Great article by Jeff Janssen

I am sharing a really nice article by Jeff Janssen of the Janssen Sports Leadership Center... Take a moment to read... dg

It happened at Harvard…

It happened at Cornell…

It happened at Sayreville High School…

It happened at Philomath High School…

And, if you’re not careful and proactive, it can happen to you.

Some serious issues have happened at colleges and high schools around the country that have hurt and scarred people, shut down programs, cost coaches and administrators their jobs, and given a huge BLACK EYE to schools, their alumni, and communities.

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Loyola Hosting Student-Athlete Career Networking Night

Loyola University Maryland Student-Athlete Advisory Committee is pleased to invite you to the Loyola Student-Athletic Career Networking Night. Along with the Loyola Career Center, Student-Athlete Support Services and Athletics, we would like to thank you for agreeing to come visit with our student-athletes and share your business and career planning experience. We held our first event in the spring of 2015 and it was well received by both students and employers. I hope you are able to attend this year. 

The concept is a simple one - this is an opportunity for you to talk with our student-athletes about internship opportunities, interviewing skills, career advice, elevator speech, and how to help them get a foot in the door for that first job.

The event will be business casual, so a suit is not necessary.

We will have a cocktail table for each business and you will have the opportunity to introduce yourself and your business to our student-athletes. The schedule for the evening is below. If you have any questions, please contact me at 410-302-4438.

Date - Sunday November 13 – Loyola University Maryland 

Location - Andrew White College Center – 4th Floor Programming Room

Schedule for the evening

5:45 PM – 6 PM Employer Set-up - Each employer will have a stand up cocktail table with table cloth

6 PM – 6:15 PM Student Registration and Mingle

6:15 PM – 6:30 PM Welcome and Introductions

6:30 PM – 7:15 PM Networking 

7:15 PM – 8 PM Open Time for discussion with Employers and Student-Athletes

Parking is available on campus in the Jenkins Parking lot located off of Cold Spring Lane, around one block east of North Charles Street.

We are looking forward to a great evening and hope you are too.

If you have any questions please let me know. (dgerrity@loyola.edu)

Loyola University Maryland is searching for an Assistant Vice President of Career Services

I wanted to share this letter with you.  It is from the president of Loyola University Maryland.  Loyola is searching for a new leader for our career development area.  This is such an important position for the school moving forward.  Please take a moment to read and share with anyone that you might think qualified and interested in helping move Loyola forward... have a great weekend... dg Dear Loyola Alumni: At Loyola we recognize the important role that the University plays in helping students and alumni pursue personal and professional success. Over the past year, conversations surrounding the creation of Loyola's next strategic plan have highlighted tremendous opportunities for the University to strengthen our career services—and the Board of Trustees has been particularly enthusiastic about how those efforts could position Loyola well for the future. As you may have heard, CreSaundra Sills, Ph.D., retired this year from her position of director of The Career Center. All of us in the Loyola community owe a debt of gratitude for her outstanding leadership and dedication in providing the robust career services Loyola offers to our students and alumni. Our students have been served well by Sandy and her team. Although we all miss her, we also know that she has positioned our Career Center for even greater success, and we look forward to expanding and building on her efforts in an increasingly challenging job market. Acknowledging the increased importance of Loyola's career services in today's competitive, challenging, outcomes- and job-oriented environment, we will be searching for a newly created assistant vice president for career services position. In light of the addition of this new position and to assist the University in identifying and recruiting the best possible candidates for this next chapter in leadership at The Career Center, we are partnering with Parker Executive Search. The goal is to fill the position in September, and this new position will report directly to Susan M. Donovan, Ph.D., executive vice president. The co-chairs of the search committee are Sheilah Shaw Horton, Ph.D., vice president for student development and dean of students, and Daniel Rizzo, '99, innovation fellow for Inovalon and a member of the Sellinger School's Board of Sponsors. Because we have so many talented and experienced alumni who understand Loyola's vast and accomplished alumni network and the many career opportunities our students and alumni are well-prepared to take on, I wanted to make sure you were aware of our focus on enhancing our career services effort and this new leadership opportunity. If you are interested in learning more about the position or want to suggest potential candidates, I encourage you to submit names as soon as possible to: Porsha Williams, Vice President Parker Executive Search pwilliams@parkersearch.com 770-804-1996, ext. 109 The pool of potential candidates will be developed over the next 30 days, and we plan to conduct on-campus interviews in late July. Once the position is filled, we will be reaching out to all Loyola alumni to ask for your help to support our students and strengthen our alumni network. If you have any questions before then, I invite you to reach out to Dr. Donovan at evp@loyola.edu. If you are visiting Loyola for Milestone Reunion this weekend, I hope to see you in person. Thank you for your ongoing support of Loyola. Sincerely, Rev. Brian F. Linnane, S.J. President

Loyola seeking an Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Performance

Career Opportunity @LoyolaHounds seeking an Asst AD Sports Performance. Get more information here - http://

 Apply online - Asst AD Sports Performance

Another life touched by Val

I am posting this again because I had the chance to chat with our regular bus driver for men's lacrosse. Vance has been driving for the team for a few years and when he came to pick up the team for its first trip of the year he was asking for Val.  We talked about how Val was always there to greet the driver and make sure everything was set for the team's trip. Vance spoke so highly of Val that I wanted to take a moment to share this.

