The Institute for the Study of Youth Sports conducts research that has practical application. Three of the most important lines of research the last eight years since the Dr. Dan Gould became the director are:
1. How Coaches Teach and/or Instill Life Skills in Athletes
2. The Development of Leadership in High School Athletes
3. The Role of Parents in Youth and High School Sports
The outcomes of these research efforts have been disseminated in numerous ways including presentations, popular blog posts and articles, media interviews, and reports. Most importantly, ISYS research has driven outreach programming that is conducted with ISYS partners. ISYS outreach includes:
1. The Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) Captain’s Leadership Training
2. The MHSAA Coaches Advancement Program (CAP)
3. Think Detroit Police Athletic League (TDP) IMPACT Coaching Education Program
4. Local High School Leadership Club – bi-weekly leadership club for student-athletes facilitated by ISYS staff in a local high school
5. The Sport Parent Education Program in partnership with the MHSAA – free sport parent education program for residents of Michigan
Furthermore, ISYS has been a leader in the development of coaching education programs for the last 30 plus years. ISYS staff in the past, for instance, have helped develop USA Hockey’s Coaching Education Program. ISYS has partnered with the MHSAA, TDP, the National Federation of High Schools (NFHS), American Sport Education Program (ASEP), and iHoops.
ISYS has directly and indirectly educated tens of thousands of youth, high school, and collegiate coaches. ISYS has also trained hundreds of our Michigan youth to become leaders of tomorrow.