Georgia Southern Coaching Education Newsletter

February 2023

Message from the Coordinator

February is a special time of the year because there is NO application fee to our graduate program! Apply today and you could start classes this summer! Check out our social media for answers to common questions.

Highly ranked
Nationally-accredited for coaching education
Affordable
Caring, experienced, full-time professors
Relevant courses with content that is Immediately applicable
No GRE requirement
Fully online since 2007!
Asynchronous (work around YOUR schedule!)
Coaches from nearly every sport & level of play (youth, high school, colleg, an dprofessional)
Coaches from over 30 states and countries!

We also had a great turnout in late January for our latest free online coaching clinic in partnership with the Minority Coaches Association of Georgia. That clinic featured experts in strength and conditioning. Stay tuned for more clinics in the future.

Press on,

Coach Hal Wilson, PhD

Table of Contents

Alumni Spotlight

Real World Connections

Faculty Spotlight

Inside Look - Analysis of Teaching Physical Education

Program Testimonial

Campus Engagement

Alumni Spotlight

Graphic from @Buford_WBB Social Media

Gene Durden ('88) is a distinguished alumnus of Georgia Southern University and is currently the record-breaking Head Girls Basketball Coach at Buford (GA) High School. In fact, Coach Durden recently won his 900th game- the most ever in Georgia women's basketball history, accoring to the NFHS! Durden has also won an amazing 8 state championships at Buford.

On January 23, 2023, Coach Durden Zoomed into our undegraduate KINS 3427 Coaching Basketball course so share his knowledge and give back to the next generation of coaches. Thank you for your time and congratulations on your amazing run of success, Coach Durden!

“Coaching is a calling- it is probably tougher now than it ever was. And understand I’m not trying to discourage anybody, but it’s a passion. You have to have a true love for the game and I think you have to have a true love for players to be a coach.”

Do you have alumni or current student news to share (new job, milestone win, etc.)? Would you like to be featured in our Alumni Spotlight?

Please submit your alumni/current student coaching news here!

Real World Connections

Our Coaching Education programs prepare coaches for opportunities at every level of play. In fact, our graduates have coached at the youth, scholastic, collegiate, and professional levels. We are always evaluating our curriculum to make sure we are preparing career ready graduates. Below is one recent example of a real-world coaching opportunity our graduates might pursue:

East Georgia State College Head Softball Coach and Part Time Assistant Softball Coach

The Head Coach's responsibility is directing and coaching the college's women's softball program. The Part Time Assistant Coach's resposibility is assistaning the Head Softball Coach in directing and coaching the college's softball program primarily hitting and coordinating recuritment, along with supporting the Head Coach's coaching philosophy.

Have you seen our Coaching Job Board?

Want to FIND a coaching job? Click here or https://tinyurl.com/GSCoachEdJobBoard
Want to POST a coaching job? Submit your coaching job opening here or https://tinyurl.com/GSCoachEdJobs
Sample recent postings:
- Peachtree Ridge High School
- Savannah Christian
- Gordon Lee High School
- Metter Middle School
- Denmark High School

Faculty Spotlight

Dr. Pritchard teaching his class this semester

Dr. Tony Pritchard is a Professor and the Physical Education Graduate Coordinator. Dr. Pritchard recieved his Ph.D from West Virginia University in Education, his Physical Eductaion Teaching Certificate and Master's degree from Appalachian State University in Exercise Science, and his B.S from Erskine College in Business Administartion. Dr. Pritchard regularly teaches KINS 7437 Analysis of Teaching Physical Education (which is our featured course later in this newsletter) in our online Master's in Kinesiology, Coaching Education concentration.

Dr. Gavin Colquitt is a Professor and the Executive Director for the Center for Rehibilitation and Independent Living. Dr. Colquitt recieved his Ph.D from Northcentral University in Education with concentrations in curriculum and teaching, his Master's with concentrations in Health and Physical Education and his B.S with concentrations in Health and Physical Education from Georgia State University. Dr. Colquitt regularly teaches KINS 7437 Analysis of Teaching Physical Education (which is our featured course later in this newsletter) in our online Master's in Kinesiology, Coaching Education concentration.

Inside Look - Analysis of Teaching Physical Education

KINS 7437 Analysis of Teaching Physical Education

This is a three-credit course in our master's program. The catalog description states: "Examines practices of effective teaching techniques and their relationship to learning. Provides the student with an understanding of opportunities to practice effective teaching strategies and skills."

Dr. Pritchard and Dr. Colquitt currently teach this course and described it this way:

"KINS 4737 Analysis of Teaching Physical Education provides students with a foundational knowledge to promote motor skill acquisition in multiple settings. The concepts coaching students learn in this course will enhance time spent in practice and improve overall motor learning and performance."

Program Testimonial

"I have thoroughly enjoyed the Coaching Education Master's Program and would recomend it to any coach at any level. My personal favorite topics were the 3D Coaching Institute, sport psychology, team dynamics, and the introduction to athletic training."

-Brittani Lawrence ('20M)

Head Volleyball Coach at Jefferson High School

Jefferson, GA

Campus Engagement

Professional Development Series continues for

GS Athletics Coaches and Athletic Department Staff

Session Five was led by Dr. Li Li on Feb. 13, 2023. His session was titled "Biomechanics of Performance and Injury Prevention."

Each month a faculty member is presenting on a wide range of topics. Future scheduled guest speakers include, Dr. Steve Patterson and Dr. Amy Jo Riggs-Deckard. We look forward to continuing to strengthen the mutually beneficial relationship between Georgia Southern Athletics, Coaching Education, and the Department of Health Sciences and Kinesiology.