up, don’t shoot” was immediately rebuked by the St. Louis Police Officer’s Association, who demanded the NFL discipline the players, saying their, “…gesture has become synonymous with assertions that Michael Brown was innocent of any wrongdoing.”

“No matter what happened on that day, no matter how the whole situation went down, there has to be a change,” Cook said at the time.

Two years before that, Lebron James, Dwayne Wade and other NBA players wore hoods partially covering their faces in a social media post to protest the killing of another unarmed black teenager, Trayvon Martin. And two years before that there had been officially sanctioned protest in the NBA of anti-immigration/racial profiling laws by the Phoenix Suns and San Antonio Spurs, who wore jerseys with their team name in Spanish to show support for immigrant communities in their cities and states. But no protest in recent history has had the lasting impact of Kaepernick’s.

Kaepernick first sat down during the anthem in the 2016 preseason. For the first two games, his protest went unnoticed. Kaepernick wasn’t dressed to play during those games, but in the third he was, and the protest became making news. After his protest was conflated with anti-American, or anti-military sentiment (among the first twists of his protest to meet a narrative), he spoke with former Green Beret and one-time NFL long snapper Nate Boyer, and decided to take a knee instead:

“We were talking to [Boyer] about how can we get the message back on track and not take away from the military, not take away from fighting for our country, but keep the focus on what the issues really are. And as we talked about it, we came up with taking a knee. Because there are issues that still need to be addressed and it was also a way to show more respect to the men and women who fight for this country.”

As we examine the history of civil rights protesting in sports, it’s important to remember why this protest began, through the words of the man who started it:

“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,” Kaepernick initially said of his protest. “To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”

Later, responding to criticism that his protest was anti-patriotic, or harmed the American military, Kaepernick said:

“I have great respect for the men and women that have fought for this country. I have family, I have friends that have gone and fought for this country. And they fight for freedom, they fight for the people, they fight for liberty and justice, for everyone. That’s not happening. People are dying in vain because this country isn’t holding their end of the bargain up, as far as giving freedom and justice, liberty to everybody. That’s something that’s not happening. I’ve seen videos, I’ve seen circumstances where men and women that have been in the military have come back and been treated unjustly by the country they fought have for, and have been murdered by the country they fought for, on our land. That’s not right.”

In what appears to be a concerted effort by the NFL owners, Kaepernick wasn’t signed by any team after opting out of his contract with San Francisco following the 2016 season. Despite completing passes at a higher clip, posting more rushing yards, and placing in the top ten in the league with a low interception rate, Kaepernick received no contract to play in the NFL. Many analysts have ruled this a decision to blackball him over his political protest.

Since he first protested, Kaepernick has inspired fellow NFL players, NCAA athletes, high school athletes and even professional women’s soccer players to follow suit. Many of these athletes have been pressured by ownership, fans, pundits and more to abandon their protest. Kaepernick serves as a reminder to athletes across the globe of what can be taken from them if they’re unwilling to follow norms defined by owners, politicians, and their fellow citizens.

Kaepernick filed a grievance against the NFL, accusing the owners of colluding to keep him from playing. His lawyer, Mark Geragos, explained the decision, saying, “If the NFL … is to remain a meritocracy, then principled and peaceful protest — which the owners themselves made great theater imitating weeks ago — should not be punished and athletes should not be denied employment based on partisan political provocation by the Executive Branch of our government.”

Geragos was referencing the 2017 muddying of Kaepernick’s protest by Trump, who publicly attacked the civil rights protesting in the NFL, both on Twitter and most notably at a rally in Alabama in September. “Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, ‘Get that son of a bitch off the field right now. Out! He’s fired. He’s fired!’” Trump said. Trump’s attacks on NFL protesters prompted further protest, including the cynical participation of some NFL owners. Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones stood with players in a perceived sign of unity before later ordering them not to protest further. New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft  issued a statement on the protests, saying,  “I think our political leaders could learn a lot from the lessons of teamwork and the importance of working together toward a common goal. Our players are intelligent, thoughtful, and care deeply about our community, and I support their right to peacefully affect social change and raise awareness in a manner that they feel is impactful.” And most recently, Houston Texans owner Bob McNair said of the protests, “we can’t have the inmates running the prison,” sparking the majority of the Texans’ players to kneel at their next game.

As the owners, more players, the president and the public became increasingly involved in the situation, Kaepernick’s initial reason for protesting, the systemic oppression of people of color was swept away in the national conversation. Increasingly, the debate around the protests became part of the national debate over Trump. This subversion of the protest echoes the past, and raises the question, what are the laws that govern protest in America?

