Connection, Contribution, and Continued Growth

As you read this, I am in Rapid City, South Dakota, for the National High School Athletic Coaches Association (NHSACA) national convention. It’s a trip I’ve been looking forward to—not just because of the beautiful Black Hills backdrop, but because of what it represents: a chance to connect, contribute, and grow.

I’ll be presenting to the NHSACA Board of Directors about the Iowa Girls Coaches Association’s (IGCA) new tiered mentoring program—an initiative aimed at providing support and structure for new coaches as well offering opportunities for coaches at all levels of experience. It’s something I believe deeply in: coaches helping coaches, experienced leaders guiding the next generation. That’s how we raise the bar, not just for teams, but for the profession.

I’ll also be stepping into new territory by having a vendor booth, where I’ll be selling copies of my book, When Life Meets Coaching Sports. If I can get this book into the hands of coaches who need it, then this trip will already be a success. I’m not really thinking a lot of books will be sold and taking care of the business side of this is definitely outside my comfort zone, but I look forward to sharing my ideas and offering coaches a resource for them to build their own capacities.

But beyond presenting and selling, I’m most excited about the conversations I’ll have—the stories I’ll hear from coaches across the country. Every coach brings a different experience, and a unique lens. There’s something powerful in learning from others who’ve walked the same journey. There are a variety of breakout sessions that I can hopefully attend as well to learn from others and have knowledge to share with other coaches through the mentoring program.

Here are two takeaways as I begin my time at the convention:

1. Make Space to Learn from Others in Your Field
   You don’t have to go to a national convention to grow—sometimes it just takes asking a question at a summer league game or grabbing lunch with a friend or colleague. Growth happens in conversations-don’t miss those moments!

2. Keep Sharing What You’ve Learned
   Whether you’ve coached or worked 2 years or 20, your journey matters. Someone out there is walking a path you’ve already been on. Sharing your perspective—the mistakes, the wins, the obstacles-and everything in between—might be exactly what they need to hear.

As I head to Rapid City, I’m going with the mindset I always talk about and is a large part of the book: onward and upward. We always have to keep learning and growing, and we only do that by pushing beyond what we feel our limits are. Being in a new environment is definitely uncomfortable, but usually that is when the biggest learning occurs. I hope to bring back what I learn, and keep sharing it with others. I hope you will try something this week that makes you uncomfortable, but you know is something that will make you better after going through it. What do you have to lose?!

Have a great week!

Coach K