You can read more about Val here baltimore sun sport page.

I had the great fortune to have worked with Val since 2008.  He was one of the most genuine and caring people I ever met.  He always had a kind word for people and was just the kind of person you wanted to have as a friend.

Please take a moment today to remember Val.

photo courtesy of Greg Szczepaniak

Information from the APPLE Conference at UVA in January

I recently attended a very informative conference at the University of Virginia.  The topic was regarding how to review what your university is doing to increase education efforts for the betterment of prevention in areas of alcohol, tabacco and other drug usage.  I have included a overview of the model from the conference website. http://apple.studenthealth.virginia.edu/

I encourage to review this infromation.  We at Loyola are looking at policy as the slice we would like to improve first.

Which area would you like to see improved at your university?

There are seven distinct areas where athletics departments can address substance use. Discover how your athletics department can enhance alcohol, tobacco, and other drug abuse prevention efforts by examining the “slices” of the APPLE and assessing your department's strengths and weaknesses in substance abuse prevention. 

Drug Testing

Student-athletes, cheerleaders, student managers and student athletic trainers are required to be educated about NCAA banned drugs and the products that may contain them. Students affiliated with the athletics department agree not to use banned drugs and to submit to institutional testing as outlined in campus policy.  Student-athletes agree to NCAA drug testing during championship events and to NCAA year-round testing as approved by their division.  The athletics department complies with NCAA drug testing administrative duties and assures that compliance forms are explained and signed. Effective testing for drug use relies on the existence and implementation of standards to ensure informed consent, confidentiality, integrity of the sample, reliable laboratory procedures, integrity of the report and specified sanctions associated with positive tests.  Policies should be uniform for all sports and the athletics department abides by its written policies. 

Educational Programming

All new student-athletes, cheerleaders, student managers and student athletic trainers participate in a mandatory ATOD education program.  Materials and programs are regularly available through identified resources and specifically tailored to the needs of student-athletes, cheerleaders, student managers, and student athletic trainers.  The athletics department participates in a peer education program designed or adapted for the needs of student-athletes.  Peer educators receive training and supervision from appropriate ATOD professionals in ATOD information and best educational practices.  Coaching and sports medicine staffs are well informed about ATOD abuse prevention, especially as it relates to the athletics culture.  Education programs are evaluated regularly.

Expectations & Attitudes

ATOD messages that coaches, staff, student-athletes and others give during orientation, during the year and by their own actions are consistent for all student-athletes, cheerleaders, student managers and student athletic trainers. Coaching, sports medicine and other athletics staff adhere to the same standards expected of student-athletes, cheerleaders, student managers and student athletic trainers.

Policy

The athletics department has ATOD policies that incorporate standards set in current federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act legislation and NCAA regulations.  The policies clearly define ATOD testing standards, procedures, and sanctions.  They are well disseminated to all athletics personnel, uniformly enforced, and regularly reviewed.

Recruitment

The athletics department neither promotes nor condones illegal alcohol, tobacco and other drug (ATOD) activities.  All ATOD messages - verbal and written, formal and informal - and all contacts with prospective student-athletes are consistent with school and departmental policies.  The athletics department recognizes that the behavior of the recruit will be a responsibility of the student host and that the athletics department bears the legal responsibility for the recruit’s ATOD use.   The athletics department should have a uniform, written policy to guide all members of the department and recruits through the recruiting process.

Referral

Departmental policies specify the criteria for referral to treatment for ATOD concerns and the procedural issues associated with referral including timeliness, confidentiality and expected follow-up.  Counseling resources include a range of modalities.  Services are accessible and scheduling is compatible with class, practice, athletics training and game and travel schedules, so that students can be seen in a timely fashion. Collegial relationship development between athletics and counseling staff contributes to a process that is sensitive to the unique athletics culture and required protocols of counseling and confidentiality.

Sanctioning

Disciplinary actions related to infractions of ATOD polices are appropriate to the number and type of infractions, clearly specified, and well-disseminated.  They are also uniformly enforced across all teams, cheerleaders, student managers and student athletic trainers. 

After review - please consider these questions -

Which slices of the APPLE should we consider our focus for the next year?

What is the one slice is in the most need of review?

What are some slices where a simple change might make a big difference?

What is the Loyola Greyhounds Leadership Academy?