The American Constitution doesn’t specifically grant the right to protest. What it does grant is freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and the right to petition the government. It doesn’t specifically mention freedom of association, but the United States Supreme Court found that association is in many cases the only effective mechanism by which people can exercise their freedom of speech in NAACP v. Alabama (1958). However, there are limits on peaceful protest, and freedom of speech in general. American governmental bodies are allowed to put limits on the time, place and manner of peaceful protest. This sets up an inherent conflict, where in the case of protests of systemic racial injustice by police and government, those being protested have power to deny the protest itself. These waters are murky, and have resulted in countless clashes between protesters and police.

The difference between protesting while representing one’s country as an Olympian, or doing so as an employee gets into the corrosive nature of capital. There are very few, mostly identity-based laws that bar an employer may from punishing or discriminating against an employee. There is no freedom of speech in the private sector, although there is in the public sector. In a work at will of the employer landscape, there’s very few exceptions under which an employers can’t punish or terminate an employee. However, over time there’s been a shift in the severity of consequences for athletes who engage in protest. For example, Kaepernick is the only recent example of a qualified athlete who has been clearly and publicly barred from his sport over his  protest. It’s unclear if that ban will last, but it echoes previous attempts to silence protest from athletes.

Muhammad Ali was stripped of his boxing license after he refused to be drafted into the Vietnam War on conscientious objection grounds. conscientious objector. “War is against the teachings of the Qur’an. I’m not trying to dodge the draft. We are not supposed to take part in no wars unless declared by Allah or The Messenger. We don’t take part in Christian wars or wars of any unbelievers,” Ali said in 1966, describing his decision. Not only did Ali lose his boxing license, and thus his main source of income, but he was convicted of a felony. In 1971 that conviction was overturned by the Supreme Court in a unanimous decision. However, the decision found that because there was no reason given for why Ali was denied a conscientious objector exemption, his conviction had to be reversed. There was no further affirmation of his speech, nor the impact it had on his ability to earn money.

If your speech results in the inability to provide for yourself and family, is it free? Clearly there are lines beyond which a specific employer can tolerate speech from a specific employee, but far more often than not an employer can punish or terminate an employee based on any grounds, or without even presenting a reason. There are no clear boundaries between inappropriate speech that precludes someone from employment, and a human’s ability to express themselves with the expectation they’ll still be able to earn a living after doing so.

Even in cases where an athlete is under amateur status (and is nominally unpaid for their performance), they can be disciplined over speech and protest. In 1968, Tommie Smith and John Carlos placed first and third respectively in the 200-meter race at the Summer Olympics in Mexico City. When they stood on the platform to receive their medals, the two appeared shoeless, wearing black socks, and held up black gloved fists while the Star Spangled Banner played. The protest was largely interpreted as a show of solidarity with organizations like the Black Panthers, and other civil rights liberation movements of the time. Smith later wrote that the gesture wasn’t a “Black Power” salute, but a “human rights salute.”

The International Olympic Committee president Avery Brundage decided that this statement was unfit for the Olympics, and ordered that Smith and Carlos be suspended from the US track & field team, and kicked out of the Olympic Village. The US Olympic Committee refused to comply, and Brundage threatened to ban their entire track team in response. This threat led to Smith and Carlos being ejected from the 1968 Olympics. An IOC spokesman called Smith and Carlos’ protest, “a deliberate and violent breach of the fundamental principles of the Olympic spirit.” Brundage was the president of the United States Olympic Committee in 1936, and had no objection to the Nazi salutes at those games. In explanation, Brundage claimed the Nazi salute was the national salute at the time, which was acceptable in the context of international competition, whereas Carlos and Smith’s salute represented no nation. Brundage’s tenure as IOC president ended four years later in 1972, and was one of three goals of the one of the three stated objectives of the Olympic Project for Human Rights, an organization founded by sociologist Harry Edwards and joined by Smith and Carlos. To this day, Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter says: “No kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas.” Carlos and Smith returned home to support from many Americans, and widespread disdain, especially in national coverage of the fallout from their protest. In just one example Time magazine replaced the Olympic slogan “Faster, Higher, Stronger,” with “Angrier, Nastier, Uglier” to discredit the two runners.

Often, those that advocate free speech believe in it for themselves, not their political opponents. Accusations of anti-semitism and Nazi sympathy dogged Brundage, and may serve as an explanation of his preference for certain types of speech. People calling for unchecked freedom of speech frequently celebrate the firing of someone who said things they disagree with, but will fervently protest that treatment of their idealogical peers.

Capitalism decides the value of people based on their identity and ideas. That value is determined by many factors, but chief among them is perceived profit, and holding no concept or human right over it. This system rejects change because it knows where it leads. The fight for human rights and the victories it claims inevitably means the loss of capital for those that have accumulated the most of it, and its redistribution among the people, whether in the form of money or entrenched human rights that prohibit continued, expanding exploitation by ownership.

