DIVISION I RANKINGS RELEASED St Francis is the top dog in Division I as we have them winning 7 of 13 matches on paper against Minisink Valley. Talent is now flooding our CHSAA schools as we see Iona Prep and Chaminade break into the top 5. Team rankings team previews at NYWN!

If you read my post about finding the goodness in loss or hard moments I said I would share this video. My husband Doug has been at the top of this sport. He has won a state title, a NCAA title, the US Open, World Team trials, placed 5th at the world, and was an Olympian. Through all that he has experienced his fair share of losses and getting through them. Our son participated in his first HS state tournament and although he came up short taking home 2nd, Doug did not have a lack of words to share with other parents who have or will go through it from his new perspective of a parent of a HS athlete. So much goodness packed into this. I challenge every parent to watch it, especially those with kids in some sort of even/sport that they compete in. Doug not only talks about validating your child's feelings because of the work it took to get there, but he speaks to the things he as an athlete experienced just now from the perspective of a parent of a High School kid. By far this is one of his best talks and knowing how his heart hurt for his kid, while probably tuning back into some of his own losses made this even more relatable. I know one thing- I'm lucky that our kids, both our own and the ones that will be joining us at UNI eventually have someone like him under the tunnel in these moments. Although my heart ached matside and I was probably 30 yards from my kid in one of his most vulnerable and defeating moments, I knew he didn't need me, he needed him. @schwabwrestling

The best player on a team isn’t always the player who scores the most. Sometimes it’s the player who has a high IQ or a diverse/versatile skill set or a player who is unselfish & coachable or who knows their role inside & out. Basing “good” only on points scored is a big mistake!

What do PLAYERS want in a COACH? Just ask them. This is what my team told me a while back. 8 Things that Players Want in a Coach. 1: A Coach that CARES The #1 thing kids want to know about their coaches or teachers. Do you care about me as a person? They will run through a wall for you if they know you care. Show them you care. 2: A Coach that Makes it FUN Coaching a varsity sport can be both competitive/intense and FUN. There needs to be a balance. Don’t over-coach. Less is more. Break up the monotony of a long season. Mix it up. Shorten practices at the end. Keep it a Game. Keep it FUN. 3: A Coach that is HONEST This is so important for athletes. They all want to know where they stand and their role defined, even if it is not what they want to hear. There is nothing worse for a player than not knowing. 4: A Coach who is COMPETITIVE Players want to win. They want to compete. They want a coach to compete with them and give them the best chance to win. They also inherently want to be held accountable, play with discipline, and be challenged. 5: A Coach that has a PASSION for their Sport. Players want a coach with drive and passion! Players will feed off the energy and passion of their coach. Players want commitment just as coaches do. Lead by example with your passion and energy. 6: A Coach who brings HUMOR Players want humor. They want a natural person. They want to share the entire experience with their coach. A sense of humor does that. Be willing to laugh with your team. Be willing to be vulnerable. Make memories that will last a lifetime. 7: A Coach who is a TEACHER of the Game Players want to learn and grow. They want feedback to get better. They want someone who can be a teacher of the game. They want someone who will give them specific feedback on improving. They do not want a blowhard. 8: A Coach who Builds RELATIONSHIPS Players want a Relationship with their coach. They want a coach who cares about them as a person. Outside of your sport, get to know your players. Ask them questions. Make a connection that will last a lifetime. _____ Follow me @gregberge for more Actionable Ideas on Coaching, Leadership, and Personal Growth. Join 10,000 others and subscribe to my free weekly newsletter, 🏆 Great Teams Better Leaders 123. The subscription link is in my profile.