Guide Through the NIAAA QPA Process [NIAAA]

By: Roger Czerwinski, CMAA - Cocalico High School

As athletic administration becomes increasingly complicated, I have found that assessment tools like the Quality Program Assessment (QPA) offer structure and assistance for continuous growth within interscholastic athletic departments. The QPA framework enables athletic departments to review current practices, along with identifying strengths and growth opportunities.

After fully embracing the process, we have raised our standards, enhanced efficiency, and aligned our protocols and practices with our school board's educational mission.

Athletic directors are faced with countless responsibilities. Implementing NIAAA best practices that promote excellence in the classroom, on the athletic fields of competition, and within your school community is of vital importance. As the profession continues to evolve, leading it requires staying one step ahead in areas such as legal issues, eligibility, safety and risk management, inclusion and Title IX, budgeting, program growth, coach/student mentoring, technology integration, sports medicine, and transformational leadership.

Last winter, I reviewed our state conference Leadership Training Course (LTC) coursework with Arnie Fritzius, a member of the NIAAA National Faculty and a cohort mentor. He introduced me to the NIAAA Quality Program Assessment. He described it as a comprehensive evaluation of a department's effectiveness and foundation for a blueprint for success. He also alerted me to the fact that the process is rigorous and requires full commitment from the entire district. With the support of our school board and administration, Cocalico High School embraced the challenge.

Now that we're on the other side, the QPA process was an eye-opening experience. The framework allowed us to review our current practices, identifying both our strengths and opportunities for growth. It has provided guidance, helping us raise our standards, improve our efficiency, and align our policies and practices with the educational mission of our school board. The QPA has become a tool for reflecting on current practices, making improvements, and establishing goals for long-term success.

The whole process took 12 months, and during this period monthly Zoom meetings provided regular correspondence with our cohort, facilitators, evaluators, and reviewers. Applicants submit documentation into the portal and provide valuable feedback to others. The evaluators and reviewers follow a rubric to provide feedback in each sub-category for: exceeds standards, meets standards, or does not meet standards.

Along the way, the QPA platform kept documentation submission and review simple and streamlined with real-time feedback from evaluators and reviewers. This enabled us to make timely adjustments, clarify expectations, and adjust our departmental habits.

Applicants must achieve a score of 80% or higher to pass each category. Here is a list of the categories reviewed where documentation is required:

• Philosophy - The athletic department's mission statement must follow the school board policies for co-curriculars. The student-athlete/parent handbook and coaches handbook should clarify the department's mission, values, philosophies, job descriptions/responsibilities, chain of command, communication plan, and 14 Legal Duties of Coaching.
• Educational Compatibility - The athletic department's mission statement must follow the school board policies for co-curriculars. The student-athlete/parent handbook and coaches handbook must also align with local, regional, and state requirements.
• Mentoring - The athletic department should offer mentoring and training programs for all stakeholders: administrators, coaches, student-athletes, volunteers, parents, event staff workers, and community members.

• Safety & Risk Management - The athletic department needs to conduct regular risk inspections. These inspections must review playing facilities, equipment, and uniforms. Coaches and student-athletes must receive training on proper usage. Qualified staff must supervise practices, competitions, weight rooms, sports medicine rooms, locker rooms, and transportation. The training and guidelines are updated annually. Coaches are trained on site safety and implementation of emergency action plans. Clear social media policy for staff and student-athletes needs to be reviewed and updated annually.
• Access and Equity - The athletic department must have set protocols for coaches to ensure clear communication, define the skill requirements for player selection, and create a plan to discuss areas of improvement with student-athletes. The athletics department should work closely with special needs coordinators to assess students with disabilities through 504/IEPs. They need to determine participation safety and avoid unfair advantages while offering alternative interscholastic opportunities. Additionally, the department reviews equal opportunities in participation, levels of competition, and access to equipment, uniforms, coaches, transportation, locker rooms, sports medicine coverage, and strength and conditioning programs each year.
• Budget & Supplemental Funding - The athletic department budget should provide fair support for coaches' salaries and benefits, officials, transportation, uniform and equipment replacements, capital equipment and facility repairs, funding for new sports, and adherence to NOCSAE and manufacturer repair standards. Departments must create opportunities for revenue production through corporate sponsorship efforts, which include advertising contracts, community/education endowments, individual gifts, and booster club activities. These should be guided by governance board-approved bylaws and managed with the athletic director to ensure fair distribution of funds across all programs.
• Personnel & Program Assessment - A long-term plan has been put in place along with an annual formal assessment of all programs. This evaluation will focus on the educational value of the sports program, growth and development of teams, and factors such as communication, motivation, inventory and budget management, supervision, instruction, planning, and risk management. Coaches and staff will include assessment tools and questions. Surveys seeking feedback from parents and student-athletes will provide annual program assessments, ensuring continuous improvement and growth.
• Technology - The athletic department provides access to lightning detection devices, weather service information, and hand-held radios for management and EMS contact. There must be guaranteed cell phone access for all practices and competitions. Implementing software that supports scheduling, rosters, budgeting, inventory, and transportation is crucial for success. Protocols should guide social media use, game analysis, and livestreaming of contests.
• Sports Medicine - Coaches must maintain current certifications in First Aid/CPR, AED, and Sudden Cardiac Arrest. Athletic training rooms must be regularly checked for hygiene and safety, and access to a physician at designated contests is recommended. Athletic departments must establish protocols for current medical exams, return-to-play permission forms, 911 scripts, and emergency response plans for athletes and spectators. There must be AED access at all sites, along with systems for concussion management and heat acclimatization.
• Innovation & Leadership - The athletic department develops strategies that promote student engagement, leadership, and community service initiatives. Students should participate in leadership and sportsmanship summits. They should be able to serve as managers, support peers with special needs, and help create a culture of excellence in both the school and community. Initiatives like substance abuse prevention programs, and forums on hazing, bullying, and social media usage help students make informed decisions. Community outreach efforts, including food and clothing drives, civic engagement, and student-athlete recognition programs, promote the athletic department's commitment to developing well-rounded students beyond the playing field.

Having recently completed the requirements for this award, our department has implemented several changes to ensure consistency and growth. The process has also provided valuable networking opportunities, allowing us to compare and refine our practices with other professionals.

It was an honor to be selected to participate in the NIAAA Quality Point Assessment, representing Cocalico High School in Denver, Pennsylvania. The program reinforced the importance of leadership, continuous improvement, and accountability in all aspects of our athletic department.

The self-assessment challenged me to evaluate our current practices against the NIAAA's best practices, which are demonstrated by outstanding programs across the country. Through the process, we identified strengths and growth opportunities, ensuring our programs foster a culture of excellence for our student-athletes, coaches, and entire community. It's clear now that long-term success is achieved through ongoing reflection, purposeful planning, and willingness to embrace continuous growth.