Some of the people who were disgusted with Kaepernick’s protest argued that people paid millions of dollars to play sports shouldn’t be complaining about inequality. But once again, they ignore the point of Kaepernick’s protest, which was expressly in solidarity with the oppression and brutality of people of color. There’s a difference between the power that a millionaire athlete commands in speech and action, and the reality-shifting power exercised by billionaires while forming society around everyone in their image. The former has a chance at creating change, while the latter institutes controls to maintain its position through every level of society.

No matter your politics, engaging with speech in good faith and not cynically recasting it into an existing narrative is essential to human development. Kaepernick went further in explaining his protest in August 2016, saying:

“I’m going to continue to stand with the people that are being oppressed. To me, this is something that has to change. When there’s significant change and I feel that flag represents what it’s supposed to represent, and this country is representing people the way that it’s supposed to, I’ll stand.”

“This stand wasn’t for me. This is because I’m seeing things happen to people that don’t have a voice, people that don’t have a platform to talk and have their voices heard, and effect change. So I’m in the position where I can do that and I’m going to do that for people that can’t.”

“It’s something that can unify this team. It’s something that can unify this country. If we have these real conversations that are uncomfortable for a lot of people. If we have these conversations, there’s a better understanding of where both sides are coming from.”

There will be more Kaepernick’s, and more consequences for them. And there will be more protest, and speech, that crosses boundaries or muddies lines of what constitutes protected speech, both in sports and outside of it. Because sports capture the imagination and dedication of such wide swathes of society, it will always be a hotbed and driving force in discussions of civil and human rights. To ignore or oppose this reality is intrinsically resisting ontological reactions to oppression and violations of human rights by those victimized by them, or who notice the victims of them wherever they go. Kaepernick and his fellow athlete protesters have often been called selfish for their stances by their opposition. Yet a consistent theme throughout these protests are tangible consequences for the protesters, who often aren’t faced with the exact same realities as those they speak out on behalf of, showing clear solidarity with the rights of others through their actions.

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How to Leverage Your Coaching Degree to Create a Successful Business Career - Kenny Iroegbu

Are you concerned about entering the business world with your coaching degree? Or maybe you’re passionate about sports, coaching, and business but you’re unsure about committing to one above the others.  Let’s face it. Life is unpredictable. Our passions don’t always perfectly synchronize with our education or career path. But whether you have always wanted to take your coaching degree into the business world, or if it was a total change of plans for you, the same rules apply: use the strengths of your degree, experience, and background to secure your place in business.

Many successful professionals started their education in an unrelated discipline. Many veterinarians first majored in english, many lawyers first studied art. Though a coaching career is not nearly as different from a business career as one might think, the point is this: the degree program that you choose will inevitably come with limitations–limits on the extent to which your degree is applicable to various career paths. It is this limitation, however, that reveals one of the hidden strengths of the coaching degree. The coaching degree is one of the most dynamic degrees that the higher ed. Industry has to offer. Just like a coach may transpose his or her skillset from one sport to another, a determined coach may also apply the knowledge and skills of his or her coaching profession from one industry to another.The scope and/or difficulty of this transition, however, does depend on the specific degree you earned, your professional experience, and the area of business in which you are interested. Some areas of coaching education are particularly well-suited to prepare students for a business career, while other coaching areas may present more challenges but are advantageous to specific business specializations. In this article we will explore three main topics: (i) What should you research in order to make the best decisions in preparation for a business career; (ii) Which coaching degrees are best suited for a transition into a business career; (iii) And then, how to best leverage your coaching degree to create a successful business career.

Research and Decision-Making: Know Your Skillset

When seeking to transition from a coaching career into business the first and foremost thing to consider is your unique degree. Because transitioning successfully requires you to apply your skillsets in an entirely new industry, you must know exactly what skillsets you have to offer and why they are valuable in business. Does your degree offer anything uniquely beneficially to a business career? Most accredited sports coaching degrees require students to take on internships, which makes for an excellent opportunity to build marketable experience with business dealings and responsibilities. For example, an internship with a sports team’s general manager would be highly attractive to potential employers.

Whether you’re a prospective student, a current student, or a coaching degree graduate, you should catalog the contents of your degree program’s education. And regardless of your degree look for that which will be an asset to your business career such as communication skills, team management experience, education in finances, education in human efficiency, strength and conditioning culture, critical thinking, and education in motivational training. Though for the most part, the most crucial skill for you to upsell will be your coaching ability.

If you’re a strength and conditioning coach, you specialize in motivating people to strive past their former limitations and reach higher levels of performance. In the business setting, a manager can use these same motivational tools to improve project team cohesion and performance. In order for you to make the best decisions for transitioning into a business career, you should view the concepts of businesses, organizations, and their members as you would athletic teams and individual athletes. Ultimately the same rules apply: business and organizations need their members to perform at the highest level possible, much like sports teams need their athletes to perform most optimally.

