SportsEvents Magazine

JAN 2016

SportsEvents is edited for those who plan tournaments or other sports events.

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www.sportseventsmagazine.com January 2016 13 similar to developing a team, identifying the target audience is essential and a plan needs to be formulated with appropriate follow up. Coaches also have learned that in order to feld competitive teams, being adept in social media techniques is essential. They also know the downside of this form of media when it comes to players and how to avoid certain controversial issues. Familiarity of social media issues from a coach's perspective will translate into helping the event with previously unforeseen marketing strategies. Many sports coaches have developed sponsorship relationships over the years, which can prove valuable to any event. With many businesses, being associated with a well-respected coach will mean positive publicity for their company. These ties to the business community, which sometimes take years to develop, are priceless for event planners. Coaches, such as the famed Mike Krzyzewski, also know that marketing means having sometimes to adjust one's strategy to compete at the highest levels. For a few years, Duke's college basket- ball teams were not performing as well as they normally had, emphasized by a cou- ple of early round losses in the NCAA tournament. Many pundits were saying how programs such as John Calipari's Kentucky Wildcats had completely sur- passed Duke with their recruiting of "one and done" star high school athletes, who would turn pro after only one year. Seeing how the recruiting landscape had changed, Krzyzewski modifed his recruiting strategy, bringing in players who likely would play only one year for him. The result was a national champi- onship for Duke last year, and a highly touted team entering this season. Jim Boeheim, the highly successful Syracuse basketball coach, stated," Mike's greatest asset as a coach is he always adjusts to whatever the situation is. He is the best in the business at adjusting." It is the same with events. Adjusting one's marketing strategies when nec- essary will help to produce the highest quality programs. Because of the mar- keting acumen that coaches have, they can be depended upon to help with both strategic planning and follow up. Coaching Events Coaches host their own e clinics, camps and workshops; accept speaking engage- ments; and participate in seminars and other forums. A number of years ago, I ran a collegiate and high school coaches workshop clinic, which was a full day affair attended by a couple hundred individuals. Similar events exist in just about every sport. These events are all opportunities for event organizers to meet and know coaches that are willing to help with certain sports events in var- ious cities and towns. Charitable Events Sports coaches are famously known for their generosity and time, plus the support of charitable causes. Coaches from all lev- els are involved with charitable events, and their ability to help with a diverse range of worthwhile causes is becoming more prevalent than ever. Event planners often look to coaches as headliners for charitable events, where their name recognition can translate into a successful program. Therefore, when looking for site loca- tions and running a successful event, planners should consult the Convention & Visitors Bureaus and, perhaps, also fnd that well connected local sports coach. The combination can result in one of the most positive functions an event planner will produce. After all, why not work with someone with the experience, expertise, and familiarity needed to run the best event possible. n t IDEA Playbook Buce Knittle is the President of Knittle Sports Solutions,Inc., a full service consulting frm based in Long Island, New York. Knittle Sports Solutions offers advisory services to sports organizations nationwide. He has more than 30 years experience in numerous facets of the sports industry. Previously, Bruce was a recent Hall of Fame inductee as a long-time collegiate sports coach, and has directed sports pro- grams for many years. He was a former nationally ranked tennis player, and captained the Florida State University tennis team. Sports Coaches & Charity There is not, in my opinion, any better illustration of coaches being involved in sports events, and for a greater cause, than The Coaches vs. Cancer program. The program is a partnership between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches, for the purpose of raising funds and heightening awareness in the fght against cancer. As part of the Coaches vs. Cancer agenda from Jan. 25-31, 2016, there will be a series of national and local events that will be called Suits And Sneakers Awareness Week. It is a series of nationwide events where bas- ketball coaches across the country wear sneakers and suits while coach- ing games. Along with these games, there will be complementary events focusing on the fght against cancer, with coaches out front leading the way. Along with well known names participating in this program, less heralded regional coaches will also be heavily involved in events promot- ing this cause. Another example of coaches participating in events for fund raising purposes is the South Carolina Coaches for Charity event. This program was held in July 2015 at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center in South Carolina. Featured at this event were Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney, and former South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier. One of the main purposes of this event was to raise money for charities throughout South Carolina, which was successfully accomplished. n

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