Had a great conversation with Ron Nocetti, Executive Director of the CIF (California Interscholastic Federation) to discuss the effects the pandemic is having on high school athletics in California. What the cancellation of the spring sports season means for the student athletes on the bubble and still looking to play at the next level? Cheerleading as a sanctioned CIF sport, along with the rise of E-Sports, as well as the evolving business models of high school athletics. Why high school governing bodies are adopting "Managed Rights/Brands" model similar to those at the collegiate level? What's the purpose? Is there additional sponsorship revenue and who benefits? Are the section and state championships better events, more competitive? Is this new approach helping each section, school, coach, team and athlete? Find out...

Learn how to change the culture at your school from activities to athletics through effective Leadership Programs in three simple steps. Don Skaggs, Activities Director at Great Oak High School in Temecula, CA walks us through the amazing world of affecting positive change with America's youth. In addition, he discusses the importance of building a team, inclusion, delegation, responsibility and more!

What's the importance of treating women the right way? Jerry Dunlap, athletic director at Napa Valley College recently implemented a program called Storm Against Violence which teaches his student athletes how to appropriately communicate with women. The results have been profound! Jerry discusses their approach, and how this can implemented at any institution. In addition, he addresses some of the concerns around the impact the corona virus is having on student athletes ability to transfer. Will the NCAA grant another year of eligibility, and what does this potentially mean for high school seniors? Will they get another year?

Part 2: Matt Sulli had the opportunity of speaking with the Track & Field Head Coach at Vista Murrieta High School (VMHS) about legacy. A lot people know Coley Candaele as a head football coach for 19-seasons, (13) at Vista Murrieta and (6) Carpinteria (Alma mater). These two episodes focus on the Legacy of an All-CIF Championship athlete, CIF Championship head coach and father.

Coach Candaele has a fascinating story with a track record of success as an all-CIF athlete in football, where he won (3) CIF Section Championships as the quarterback at Carpinteria High School (Hall of Famer), as well as being one of the top rated track & field runners in the country. Coley’s ability to dominate as a track athlete (running a 4:06 mile) led to an athletic scholarship to the University of Oregon.

Coach Candaele has multiple CIF Track & Field Champions as an athlete and coach. Following the 2015 season he retired as the head football coach at VMHS to focus on coaching his two daughters (with his wife Karen as the assistant coach) in track and cross country (Qualifying for the Nike Nationals in 2018).

Note: Coley was a head football coach for 19 seasons reaching the CIF Section Finals (9) times (7 consecutive at VMHS) with 2-section champions. Almost 50% his teams qualified for a section championship game appearance. Amazing! Additionally, 100% of the players that received a Division 1 scholarship (47 out 47) reached the field in a college game (the national average is 40%). However, not everything was easy for Coley, and he had to reevaluate everything he was doing as a college athlete and coach following some major setbacks.

https://www.californiacanopy.com/

Listen to Parts 1 and 2 of "Legacy w/ Coley Candaele" on the Unity is Community Podcast w/ Matt Sulli. 

Why listen? Because it's a break from reality and you get to learn about how an extremely successful high school and college athlete became one of the best HS football, track and cross country coaches in California. 

(9) CIF Championship game appearances (7) consecutive, (2) titles and 100% of his D1 players reached the field in college (national ave. is 40%). Coach Candaele's motto: #keepthemainthingthemainthing

https://www.californiacanopy.com/

PART 2 - Best Practices - Jim McClowry is an athletic director at Appleton West High School in Wisconsin. We (California Canopy)met Jim at the National AD Conference in December and followed up with him in January to discuss product branding solutions for his school. Jim and I (Matt Sulli) began discussing his consulting practice called "Credible Coach" where he assists athletic directors and school districts develop strategic plans. He teaches other AD's how run an athletic department like a business, mapping out a 3-5 year plan, execution of the plan, creating a mission statement, understanding the purpose, coach retention and much more.

There is so much good information that we had break this up into 2-episodes. Part one is about Setting high standards, leadership, accountability, overcoming underachievement, player and parent buy-in and measuring success. However the biggest takeaway in my opinion is how Jim managed a bit of a drug and alcohol issue with many of the student athletes and how he received the player and parent buy-in. The parents were so committed to Jim's plan that they gave up drinking in front of their kids and would host dry parties.

What was the impact of eliminating drugs and alcohol on and off the field and how did everyone react to this drastic change? Let’s find out… in part one of strategic planning w/ Jim Mclowry…

Jim McClowry is an athletic director at Appleton West High School in Wisconsin. We (California Canopy)met Jim at the National AD Conference in December and followed up with him in January to discuss product branding solutions for his school. Jim and I (Matt Sulli) began discussing his consulting practice called "Credible Coach" where he assists athletic directors and school districts develop strategic plans. He teaches other AD's how run an athletic department like a business, mapping out a 3-5 year plan, execution of the plan, creating a mission statement, understanding the purpose, coach retention and much more.

There is so much good information that we had break this up into 2-episodes. Part one is about Setting high standards, leadership, accountability, overcoming underachievement, player and parent buy-in and measuring success. However the biggest takeaway in my opinion is how Jim managed a bit of a drug and alcohol issue with many of the student athletes and how he received the player and parent buy-in. The parents were so committed to Jim's plan that they gave up drinking in front of their kids and would host dry parties.

What was the impact of eliminating drugs and alcohol on and off the field and how did everyone react to this drastic change? Let’s find out… in part one of strategic planning w/ Jim Mclowry…