USATF COACHING EDUCATION
USATF CALENDAR OF SCHOOLS
https://www.usatf.org/programs/coaches/calendar-of-schools
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Jan 17-19 USATF Marathon Specialist Course – Zoom
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Jan 25-26 USATF Level 1 School – Zoom (PT)
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Feb 7-9 USATF Level 1 School – Zoom (ET)
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Feb 13-14 USATF Level 1 School – Reno-Sparks Convention Center, Reno, NV
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Feb 15-16 USATF Level 1 School – Ironwood Throws Center, Rathdrum, ID
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Feb 22-23 USATF Level 1 School – Zoom (ET)
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March 8-9 USATF Level 1 School – Zoom (ET)
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March 29-30 USATF Level 1 School – Zoom (PT)
Watch for summer program dates for the USATF Level 2 School, Emerging Elite Coaches Camp, and USATF Cross Country Specialist Course to be announced in the spring issue.
On Time 2024 USATF Level 1 Recertification Applications Accepted Through January 31, 2025
Members with a Level 1 certificate expiring on December 31, 2024, were invited to access the recertification application in November. On-time applications are extended for a limited time, and members are encouraged to take action now; a late fee will go in-effect thereafter. Members must hold a current USATF membership, current SafeSport Training, complete an eligible USATF continuing education course, and submit registration to renew their Level 1 certificate for an additional four calendar years. Members who elect to retake the USATF Level 1 Program in lieu of one of the approved continuing education courses do not need to complete the recertification application. USATF Level 2 and 3 coaches are exempt from Level 1 recertification and no action is necessary. Members may check their certificate expiration date on USATF Campus under Skills Passport.
Full recertification protocols for all USATF Coaching Education Programs are posted at the link below. Members may contact coachingedu@usatf.org for assistance in the recertification process.
https://www.usatf.org/programs/coaches/recertification
Coaching Race Walking Now Available on USATF Campus
Dr. Christine Brooks, the USATF Coaching Science Instructor, and Ian Whatley, a Team USA athlete and coach specializing in race-walking, collaborated to create Coaching Race Walking, a new self-paced course available on USATF Campus. It offers essential knowledge for coaches aiming to help athletes progress from novice to early-stage advanced race walkers. The course also covers the topic of power walking, which is particularly popular among athletes in the masters age groups. Depending on the depth of your review, it will require approximately 7-9 hours to complete the online training. The course includes lessons on walking techniques, race walking teaching progressions, technique correction steps, and fundamentals of race preparation. A USATF Connect profile (free) is required to register for USATF Campus courses. Click Coaching Schools (left-hand menu) when logged into your account to purchase Coaching Race Walking.
https://www.usatf.org/programs/coaches/usatf-campus-online
USATF Marathon Specialist Course Returns January 17-19, 2025
Ahead of the spring marathon season, the USATF Marathon Specialist Course will be offered on Zoom the weekend of January 17-19, 2025. Join coaches from across the country and learn about the history, training science, critical workouts and strength programming, nutrition, environmental factors, race day and mental preparation strategies to develop a comprehensive training plan specific to athletes’ abilities and their marathon performance goals. The course also features a hands on group assignment specific to the athlete population you coach, and an online examination follows the training.
USATF Coach Educator, Olympian, and multi-time national team coach, Kathy Butler, OLY and Christopher Lundstrom, PhD, who guided Dakotah (Lindwurm) Popehn to a 12th place finish and top American woman at the 2024 Paris Olympic Marathon return as the lead course instructors.
No prior coaching education is required; however registrants must be current USATF members and at least 18 years of age to register.
https://www.usatf.org/programs/coaches/specialty-programs/usatf-marathon-specialist-course
2025 USATF Coaching Enhancement Grant Applications Opening Soon
Watch for 2025 coaching grant applications to open soon in the new year and feature new grant opportunities available to members. Among the opportunities, the USATF Emerging Female Grant will be expanded to include all females, regardless of race, and feature an increased funding amount. All grant applicants must minimally be current USATF members and SafeSport Trained. Applicants are encouraged to apply early for interested opportunities as deadlines and funding amounts vary by program.
