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Chris Fore is a veteran Athletic Director and Head Football Coach from Southern California who specializes in the hiring process among the highly competitive athletic world.

Currently, he serves as the Principal at Mojave High School in Hesperia, California. Fore coached high school football for sixteen years (eight as a Head Varsity Coach) and Junior College football for one before becoming an Administrator. He spent six years as an Athletic Director where both schools set the school record for the most Championships won in one year; both stand to this day. (One was set in 2010, the other in 2013.)

Check out Chris's Biography at EightLaces.org.

By: Jamy Bechler

Originally Published in: The Leadership Playbook

One person can have such a strong effect on the world such as Martin Luther King, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Michael Jordan, and Mother Teresa. In the same way, one player can have a strong influence on a team. You never know what kind of result your actions can have. You might not be able to do everything, but you can do something. Your something might be just what is needed to begin changing things for the better. Gandhi said, "Be the change you want to see in the world." There is no telling what can be accomplished when you decide to use your influence in a positive way.

It is like the butterfly effect, which was first theorized by Edwin Lorenz in 1963 to help explain weather patterns and chaos theory. It states that one small change can result in a large change later on. For instance, a tornado in Texas might have been caused by a series of weather events that all started off with a butterfly flapping its wings in a Brazilian rain forest. The butterfly didn't power the tornado. The flapping of its wings was just the beginning of a chain reaction.

One thing happened which leads to another thing happening which leads to another thing happening. If the butterfly hadn't flapped its wings at that exact time, then the weather system might have been different. Here is one such example that Larry Gallegos points out on his Mortgage Cicerone blog. This story highlights a chain reaction of events that changed history.

One day in the countryside of Scotland, a common and poor farmer was toiling in his field when suddenly he heard a cry for help. Startled, he recognized someone was in trouble and the plea was coming from a nearby bog. Immediately he dropped what he was doing and ran to the source of the plea. When he located the voice calling for help, he stumbled upon a terrified boy up to his waist in black muck, screaming and sinking deeper and deeper into the bog as each minute passed.

The farmer calmly retrieved ropes from nearby, pulled the boy out of the bog and saved his life.

The next day, an elegantly dressed nobleman arrived at the farmer's small and simple home. When the nobleman stepped out of his carriage, he introduced himself as the father of the boy the farmer had saved.

Emotionally, the nobleman thanked the farmer and asked to repay the farmer for saving his son's life. The farmer waved off the offer and informed the nobleman he could not accept payment for doing what was right.

At that moment, the nobleman asked if the farmer had a son in which the farmer replied he did. Subsequently, the nobleman insisted he provide the farmer's son an education on par with that he would provide his own son. Upon leaving the farmer's house, the nobleman told the farmer, "if the lad is anything like his father, he'll no doubt grow to be a man we both will be proud of."

The nobleman's prediction concerning the farmer's son proved to be prophetic.

True to the nobleman's word, the farmer's son attended the best schools in the world and eventually graduated from St. Mary's Hospital Medical School in London. More importantly, he went on to become known throughout the world as the noted Sir Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of Penicillin.

Years afterward, the same nobleman's son who was saved from the bog was stricken with pneumonia.

What saved his life this time? Penicillin.

The name of the nobleman? Lord Randolph Churchill

His son's name? Sir Winston Churchill, the great British Prime Minister who saved England from being taken over by Nazi Germany and Adolf Hitler.

Small things can make a difference. Everything that we do matters. A well-placed smile or much needed encouraging word might brighten someone's day to the extent that they treat someone else better. We can make a difference in the world and on our teams just by being the change agent and starting a chain reaction of positivity.

Click here for Robert Schinke's book, Gifted: 8 Steps to Succeeding in Sport, Work, and Life.

Watch the full presentation with Robert Schinke free here.

Alan Yost was previously coaching at Capital University.

Dr. Colleen Hacker is a Professor in the Department of Kinesiology, Sport, and Performance Psychology at Pacific Lutheran University and has served as a member of the Team USA coaching staff for six Olympic Games as a Mental Skills Coach and Performance Psychology Specialist.

This clip comes from our AD Insider | Thursday 30 episode #112. Click here to view full episode.

By: Scott Garvis, CMAA

Provided By: NHSACA

As a coach, it's essential to support students who come from struggling homes. These kids may face various challenges, and coaches can play a vital role in providing them with a positive and supportive athletic experience. Here's a list of strategies to help coaches coach kids from such backgrounds:

1. Build Trust and Rapport: Coaches should invest time in building trust and positive relationships with each child. Make an effort to understand their backgrounds and unique circumstances.
2. Effective Communication: Ensure that coaches communicate clearly and listen attentively. Kids from struggling homes might have communication challenges, and coaches should be patient and empathetic.
3. Set Realistic Goals: Help coaches establish achievable goals for each child. These goals should be based on the child's abilities and circumstances, with a focus on improvement rather than winning.
4. Flexible Scheduling: Recognize that kids from struggling homes might have irregular schedules due to family commitments. Coaches should be flexible and accommodating when it comes to practice times and game schedules.
5. Financial Assistance: Work to provide scholarships or financial assistance for registration fees, equipment, and uniforms to ensure that all children have equal access to sports.
6. Provide Transportation: If possible, arrange transportation or carpooling options to help kids get to practices and games, especially if they lack reliable transportation.
7. Mentorship Programs: Implement mentorship programs where experienced athletes or coaches can provide additional support and guidance to kids facing challenges at home.
8. Safe and Inclusive Environment: Create a welcoming, inclusive, and safe environment for all athletes. Encourage coaches to address bullying or discrimination promptly.
9. Counseling Resources: Partner with local counseling services or therapists who can provide support to children who may be dealing with emotional or psychological challenges.
10. Nutrition and Hydration: Educate coaches on the importance of proper nutrition and hydration, especially for children who may have limited access to healthy meals at home.
11. Educational Support: Encourage coaches to monitor and support the academic progress of the athletes. Offer tutoring or study sessions if needed.
12. Positive Reinforcement: Emphasize the importance of positive reinforcement and constructive feedback. Coaches should focus on celebrating achievements, no matter how small.
13. Community Involvement: Engage the community in supporting these athletes. This can include local businesses providing sponsorships or volunteers helping with events and fundraisers.
14. Emphasize Character Development: Coaches should prioritize teaching values such as discipline, teamwork, responsibility, and resilience. These life skills can be especially beneficial for children facing adversity.
15. Regular Check-Ins: Coaches should regularly check in with the kids individually to understand their needs, challenges, and personal goals.
16. Family Engagement: Encourage coaches to involve parents or guardians as much as possible, considering the family's situation. This can help build a support network for the child.
17. Conflict Resolution Skills: Train coaches in conflict resolution techniques to help kids handle challenges both on and off the field.
18. Access to Resources: Provide coaches with information on local resources, such as food banks, housing assistance, and healthcare services, which may be useful for the athletes' families.

Remember that your role as a coach plays a significant role in the lives of young athletes, and by implementing these strategies, you can make a positive impact on the children coming from struggling homes. Additionally, coaches should remain empathetic, patient, and supportive, as they can be influential mentors and role models for these kids.