T.P.O.S.

Total Preparation for Opportunities via Sports

On and off the court; on and off the field; on and off the course; on and off the track; in and out of the pool; on and off the mat; your student athletes, past and present, are the face, heart and soul of your athletics program as well as the reputation of your institution. Providing them with meaningful training will directly impact their success—and yours.

Therefore, if you could boost the reputation of your athletic department, improve the conduct of student-athletes off the field, increase the graduation rate and academic metrics of your program and increase the number of championships your teams bring home—all with one program—would you do it? Such a formidable program is based on a concept very familiar to university and college presidents, high school principals, athletic directors, and coaches: teaching your student-athletes how to not only be leaders but be accountable and understand the consequences of their actions.

There is growing concern amongst college and high school coaches as well as athletic/activity directors across America that based on an apparent increase in unlawful activity, more and more  student athletes are not ready and properly equipped to handle the responsibilities and challenges of high profile athletic competition and team leadership. Yet, many universities, colleges and high schools provide no mandatory program for their student-athletes.

Realize it or not, the student athletes in your program have a tremendous impact on the success and character of your institution and athletic department. They set the tone for the academic reputation, work ethic, attitude, fundraising, recruiting, fan and community support, and loyalty towards your entire program, which in turn largely determines your school’s success.

Many of the athletic directors and coaches I  have had the pleasure of talking to believe the single most important characteristic necessary to build a winning program is leadership and character amongst the student-athletes.   The integrity of your team and the leadership therein will make or break your season.  “Do you want to focus on coaching, teaching and recruiting or do you want to spend the season babysitting?”

Personal experience has convinced me that team captains as well as other teammates with strong personalities strongly influence team members’ conduct on campus and in the community. If they abuse alcohol, the rest of the teams use increases; if they are missing classes, others will follow their lead….so forth and so on.

Too often the idea that leaders are born, not made prevails; some recruiting classes bring good leaders and some classes do not. Nevertheless, I am of the opinion leaders can be developed.  With over 24 years of personal, hands-on military leadership of young men in the same age demographic, I have found this to be true in my work with student athletes.

I understand that that despite the lectures and advice, some student athletes simply will not get it. Some will sow seeds on and off the field that will diminish, if not ruin, their scholastic career however, our program focuses on the same goals as the athletic departments we service - to decrease that number.

Based on media and fan reaction to the escalation of unlawful activity amongst athletes in general, we believe you are going to find fewer and fewer of those type players participating in scholastic and collegiate programs at all levels.  These undesirables are becoming easily identified, and quite frankly, there really is no place for them.

Our T.P.O.S. Program works hand-in-hand with the athletic department and/or coaching staff to educate student athletes thus giving them the tools to be successful; the vast majority will benefit. The T.P.O.S. Program ensures no subject matter we cover appears to be more important than the other while simultaneously making sure that attending student athletes leave the sessions knowing they are not alone in dealing with the challenges.
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Workshop Length

The T.P.O.S. Program session for student athletes are conducted within one day at your site and offer numerous rewards on many levels. We come to your school and give your team 100% of our attention.  In addition, it is quickly embraced by parents, coaches, administrators, and the student-athletes themselves.

One of the great things about our program is that you can start by targeting specific sports, such as a session for basketball, a session for football, etc., prior to the start of their season.

 We recommend that a session be conducted and required for all returning and potential student athletes prior to the start of their sports season.  For example, a session for all fall sports athletes; a session for all winter sports athletes; a session for all spring sports athletes.  Lastly, we also recommend a short session with parents and athletes during the initial parent-teacher meet and greet / campus indoctrination events at the beginning of the school year.

Focal Points

·         Self leadership and making a successful transition from middle school to high school

·         Self leadership and making a successful transition from high school to college

·         The importance of academics and eligibility

·         Understanding why and how athletes, officials and coaches communicate

·         Maintaining composure and leadership when not playing well or in the face of adversity.

·         Having the courage and skills to confront teammates when they do not uphold the standards of the team

·         Attitude, responsibility, self-image and character

·         Understanding high profile athletics – coaches, access, media, travel, financial environment, law enforcement, fans and community relationship