Choosing the Right Degree: Experience and Skill-sets

There are 6 major degree types that are most popular within coaching education: Athletic Coaching, General Management, Fitness Coordination, Wellness Management, Athletic Training, and Nutrition. You can find out more about these degree options here.

The Top 6 Coaching Degree for Transitioning into Business: 1.) General Management

The General Management Degree is arguably best suited for a career in business because the responsibilities of a general manager are almost identical to those of a business manager, project team coordinator, or to other positions of business leadership. Leadership defines the role of a sports general manager. They oversee a sports team organization’s overall success through managing its various departments, coordinating community and press relations, while shouldering much of the team’s financial responsibility as well. This degree will prepare students for positions of leadership and management, while other coaching degrees will likely lead to positions that more specifically incorporate aspects of coaching, motivation, and group optimization.

2.) Wellness Manager

The Wellness Manager degree is a very close second to the general manager degree. Depending on what you’re looking for, you might argue one is the better choice over the other. The Wellness Manager degree is a relatively new degree focused on a dynamic curriculum that prepares students for a variety of positions in numerous industries. This flexibility will allow current students to focus more on the components of the curriculum that are best suited for a business career, and for those who’ve already earned this degree there are numerous aspects to upsell to potential employers. As the name implies, a wellness manager specializes in all areas having to do with a an individual or groups overall wellness. As our society becomes more aware of the dangers and costs of stress on the American economy, more and more organizations are hiring wellness coordinators and wellness managers to improve workspaces, teamwork, and overall job environment in order to improve employee satisfaction and performance rates alike.

3.) Fitness Coordinator

Like the Wellness Manager, a Fitness Coordinator works with teams and other leaders to incorporate programs to improve individual health. While the Wellness Coordinator degree delivers a highly dynamic curriculum suited for employment in various industries, the Fitness Coordinator degree focuses more on the realm of sports and athletics. So while the Fitness Coordinator’s education background may not be as diverse as the Wellness Manager’s, the Fitness Coordinator is highly trained in human efficiency, performance, and motivational techniques. Their specialization in developing programs and routines to increase team health and performance is highly sought after in businesses and organizations with large numbers of employees.

4.) Nutritionist

Like the Wellness Manager, a nutritionist’s skillset is widely applicable across numerous industries. Depending on one’s goals and interests, however, this fact may be more of a limitation than a freedom. This is because many corporations and businesses often seek to hire or consult nutritionists to improve the health of their employees. So nutritionists looking to employ creativity and break into the world of business in new ways may need to establish a unique experience background or business-oriented expertise in order to take on positions more advanced than traditional ones. For nutritionists uninterested in “breaking the mold,” who simply desire to apply their knowledge and skills in the business world, this degree is an excellent starting place–with only professional experience and specializations required to create upward career momentum.

5.) Athletic Coaching

The Athletic Coaching degree is designed to prepare students to drive athletes to the peak of their abilities. Athletic coaching is obviously meant for the sports industry and the physical performance of athletes, however, the curriculum students cover in this degree focuses on mental and emotional elements to coaching as well. Athletic coaches master the science of human motivation and performance optimization. While students may need some sort of business-world experience in order to reach top-tier workplace coaching positions, the degree itself provides an excellent framework for professional coaching in businesses and organizations.

6.) Athletic Training

The Athletic Training degree is perhaps the most limited of degrees in terms of its application to a business career, but that does not mean it is not without its applications. While it does lay similar groundwork as the Athletic Coaching degree and Fitness Coordinator degree, an athletic trainer will be trained almost exclusively in techniques of improving physical fitness in individuals. Because it lacks a curriculum covering more full-spectrum coaching or general wellness strategies, athletic trainers will have a more difficult time finding an open door into their business careers. There is, however, a growing need for athletic trainers to employ their skills “as is” in corporations where employee fitness is a concern, which can serve as a segway into higher echelon position in the industry. While there are definitely shortcomings to this degree in the context of moving into business, many athletic training degree programs offer students the opportunity to specialize in certain areas of fitness, wellness, or team-dynamics. Such specialization can give these students a leg up in the business world.

Pitching Your Coaching Degree to Employers

Even if you don’t have one of the degrees named above, any degree in coaching or sports organization is a strong commodity for employers in the business world. According to Gallup.com, employing performance-oriented coaches throughout a large organization’s infrastructure increased average sales by 19%. At the end of the day, business is about selling yourself. And taking confidence in the value of your coaching expertise is central to advancing your business career. As our country’s businesses and organizations continue to grow, so to does their need for ways to maximize employee performance. As Gallup.com further reports, organizations that employ organizational coaches and prioritize a performance-based culture can expect drastic improvements such as 3% to 7% higher customer engagement; 6% to 16% lower turnover (in low-turnover organizations); 26% to 72% lower turnover (in high-turnover organizations); 9% to 15% increase in engaged employees; and 22% to 59% fewer safety incidents. Overall, American business trends are favoring coaches, finding new roles and responsibilities for them throughout organizations. And while some degrees offer more options or a more direct route into business, coaching degrees in general offer students plenty of opportunity to break into the business world.

