NEWS RELEASE

6/10/05

Contacts:

Curt Jeffryes, Heartland AEA, (515) 270-9030 ext. 4321, cjeffryes@aea11.k12.ia.us

Steve Jones, Heartland AEA, (515) 270-9030 ext. 4317, sjones@aea11.k12.ia.us

IOWA GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC UNION, HEARTLAND AEA

STAGE WEEKLONG COACHING ENDORSEMENT PROGRAM, JUNE 13-17

JOHNSTON, Iowa – From June 13-17, the Iowa High School Girls Athletic Union, in partnership with the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, and Heartland Area Education Agency are sponsoring a weeklong coaching authorization and endorsement program for 100 individuals from across Iowa.

The 100 men and women will attend coaching classes from 8 a.m. to about 8 p.m. Monday through Friday (June 13-17) at the Iowa Methodist Medical Center conference center. The Athletic Union is funding the program for the 100 individuals through a sponsorship with the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation.

The program is designed to not only increase the number of qualified coaches in Iowa, but to also teach them the value of ethics, character and sportsmanship. The Character Counts and the Pursuing Victory with Honor organizations will be involved in the curriculum.

Curt Jeffryes, coordinator of professional development at Heartland AEA, said the training also will show that coaches have a positive affect on student academic achievement.

Heartland AEA’s coaching endoresement program includes courses in theory and ethics, athletic training, physiology, and human growth and development. Participants will do a “homework” assignment at the Iowa Cubs game June 15.

Heartland AEA provides services and programs to 54 central Iowa school districts. Heartland AEA has the state’s largest professional development program for educators.

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