Frequently Asked Questions

How can I register to attend a certification class at a SUNY near me?

There are two ways to register. You can contact the SUNY Community College nearest you via their link on our Network page, or fill out our Contact page and we’ll forward your information to the Community College near you.

Is this a credit bearing or non-credit certification course.

Typically offered through Continuing or Community Education, the Coaching Certification program is a non-credit curriculum that begins with a 3 hour in-class discussion and presentation. Students then log in to our online classroom and finish their program with a series of short quizzes. For more information on becoming a SUNY Certified Youth Coach click HERE.

Who are the trainers/instructors?

Typically, our instructors are athletic professionals who teach or coach in the SUNY system. There are a handful of trainers who work at a high level in similar fields and have been qualified to instruct at this level.

Where are classes held?

There are scheduled classes at a growing list of SUNY Community Colleges.

How can all of a youth sports program’s coaches attend class at the same time?

Your youth program can register its coaches through a SUNY Community College, we can then decide on the best location for training your group.

Will SUNY Youth Sports trainers come to us in our location?

For groups of 15-20 or more the SUNY Youth Sports Institute will work to bring a certified instructor your facility.

How is the SUNY program an improvement over other youth coaching certification programs?

Good question. Since ‘sportsmanship’, the primary focus of many coaching certifications, is only one aspect to the problems of youth sports, we have undergone an effort to build a comprehensive program written for every adult involved with or leading youth sports. The program takes in to account the diverse, ethnic, economic and education levels involved in youth sports. The program was developed by academic leaders at SUNY Cortland, a college known for specializing in the 10 areas this curricula covers.

As a statewide training network, the SUNY Youth Sports Institute delivers a comprehensive training package geared to the needs of parents, volunteer youth and travel team coaches, players and officials.

Can I find sport specific content that directly relates to my sport?

Yes, once registered for the course every coach will receive sport specific coaching drills and ideas for the sport of their choice.

Can I get in touch with other coaches in the Youth Sports Leadership Network?

Yes, once registered for the course, every coach will be able to reach out to coaches in their sport across the state via non-anonymous email to learn from other coaches