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What Certification Does a Physical Education Teacher Need?

Physical Education is a field that is highly rewarding, as you will be teaching children  how to live a healthy lifestyle through games and exercise. The minimum prerequisite for Physical Education teachers is a bachelor’s degree with clearance and certification from the state in which you will be teaching, but if you obtain a master’s degree or additional certification, you can expect more job opportunities and a higher salary.

What Can I Expect to Earn as a PE Teacher or Coach?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that Physical Education teachers at the high school level make an average annual salary of $58,000, while Elementary and Middle School Physical Education Teachers make slightly less, around $55,500 per year. Those averages vary in every state, though with additional qualifications from a Master’s program, you will advance your teaching ability and be able to obtain a higher salary. If you might be interested in obtaining a masters degree in physical education, check out our list of The 20 Best Online Master’s in Physical Education Degree Programs.

Do You Want to Transition into Coaching?

In addition to teaching, some physical education teachers decide to coach sports teams, which has the potential for higher salaries, though generally coaches get paid less than teachers, as the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that coaches and scouts get paid an average salary of $31,460. Earning a masters degree in Coaching Education will increase your qualifications and job prospects as a coach. For some of the best options for Masters degrees in Coaching Education, check out our list of the The 15 Best Online Masters in Coaching Education.

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Shortest Players in NBA History - Kenny Iroegbu

Traditionally, basketball is a game for tall people. From 1985 to 2006, the average height of players in the NBA was roughly 6’7”, and the two most towering players in NBA history are Romania’s Gheorghe Muresan and Sudan’s Manute Bol, who both measure a staggering 7’7”. Still, the world is full of rule-breakers who challenge conventions.

The following 10 basketball players are extraordinarily short by NBA standards, yet they refused to give up on their dreams. Even in the face of a significant disadvantage, they all went on to play professionally – and a few of them also became coaches after their playing days were over. These 10 stories are sure to motivate, energize and encourage us all to push the limits of what’s possible. Read on to find out about the 10 shortest players in NBA history.

1. Tyrone “Muggsy” Bogues – 5’3”

2. Earl Boykins – 5’5”

3. Melvin Hirsch – 5’6”

4. Anthony “Spud” Webb – 5’7”

5. Greg Grant – 5’7”

6. Louis “Red” Klotz – 5’7”

7. Wataru “Wat” Misaka – 5’7”

8. Monte Towe – 5’7”

9. Keith “Mister” Jennings – 5’7”

10. Charlie Criss – 5’8”

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How To Become A High School Football Coach - Kenny Iroegbu

Many dream about the idea of becoming a high school football coach due to its sheer charms. It can be a prestigious career filled with the respect of young players, cases full of hard-won trophies and the sweet joy of victory. It is a particularly wise choice for those who enjoy interaction with teenagers, creating challenges and formulating strategy. If you have a love for the game of football, this could be a perfect career match.

INTROSPECTION

Before deciding to pursue a football coach career it is important to think through what it might be like and to reflect on your own experiences. If you have played the game yourself, you will have a wealth of knowledge to draw from. What parts of football do you love? If you enjoyed playing, then you will be able to relate well to the players. There is said to be a unique camaraderie among football players. They must live life before one another. Players must perform drills, push themselves harder then they thought possible, show up on time and support fellow players regardless of personal feelings.

If you didn’t play the game, but helped assist your coach or managed the team, then you will have a different outlook and your strengths may be in plays and strategy. This is important because good strategy can win games and employers want to hire winning coaches. Even if this is your strength area you must recognize that there is always more to learn as a coach. Ask yourself if you can be the kind of coach that operates out of firm conviction and good discipline, but is also willing to hear others out.

If you worked with a brilliant coach in the past, then you will find that will be a good foundation to build on. Dig deeper to discover why the coach was good at his job. Think about how he treated others, how prepared he was and how well he used his skills. Perhaps the coach you worked with wasn’t great, or worse, was unkind or lazy. These experiences are not wasted as they will show you what you do not want to model in your own career.

READ AND RESEARCH

What is one of the best ways to gain more knowledge on a subject you’re interested in? Reading books and listening to professionals is naturally a great avenue to educate yourself. For example, Finding the Winning Edge by Bill Walsh is said to be a book that is like a bible for coaching as it instructs coaches efficiently in going beyond offense and defense. Another inspiring read is Faith in the Game, by Tom Osborne. This one has the potential to show you what kind of impact you can have on your young players and it just might inspire you to passionately pursue coaching.

