The standards were compiled after extensive research and input from coaches, athletics leaders and experts in the field of coaching, according to National Association for Sport & Physical Education Executive Director Judith C. Young.

Young notes that the standards are supported by more than 150 organizations, including national governing bodies, sports groups, youth organizations and providers of coaching education.

"We trust that the development of the standards helps to ensure the enjoyment, safety and positive skill development of young athletes," Young said.

Young agreed with Drake University athletics director Lynn King, who said that coaching requirements are often ill-defined, haphazard or nonexistent. Although the standards created by Young's association are in no way a certification program, they are meant to bring more clarity to what one should do to be considered a coach.

Those interested in more information on the standards may contact the National Association for Sport & Physical Education at 703/476-3410.

Spoken like a coach

Wingate University women's basketball coach Johnny Jacumin found himself in a nail-biter, trailing, 112-111, as time was running out.

As it happens, Jacumin was running for the town council in Wingate, North Carolina, rather than trying to coax a win out of his basketball team.

Given the tightness of the election, an observer suggested that Jacumin and the other candidate might have to flip a coin to determine the winner.

"I'd rather shoot free throws," Jacumin allowed.

Neither tiebreaker turned out to be necessary. Two provisional votes were verified later, and Jacumin was declared the winner, 113-112.

Academic awards

The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) has announced that it will provide $165,000 in academic awards to programs in all divisions through money derived from the annual Pigskin Classic.

The breakdown will be:

-- Compiled by David Pickle

Looking back

5 years ago: The NCAA Executive Committee proposes extensive changes in the structure of the Association's championships program that, if adopted, will provide additional competitive opportunities for student-athletes and a more equitable distribution of the Association's resources among 79 annual championships. The Executive Committee agrees to seek reaction from the membership before taking final action on the changes at its May 1993 meeting. Under the plan, championships structures will be based primarily on the number of institutions that sponsor sports, resulting in increased bracket or field sizes in 19 championships and reductions in four championships. The plan also calls for play-in competition in four championships for conferences that previously did not automatically qualify for a championship berth, and would establish minimum sponsorship requirements for creating and maintaining championship events. (The NCAA News, December 16, 1992) <

10 years ago: The NCAA selects a national fund-raising consulting firm, the Cosgriff Company of Omaha, Nebraska, to conduct a feasibility study concerning the Association's plans to establish a foundation for education, sports and research. The study will evaluate the structure for the foundation and its fund potential. Among the initial purposes of the foundation will be to fund undergraduate scholarships for student-athletes who did not complete their undergraduate degrees, research into safety and health practices, fellowships for young men and women seeking a sports administration career, and a major drug-education program. (The NCAA News, December 1, 1987) <

15 years ago: Record years by the Big Ten, Southeastern, Atlantic Coast, Western Athletic and Mid-American Conferences, plus the major Eastern independents, help college football attendance reach another all-time national high in 1982. The total of 36,538,637 spectators at 649 four-year colleges with varsity teams is 731,597 higher than the previous year, and marks the 28th increase in attendance in 29 seasons. (The NCAA News, December 22, 1982)