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Commissioner Corner is a new series that features advice for leagues and by leagues across a variety of topics, tailored for organization leaders.

ADVICE FROM NATIONAL CONFERENCE KEYNOTES

USA Football’s National Conference keynote speakers are full of advice and personal stories that inform and inspire. Here’s some advice past speakers have shared:

CULTURE THAT PROMOTES GROWTH

P.J. Fleck // Head Football Coach, University of Minnesota
2019 National Conference Keynote

“Is your culture, as you go through and look at it, is it truly a culture that promotes positivity and growth? When we define culture, we define it as connecting people. Tradition is about the past; culture is about what’s going on now.”

“Culture all means something to every single one of you, but can your players define it? Do they know exactly what your expectations are? Because it doesn’t matter what you think, it doesn’t matter what comes out of your mouth, that’s a message. What matters is how many messengers you can get to speak your message physically, emotionally and mentally.”

“You have to create a sustainable culture … You need sustainability and consistency because it’s one culture, one mind, one vision.”

Watch the full keynote here >> 

MENTORING ATHLETES

Herm Edwards // Head Football Coach, Arizona State University
2020 National Conference Keynote

“Somewhere in our life, we have been influenced by a coach. Whether we like it or not. Whether it is good or bad. We all take a little bit from the coaches that have coached us and developed who we are as coaches … everything I’ve learned, I’ve learned from someone else.”

“We as coaches must teach our players to enjoy the thrill of competitive consistency. It’s not a video game where they can start over, they have to go through this. They must fail occasionally and that’s okay. You just have to catch them, that’s your job.”

“When you are a good ambassador of the game of football, people appreciate you. Don’t lose sight of that. Don’t lose sight of the impact that men and women have on a young person’s life. Make an impact on these young people’s lives because we all must honor the game of football.” 

Watch the full keynote here >> 

ADVOCATING FOR FOOTBALL

Mike Tomlin // Head Coach, Pittsburgh Steelers
2019 National Conference Keynote

“When I think about youth football, I think about how football is a teaching tool. Whether it’s sport-related, teamwork related, whether it’s adversity-facing related or life-related. Youth football encourages kids to make good decisions and to encourage their peers to also make those good decisions.”

“It’s important to take the opportunities presented to mentor and nurture the game of football, even when it’s under scrutiny.”

Watch the full keynote here >>