ABOVE AND BEYOND
Citizenship Program
Goals
Develop better young men not just better players
To build better relationships with players
Differentiates our program from other school
Increase community, school, & fan support
Engages alums while enhancing team pride
“They don’t care how much you know
until they know how much you care”
Content
Standards Meetings
Faculty, Food, & fellowship
Life Skills Sessions
Career Forum
Campus VIP Photos
Mentorship Program
Consistent Feedback
Town Hall Player Meetings
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PROGRAM STANDARDS MEETINGS
What we do: Five 1-hour meetings (at the beginning of the school year) with
Campus Police Officer
Sexual Assault Prevention
Drug & Alcohol Addiction Specialists
Mental Health Awareness
Nutritionist
Why we do: To set the standard for team behavior on campus, as well as empower our players with a basic understanding of how their choices will affect personal and team performance.
FACULTY & FOOD
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What we do: Food followed by a 1-hour lecture + Q and A
EXAMPLES
Local Pastor
School SRO Officer
Local Business Owner
School Counselor
College Basketball alumni player
Faculty members
Why we do: To expand the minds of our players by having industry leaders discuss their passions and points of view on current events
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LIFE SKILLS SESSIONS
What we do: 30 to 60 minute meetings
EXAMPLES
How to wash/dry your clothes at a laundromat
How to change a flat tire
How to set the table and/or eat at a formal dinner
How to iron a dress shirt and/or dress pants
How to use a stove or an oven & how to wash the dishes
Why we do: Give players skill and/or exposure to situations they may not have experienced before
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CAREER FORUM
What we do: Food followed by a 1-hour discussion + social gathering
Potential Panelists
Recent alums from 4 to 5 local colleges to discuss what they like don’t like about their school + thoughts on what they would do if they had to do the college selection process all over again
Why we do: Bring alums back to inform our players on various industries and give advice on best practices for finding jobs, internships and colleges
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CAMPUS VIP PHOTOS
What we do: Photos taken on campus with a school employee outside of the athletic department
Examples
Little Elm Catering Manager
Local Pastor
Secretary
City Council Members
Board Members
Custodians
Why we do: Introduce our players to other important members of our campus and community to help build enthusiasm for our team
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TOWN HALL PLAYER MEETINGS
What we do: Individual meeting with coaching staff and all parties affiliated with player (parents, AAU coach, trainer, siblings, etc)
Before the season starts
Before conference play begins
After the season has concluded
Why we do: Leave no room for miscommunication or distorted messages & set clear expectations for individual player
MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
What we do: Match up current team members with an alum with a specific rational (position, personality, location, area of interest, etc.)
Monthly phone call/email//text
Annual in-person meeting
Support with ACT/SAT practice and/or college career guidance
Why we do: Foster positive relationships & networking skills for current players while keeping alums engaged & connected to our program
“They don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care”