About the program

The role of the coach at every level in today’s society is becoming increasingly complex and competitive. The historical approach indicates two paths to the coaching profession: one academic as a physical educator, and one described as apprenticeship training. In the later, aspiring young coaches seek out expert coaches to learn the ropes and rely on the education and qualities of the individual head coach. The coaches who emerged from the physical education field, although qualified in the areas of pedagogy, sport science, and growth and development is currently much too small to fulfill the school or community-based coaching needs of today.

Xavier University’s Coaching Education and Athlete Development program will address the true purpose of coaching; athlete development, which includes character development and promoting sport participation throughout the life span, rather than just winning games. The mission of the Coaching Education and Athlete Development program is to extend the university’s goal of service to others to all who participate in the endeavor of sport. The goal and emphasis in all courses will be three-fold: coaching pedagogy, long-term athlete development, and moral development.

Xavier’s Coaching Education and Athlete Development program is designed in accordance with  the National Association for Sport & Physical Education (NASPE) and the National Council for the Accreditation of Coaching Education (NCACE) programs National Standards for Sport Coaches (NSSC), The NCACE is the accrediting body for coaching education programs at college & universities, community based sport, and scholastic sport.

"Participants will include school and college coaches, club or community-based sport coaches, club-level directors of coaching and others involved in coaching education and athlete development."

Dr. Ron Quinn
Program Coordinator