For a little more grit, you can pick up The Quick Passing Game (volumes 1-3) and The Bunch Attack, by coaches Coverdale and Robinson. These resources will cover attacking defenses and passing concepts. Football’s Eagle and Stack Defenses by Ron Vanderlinden may blow your mind a bit with information. However, it can pared down for high school level and goes into amazing defensive detail regarding the how and why of each position. For sheer inspirational reads aspiring coaches should all read Coach Tony Dungy’s, Quiet Strength and Coach John Wooden’s, Wooden. Both will shine a light on being a good man as well as a coach.

GAIN SOME HANDS ON EXPERIENCE

Next, you will need plenty of coaching experience in order to hone your skills and expose your weaknesses. Do whatever you can to secure that first position. Scour ads, apply at schools and recreational centers in your area, and consult with everyone you know who may have anything to do with coaching. Be willing to take an unpaid position as it would most likely be like an apprenticeship and could serve you well. Once you have secured your starter job put your heart into it. Try to go beyond expectation in every task as this will help develop character in you and it will demonstrate commitment. You never know who is watching and what that might net for your future.

BEGIN FORMAL EDUCATION

You will find that it may not be absolutely necessary to have a college education in order to become an excellent football coach, or even to secure a paid position. If you have lots of field experience or you know someone in the field you could be hired relatively easily. However, many high school football coaches find they must act as teachers in addition to coaches. Typically public schools don’t have the funds for full-time coaches so in these instances your degree could help you secure the job.

Once you choose a college it is wise to seek some guidance counseling that will help you make the most of your degree. You want to focus on as many physical education and sports science classes as you can while still earning your teaching degree as they will raise hiring opportunities for you. In addition, every state in the nation requires a teaching license which involves fulfilling a set of requirements such as, accumulating student teaching hours under master teacher guidance, passing exams and paying fees. Many schools also require teachers to continue their education to ensure they are always improving their skills.

One can obviously see that there is a lot to being a good high school football coach. You need to understand the intricacies of game, have excellent organizational skills and be fairly patient. Though you may not think you are signing up for it you may find you do become part child psychologist and part father to your players. It will take some time to learn to balance your coaching roles and to understand how to best manage the quirks of each of your teams, but there is much reward in coaching young lives onto victory.

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Media Partnership with Futblogger, a top-notch Polish football business website

Sport Business Chain are delighted to announce the media partnership with Futblogger, a distinguished and influential Polish website dedicated to football business matters. The blog is run by the entrepreneur Rafał Lebiedziński, helping global sport & tech startups to enter the European market.

Sport Business Chain have similar objectives with Futblogger, given that we also work towards providing opportunities to the sport stakeholders across the Eastern European industry. The 3-day conference we put together on 28 – 30 September brings together 35+ international sport business leaders, and culminates with a ‘Start-up Moment’; this set-up aims to offer the chance to 9 Eastern European start-ups that are either sport-related or whose services can be utilised within the sport sector to pitch their businesses and find potential clients and collaborators.

Get to Know Rafał Lebiedziński, the Entrepreneur

Rafał Lebiedziński is a Business Project Manager with 7 years of experience in the Spanish Consulting, Insurance, Banking and Football industry and other 6 years in the Polish Media & Communication industry (journalist, editor, publisher and pundit).Rafał has worked at Efron Consulting and KPMG Spain – executing and leading business projects for the main Spanish Banks and Insurance Companies. He has also covered the role of LaLiga Delegate for Poland within Spanish LaLiga´s Global Network International Development Project.

The idea behind Futblogger.com website is a combination of the author’s passion for blogging and football (hence the name Futblogger) with his vast business experience and expertise. According to Rafał:

What was missing within the Polish market was an exploration of the latest trends and strategies in football from a financial, marketing, social media and above all technological point of view – hence, the reason Futblogger has taken shape.

Rafał Lebiedziński’s blog is dressed up with unique data, benchmarking analysis and interesting infographics. In his words, the blog is all about:

Football day by day, in front of us, from a weekend mass leisure has become a hellishly profitable and innovative industry. When 90 minutes on the pitch still attract the greatest attention of the media and fans, in the backstage of big football, there is a complicated but at the same time fascinating process of transforming this sport into an ultra-modern, interactive machine producing the world’s top entertainment.

