There is something distinct about returning to the place that raised you. The hallways feel smaller, the weight room carries echoes, and the values that once felt imposed begin to reveal themselves as foundational. For Coach David Payne of Clifton Central High School (IL), that return was not part of…
By Chris McQuilkin, MS, CSCS*D Most athletes are taught what to do. Very few are taught how to think. And that gap — between execution and understanding — is where most teams stall. Coaches explain the drill. They draw it up on the board. They walk through it step-by-step. Practice starts… and suddenly…
In recent years, a pressing question has emerged in the world of youth sports: Are today's young athletes becoming emotionally softer, or are coaches becoming more demanding? Or, can we all agree to just blame the parents? (Joking… sort of) The reality likely lies somewhere in between, highlighting a crucial…
We don’t control the actions of others. But only through discovering the “why” behind student actions, can we help them chart a path forward, teaching them the importance of personal accountability grounded in compassion.
An overview of an article which originally appeared in the SHAPE PA Journal, 2025: https://issuu.com/shapepainnovation/docs/shape_pa_spring_2025_journal Educators are rightfully concerned about student wellbeing. The rhythm of a school year affects mood, stress, motivation, and performance. Teachers notice these shifts in passing conversations. Coaches see them in practice. Counselors hear them during…
– Brittany Romano and Jim Davis Some seasons are just… different. For New Trier Field Hockey, the 2025 season fits in that category. It began with ambition, grew through adversity, and ended with a finish that will be retold in the history of New Trier Field Hockey. Momentum from the…
Because I learned something most athletes never fully grasp: it’s not about how much you play; it’s about how much you impact the team - regardless of court time. Everyone contributes.
When gyms shuttered during the COVID-19 pandemic, student-athletes faced an abrupt loss of structure, community, and routine. To understand how to best support them, we sent out a survey asking, “How can we support you specifically until we are back in the gym together?” The responses, stripped of “none” and…
By Carter Pavia NFL players are some of the highest performing athletes in the world. With the rigorous training regimens and physicality of the sport, they have to be. To find consistent success as a professional athlete they have to play fast, lift heavy, and understand the sport on a…
Editor’s Note: The UL Vikings are an American football team from Limerick, Ireland. The Vikings have won three IAFL Shamrock Bowl titles – 2007, 2008 and 2009 – and the Atlantic Cup in 2010. Author Liam Ryan was a founding member of the team. His reflection provides an insight into his passion, which provided the seed that sprouted one of…