https://www.usatf.org/programs/coaches/grants
Year End Coaching Achievement Awards Announced at USATF Annual Meeting
Joanna Hayes Named 2024 USATF Nike Coach of the Year
Recently named the director of track and field at her alma mater, UCLA, Hayes guided Rai Benjamin to Olympic gold in the men’s 400 hurdles at Paris, where he ran a 46.46 to win by more than a half-second. Benjamin also earned gold in the men’s 4×400 relay, anchoring the U.S. to a 2:54.43 that just missed the world record. Undefeated in 2024, Benjamin also ventured over the flat 400 once, winning the Mt. SAC Relays in 44.42. With her collegiate coaching cap on, Hayes helped lead USC to a 10th-place NCAA outdoor finish in the women’s team standings, with 400 hurdles champion Jasmine Jones setting the pace. Jones went on to make the Olympic team and place fifth in the 400H at Paris, and she was also the NCAA indoor 60H champion.
Joe Vigil Sports Science Award: Christopher Lundstrom, PhD, USATF Minnesota
This award recognizes a coach who is very active in the area of scholarship and contributes to the coaching literature through presentations and publications. This award identifies a coach who utilizes scientific techniques as an integral part of his/her coaching methods or has created innovative ways to use sport science.
Ron Buss Service Award: Kathy Butler, OLY, USATF Colorado
This award recognizes a coach who has a distinguished record of service to the profession in leadership roles, teaching, strengthening curricula, and advising and mentoring coaches. This person is a leader, whose counsel is sought by others, and who selflessly gives his/her time and talent.
Fred Wilt/Educator of the Year Award: Scott Christensen, USATF Minnesota
This award recognizes a coach who has a distinguished record, which includes sustained, exceptional performance. This award is presented annually to recognize one individual who has exemplified passion and leadership nationally for the promotion of USATF Coaching Education.
Vern Gambetta/Young Professional Award: Sara Macey, USATF San Diego-Imperial
This award recognizes a young coach in the first 10 years of his/her career that has shown an exceptional level of passion and initiative in Coaching Education. This award is presented annually to recognize one individual who has exemplified passion and leadership nationally for the promotion of USATF Coaching Education.
Terry Crawford/Distinguished Female in Coaching Award: Darcy Wilson, USATF New England
This award recognizes a female coach who has shown an exceptional level of accomplishment, passion, and initiative in Coaching Education. This award is presented annually to recognize one female coach who has exemplified passion and leadership nationally for the promotion of USATF Coaching Education.
Kevin McGill/Legacy Award: Glen Sefcik, USATF Southwestern
This award recognizes a veteran coach with 25+ years of involvement who has shown an exceptional level of passion and initiative in Coaching Education. This award is presented annually to recognize one individual who has exemplified passion and leadership nationally for the promotion of USATF Coaching Education.
Level 2 Coaches/Rising Star Award: Jared Tyler, USATF Southwestern and Charlotte Sneed, USATF Pacific
This award recognizes a coach who has utilized the USATF Level 2 Program to make an impact on their coaching that includes sustained, exceptional performance. This award is presented annually to recognize one individual who has recently completed the level 2 school and implemented its teachings in their coaching. This award winner exemplifies the impact of the USATF Coaching Education program.
You can nominate a deserving coach for a 2025 coaching education award at the link below.
https://www.usatf.org/programs/coaches/coaching-education-awards
Help USATF Climb the NGB Leaderboard By Completing the Free Connection Based Coaching Course
USA Track & Field (USATF) joined the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) in their NGB Connection Based Coaching Challenge as a part of the Million Coaches Challenge, an initiative led by the Susan Crown Exchange to train one million coaches in youth development techniques by 2025. To support the goals of the Million Coaches Challenge, the USOPC created a free, self-paced online course called Connection Based Coaching, which focuses on teaching social and emotional learning skills. The USOPC aims to train at least 40,000 coaches by 2025 using this curriculum, which consists of three 30-minute modules. As part of this initiative, USATF and other National Governing Bodies (NGBs) are participating in the Connection Based Coaching Challenge to help the USOPC reach their 40,000-coach goal with up to $15,000 in funding to be awarded to an NGB with the most coaches trained. USATF invites members, fans, coaches, and supporters to join the movement to ensure kids across the country have access to coaches who are well versed in youth development techniques to help kids succeed in and out of competition. Those interested in supporting USATF in the Connection Based Coaching Challenge can sign up for a free series of three 30-minute training courses on the USOPC Mobile Coach Platform by registering under track and field when selecting their NGB of choice.
https://www.usatf.org/programs/coaches/partner-courses/million-coaches-challenge