As I enter my third year with Best Day Ever I am adamant about becoming a better Consultant to each of the teams I partner with and even some I don’t. 
With The Purple Bears Head Coach Ross Duncan (left) Yuta Sidewinder -Assistant (middle) BDE Consultant before a 2019 match
Having worked with University of Central Arkansas Mens Soccer for 3 seasons, expectations for the team’s performance has increased at least 10 fold. We also have a coaching staff where the assistants are both taking up new roles with greater responsibilities in determining the program’s success. The random thoughts that follow are key to the team taking steps to reach its potential.
1) Plan for and set higher standards for Head Coach, Consultant, Sports Psychologist (Dr. Dan Freigang)Assistant Coaches(Matt Taphorn and Yuta Nomura), Ops guy- Thomas Milner, and Athletes– the planning and setting of these standards began at the end of last season. These need to be communicated and understood everyday by everyone in the program from the top dog through the red shirts that are not dressing for the matches.
If they are not communicated and understood the standards will be meaningless! You will need to start over if you want to get to your destination at seasons end. Like trying to take a trip with no idea where you’re going, how you’re getting there and why you want to go!
2)If we want to get better (when you’ve been with a program for three seasons it’s most certainly “we”) the roles of the new assistants need to be clearly defined with expectations and parameters clearly defined. The head coach, consultant and sports psych guy are all key in helping these assistants in achieving success in their increased roles. The three veteran members must also increase their efforts and change their duties to meet the needs of the new staff.
Communication between staff members must be clear, concise and honest! If any member is struggling the entire staff is responsible for helping to alleviate the problems for that staff member. As a problem for one staff role is a problem for the program until it is solved!
Enjoy and celebrate your successes! The Purple Bears do!
3) A large part of the Purple Bears successes are attributable to the premise that everyone has value in the program and all members are cared for according to the core covenants. The three guides of this journey are the Head Coach Ross Duncan, Sports Psychologist Dr Dan Freigang and their BDE consultant Frank Kohlenstein. Also keys to keeping the message consistent are assistants Matt Taphorn and Yuta Nomura as their contributions needed to change as the roles they carried out were much more in depth. These coaches needed to grow and learn as everyone associated with the program was willing to do to help the program take the next step forward. The Sports Medicine director for soccer, Kaci , the Director of Ops, Thomas and the Director of the Purple Bus, Ontee, are all on board and All In. As the BDE mantra goes “Do What The Team Needs”.
The Purple Bears aren’t sneaking up on anybody anymore but they are Bears and they are Purple!
They will continue to earn successes as long as from Head Coach to Newest Freshman they stay “All In” and “Do What The Team Needs!”
Best Day Ever Consulting and Coaching 
I like what you are doing with your clients. I think one thing that I am sure you are extremely aware of is that there will always be those quite ones that will not speak up or show that they may be going through a challenge that might have nothing to do with soccer, but which impacts their play. It is very difficult to foster an environment where that type of personality will feel comfortable to come forward to ask for help/support. Mainly because they do not feel they need it, but it is still obvious that their play is impacted and no one knows why. Very difficult to help those who will not ask for it or who think they do not need it. They will also be the same type that sees asking for help as a “weakness”. You have to convince them that by asking for help for themselves, it also helps out the team in the long run as the issue is dealt with…
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Great point Jim! Have to have communication with those in your group in as many ways as you can to increase everyone’s comfort level. Show even as the leader you will take help and show your vulnerability? Thanks for the comment
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