Brandon Spickler, Director of Strength & Conditioning at Upper Arlington High School (OH), shares his philosophy on coaching, mentorship, and the importance of relationships in fostering athletic success. In this conversation, Coach Spickler highlights the impact of having diverse staff members, the role of trust in athlete development, and how coaching is about much more than just programming—it’s about building relationships beyond athletics.
Supporting Student Mental Health & Emotional Well-Being
From anxiety and depression to social media stress and questions of belonging — today’s student-athletes are facing incredible mental stressors. ADs are training coaches, creating referral pathways, supporting injured athletes, and balancing compassion with policy to fight against one of the most complex challenges in modern-day schools.