 “Developing the World’s Next Generation of Leaders”

I wanted to share the vision and mission behind the Loyola Greyhounds Leadership Academy.  I hope you can take a couple minutes to read and share any suggestions with us.  This program is for Loyola Greyhound student-athletes who are selected by their coaches to participate in a seminar based program during their sophomore, junior and seniors years.  Go Hounds... dg

OUR VISION

To create and sustain a world-class leadership development program that has a significant impact on you as a student, athlete, person, and leader; and ultimately a strong, positive impact on the success and satisfaction of your team, campus, and community.

OUR MISSION

The Loyola Greyhounds Leadership Academy develops, challenges, and supports student-athletes and coaches in their continual quest to be world-class leaders in academics, athletics, and life.

WHAT JANSSEN LEADERSHIP WILL DELIVER TO YOU

Ø  Provide you with the best insights, ideas, and information available on successful leadership.

Ø  Challenge you to stretch and grow as a person and leader.

Ø  Support you through the tough times and when there seems to be no easy answers.

Ø  Fully respect your confidentiality and trust at all times.

Ø  Be honest with you and tell you the truth.

Ø  Care about your success and development as a person, student, and athlete.

Ø  Be open to your ideas, comments, compliments, and criticism to make this program the best.

Ø  Be available to you within 48 hours and often 4 to 8 hours when you have question, comment, or concern.

I am always available to you. Please contact me 24/7 if you ever need anything.

Becky Ahlgren-Bedics     bbedics@jeffjanssen.com     317.372.7413

WHAT YOU WILL DELIVER TO THE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY

Ø  Invest yourself.

Ø  Be honest.

Ø  Respect confidentiality.

Ø  Be yourself and look to grow.

Ø  Be open to new insights, experiences, and ideas.

Ø  Make every effort to do the right thing.

Ø  Hold yourself, your teammates, coaches, staff, and me accountable.

Ø  Develop a working and trusted partnership with your coaches.

Ø  Communicate often with your coaches, teammates, and staff.

Ø  Make all meetings. If you cannot make a meeting or will be late because of competition, travel, or a class conflict, please notify me and your coach by phone or email BEFORE the meeting. Two unexcused absences and you will be dropped from the program. You must attend at least 3/4 of the meetings to officially complete the program.

Ø  Do your readings and assignments.

Ø  Help this Academy grow and improve with your ideas, suggestions, and constructive criticism.

Ø  Play an active role in developing your teammates into respected leaders who can take your place when you graduate.

Can conflict help you grow?

Hello Loyola Greyhound Leadership Academy –

In Chapter 10 of The Team Captain’s Leadership Manual, there are two things I wanted to share that are vital for your team’s success.

They are - Six Steps for Resolving Conflicts and Ten Tips for Constructive Conflict.
In this week’s email, let’s take a look at the six steps for resolving conflict.  Many times having a framework to have a discussion helps move things along and sets up a method to get through difficult times.  Jeff Janssen lays out the following six steps for resolving conflict –
1) Define the problem
2) Brainstorm possible solutions
3) Evaluate the possible solutions
4) Decide on a solution
5) Implement the solution
6) Evaluate the success of the solution

Before you can resolve a problem, you really need to understand or define what the problem or conflict is.  Many times things bubble under the surface only to rear themselves usually at hard times during the season.  Maybe it appears or intensifies after a difficult loss or after some negative that might have happened off the field.  By defining the problem and really making sure everyone knows about it and how it has manifested itself in the locker room or in practice is the first step to getting to the solution.  And you will learn that as a leader defining and dealing with problems comes with the mantle of leadership.

Leaders build consensus.  By getting people to brainstorm, evaluate and decide on possible solutions to the problem, you as a leader help to get your teammates bought into the solution and its implementation.  Sometimes this implementation of the solution is where the leader really earns the respect of teammates and coaches.  Being a leader means you make tough decisions and you have to back the decisions up with action.

An after the solution is implemented to bring this process full circle, you need to review the solution and determine if it was the right decision.  This is analogous to watching game film, how did that new play work?

There are many levels of conflict and the best way to deal with them is to not let them fester and grow.  Leaders need to recognize when there are issues that need to be dealt with and they need to act to resolve the issues.

There are many times that the leader does this without having to go to the next level.  Has your coach given you the ability to deal with conflict?  Talk to your coach about this and see what ideas they have.

Here is a great summary of how communication is a powerful tool for eliminating conflicts.

Be heard, be vocal!

The following is by ― Shannon L. Alder
“The Anatomy of Conflict:
If there is no communication then there is no respect.
If there is no respect then there is no caring.
If there is no caring then there is no understanding.
If there is no understanding then there is no compassion.
If there is no compassion then there is no empathy.
If there is no empathy then there is no forgiveness.
If there is no forgiveness then there is no kindness.
If there is no kindness then there is no honesty.
If there is no honesty then there is no love.
If there is no love then God doesn't reside there.
If God doesn't reside there then there is no peace.
If there is no peace then there is no happiness.
If there is no happiness ----then there IS CONFLICT BECAUSE THERE IS NO COMMUNICATION!”


Thanks for reading the Leadership Email - Have a great evening…