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January 8, 2010 Archive | Drinking Issues | Ask the Expert

Positive Coaching Alliance Each week, we ask fans of Responsible Sports "What Would You Do?" in response to our weekly Responsible Sports Scenario Question. And many of you write in with scenario questions of your own! So we've asked Tina Syer, Associate Director at Positive Coaching Alliance, to answer one of your suggested questions each week.

Posted on January 8, 2010: Drinking Issues

 

A Responsible Sports Fan suggested the following Scenario Question:

My son's hockey team is awaiting their new coach to be named. There were a lot of drinking issues with one of last year's coaches and we are worried it will be him. These are young kids and should not have to put up with this. He has connections so we believe this will be overlooked. What would you do if your child's coach had issues with drinking?

Dear Lisa,

As a new mom, your question really struck a chord with me. I believe a Responsible Sports Parent would get out ahead of this issue. I realize that the coach you're concerned about has "connections," but this does not mean you cannot voice your concern and get this issue out on the table.

I'd ask the league administrators if coaches are asked to sign a Code of Conduct or if they are issued a job description. This signed document should include a policy about alcohol use -- that coaches are not to drink alcohol prior to practices or games. I know some coaches who also refrain from drinking in front of their players in social settings (team dinners), but this is really a personal decision made on a coach-by-coach basis.

With this policy in place, then the coach has a standard to which to be held accountable. Without the written policy, keeping the coach in line is much more difficult.

Secondly, if this coach does in fact get a coaching spot (the head coach or otherwise), I would certainly be interested to know who else is on his coaching staff, and who will be present when he is with the team. I'd be much more comfortable if I knew he was paired with someone who does not have a similar pattern of behavior.

I would also check in with my child frequently about the coach's behavior. It's easy to assume that everything is OK if you're hearing nothing from your son about the coach, but it might just take asking to realize that things are not OK.

Lastly, it sounds like this coach might really have a problem, and I'd hope that someone might try to contact him privately to see if he needs help.

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Tina Syer Ask the Expert
Tina Syer is the Associate Director of Positive Coaching Alliance, a nonprofit founded in the Stanford University Athletic Department.  Tina played Division I field hockey at Stanford University, where she graduated with honors in psychology and was named an Academic All-American. 

Her nine years of work for PCA have included keynote presentations for national organizations such as US Lacrosse, USA Water Polo and Special Olympics, more than 250 PCA workshop presentations, and production of multimedia products featuring PCA's National Spokesperson, Phil Jackson.  Tina's coaching experience includes seasons at the high school, college and Olympic Development levels.

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