{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Advocacy, Politics, and Protecting Education-Based Athletics with Dr. Josh Childs","description":"Advocacy, Politics, and Protecting Education-Based Athletics with Dr. Josh Childs Season 6 Episode 6   Hosts: Chris Doelle & Brian Polk, Chief Operating Officer, THSCA. Guests: Dr. Josh Childs, University of Texas at Austin. In this episode of The Coaches Call, host Chris Doelle hands the mic to Brian Polk, Chief Operating Officer of the Texas High School Coaches Association, for a candid and wide-ranging conversation with Dr. Josh Childs of UT Austin. Together they tackle the bigger picture \u2014 the political landscape, the growing private youth sports market, and why coaches in Texas must be as engaged off the field as they are on it. Key Takeaways:  \u2022 Coaches Are Educators First: In Texas, coaches aren't just coaches \u2014 they're classroom teachers, school administrators, paraprofessionals, bus drivers, and community representatives. That dual role gives them multiple daily touchpoints with student-athletes that coaches in other states simply don't have, and it makes them among the most influential figures in a community. \u2022 Kids Haven't Changed \u2014 But Society Has: Brian Polk, drawing on 17 years as a coach at Garland, Allen, Van Alstyne, and Byron Nelson, made the case that kids still crave discipline, structure, support, and expectations \u2014 they always have. What has changed is the environment around them: instant gratification, social media, unrealistic comparisons, and a broader erosion of accountability in schools. Those pressures require coaches to be even more intentional about their relationships and their why. \u2022 All Politics Are Local: Coaches are pillars of their communities \u2014 and what happens at the school board table, in the state legislature, and in city council chambers directly affects what coaches can do every day. Dr. Childs made a compelling case that an engaged coaching profession is a powerful one, and that coaches carry a unique voice because they represent the values and mission of their school districts. Staying informed and staying engaged \u2014 at every level \u2014 isn't optional anymore. \u2022 Vote Purple: THSCA's Vote Purple initiative is not a partisan push \u2014 it's a call for educators to stay informed, vote, and support the policies that protect education-based and community-based programs. For too long, decisions about what coaches can do in schools have been made by lawmakers with no background in education or athletics. Changing that starts with coaches showing up and making their voices heard. \u2022 Education Comes Before Athletics \u2014 and That's the Point: As the private youth sports and academy market becomes more elite, more expensive, and more exclusive, education-based athletics offers something those models can't: education first. Student-athletes are students first. Programs in public schools are held to standards of accountability, provide broad entry points for participation at any age or skill level, and serve the whole student \u2014 not just the potential Division I recruit. \u2022 Competing with the Academy Model: Brian acknowledged that Texas programs have to do a better job of selling what they already do well \u2014 life skills, accountability, discipline, love, support \u2014 to parents and communities who might be lured by the private market. Coaches need to think outside the box, communicate proactively with parents, and proudly publicize their academic achievements, community service, and athletic accomplishments. Telling the story has to become a deliberate part of the job. \u2022 Why Data Matters for Advocacy: Using a memorable analogy about Pittsburgh's famous "Pittsburgh left" turn, Dr. Childs illustrated why stories alone aren't enough when talking to legislators or school boards. Data transforms "everyone does this" into specific, compelling, decision-driving evidence. With over 26,000 member coaches, THSCA is in a position to generate and use that data to secure funding, shape policy, and protect the profession. \u2022 We Are Better Together: THSCA has spent the last six to seven years deepening its relationships with sport-specific associations and AD associations across Texas. Every group is now included in advisory committee meetings, and all are partners in the Educate, Excel, and Play initiative \u2014 a monthly outreach campaign that gives every member association ready-to-use tools and talking points to promote what their programs are doing for kids and communities. \u2022 What Should Give Coaches Hope: When asked what was most encouraging for the next generation, Dr. Childs didn't hesitate: "That they have an association like THSCA supporting them." Mentioned in this episode:  \u2022 Texas High School Coaches Association (THSCA) \u2022 University of Texas at Austin \u2013 College of Education \u2022 UIL (University Interscholastic League) \u2022 Educate, Excel, and Play (THSCA initiative) \u2022 Vote Purple (THSCA civic engagement campaign) \u2022 AnSRS (presenting sponsor) \u2022 THSCA Coaching School \u2013 Houston (coming this summer) Produced by Fresh Media Workshttp:\/\/www.freshmediaworks.com \u00a9 2025 Lone Star Podcast Network Texas High School Coaches Association Twitter: @THSCAcoaches @ChrisDoelle Limited sponsorship opportunities are available on the show. Contact Chris Doelle at (713) 269-4620 or email at cdoelle@gmail.com. Subscribe on these great platforms:               ","author_name":"Lone Star Gridiron","author_url":"http:\/\/www.lonestargridiron.com","html":"