Louisiana's David "Super Dave" McDaniels recognized
as the NYSCA 2011 Coach of the Year
David McDaniels of Shreveport, La., was presented with the National Youth Sports Coaches Association Coach of the Year award, sponsored by GTM Sportswear.
This year's National Youth Sports Coaches Association (NYSCA) Coach of the Year understands the value of hard work and diligence.
For David McDaniels, these traits, which he also tries to pass on to the youth he coaches, have earned him the nickname “Super Dave” as he quickly advanced during his tenure in the Shreveport (La.) Police Department and served his city as an officer, corporal, sergeant, lieutenant and then captain.
The moniker also applies to the work McDaniels has done throughout his 20 years of volunteering as a youth sports coach for Shreveport Public Assembly and Recreation (SPAR). Not only has he coached his players in football, basketball and baseball but he has also served as a role model dedicated to the overall development of his players.
"David cares about the well being of the youth participants that he coaches," said Jerod Jones, superintendent of athletics at SPAR. "He stays in contact with them, even after they no longer play for his team."
As a retired law enforcement officer, McDaniels has witnessed the result of poor decisions that lead at-risk youth down the wrong road. This has inspired him to become involved in the life of the youth he has coached. By simply asking questions about their life outside of sports, such as about school, grades and family, McDaniels has given his players an adult they can look up to and trust.
EMPHASIZING EDUCATION
McDaniels places an emphasis on education and even helps his players secure tutoring if they need it. He isn’t timid to administer a little "tough love" either. In the past, players have been suspended from play if their grades were not up to par.
His methods produce results. With his help, several players have gone from underachieving to honor students.
"I think winning this award is a great accomplishment not only to Coach McDaniels, but to our whole organization," said Jones.
SPAR has been a Chapter of the National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS) since 1987 and the number of coaches that have completed NYSCA training, NAYS’ volunteer coach education program, is estimated to be in the thousands.
NYSCA training provides coaches with an education on topics such as the psychology of coaching youth sports, communication, child abuse, injury prevention, nutrition and hydration, as well as sport specific training. McDaniels has been an active NYSCA coach since 2003.
Each year since 1986, NYSCA has selected a volunteer coach to be honored with the Coach of the Year award. These award winners earn recognition for upholding the concepts of the NYSCA Coaches’ Code of Ethics, such as placing the players’ emotional and physical well-being ahead of their own desires to win, treating each player as an individual and organizing fun and challenging practices. This year's Coach of the Year award was sponsored by GTM Sportswear.
McDaniels has demonstrated these tenets and more as he played the role of volunteer coach, mentor and friend to the youth at SPAR.
"We stress to our volunteer coaches that we are here only because of our youth," said Jones. McDaniels clearly agrees.
Nominate a Coach!
The National Alliance for Youth Sports and the National Youth Sports Coaches Asscoation (NYSCA) are now accepting nominations for the 2012 Coach of the Year Award.
The National Alliance for Youth Sports and the National Youth Sports Coaches Asscoation (NYSCA) are now accepting nominations for the 2012 Coach of the Year Award. .jpg)
