WeCoach Each Other

Photo By Lance Cpl. Payton Goodrich | U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Alicia Chambers, the Dynamic Force Employment officer-in-charge for Expeditionary Strike Force 2, speaks to the graduating coaches of the WeCoach 2.0 course in Denver, Colo., on May 23, 2023. The Marine Corps Recruiting Commands partnership with WeCoach is a platform to build relationships with college coaches from around the country who can potentially influence their athletes to consider the Marine Corps as a viable career path as well as a way to help support and create more places for women in leadership positions and to promote diversity and inclusion in the military. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Payton Goodrich)  

DENVER, CO, UNITED STATES

05.23.2023

Story by Lance Cpl. Payton Goodrich 

Marine Corps Recruiting Command           

DENVER – The Marine Corps Recruiting Command recently partnered with WeCoach at a conference in Denver. WeCoach brings together female college coaches from across the country to learn new coaching styles and presents the opportunity to network with and learn from other college coaches.
"I'm hoping to learn from other coaches from other sports for the different perspectives; I am also looking forward to seeing what I can get out of all these classes," said Jazmine Craig, the assistant women's volleyball coach with Bryant University.
The WeCoach conference is essential for female college coaches to learn new coaching styles and network with other coaches. MCRC's partnership with WeCoach allows the Marine Corps to connect with these coaches and promote the opportunities the Marine Corps offers their athletes. MCRC hopes that by building connections with these coaches, they can encourage more young people to consider joining the Marine Corps.
"I'm hoping that the coaches and I come out of this with solid connections and new ways to coach and lead our athletes and Marines, and I think it's important for us to sponsor this event because we need strong leaders, and that all starts with these coaches," said U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Alicia Chambers, the dynamic force employment officer-in-charge for Expeditionary Strike Force 2.
According to Alexandria Kiss, the Arizona State University water polo assistant coach, the first day of the conference was an exciting and informative experience. The day started with registration and a meet and greet for the coaches who graduated last year, referred to as the 2.0 coaches, allowing them to network and giving the attending Marines a chance to put a face and name to their uniform. The classes kicked off, and the coaches and Marines took notes on morals and practices that would help them become better leaders and coaches. They also learned about public speaking and effectively communicating with their athletes and Marines. The day ended with a dinner and a motivational speaker Beverley "Bev" Kearney, whose intent was to motivate everyone in attendance to be their best selves.
Day two of the WeCoach convention was packed with classes intended to provide valuable lessons for becoming a better coach and leader, with courses that further provided attendees with a wealth of knowledge and practical skills they could apply to their different coaching styles. The first class focused on building your own brand, which highlighted the importance of creating a unique identity and style that sets you apart. The second class covered "things you didn't know you need to know about coaching," and the final class of the day covered building a winning culture, which explored effective techniques, and creating a positive and productive environment for their athletes. The day ended with a dinner and a happy hour where coaches and the attending Marines socialized and continued to talk about the classes and learn from one another's experiences.
"I am not sure what I came in expecting to learn," said Katie Stansbury, the assistant volleyball coach with Oberlin College, "but I have learned about all my values as a coach, about the different types of personalities coaches can have, and that we have a powerful community of female coaches to be role models to this generation of female athletes."
The convention's third day had a graduation for the 20 coaches that attended the WeCoach 2.0 course. Before presenting them with their gifts, Chambers spoke to the graduating class about the importance of coaching, the coaches' impact on the lives of their student-athletes, and the Marine Corps' partnership with WeCoach. Graduates were awarded a challenge coin and a plaque upon course completion.
"I think an event like this is significant; I think something that we see in the Marine Corps that is similar to this is that the Marine Corps was a male-dominated organization; as women are becoming more and more prominent in these organizations," said U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Riley Tejcek, a logistics officer with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 39, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. I think it important to show that we stand behind you, we see the progression with what you are doing, and we want to be a part of it."
The Marine Corps has been actively seeking ways to connect with younger generations and promoting the Marine Corps as a viable option that can present unique opportunities and advantages exclusive to the Marines. By sponsoring WeCoach, MCRC hopes that by building connections with these coaches and associating friendly faces with the Marine Corps, a foundation can be built for future generations of the Marine Corps.
MCRC also partners with WeCoach to get the word out about the Coaches and Educators workshop to those college coaches and educators interested in experiencing three days at the Officer Candidate School and The Basic School. The workshop provides the coaches and educators an in-depth view of how Marine Corps Officers are made and trained. Participants will have the opportunities to engage in hands-on activities such as the obstacle course at TBS, learn from Marine Corps officers about the process officer candidates have to go through to become Marine Corps officers, as well as attend classes on Marine Corps leadership, philosophy and training, that they can apply to their own coaching, leadership, and teaching methods.

• Date Taken: 05.23.2023
• Date Posted: 06.01.2023 08:48
• Story ID: 445772
• Location: DENVER, CO, US