Issues of the Year

IWLCA Annual Meeting2015Samantha J. Ekstrand

2015Issues of the YearNote: for educational purposes. Not intended as individualized legal advice. 1My Job: Risk Management

2COMMUNICATION

TypeFrequencyContentDeliveryPurposeMemorialized

Bullying/Harassing

Definitions: institution & statePlayer-PlayerCoach-PlayerThe accountability line

Aggressive behavior/intimidation, negative actions. Repeated pattern. Power imbalance.4Know your schools policyEducate your teamDiscuss alternative team bonding traditions with your teamBe aware respond if you see a red flag, or any flag Hazing5Player Satisfaction MattersIt really does.How is this measured or demonstrated?Player surveysPlayer complaintsParent complaintsEvaluations

What can you do?Understand your institutions policies read the HandbookFoster good relationships with your administratorsDevelop a positive TEAM CULTUREBe prepared to demonstrate what you do and how you do itRecruit well

Help me, help you

How can you help me, help you?Call me.Have a file on YOU key documentsTimeline of FACTSEasy access to your files/communications

Lessons & Advice from Your ColleaguesMake sure you document everything! Keep a separate email account and send anything you want to keep to that account for your records. When meeting with a player always have someone else in the room.More Lessons & AdviceReinforced the need to always have an assistant or another adult present in every meeting. Document everything.Document everything. Every conversation, every email, every voicemail, text conversation, etc.Keep folders on everything. Always have someone else in the room with you when you are having conversations with your players, i.e. assistant coach. You can never be too careful or too cautious.

More Lessons & AdviceMake sure you document the policies and procedures that you plan to use to run your program. Make sure your Sport Supervisor and Athletic Director have copies. Make sure you follow your own policies and procedures!

Take time to reflect before answering and [avoid] jumping to conclusions.

More Lessons & AdviceAsk questions of your boss. Get constructive feedback am I doing the right things? Do you have suggestions? What can I improve on? Can we meet to assess my improvement? What goals do you have for my program (Are they different than mine?)? What I did that made a differenceI knew the facts. I believed in what I was doing, told the truth and trusted the advice I was given. I also asked a lot of questions and was willing to take a look at what I was willing to change, if anything.

I tracked my work history, including contract renewals, raises, bonuses, feedback (evaluations)

What made a difference?Stand by each other. One of the most painful parts of the ordeal was my peers staying clear of me The two most important memories that stand out are an email from one coach and a call from another. Silence is deafening and isolating. We must support each other even if its a simpleIm here, thinking about you, sending good thoughts.Whatever it may be for any coach find a support system that is mature, exists above the chaos who knows enough to not bring it up but read the day and support when necessary.

More Lessons & AdviceThe importance of doing whatever is necessary to make sure your administrators truly KNOW YOU and YOUR PROGRAM. If they don't show interest and/or if they don't reach out to you, reach out to them.Track your program - at the end of each season, put together a progress report that outlines your areas of growth and success - do this as a separate document from any standard self-assessment mandated by the athletic department. Make it specific and include statistics whenever possible. Keep it on hand as a method to paint a quick and accurate picture of your program.

Cats Dont Change their StripesIf you know in your gut that a player is a cancer to the life of your program - and it's been proven to you through both words and actions - develop a thoughtful and proactive plan with your administrator to cut her immediately.Biggest LessonThe biggest lesson I learned was to protect yourself first and foremost.Have evidence of you doing things the right way.When push comes to shove and its your head the chopping block or theirs, they will throw you under the bus.The biggest lesson I learned was to DOCUMENT EVERYTHING.Always remember that YOU are the only one that can protect yourself.

Final Advice from Your ColleaguesPlease use someone who has the knowledge (a lawyer) to deal with the issues and protect yourself so you dont do or say anything to hurt you. Given my experience, one piece of advice to fellow coaches would be to contact Samantha immediately if you think there is an issue. She will help you understand and navigate some of the landmines during rough times. The small issues can become the large issues so it never hurts to hear Samantha's opinion.CALL SAM.

Contact InformationEmail: sje@ninthstreetlaw.comCell phone: 919-451-0200Website: www.ninthstreetlaw.com

110 Swift AvenueDurham, NC 27705