Several major programs have begun naming coaching successors a year or more in advance of the actual transition. While that might benefit the institution from both an athletics and economic perspective, it may not facilitate diversity and inclusion in the search process.

The pros to naming a successor are obvious. First, you don’t have to spend institutional resources and time locating and selecting candidates. It also allows the program to make a smooth transition – current players know where the program is headed and recruits know who will be there if they choose to attend the school.

The cons, though, include a limited candidate pool and a restricted search process. Some programs that have named a successor far in advance selected longtime assistants to the current head coach, a son of the current head coach or a former player for that coach. And in almost all cases, the successor has been a non-minority.

I’m not saying that if an open, thorough search was conducted that the successor would not be selected as the head coach anyway. I am saying, though, that the restricted search preclides a diverse candidate pool. Few candidates – if any – even get the chance to gain the interviewing experience that is so desperately needed to prepare for future openings.

If we are to move toward greater diversity in Division I coaching, primarily in football and basketball, we must continue to have open searches in which minority candidates are given a chance to apply and interview for these jobs.

– Daryl Gibbs, assistant director of athletics for academic success at Indianapolis

Food for thought

Entering my freshman year as a cross country student-athlete at St. Mary’s University (Texas), I soon realized the impact of fad diets and nutrition myths.

A few of my teammates swore by a skim-milk-and-bananas-diet, while most of the others were strict followers of a well-known low-carbohydrate diet. Besides attempting to revive team spaghetti dinners, I tried to reinforce the importance of diet balance and moderation to my teammates. Sometimes it’s the simple, small pieces of advice that can make a big difference in one’s health.

First, it’s critical to understand the amount of the USDA Food Pyramid’s serving size to avoid over- or under-eating. These measurements are consistent across the vegetable, dairy, and grains and pasta food groups. Each group has specific types of nourishment, so it’s essential to eat a variety of foods that complement one another.

Next, don’t underestimate the importance of labels. In a world of processed foods, the quality of ingredients is often compromised for speedy production. Avoid ingredients that cannot be digested, such as partially hydrogenated oils and high-fructose corn syrups. Also, shy away from enriched flour because it’s stripped of its nutritional value during preparation. Only later are nutrients added, and sometimes they are not absorbed by the body. Labels also differentiate between good and bad fats.

The school cafeteria may be a challenge when trying to juggle practice, school and travel, and also trying to stay hydrated and eat nutritiously. It sometimes works to request fresher produce and foods that are lower in saturated fats, or to bring your own soy milk to replace whole milk.

That might seem like a lot to digest (no pun intended), but making small changes in diet can make a big impact on student-athletes’ attention spans, training regimens and immune systems. Food is fuel – use it to your advantage and make the most of each meal. And please remember to consult a trained dietician or nutritionist for more in-depth and scientific advice.

– Tara Wicketts, member of the Division II Student-Athlete Advisory Committee