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Longest Races in the World - Kenny Iroegbu

One of the oldest forms of human competition is the race. The premise is eternal: start at the same time, from the same place (or thereabouts) and finish at a predetermined location. Whoever gets there first wins. Simple right? From primordial ooze surging to crawl out of the mud to sperm racing each other to fertilize eggs, all of life can be seen as a race. Eventually, when all we had were legs, we raced on those. With the wheel, and all its descendants, we found ways to speed up the pace, but the goal was the same. Candidates race to hold office, only to see their reigns melt away in subsequent races. Incredible actor Sir John Hurt said, “We are all racing towards death. No matter how many great, intellectual conclusions we draw during our lives, we know they’re all only man-made, like God. I begin to wonder where it all leads. What can you do, except do what you can do as best you know how.”

Hurt died in January, but his words serve as a reminder that the ultimate race is against complacency, inertia and entropy. In that spirit, let’s examine some of the greatest, most grueling, longest, highest races that man still embarks on today. You’ll contemplate the dangers and challenges in jungles, mountains, mind-boggling temperatures, elevations and combative terrain, from the safety of your computer screen. You’ll be transported to Peru, Alaska, Costa Rica, one block in Queens, NY, Patagonia, the forests of Tennessee and much more, learning the specs of what it takes to attempt, much less complete them.

Marathon des Sables

The Marathon des Sables is a six day, 154-mile race that takes place in the Sahara desert in southern Morocco. This race is especially dangerous, and three people have died since the race began in 1986 (there’s also a half long version that takes place in September this year). In its first year, 23 participants took part, One of the most difficult aspects of the race (besides being stuck in the desert for 154 miles) is that the sand is so fine it’s often impossible to run. Instead, each footstep can be absorbed by the sand in parts of the race, causing runners to drag, slide and slog their way through. Also it takes place in April when temperatures are regularly much higher than 100 degrees. Still, 1,000 people sign up each year. Impressively, the race organizers make sure participants have Internet access and phone service so they can keep in contact with family and sponsors.

The race traces its history to 1984, when Patrick Bauer, 28, decided to travel 350 kilometers of completely uninhabited desert in 12 days, with everything he needed strapped to his back. By 2015 there were 1,300 competitors involved in the race (a total of 20,000 people aged 16-83 hailing from 52 different countries have participated). Over its history, the distance has expanded, with 2016 being the longest MDS in history at 257 kilometers. This year’s race took place between April 7th and 17th. Runners are suggested to consume between 3-4,000 calories a day (and to carry that much on their back). In order to make this work logistically, runners need to carry freeze-dried food and energy bars. In order to train for the full race, MDS suggests runners do weekly runs of 100-125 miles.

Barkley Marathons

The Barkley Marathons is an approximately 100 mile race held in Frozen Head State Park in Tennessee. Runners have 60 hours to complete it. Only 40 runners are allowed to compete each year, and do so on an oft-changing course. Runners do 5 laps of approximately 20 miles through wilderness, picking up pages of hidden books along the way to prove they ran the correct course. Over the course of the race, they climb an accumulated 54,200 feet.  Barkley was created by runner and Tennessean Gary “Lazarus Lake” Cantrell, after hearing about the 1977 escape of James Earl Ray, the man who killed Martin Luther King, Jr. Ray had broken out of the Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary, but only made it 8 miles before he was caught in the surrounding forests, 55 hours later. Cantrell was unimpressed,  believing he could have run at least 100 miles in that time. The race was born.

In order to enter the Barkley, applicants need to write an essay entitled “Why I Should be Allowed to Run in the Barkley”, pay $1.60, and whatever else Cantrell decides that year. Accepted applicants receive a “letter of condolence”. When first time runners arrive at Frozen Head, they must bring a license plate from their state or country. Runners must also bring Cantrell an item that he needs. For example, Cantrell might want flannel shirts, so he’ll get 40 of them. A magnificent, compelling documentary was made about the 2012 race, called “The Barkley Marathons: The Race That Eats Its Young,” directed by Annika Iltis and Timothy Kane. This year, only John Kelly finished the 2017 Barkley Marathons. He became only the 15th person to do so, in 800 attempts of the race. Heartbreakingly, another racer, Gary Robbins, completed the race six seconds after the 60 hours allotted to do so.

[kennyiroegbu-blog]

Images - Kenny Iroegbu

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Highest-Earning E-Sports Stars - Kenny Iroegbu

KuroKy

Name: Kuro Takhasomi Career Prize Winnings $3,525,000 Current Org: Team Liquid Game: Dota 2

It’s no surprise that the top earner here is one of only three players to have competed in every edition of “The International,” Valve’s end of year championship for Dota 2. KuroKy has been with Team Liquid since 2015, having previously played for the orgs Team Secret, and Natus Vincere (NaVi).

The veteran Support has attributed his passion and early pursuit of gaming to his leg impairments, which prevented him from playing traditional sports as a child. His competitive experience and leadership ability, having been a pro since 2011, helped him carry Team Liquid’s talented but relatively young and inexperienced roster to victory at The International 2017 and sharing the $10.8 million 1st place prize out of a record total $24.7 million pool.

