For The Good Of The Game

FTGOTG S2, E16 | Welcome to another "Special Feature" episode!  In addition to being outstanding coaches on the field and awesome leaders off the field, our over-achieving guests this week also host their own podcasts...through which they entertain and contribute to the education of the larger coaching community!

Coach Darrin Sheffer is an Earth Science teacher and the Offensive Line Coach & Run Game Coordinator for Brentsville District High School in Nokesville, Virginia.  He is the host of the Armchair Coaching Podcast on Anchor, by Spotify.  Coach Sheffer started the Armchair Coaching Podcast in August 2020 doing Power 5 "Program Profiles."  He is passionate about triple-option football and loves watching the US Service Academy programs.  His 80+ shows offer a wide variety of football-related topics!

Coach Steve Kuchefski is the Asst Girls Track & Field Coach and Asst Boys Basketball Coach at Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville, Illinois; as well as an Asst Varsity Football Coach at Addison Trail High School in Addison, Illinois.  Despite coaching three different sports, Coach Steve makes time to host the Coach Steve Show (podcast).  The Coach Steve Show began in February 2020 with a great pilot entitled "Why Can't We Be Friends," which asked the tough question...  "Why is there so much hating between coaches?"  With over 130 episodes to date, Coach Steve covers a diverse array of football topics in addition to everything from Wandavision to Fighting Illini basketball!

In today's fast-paced world, I'm continually impressed by coaches who make time to follow their passion (helping young student-athletes grow) and share their craft with others.  Whether the intent is to entertain or educate, these podcasts share information from which other coaches may benefit.  Their energy and efforts are commendable and appreciated!

Intro music "Next Level" used under license by Composer Rujay Torres.

FTGOTG S2, E15 | Throughout the last decade, we've seen a consistent drop in participation in Youth Sports.  For a variety of reasons, kids often drop out...or simply choose not to engage.  During this third "Special Feature" episode, we explore some of the more salient reasons why this "gap" in participation exists and some potential solutions to the problem.

While many individuals and organizations are actively involved in both researching and solving the reasons behind lagging participation, few have the experience of our guests in Episode 15.  Approaching the issues from two divergent perspectives, Matthew Young and Stephen Griffin offer their insights into the problem, as well as their opinions on how we might fix it!

Matthew Young is the founder of Quality Sport Hub, a Vancouver-based company dedicated to providing a pathway to a quality sports experience for athletes, parents, and coaches!  He is an accomplished athlete, father and family man, entrepreneur, keynote speaker and servant leader.  Matt's passion for sport is demonstrated in how he approaches life in both word and deed!  He has been recognized as a Top 40 Under 40 Award Winner in both Vancouver (regionally) and Canada (Nationally).  You can find out more about Matthew and his company at Quality Sport Hub.

Stephen Griffin is an author, investor, and intuitive business leader.  He is a graduate of both Providence College (B.A.) and the University of Rhode Island (Masters in Accountancy).  Steve is a former CPA who has lived in the world of private equity and has invested in and been active across a number of industries; most recently focused on the sports industry.  His experiences in the sports industry led him to write FRONT ROW SEAT -  Greed and Corruption in a Youth Sports Company.  The book explores the growth of the Youth Sports market and some of the characters who seek to exploit it.  Learn more about Stephen's experience by reading FRONT ROW SEAT (available on Amazon).

For The Good Of The Game is part of the Sports History Network!

Intro music "Next Level" used under license by Composer Rujay Torres.

FTGOTG S2, E13 | Melanie Redd is unique as a female Strength & Conditioning Coach but that alone doesn't draw clients!  What does is her reputation and blend of complementary skills and qualifications!  Episode 13 is an inside look at how she started and the relationships she builds as she continues her journey.

Coach Melanie Redd is a strength & conditioning expert, certified speed & agility coach, functional movement expert, and the owner of Melanie Redd Performance Training.  Coach Mel has been helping people achieve optimal strength and performance for over a decade and has developed and coached performance and strength programs for athletes and adults around the world!

She is the Head Strength & Conditioning Coach for Chaminade Julienne HS and oversees strength and conditioning programs for all sports.  Coach Mel is best known for her work in football, however, her mission is to get all athletes from all sports in weight rooms across the country.

Finally, Melanie is skilled in Sport Coach Education, helping coaches around the globe execute safe and effective programs via her platform entitled the MRPT Performance Pack.

You can find her online at… www.mrperformancetraining.com and

on Facebook at… www.facebook.com/mrperformancetraining/ and

follow her on Twitter at... @coach_mel-redd

Intro music "Next Level" used under license by Composer Rujay Torres.

FTGOTG S2, E12 |  I'm excited to share our second "Special Feature" episode with two widely recognized leaders in the Youth Sports industry...Heath Eslinger and Gordon MacLelland.  Both gentlemen present perspectives on developing relationships with parents and coaches, but from different geographic and cultural areas.

Gordon MacLelland is the CEO of Working With Parents In Sport, a UK-based company that works with Sporting Organizations to help parents and coaches navigate the difficulties they face in today's environment.  Gordon is the author of three books: Two Hats - a book for parent coaches who are coaching or thinking of coaching their own children; Great Sports Parenting - a pocket guide for parents of children in sport; and Engage - a coaches' guide to building positive relationships with parents.

You can learn more about Gordon and Working With Parents In Sport at...
https://www.parentsinsport.co.uk/

Heath Eslinger is the Director of Business Development for A Better Way Athletics, a US-based company in Cleveland, TN (just outside of Chattanooga).  Heath's experience as both a High School and Div-1 wrestling coach afforded him the opportunity to see the "problem areas" in sports culture from the inside-out.  Now, as both a leader and gifted speaker, he travels and shares his contagious message of A Better Way to engage, educate and train both parents and coaches.  A Better Way Athletics offers a sophisticated platform and multiple curriculums for both parents and coaches to help them evolve and positively impact the young people they support!

You can learn more about Heath and A Better Way Athletics at...
https://www.abetterwayathletics.com/

While many individuals and organizations recognize the need for change, these gentlemen and their companies are leading the charge in changing the Youth Sports landscape.  Their perspectives are both unique and refreshing...and they provide a practical "way ahead" as we emerge from the pandemic and begin to reshape the future!

Intro music "Next Level" used under license by Composer Rujay Torres.