Texas High School Coaches Day
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Updated: November 2, 2023
Texas High School Coaches Association and school communities plan celebrations of Texas
coaches
High school and middle school coaches all over Texas now have a day specifically designated to celebrate their positive impact on students and communities. Senate Concurrent Resolution 38, which designates November 3rd as Texas High School Coaches Day, was sponsored by Senator Lois Kolkorst and House Representative John Kuempel.
The resolution passed in both the House and the Senate by a vote of 140-1 and signed by Governor Abbott on May 19, 2023. SCR 38 designates the first Friday in November as Texas High School Coaches Day for a period of ten years.
Participation in high school athletics has positive lifelong benefits for student-athletes. Student-athletes learn time management skills, leadership skills, the value of hard work, teamwork, and how to work through adversity. An article published by the National Federation of High Schools outlines that students also show a “stronger sense of self-confidence in building relationships with others and having an expanded capacity for empathy.” Additionally, studies like those published in the Medicine & Science in Sports and Exercise Journal have shown that students who participate in sports are less likely to drop out of school, consistently have higher grades, and are more likely to seek a post-high school education than students who do not participate in sports. Without dedicated coaches to lead high school sports programs, students would miss out on the benefits of sports.
“Texas high school and middle school coaches are unique in that they are integral to the schools and communities they coach,” said Joe Martin, Executive Director of the Texas High School Coaches Association (THSCA). “Public school coaches are full-time teachers, department chairs, hall and cafeteria monitors, disciplinarians, and grief counselors. They are field trip bus drivers, pep rally leaders, part-time field and facility maintenance workers, security guards, and janitors. They are the first to arrive on campus and the last to leave at night. But above all, they care for students and the community without expectation of praise and recognition. That is why we are thankful that Texas Legislatures voted to create a day specifically for our school coaches; Texas High School Coaches Day will be celebrated to recognize the incomparable role that Texas coaches play in our communities.”
Schools are asked to participate in Texas High School Coaches Day by recognizing their coaches through social media, pep rally recognition, thank you cards, and other creative ways. On October 30th, THSCA will begin a week-long social media campaign highlighting videos from Texas-raised professional athletes thanking coaches for their positive impact. Parents and communities are asked to find their ways to recognize the high school and middle school coaches in their school communities.
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