Are you coming to Kansas City for the 2012 NSCAA Convention?  Are you seeking an opportunity to earn a diploma or professional development certificate at no additional cost?  Here are some educational tracks to consider when putting your Convention schedule together! Increase the value of your Convention attendance and enhance your professional resume.

The NSCAA Goalkeeping Level I Diploma will be offered on Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 13 and 14. The four sessions of this course focus on helping coaches learn to teach young and novice goalkeepers.  NSCAA Goalkeeping Academy Director Tony DiCicco will be joined by staff coaches Bill Steffen and Kat Mertz as instructors for this course.

The NSCAA Youth Level II Diploma also will be taught on Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 14-15, also in a four-session format.  This course is designed for those who coach players ages 5-9.  NSCAA Assistant Director of Coaching Education Doug Williamson and NSCAA National Staff coaches Vince Ganzberg, Jason Pendleton and Rob Herringer will instruct this course.

Coaches who attend all four sessions of either the Goalkeeping Level I Diploma or the Youth Level II Diploma will receive an NSCAA diploma for completing the course(s).  Attendance cards will be included in the welcome packet given to all Convention registrants at check-in.  Course attendees must get their cards signed at each session to verify their attendance, send the completed cards to the NSCAA National Office in order to earn their diplomas.

This year’s Professional Development Certificate is designed to meet the needs of high school coaches.  Eight convention sessions – some on the field and some in the classroom – will be designated as the content of this learning experience.  Coaches who attend any five of the eight designated sessions and return their completed attendance cards to the National Office will receive a Professional Development Certificate within several weeks of the Convention.

The confirmed lineup of offerings for the High School Professional Development Certificate will be included in the Convention welcome packet.  Among the sessions tentatively scheduled for inclusion are a panel discussion on High School Hot Topics; a presentation on “Social Media for High School Coaches” by Janet Judge of Sports Law Associates, LLC; a session on “Match Analysis and Scouting for High School Coaches” and a discussion on “The Concussion Problem” featuring former MLS and National Team player Taylor Twellman.

For coaches looking to earn college credits at the Convention, the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs provides such an opportunity.  Be sure to check the Clinic Outline Book for complete information about registering for college credit.  Any additional questions can be directed to NSCAA Past President Jay Engeln at engeln@comcast.net.

Join us for one or all the educational programs and receive a credential for your investment!

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