USA Track and Field has been helping coaches gain the inside track in the profession since the mid-1980s through its coaching-education program. Now, in an effort the organization believes will improve retention among coaches and enhance the diversity of its coaching ranks, the USATF is offering scholarships to ethnic-minority female coaches interested in a program presented by Gill Athletics.

Through an NCAA matching grant, about 20 USATF Minority Women Coaching Education Scholarships are available to assist ethnic-minority female coaches gain academic and hands-on training through the coaching-education program. Since it was established in 1984, more than 25,000 coaches have attended courses offered through the program, which focuses on general topics and specific event groups including sprints/hurdles/relays, endurance, jumps, throws and combined events. The program includes a progression of sessions that focus on sport science, technical event-specific instruction and hands-on training.

Coaches from the grass-roots to elite levels are eligible to apply. As part of the application process, candidates should provide a resume emphasizing their coaching background and experience and a letter of recommendation from the director of athletics or head coach (if the applicant is an assistant coach) at their current institution.

Recipients will be notified not later than March 31, 2007, and scholarships must be used by July of next year. Each recipient is expected to complete an evaluation form within 30 days of attending the course.

Course offerings are at http://www.usatf.org/groups/Coaches/education/.

Interested candidates should submit applications and supplemental materials to Amanda Payne, High Performance Programs Coordinator, at USA Track and Field, attention: Minority Women Scholarship, One RCA Dome, Suite 140, Indianapolis, Indiana 46225. Material also may be e-mailed to Amanda.Payne@usatf.org.

For additional information, go to http://www.usatf.org/groups/Coaches/education/scholarship.asp.

Mansfield football player rises through the ranks

Even though Mansfield University of Pennsylvania football student-athlete C.J. Frederick was good enough to captain his high school football team, he was never quite sure he could make the transition to the NCAA Division II level. He doesn’t have to wonder any longer.

Frederick’s recent leap from equipment manager to defensive back for the Mountaineers may resemble the plot line from the 1998 movie "The Waterboy," starring Adam Sandler, but the senior’s rise is anything but fiction.

Frederick, a coach’s son, knew current Mansfield head football coach Jim Shiffer when Shiffer was a member of the staff at Millersville University of Pennsylvania. During Frederick’s sophomore year, Shiffer convinced him to join the program in a supporting role. Initially, Frederick patrolled the school’s sidelines as a filmer helping the coaching staff with on-the-field drills during spring practice. Later he was promoted to equipment manager.

As he went about completing his duties, Frederick would replay contests in his head and wonder if he could have made a game-winning tackle or interception. Ironically, the death of a fraternity brother prompted him to approach Shiffer this past summer about making the shift from the sidelines onto the field.

"I just kept thinking how you’re not supposed to die that early. I didn’t want to regret not doing something because I wasn’t sure I would succeed. My dad always regretted not trying to play football in college and I didn’t want that to feel that way for the rest of my life," said Frederick.

Shiffer agreed to Frederick’s proposal, but with conditions — Frederick could practice every day and suit up for home games, but he would revert to his responsibilities as equipment manager for away contests.

Frederick appeared in the Mountaineers’ final game of the season November 11. Also, before the contest, he was one of 12 players recognized during Senior Day ceremonies. The communications major said the opportunity to play is a memory he will treasure for the rest of his life.

As if he hasn’t set himself far enough apart, Frederick also may have earned the distinction of appearing in the program’s final game. Mansfield’s football history dates back to 1891 and includes hosting the first night football game in 1892. However, the university’s Council of Trustees is considering discontinuing the sport.