The Secret to Winning or the Secret to Contentment

Written by Jill Schmitzer, Winter 2021. For days, an athlete quiets the thoughts in her head that ask “Why?” Why did I miss that serve? Why didn’t our team win? Until... more

Tags: AMDnet, Holy Spirit, Jill Schmitzer, Mental Health, Paul, Philippians 4:10-13, Physical Health, Volleyball

Shaping Athletes – Educating the Parents

Written by Jill Schmitzer, Winter 2017. Saints and Sinners are not opposing teams. They are everyone in the gym! Click Here to Read:  Shaping Athletes - Educating the ... more

Tags: Athletics, Jill Schmitzer, Parents Athletes, Saints, Sinners

Shaping Athletes – Sportsmanship 101 for Parents

Written by Jill Schmitzer, Spring 2017. It’s a fine line between being proactive and sounding like you are lecturing parents. What’s an athletic director or coach to do?... more

Tags: AMDnet, Athletic Handbook, Jill Schmitzer, Parents, Sportsmanship, Virtues

Eight Ways to Use Your Student Athletes as Positive Role Models and Why It’s Important

Written by Jill Schmitzer, Fall 2017. Relationships make or break Lutheran schools. Check out ideas for a mentoring initiative with the school. Click Here to Read: ... more

Tags: AMDnet, Conflict Management, Jill Schmitzer, Role Models, Student Athletes, Tutoring

Transgender Issues – Coming Soon to a Lutheran School Near You

Written by Jill Schmitzer, Winter 2018. You don’t want to go here—but odds are good that this moral, legal, and theological issue will find a way to confront... more

Tags: AMDnet, Athletic Directors, Athletics, Jill Schmitzer, Title IX, Transgender

Taking the Pain Out of Playing Time – Part 2

Written by Jill Schmitzer, Fall 2018. Don’t play around with playing time. Jill has more advice in Part 2 of this AMD article on playing time. Click Here to Read: ... more

Tags: AMDnet, Athletic Directors, Athletics, Coaches, Jill Schmitzer, Playing Time

Taking the Pain Out of Playing Time – Part 1

Written by Jill Schmitzer, Spring 2018. When a school makes its overall goals for its teams clear, it helps coaches communicate what playing time will look like. Learn... more

Tags: AMDnet, Athletes, Athletic Directors, Athletics, Coaches, Jill Schmitzer, Playing Time, Policy

Jesus, Integrity, and Home Plate

Written by Jill Schmitzer, Fall 2019. Athletic competition goes beyond hard work, rules, and successes. Find out how. Click Here to Read:  Jesus, Integrity and Home Pl... more

Tags: AMDnet, Athletics, Faith, LEA, Sportsmanship

Anatomy of an Outstanding Coach

Written by Jill Schmitzer, Winter 2019. Great coaches aren’t great because they win games… Click Here to Read:  Anatomy of an Outstanding Coach

Tags: AMDnet, Athletic Directors, Athletics, Coaches, Coaching, Faith, Integrity, Jill Schmitzer, Leadership, Role Model, Sportsmanship

Yes, Change Is Possible! (Even at a Lutheran School)

Written by Jill Schmitzer, Spring 2020. Think you can’t initiate change in your athletic program? Read this. Click Here to Read:  Yes, Change Is Possible! (Even at a... more

Tags: AMDnet, Athletic Directors, Athletics, Change, Jill Schmitzer, Leadership, Sports, Sportsmanship