LHSCA clinic starts Tuesday

The Louisiana High School Coaches Association’s Coaches Clinic isn’t normally the kind of activity that lends itself to pre-event feedback.

But when the Louisiana High School Athletic Association started getting advance feedback about the annual LHSCA event, which begins locally on Tuesday at the Crowne Plaza, it was accepted as a good thing.

“We’ve gotten some calls asking about some of our speakers,” LHSAA assistant executive director Rhonda Dreibelbis said. “That’s not too unusual. But some of the principals on the executive committee have gotten calls from people who are excited about the clinic, too.

“That seems to indicate that we’ve lined up some things people are interested in. If you’re a coach in just about any sport and you’re looking for a way to better yourself and to learn, I’d like to think there’s something at the clinic for you.”

The clinic kicks off at 9 a.m. Tuesday and the start will be a fast one. There were be 10 workshops, along with business meetings for volleyball and baseball coaches before noon Tuesday. A full schedule of workshops can be found at lhsaa.org.

In all, the clinic will last for 21/2 days. In addition to workshops with clinicians, the LHSAA staff will offer preseason rules clinics for football and volleyball.

Tuesday’s agenda includes sessions by LSU men’s basketball coach Johnny Jones, LSU volleyball coach Fran Flory and two Tulane coaches, football coach Curtis Johnson and men’s basketball coach Ed Conroy. LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis is also a Tuesday afternoon guest speaker.

University of Louisiana at Lafayette football coach Mark Hudspeth and SLU head football coach Ron Roberts help close the clinic on Thursday, along with Louisiana College football coach Dennis Dunn.

Dreibelbis also noted a series of Fellowship for Christian Athletes lectures that revolve around how to deal with the 21st century athlete. LHSAA assistant executive director Keith Alexander will conduct a Wednesday session that will explain new sportsmanship rules the LHSAA member principals passed in January.

Assistant football coaches from the University of Arkansas are among the Wednesday’s guest lecturers.

Golf tourney Monday

The LHSCA clinic kicks off with its annual four-player golf scramble at the LSU Golf Course on Monday.

Tee off times are at 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. More than 100 coaches are expected to participate.