Notre Dame Undergraduate Social Foundations of Coaching Course

Play Like A Champion Today(TM) Directors Clark Power and Kristin Sheehan have the distinct pleasure of teaching a course to Notre Dame Undergraduates entitled "Social Foundations of Coaching." The course educates Notre Dame students who aspire to become coaches to understand the nature of coaching as an educational ministry. The course's goal is to help these students develop an approach to coaching that is based on sound philosophical, psychological and sociological foundations. Students become conversant with theories about sports and coaching as well as learn how to apply these theories to the practice of coaching. Class members have been invited to share a blog post this semester. We are confident that PLC friends will glean knowledge and insight from the posts of our students. Watch for the student posts - coming each week!

Stocking Stuffer for your Youth Athlete

The best stocking stuffer your child will receive!

Play Like A Champion Today(TM) is offering a discount on its exclusive "Player Handbook." This is a tool for youth sport athletes, ages 8-14, designed to maximize the youth sport experience. The handbook guides athletes in setting goals and understanding the value of practice. It also highlights values such as teamwork, justice and sportsmanship. The handbook includes journal pages for your athlete to track his/her progress throughout a sport season. This handbook will facilitate your athlete's growth: physically, mentally, and spiritually through sport. Normally priced at $5, we are offering the Handbook through December 31, 2009 for $4, including shipping and handling.

Order your Player Handbook today by emailing plc@nd.edu with your address or through our office (574)631-9981.

Merry Christmas from PLC to you!

Play Like A Champion Today Featured on the Notre Dame Homepage

Play Like A Champion Today™ is being featured on the University of Notre Dame homepage this week and into the rest of December. PLC will be one of the videos featured on the carousel at the top of the page. PLC coaches and trainers will recognize brief excerpts from the workshop video that we present to our youth coaches.

Check it out at www.nd.edu!

Play Like A Champion Today™ Partner Trusted Sports announces the High School Football Rudy Awards with $20,000 in College Scholarships

Play Like A Champion Today™ enjoys a friendship with Daniel “Rudy” Reuttiger, motivational speaker and inspiration for the hit movie, Rudy. Rudy offered the “Opening Charge” at the 2008 PLC Sports Leadership conference. Clark, Kristin and Jared enjoyed an opportunity to connect with Rudy at Notre Dame stadium prior to the Kick-Off of the Notre Dame vs. USC football game on October 17.
Trusted Sports, Inc. and co-founder, Daniel ‘Rudy’ Ruettiger are offering an exciting opportunity to honor true Champions. Trusted Sports is searching for The Most Inspirational High School Football Player with $20,000 in college scholarships to be awarded to the top three finalists.
The High School Football Rudy Awards honor high school football players who exemplify the values of inspirational football legend Rudy Ruettiger. The winner will receive a $10,000 academic college scholarship to the college of their choice and will be named ‘The Most Inspirational High School Football Player in America’. The two runners-up will each receive $5,000 academic scholarships.
The award honors student-athletes who demonstrate exemplary character, courage, contribution and commitment as members of their high school football team. Each finalist will be presented with a trophy and an academic scholarship by Rudy Ruettiger whose own story became a national sensation through the hit film, RUDY starring Sean Astin and Jon Favreau.
“The Rudy Awards are not about the stats – they’re about the heart,” said CJ Edmonds, CEO of Trusted Sports. “We’re looking for those outstanding players that bring passion and dedication to their game, and who inspire their team. Perhaps they’ve overcome a significant life challenge, yet they still turn up for practice, show respect for their coach and team, and give it everything they’ve got.” “America needs heroes right now,” he continues, “and we’re going to uncover those high school heroes and honor them”.
Nominations are currently being accepted at http://www.highschoolrudyawards.com/. Anyone can nominate a football player they believe to be a ‘Rudy’. America can support their favorite candidate online. Nominations close November 30, 2009.
The High School Football Rudy Awards are produced and managed by Trusted Sports Inc., a Bend, Oregon based company that motivates kids to thrive in life through sports by positively connecting young athletes, parents and coaches through fun, education, and inspiration. For more information about Trusted Sports, please visit http://www.trustedsports.com/. Where you can also view the High School Football Rudy Award video.

National Award for Loyal Sons

Loyal Sons: The Story of The Four Horsemen and Notre Dame Football's 1924 Champions has earned another national honor!

Loyal Sons has been named an Award-Winning Finalist in the Sports: Autobiography/Biography category of The National Best Books 2009 Awards, sponsored by USA Book News.

This is on top of the award earlier this year of the Bronze Medal in Sports/Recreation/Fitness from the 2009 Independent Publisher Book Awards.

Congratulations to author and PLC friend, Jim Lefebvre.

As the holiday's approach, remember to keep Loyal Sons in mind for gift-giving.

Loyal Sons Author Donates Portion of Profits to PLC

Loyal Sons author Jim Lefebvre has graciously donated a portion of the proceeds from his book to Play Like A Champion Today™. Jim is currently a PLC Consultant and assisted the program in the areas of communication and development in the early years of our existence. His book was featured in the latest PLC Newsletter this Fall. For more information on Jim’s book, Loyal Sons, about the history of the 1924 ND football team led by Knute Rockne, visit http://www.ndfootballhistory.com/.

Thank you Jim!

Fall PLC Newsletter Released

The Fall PLC Newsletter was released today. You can find it and past newsletters at the PLC Newsletter page.

In this issue:

• 4th Annual PLC Leadership Conference
• Letter from the Director: Renewing the Vision of Bishop Sheil and the CYO
• Partner Profile: Fort Worth Christian Football League
• PLC Consultant's Book Loyal Sons Wins National Award
• Hot Issues in Sports: Preventing Post-Summer Vacation Injuries
• Upcoming Events: Cruise on the Chicago River