“The NWCA Leadership Academy was the perfect time for these 29 young coaches to learn from more experienced coaches. The programming was very informative and well done, this needs to be continued for wrestling’s young coaches, to expand the vitality of our sport so that we can continue to build programs, because this is our future.
The Academy was a very positive learning experience for my own development; I can take these ideas back and implement them in my own program. When I first got into coaching there was nothing like this, I had to learn from my own mistakes. Now, we can share those mistakes we made and the challenges we faced with these younger coaches so they can focus more on their development and giving back to the sport, while we pass the knowledge we have gained onto them.” Joe McFarland, Head Coach University of Michigan
“The Academy was a reminder of why we are in this profession to begin with, it reinforced what we do. It was refreshing to hear what the young coaches had to say and the questions they asked were about gaining knowledge. They want to win as coaches, but they also want to do it the right way.
The best wrestling minds in the country were in that room. I came back inspired from speakers from Lt. General Steele to Dan Gable and everyone in between, that room contained the battle lines of the profession. It was about the off the mat challenges we face, not about the technique we teach. The NWCA Leadership Academy is the “Gold Standard” of being a coach today. When I began coaching the ability to connect with people like this all in one place did not exist,” Jim Miller, Head Coach Wartburg College
“What I took back with me from the Leadership Academy, were areas I did not focus on as much before being a part-time coach. As I have come to learn these areas are vital to my program as our school dropped the program in April due to budget cuts throughout the university. I need to focus my efforts to have a better relationship with my administration, engage my alumni, to grow support in the community and to fundraise at every possible turn. My goal after this Academy is to begin to model our program after more successful programs, and hopefully we will soon see our program reinstated for the 2009-10 season.” Tom Layte, Head Coach MIT
"The 2009 NWCA Convention was a success because coaches as the leaders of this sport were presented with solutions to current problems as well as ideas as to how we can grow our sport for the future. Each year I have attended the NWCA Convention gets better. The speakers are motivating and will help give you the tools to become a better coach. Coaches from all high school and college levels who want to be the best should attend and share in building our sport for tomorrow!" Teague Moore Head Coach, Clarion University
“The NWCA Leadership Academy has been the most beneficial coaching experience I have ever been involved in. I was able to learn from some of the greatest coaches in the country. It showed me that there are many different ways in which a team can be successful, and even the greatest programs and coaches have overcome much adversity. I am very appreciative of the mentors taking time out of their busy schedules to help educate some of the coaches, such as myself, that could be the future of our great sport.” Trent Goodale, Head Coach Limestone College
“What I admired the most was the cross learning that took place between the mentors and the coaches. This helped the sport so much more than I have seen before. You had rivals both young and old sharing their experiences with one another, focusing on the important topics that effect our sport daily, not talking double legs and single legs. I left that Academy proud of this sport, because we worked together; we shared our faults and our victories.” Todd Hibbs, Administrator and former Head Coach Olivet College
“I would recommend the academy to all coaches, whether they are just starting out or have been coaching for a while. It was great to have that many coaches all together; the ideas that came out of those conversations were priceless. It makes you feel like you are not on a deserted island anymore and that you are connected in so many areas, including across the divisions. I left there realizing I don’t need to use hit or miss theories and techniques, because I as a young coach was given tried and true remedies. The Academy gave me a better focus and game plan for my program.” Brandon Brissette, Head Coach Olivet College
Congratulations on the success of the inaugural coaching academy. The interaction between mentor and mentees was a demonstration of hope and progress. Hope for the future of our sport and progress in helping prepare the young coach of today for all the challenges they will face and ways to handle those challenges. This certainly would have been helpful years ago when many of us where just getting our feet wet in all that is involved in running a successful program.” Jim Fallis, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Member of NCAA Championship Cabinet
“Simply a tremendous educational and enlightening experience for all that attended. Regardless of whether you were a mentor or a mentee, there was an abundance of shared knowledge that surely benefitted everyone.” Dave Kemmy, Interim Director of Athletics, Intramurals and Recreation/Head Wrestling Coach Roger Williams University
“The leadership conference really opened my mind to the many facets involved in successfully coaching a college wrestling team. I was hit with so many ideas that I couldn’t wait to get home and get to work!” Mark Branch, Head Wrestling Coach, University of Wyoming
“Dan Gould did a fantastic job putting together and facilitating this workshop. Anytime you get a group of coaches from both ends of the age and experience spectrum together that can share information and experiences on both sides it makes for a great learning experience for everyone involved. The key of leadership is to keep on learning, and this was the perfect time to share information and learn from each other.” Pat Pecora, Head Wrestling Coach and Associate Athletic Director, University of Pitt Johnstown
“Wow! What a fantastic experience. As a mentor I was rejuvenated by the energy and enthusiasm of the young coaches and tremendously impressed by the wisdom and insight of my fellow mentors. Keep this program rolling…it will pay huge dividends!” William P. Walker, Colonel, USAF, Deputy Director of Athletics, United States Air Force Academy
“What was interesting to me as an observer was that I really did not see one person in that room that wasn’t taking in every aspect of what was said in that twenty-four hour workshop. Even for those seasoned veteran coaches, who have been successful like Tom Borrelli, Jim Miller, and Jeff Swensen, when you see coaches like that sitting there taking notes and being entertained and energized about our profession, it gives me a sense of pride.
I looked around and wished that all 265 programs were represented; it would have been a huge momentum leap for this sport, together. If you were at any point questioning what you were doing as a coach this Academy was energizing. We still have a lot of work to be done, and the key is staying energized, which will happen with these coaches. That is where the impact is, in keeping the momentum from what took place with those coaches that is the impact we are looking for.” Dan Gable, Legendary Coach from the University of Iowa
“I just wanted to thank you, the donors, and the NWCA for an inspiring convention! You asked me at the convention what did I learn from my experience. Where should I start! For starters I learned that I have been coaching in the older brother faze for the last three years. It is time to become the Uncle, and start looking outside the box. I have to admit I did focus the majority of my time in the room, and on my kids lives. After the convention I realized that I had to start running my program more like a business, a family business. We are going to market our program in new ways this year, and also build good relations here on campus, and also the surrounding communities. I am going to have my captains meet with three administrators, President/VP/AD, to discuss what makes a great leader. I am also going to have a leadership chart, Coaches, Captains/ Mentors, so that our new athletes are watched and guided by many eyes, and voices. We are scheduled to have three community service activities: 1. Wrestlers moving in the freshman, 2. Wrestlers shoveling out Hackettstown, 3. Wrestlers giving a lending hand to the elderly community of Hackettstown. I have already scheduled events with local youth programs, and High School teams to wrestle before us, to build our fan base. I could go on and on! One of the best of many things that I got out of the NWCA Academy was networking with other coaches. I learned more in two days then I have in 7 years of coaching. It was nice for all the coaches to let their guard down and share what makes their teams successful. Once again I would like to thank you and the NWCA for all your hard work, and for giving me the opportunity to be a part of such a great event!” John Garriques, Head Coach, Centenary College