Media coverage is a great way to spread the word about your team and players. Savvy coaches know this. They do their best to form solid, professional relationships with the reporters, photographers and camera crews that show up to their games.
Dr. Bill Welker, writing on behalf of the National Federation of State High School Associations, lays out several guidelines for creating good relationships with the guy or gal holding the long, skinny notebook.
-Make yourself and players available for pictures and interviews.
-”Be optimistic,” Welker writes. “Keep a positive, but sensible outlook on the team’s chances for success. Never undersell opponents or degrade your athletes for a poor performance.”
-Teach your players that media relationships are a good thing by speaking positively about reporters and their outlets.
-”Keep the sports editor’s name and phone number handy,” Welker advises. “Call in all scores on time. Note: Some people in the community mistakenly blame the media for not reporting game scores. In reality, the coach failed to call in the scores on time.”
-Phone in scores even when you lose. Yeah, the phone call isn’t as fun, but be sure your team receives coverage, no matter the outcome.
-Notify the media when something newsworthy happens, such as a player breaking a record.
For all 12 of Welker’s guidelines, click here. And remember: “Coaches who don’t have time for the news media are not only slighting their athletes, but they are also hurting their sport. No coach should ever want that to occur.”