Track & Field Academy to Launch New Master’s Endorsement Program in November

NEW ORLEANS – Taking its world-class coaching education and development curriculum to the next level, the Track & Field Academy – administered by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) – will host the two inaugural Master’s Endorsement courses Friday through Sunday, November 7-9, in Chicago, Illinois.

The Master’s Endorsement program will rigorously and thoroughly cover the inherent issues and techniques in coaching high-level track & field and cross country athletes, with this November’s two courses in Chicago focusing specifically on horizontal jumps (Academy course 504) and the shot put/discus (Academy course 509), respectively.

Students will investigate the challenges faced in high-level coaching in an open-ended discussion format. Veteran clinician and standout coaches will guide the discussions in both courses. Boo Schexnayder and Jim Van Hootegem will instruct the horizontal jumps section, and the shot put/discus course will be taught by Don Babbitt.

Admission into the course requires completion of three of the Academy’s 400-level courses. Those wanting to take the horizontal jumps course must also have completed the 303 Track & Field Academy course, and 304 is a prerequisite for the shot put/discus course.

“We are trying to put bright coaches who aspire to coach at the highest levels in a room with instructors who have been where they want to be," Schexnayder, who also serves as the head of the Track & Field Academy, said. "This will provide the students with insight into high level coaching and offer them a chance to have questions answered in an intimate educational setting.”

Obtainment of Master’s Endorsement status follows the successful completion of the Master’s course, along with the Specialist Certification, six required 400-level prerequisite courses, six years of formal coaching experience and the fulfillment of the mentorship requirement. More details can be found here.

Courses in the long sprints (Academy course 502) and the middle distances (Academy course 510) are planned for January 2-4 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Track & Field Academy will continue to launch new Master’s Endorsement.

Ten additional Master’s Endorsement courses are currently in development, each targeting a specific discipline in track & field or cross country. Once fully implemented, the Master’s Endorsement courses for each discipline will be held once every two to three years.

For a complete list of the Master’s Endorsement courses (existing and under development) and more information about the Master’s Endorsement Program, visit the Course Catalog and Programs section of the Academy Website.