Tom Kruse
Athletic Director
Rockhurst High School
(816) 363-2036
tkruse@rockhursths.edu
Hierarchy of Communication
Below is a guide that the athletic department believes will facilitate a clear and open line of communication between coaches and players, and coaches and parents, and players and parents.
Parent/Coach Relationship
Both parenting and coaching are extremely difficult vocations. By establishing an understanding of each role, we are better able to accept the actions of the other and provide greater benefit to your son. As parents, when your sons become involved on our program, you have a right to understand what expectations are placed on your son. This begins with clear communication from the coach of your son’s sport.
Communication you should expect from your son’s coach
- Philosophy of the coach.
- Expectations the coach has for your son and the team.
- Locations and times of all practices and contests.
- Team requirements, i.e. fees, special equipment, off-season conditioning.
- Discipline which results in the denial of your son’s participation.
Appropriate concerns to discuss with coaches
- Ways to help your son improve.
- Concerns about your son’s behavior.
It is very difficult to accept your son not playing as much as you hope. Coaches are professionals. They make judgement decisions based on what they believe to be best for all students involved. You will not always agree with their decisions.
Issues not appropriate to discuss with coaches
- Playing time.
- Team strategy.
- Play calling.
- Other student athletes.
There are situations other than these listed above that may require a conference between coach and parent, but only after your son and the coach have met. When these conferences are necessary, the following procedure should be followed to help promote a resolution to the concern.
Procedure for conference with coaches
- Make sure your son has tried to resolve the problem first.
- Call the coach to set up an appointment. 816-363-2036.
- Please do not attempt to confront a coach before or after a practice or contest. These can be emotional times for both coach and parent. Meetings of this nature do not promote resolution, only conflict.
- If the coach does not respond in a reasonable amount of time, call the AD, Tom Kruse. He will set up the meeting for you.
The next step
What can a parent do if the meeting with the coach did not provide a satisfactory resolution?
- Call and set up an appointment with the Athletic Director to discuss the situation. Please do not contact the Principal or the President without prior contact with the AD. At this meeting, the appropriate next steps can be determined.
