Chair:              

Ronald Kamm, M.D., CGP, President, International Society for Sport

Psychiatry, Oakhurst, New Jersey      

Panelists:       

Kevin Callahan, Head Football Coach, Monmouth University, West Long Branch,

New Jersey 

Paul Grafer, Goalkeeper of major league soccer's New York Metro Stars, New

York, New York

Dean Meminger, Former member of the New York Knicks, currently Head Basketball Coach at Manhattanville College, Purchase, New York

Nancy Williams, Legendary Title IX advocate; State championship - winning Head

Coach, Shore Regional High School Field Hockey and Softball Teams, West Long

Branch, New Jersey

Although they don’t always conceptualize it as such, good athletic coaches tend to be very effective group leaders and good group therapists.  Like us, they have to move the athlete from the “individual” to the “team” concept, and we can learn much from their techniques and insights.

As in our work, preparation before group entry is essential, as are clear goal setting, rules and boundaries. The concept of formal (captain) and informal (enforcer, stud, stabilizer)) role definition will be highlighted, as well as how a coach handles anger, competition, rebellion, and sub-grouping, all while trying to foster a “group identity”.  What makes a team cohesive and how this translates to athletic success will also be examined, as will gender preferences in coaching styles, and differences between male and female athletes.

Course References:

1. Brawley, L., Carron, A. & Widmeyer, W. (1987). Assessing the cohesion of teams: Validity of the

    group Environment Questionnaire. Journal of Sport Psychology, 9, 275-294.

2. Riley, P. (1993). The winner within: A life plan for team players. New York: Berkeley Books.

3. Carron, A. & Hausenblas, H. (1998). Group dynamics in Sport. London, Ontario: Fitness

    Information Technology.