[kennyiroegbu-blog]

What Certification Does a Physical Education Teacher Need?

Physical Education is a field that is highly rewarding, as you will be teaching children how to live a healthy lifestyle through games and exercise. The minimum prerequisite for Physical Education teachers is a bachelor’s degree with clearance and certification from the state in which you will be teaching, but if you obtain a master’s degree or additional certification, you can expect more job opportunities and a higher salary. What Can I Expect to Earn as a PE Teacher or Coach?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that Physical Education teachers at the high school level make an average annual salary of $58,000, while Elementary and Middle School Physical Education Teachers make slightly less, around $55,500 per year. Those averages vary in every state, though with additional qualifications from a Master’s program, you will advance your teaching ability and be able to obtain a higher salary. If you might be interested in obtaining a masters degree in physical education, check out our list of The 20 Best Online Master’s in Physical Education Degree Programs. Do You Want to Transition into Coaching?

In addition to teaching, some physical education teachers decide to coach sports teams, which has the potential for higher salaries, though generally coaches get paid less than teachers, as the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that coaches and scouts get paid an average salary of $31,460. Earning a masters degree in Coaching Education will increase your qualifications and job prospects as a coach. For some of the best options for Masters degrees in Coaching Education, check out our list of the The 15 Best Online Masters in Coaching Education.

What are the Required Qualifications and Certifications for Physical Education Teachers?

   Earn a Bachelor’s Degree All states require K-12 teachers to obtain a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. In special cases, they may be allowed to start teaching with an Associate’s Degree if they are working towards their Bachelor’s degree. Check out the specific certifications and prerequisites for for your state here.

   Complete a Student Teaching Experience Most states require teachers to gain hands on classroom experience as a student teacher, which typically lasts no longer than 10 weeks.

   Acquire Certification Each state has different certification procedures for becoming a teacher, though most require completing an approved teacher education program, and passing tests such as the Praxis series of exams. Applicants will also be required to pass a background check which includes having your fingerprint taken.

   Increase Credentials with Higher Education Most public schools require their teachers to complete professional development courses that keep teachers up to date with teaching policies and practices. Though you can obtain a job as a physical education teacher with a bachelor’s degree, many schools will encourage their teachers to earn a master’s degree, and some will even pay for it.

What are the Degrees and Certifications That Will Advance My Career in Physical Education, Coaching, and the Sports Industry?

   A Master’s Degree in Health Education. In addition to teaching physical education classes, many PE teachers are required to teach health classes. A master’s degree in Health Education will allow you give your students in-depth knowledge about how to eat a balanced diet. If you might be interested in a master’s degree in Health Education, check out our list of The 10 Best Online Master’s in Health Education Degree Programs.

   A Master’s Degree in Nutrition. If you are teaching health classes as a physical education teacher, it would be useful to give your students in-depth knowledge of how to eat and maintain a healthy diet. For some of the best master’s degrees in Nutrition, check out our list of The Top 10 Online Nutrition Master’s Degree Programs.

   A Master’s Degree in Sports Psychology. If you’re looking to expand your career options into coaching work, or really any work that involves assisting, training, coaching or caring for athletes, you might consider a Master’s in Sports Psychology. We’ve ranked nine of the top programs in this discipline here.    A Master’s Degree in Sports Management. Perhaps you have ambitions in sports that go outside of education and coaching. Or you’d like to combine your passion for teaching and coaching with a business or sports management degree to expand your career options. We have diligently ranked Sports Management Master’s programs and Sports Management MBA programs that provide flexibility, affordability, networking opportunities, and of course, a world class education.

So what else do you need to know if your journey towards Physical Education certification and career development? Tips and Resources for a Physical Education or Coaching Career

   Use positive reinforcement. This goes for working with students and athletes, but also throughout your career. The stereotype of the curmudgeonly, aggressive and abusive Physical Education teacher or coach doesn’t need to continue through you. Positive reinforcement will engage your students/athletes, and do wonders for your potential earnings, promotions or career moves.  

  Keep yourself in shape. Not only will your students respect and follow your instruction more, but you’ll be able to lead by example and keep up with them   

Prepare engaging activities. Find ways to challenge your students/athletes and surprise them with new drills and activities that make training or fitness fun.

Here are a couple resources to help you through your PE career:

   PE Central. Here you’ll find lesson plans, best practices, professional development information and other useful resources on Physical Education    Careers.govt.nz. Another great resource for lesson plans broken down by a number of criteria including age, in or out of the classroom, and questions for students and teachers.

Now that you know what certifications you need to become a PE teacher, there’s nothing stopping you from building, expanding and transitioning your career in the field of sports and physical education.