Online clinics' new game plan

By MICHAEL CARVELL

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Tucker High’s Franklin Stephens, coach of the reigning Class AAAA state football champions, has been having a busy summer with team workouts, passing leagues and camps.

However, the Georgia High School Association is saving some of his time with the debut of online rules-clinic classes. The 11 members of Tucker’s staff are able to take the mandatory course at their leisure, rather than show up in person at clinics on various dates throughout the summer.

“I think this is a good idea by the GHSA ... we’re in the ‘information age’ where things are supposed to be more convenient,” Stephens said.

“It will save us time from having to rush a practice or cut it short to get assistants to a clinic. When I was [an assistant] at Camden County, we had to drive an hour to Waycross for a clinic. The online course just makes things easier on everybody.”

GHSA officials said switching to computer clinics will catch up with technology, but also will save time and money. Courses for football, volleyball and softball are offered in July, with other varsity sports to follow.

“The feedback has all been positive,” said Ernie Yarbrough, GHSA associate director. “We get four to five e-mails every day from coaches or umpires. I got one the other day that said, ‘You all really hit a home run with this one.’

“Most of our officials work full-time jobs, and the coaches work long hours. This way, they don’t have to leave their families on a weeknight. Everything has been going well with it so far.”

The online clinic takes around 45 minutes to complete, and coaches and umpires can e-mail GHSA officials with any further explanation on rules. School districts are also making computers available for those who don’t own one.

Walton coach Rocky Hildago says the only negative thing is missing the camaraderie of coaches at clinics. “In my 15 years of coaching in Georgia, I’ve made a lot of friends and contacts at clinics. You’re going to lose the value of socializing with your peers and discussing things one on one.”