At small liberal arts colleges, athletics play an integral part in campus life and student development. Division III coaches and athletic trainers are among the most influential educators on campus—mentors who shape student-athletes’ character, leadership, and resilience both on and off the field. Athletics professionals play a vital role in recruiting and retaining students, fostering campus spirit, and advancing the mission of their colleges to educate the whole person. By investing in the professional learning and growth of athletics staff, ACM campuses strengthen not only their teams but also the broader academic and social environments of their colleges.
PARTICIPATION CRITERIA
The ACM Athletics Academy provides valuable professional development for student-facing Athletics staff at ACM member colleges, including head coaches, assistant coaches, and athletic trainers, at no cost. Both full-time and part-time employees are welcome. Participants should secure the support of their athletic director before registering.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Grounded in experiential learning, the ACM Athletics Academy brings peers together to learn, practice, and reflect in a collaborative setting. Participants will discuss best practices for working with a changing student population, attend sessions led by experts, and learn how to communicate effectively with key stakeholders, including families, recruits, and campus partners. Participants will design high-quality plans for practices, drills, and workout regimens and deepen their understanding of how athletics professionals support student success and retention.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Participants will:
- Leverage cross-institution perspectives to promote innovation, collaboration, community, and student-centeredness among athletics staff on ACM campuses.
- Strengthen storytelling and communication skills to engage students, families, recruits, and campus stakeholders.
- Learn to build a positive and resilient team culture by designing plans for effective practices and supporting an inclusive environment for athletes.
- Identify strategies to balance professional and personal duties while prioritizing student-centeredness.
PROGRAM DATES & REGISTRATION INFORMATION
To facilitate broad participation, ACM will offer this workshop twice. Each ACM member college may send up to 20 participants; participants are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Each in-person workshop is capped at 80 total participants. Late registrants may be accepted if space is available.
Lake Forest College, Lake Forest, IL
- In-Person Workshop: Tuesday, January 27, 2026 (9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. CT)
- Virtual Sessions: Thursday, February 12 (10:00-11:30 a.m. CT) and Tuesday, April 21 (2:00-3:30 p.m. CT)
- Register here by January 10, 2026.
or
Cornell College, Mount Vernon, IA
- In-Person Workshop: TBD
- Virtual Sessions: TBD
- Registration will go live by January 8, 2026.
Please contact [email protected] with questions.
