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Athletic Directors Can Make Parents A Positive Instead Of A Problem

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Steve Kryger (@coachskryger) is an Athletic Director at Menlo-Atherton High School in Atherton, CA. Kryger has been at M-A since 2008, also teaching math and coaching boys' lacrosse. Prior to M-A, he coached basketball at Hillsdale, Palo Alto, and San Mateo highs, and was named San Mateo County Girls' Basketball Coach of the Year in 2000 and again in 2008. In 2017, Kryger and Co-AD Paul Snow were named the Northern California Girls and Boys Athletic Directors of the Year by the California Coaches Association (CCA).

Kryger talks about the importance of including parents in the process. He talks about needing their support when it comes down to keeping score, running the scoreboard, and supporting the players. He also notes that it is crucial that they understand the boundaries. They should not have a say in play call or who is starting. The way to set these boundaries is to have a conversation at the beginning of the season. When a parent inevitably crosses the line, as everyone is human, Kryger recommends that a coach gives a calm and constructive reminder to the coach about what they expect from parents.