Alfred State College

The Alfred State Athletics Department values the support of parents/guardians and families of Pioneer student athletes. Student athlete representatives from the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) have created parent/guardian communication guidelines to better educate and inform families of appropriate communication between parent/guardians and the coaching staff and/or athletic administration.

Fan behavior expectations are publicly addressed prior to each home athletic event and NCAA/Conference Sportsmanship Policies are strictly enforced among athletes, coaches, and spectators. A fan guide is available online and covers such topics as parking and tailgating policies and has local hotel recommendations.

Empower Your Student Athletes

• Rather than reaching out to a coach or administrator themselves, parents/guardians should encourage their student athletes to communicate with their coach regarding playing time, role on the team, or any other issue that may arise.
• Allow your student athlete to learn from their own mistakes.
• Provide advice to your student athlete, rather than solving the problem or having a conversation for them.
• Empowering your student athlete will give them the opportunity to become independent.

Clear Communication of Boundaries

• Chain of command: Parents/Guardians are not to contact coaches or administrators regarding coaching decisions, playing time, or other sport related issues.
• Student athletes are the only people to contact coaches and administrators regarding the above-mentioned areas.

Sport is the Coaches’ Domain

• Parent/guardians need to become aware of their role and be a parent/guardian to their student athlete and allow the coach to coach.
• Trust the coach to do the job they were hired to do.
• Be a parent/guardian and a fan, NOT a coach.

Understand the Transition

• Parents/guardians will have to become aware of the transition stage their student athletes will go through from high school/club to collegiate athletics.
• The NCAA Division III environment is a unique and demanding world, much different than high school or club.
• Transitioning from being the star of your high school team to a member of the college team can be an extremely difficult transition for most student athletes, so be supportive and understanding of that.
• Being a new college student (e.g., academics, living on their own for the first time) brings its owns set of challenges.  Again, be as supportive as you can.

 
Parent/Guardian Involvement

• Over-involvement: Communicating with professors, coaches, and other staff on behalf of your student athlete can be intrusive and non-beneficial. This can create unnecessary pressure on the student athlete and be viewed as a lack of respect for the professional staff.
• Under-involvement: Just as being overly involved can have a negative impact on your student athlete, being totally unavailable for your student athlete’s needs during this crucial time in their life will have negative impacts as well.  Be wary of not being present physically or emotionally for your student athlete.
• Appropriate support: Empowering your student athlete to be independent and find their voice! Be responsive and supportive to your student athlete’s needs.

Appropriate Communication:

• It is appropriate for a parent/guardian of a student athlete to contact a member of the coaching staff or athletic administrators when concerns regarding a student athlete’s mental or physical health arise. Coaches and administrators will be available to communicate regarding those matters – within the limits of HIPPA, FERPA and other NCAA and College regulations.

Respect the Role of the Athletic Department

• Support the Athletic Department’s Policies: Encourage your student athlete to follow all department policies regarding attendance, behavior, and academic standards. This ensures a positive experience for all student-athletes and contributes to the success of the program.
• Trust the Staff and Athletic Administration: The athletic department is dedicated to creating an environment that supports the development of all student athletes. Trust their expertise in managing student athletes' needs and challenges.

Encourage a Healthy Approach to Competition

• Promote Positive Competition: Encourage your student-athlete to approach competition with a healthy mindset, focused on personal and team improvement rather than solely on winning or outcomes.
• Respect the Sport: Remind your student-athletes of the importance of respecting the sport, their coaches, and their teammates. This helps to maintain a positive environment where everyone can succeed and grow.

Be a role model for your student athlete to look up to and be a positive influence on them.
Thank you for your support of Alfred State Athletics, our teams, and most importantly your student athletes.
 
Alfred State College SAAC