By Joey Gelman

For the first time since before the pandemic, the Chicago Public League (CPL) happily welcomed back high school head coaches in person for the annual pre-season head coaches meetings, held at Malcolm X College. Over 300 coaches across all varsity sports participated in the pre-season meetings and trainings with an emphasis on the one of the District’s most important initiatives; sportsmanship.

CPL proudly has partnered with Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) for the last three years, revamping the way our programs approach and teach the key components of good sportsmanship. Beginning this season, PCA will be expanding their reach further across the District, providing more resources and instruction to coaches, student-athletes and families.

Chicago’s very own and former Major League Baseball Player, Curtis Granderson, kicked off the meetings with key insight into how a positive sports experience and supportive coaches, helped pave the way for his impressive career on the field and now off the field as a community leader. Granderson also has a personal connection to Chicago Public Schools as both his parents were teachers within the District.

All coaches were able to hear from PCA’s lead trainers Joe Thomas, Joe Scally and Leigh Podlesny on how programs and coaches can best relate to their players and creative a safe and positive environment on the playing field, in the classroom, at home and on social media.

PCA’s partnership with CPS and CPL will continue throughout the year and during each season for encouraged workshops and required sportsmanship trainings for all coaches, athletic directors and sports liaisons at the elementary and high school level.

For more information on the PCA partnership, please visit this link.