It’s no coincidence that Clemson University quarterback Deshaun Watson thanked his high school coaches in a postgame interview after Clemson’s defeat of then top-ranked Alabama in Monday night’s College Football Playoff Championship game. Go to www.tigernet.com/update/player/WATCH-ESPN-Postgame-interview-Deshaun-Watson-257444 to view Watson’s postgame interview.
Research indicates that coaches and others who mentor youth through extracurricular activities such as athletics, afterschool clubs, marching bands, or other activities play a significant role in helping students stay in school until graduation.
Just how significant those roles are is a topic being examined in depth at the upcoming National Dropout Prevention Center/Network’s At-Risk Youth National FORUM scheduled for February 19-22, 2017, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. This year’s FORUM conference offers the unique opportunity to learn from two current NCAA National Champion coaches! Coach Dabo Swinney, Head Coach of the newly-crowned National Champion Clemson Tigers will kick off the event on Monday, February 20. Gary Gilmore, Head Coach of Coastal Carolina’s 2016 College World Series National Champions will follow on Tuesday, February 21. The FORUM will also feature educational leaders and speakers including Principal Baruti Kafele, Tara Brown, and the President of the South Carolina High School League, Jerome Singleton.
This year’s conference theme is All In for At-Risk Youth: Connections That Build Resilience and Success. The keynote speakers, along with over 75 breakout sessions, networking opportunities, and pre-conference sessions, will focus on the opportunities coaches, afterschool workers, club sponsors, and everyone else who works with children and youth have to build powerful connections and positively impact their lives.
Early registration is encouraged for the 2017 At-Risk Youth National FORUM. Go to dropoutprevention.org/conferences/2017-at-risk-youth-national-forum/ for additional Information and to register.