This past year, the town of South Windsor has been following the CARE philosophy. The Recreation Department has “ECHO”ed this philosophy in our Youth Basketball Program. In cooperation with The Justice Education Center, the Recreation Department instituted the ECHO (Empathy, Character, Hope, Opportunity) program into the Youth Basketball Program. The program serves over 1,000 children in Grades K-12 and has over 100 volunteer coaches, the ECHO partnership is the first of its kind in a municipal recreation sports program.The ECHO program is designed to “developing character and integrity in the lives of our young people through sports” providing coaches training, coaches evaluations, player evaluations, site visits, administrative support and financial support.

The South Windsor Recreation Department, Youth Sports Committee and The Justice Education Center kicked off the initiative on October 17, 2008, by hosting nationally recognized youth sports advocate Joe Ehrmann. Ehrmann, a former All-Pro NFL lineman and subject of national best selling book “Season of Life”, presented on the topic of building young men and women through sports to over 300 residents of South Windsor. Ehrmann’s presentation inspired coaches, administrators, educators and parents to look at alternative ways to encourage character development among young athletes, students, and their own children. A special thank you goes out to the core youth sports committee; composed of residents and Recreation Department staff who worked hard to make the event a success.

The next step was to begin the process of changing the culture in the town operated youth basketball program with the support of the ECHO program. On Saturday, November 17th, former University of Hartford basketball coach and current Farmington High Athletic Director, Jack Phelan presented the ECHO coaches training for sixty of the town’s youth basketball coaches. The ECHO program “endorses a coaching philosophy in which caring adults provide a positive model of mutual respect and community service in a healthy and positive environment that encourages strong personal and professional relationships.” The program reviews the negative cultural values in athletics; unhealthy competition and the concept of winning at all costs, redefining winning and success, healthy self-esteem, developing empathy, and developing strong positive relationships and then presents methods to implement these values through “teachable moments” in practice and games. Jack revisited the Department on Wednesday, January 10th, as an additional 16 coaches went through the training. A special thank you to Jack Phelan for providing the training for our coaches and a thank you to our coaches for attending the training and giving even more time back to the youth of South Windsor.

On Saturday, January 24th, Jack Phelan, along with fellow ECHO administrator and former CT High School Basketball standout Walter Luckett, visited the youth basketball program. They watched and evaluated the program and games at Timothy Edwards and Ellsworth gyms. The basketball program also underwent player evaluations at the start and end of the season. The ECHO administration will combine the players input along with parent evaluations provided by the Recreation Department to present a full overview of the program and suggestions to the recreation Department. This will be a valuable tool in assisting the basketball program to provide the participants with a positive sporting experience.

Next steps to be taken in improving upon the Youth Sports Experience in South Windsor include an ECHO Youth Sports Parents Group and continuation of the ECHO program in the youth basketball program.