Coach Gary Powers, UNR Wolf Pack Head Baseball Coach

As The University of Nevada, Reno’s Head Baseball coach for more than 20 years, Coach Gary Powers has seen many athletes come through his door. Although the opportunities for athletes today have greatly changed from 20 years ago, the foundations remain the same. Understanding and following through with basic fundamentals will ensure success of the athlete.

Coach Powers acknowledges that the opportunities to participate in a sport today have increased significantly from 20 years ago, as well as the actual playing time and frequency. In the past kids would play one sport during a season with practices and one game per week. Today, kids play one sport 12 months out of the year, up to three and four times a week. He states there is something positive to be said about playing more than one sport, and thinks it is unfair for parents and coaches to require kids to specialize when they are young—this includes high school. He said kids used to get a break, when one sport season ended kids would get to play a different sport thus resting the muscles most used from the previous sport.

For Coach Powers the success of an athlete is simple and it all boils down to three main components:

1. Get enough rest/sleep
2. Eat right/have proper nutrition
3. Stay hydrated/drink enough fluids

The athlete must have a strong commitment and be willing to do what is necessary, as well as following these three essential health components. He says it is really very basic, but you would not believe the number of kids and parents who just do not know this, or do not take the time to apply it.

Eating right, getting enough sleep and staying hydrated are key in preventing injuries, supporting muscle development, and helping proper body functioning. Coach Powers says there are more injuries today than ever before due to the shortfall of one or more of these components. Some kids are coming to College as athletes with injuries and often the solution is surgery. If that is the case, there is no guarantee the athlete will be able to continue, and then his or her sports career may be over. Of course, a full recovery is always desired, which means the three components must be followed in order to heal.

It is crucial for parents to help their athlete evolve and stay healthy! Be willing to provide guidelines for your children. It is the parent’s responsibility to enforce for the child a healthy diet, proper hydration and getting enough rest/sleep. If you think your child has a chance to play a sport in college, follow these three essential health components and encourage a strong commitment to them. Sports at the college level requires TOTAL COMMITMENT, which includes being disciplined, managing your time, working within the team framework, and consistently integrating these three health components to ones lifestyle.