Akron Reporter

Ten assistant coaches from different Kent State athletic programs recently completed the first cohort of the Coaches Leadership Academy, a professional development program, led by Amy Densevich, Associate Athletics Director for Academic Services, that will help coaches continue to become exceptional leaders with their student-athletes and peers as well as professional development as it pertains to career advancement.

Ten coaches from nine teams – men's and women's basketball, men's and women's golf, softball, baseball, gymnastics, wrestling, and lacrosse – participated in the inaugural cohort. The coaches attended six sessions on a bi-weekly basis throughout the Fall semester to examine ways to support their student-athletes and to further develop their communication and leadership skills.

"I am incredibly proud of our first graduating class of our Coaches Leadership Academy," Director of Athletics Randale L. Richmond said. "This professional development has enhanced our coaches' ability to help deliver a first-class, Division-I experience for our student-athletes."

Coaches who were a part of the leadership academy learned about self-awareness as it pertains to leadership, communications strategies between student-athletes, supervisors, and co-workers. The coaches also learned about various leadership styles, mental health awareness and action steps that can be taken to move forward personally and professionally. The Coaches Leadership Academy was developed as a part of Kent State's "Play As One" campaign. 

"I was honored to be a part of the inaugural Coaches Leadership Academy within our athletics department," women's basketball associate head coach Fran Recchia said. "It was a great learning experience that challenged me to be a better leader within our program, to be a better assistant to my head coach and to be a better mentor to our student-athletes."

A collaborative effort with the University, the Coaches Leadership Academy had three of its six sessions led by Kent State University faculty and staff members. Dr. Brett Nichols, adjunct faculty member in the College of Education, Health and Human Services led the session on Social Psychology of Sport. Human Resources Senior Training & Development Specialist Ron Smith led the Strengths Based Leadership session, and Dr. Carrie Berta, Assistant Director of KSU Clinical Services, and Kelly Tilley, Athletics Embedded Mental Health Provider, took the lead on the Mental Health Support session.

Athletic administrators, including Richmond, led a session on professional development as it pertains to coaches looking to advance their career to head coaching positions.

"I left this program with tangible ideas and tools that I have put into everyday practice," Recchia said. "I am a better coach because of this experience!"

The second Coaches Leadership Academy cohort will be held in the Spring 2023 semester.

 

Fall 2022 Cohort Roster

Kylie Gross, Softball/Assistant Coach

Randal Holt, Men's Basketball/Assistant Coach

Malik McDonald, Wrestling/Assistant coach

Danny Mitcheff, Wrestling/Assistant Coach

Maggie Murphy, Women's Golf/Assistant Coach

Megan Patrick, Women's Lacrosse/Assistant Coach

Fran Recchia, Women's Basketball /Associate Head Coach

Sharon Sabin, Gymnastics/Assistant Coach

Barrett Serrato, Baseball/Assistant Coach

Ryan Yip, Men's Golf/Assistant Coach

Original source can be found here