positive coaching alliance

On a spring day in Chapel Hill, Bobby Evans ’91 joined scholar host Benny Klein ’25 outside the Morehead-Cain Foundation to share about his life and career as a Major League Baseball executive. Bobby is the former general manager of the San Francisco Giants, a role he served from 2015 to 2018. 

Bobby speaks about his grandmother’s pivotal advice as a high schooler, his start in baseball as an intern at UNC–Chapel Hill, the opportunities that led to the general manager role, and the highs and lows of working with the Giants. He also gives his perspective on a people-first approach to team building.

Bobby now serves on the national leadership council for the Positive Coaching Alliance, a nonprofit that provides research-based training materials and resources for coaches, parents, athletes, and leaders to promote positive youth development experiences through sports. The alumnus also collaborates with Because Baseball, a nonprofit founded by Kemp Gouldin ’02 that aims to “build bridges of friendship” in the Middle East using baseball.

“It’s very important not to feel the weight of the world on your shoulders alone, because no one person can manage all of that. You put good people around you.” —Bobby Evans ’91

Music credits

The first and second songs in this episode are by scholar Scott Hallyburton ’22, guitarist of the band South of the Soul. 

How to listen

On your mobile device, you can listen and subscribe to Catalyze on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. For any other podcast app, you can find the show using our RSS feed.

Catalyze is hosted and produced by Sarah O’Carroll for the Morehead-Cain Foundation, home of the first merit scholarship program in the United States and located at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. You can let us know what you thought of the episode by finding us on Twitter or Instagram at @moreheadcain or you can email us at communications@moreheadcain.org.

Nobody knows the impact of a great coach like an athlete. This week we are joined by a highly accomplished athlete and the Ignitor of Inspiration, Marti Reed. Marti grew up playing a myriad of sports all year long, but where she really excelled was softball. Marti played Division 1 softball at the University of California Los Angeles where she won a national championship in 2010. She has remained involved in the sports world through her work at Positive Coaching Alliance, an organization focused on implementing positive and responsible coaching training and recruitment to benefit young athletes.

We dive headfirst into Marti’s impressive resume as both an athlete and the Director of National Partnerships & DEI Programming Manager at Positive Coaching Alliance. We talk about Marti’s youth sports journey, the challenges of winning at the highest level, and how much a coach can impact athletes. 

So thank you, dear listener, for pressing play.

Shoot us your questions, comments, concerns, feedback, and compliments to ftlospod@nbcuni.com

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Jason Sacks talks with John and Neal about his fascinating journey to his current role as President of the Positive Coaching Alliance ("PCA") and the impact that creating a positive coaching and club environment has on our community, social and sport development.  The PCA's goal is to change culture and behavior throughout youth sports.  Learn more at https://positivecoach.org/.

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See & Free Studios Episode 1 with Sycamore Partners Advisor and the Incoming Exec Chair of Azamara Cruises, Orlando Ashford

Take risks, believe in yourself, surround yourself with talented people, and keep it light...combined, these traits make our first guest Orlando Ashford a unique, special and different leader. He reminds us that it is important to lean into YOU to live and lead authentically. Something he relied upon as he was at the helm of Holland America Line while ships were stranded at sea at the outset of COVID. As a leader, he explains why it’s important to keep busting down doors but to always hold them open for others. Come watch Orlando and support The Positive Coaching Alliance.

Join us each week - we have incredible guests like Orlando who will share what makes them "Unique, Special & Different" and follow us at www.seeandfreestudio.com.

Inevitably, things go wrong. Learn how you can help your juniors manage themselves to focus on the things that can be controlled to de-escalate the situation.

Coach: Positive Coaching Alliance, better athletes, better people.
Bio: Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) is a national non-profit organization with the mission of creating a positive, character-building youth sports environment that results in BETTER ATHLETES, BETTER PEOPLE. 

Youth sports currently involves 40M children, which presents a tremendous platform on which to develop youth character and life skills. PCA ensures sports are ‘done right’ with programming that is research-based and designed to have an impact.

Since its founding in 1998, PCA has established 18 chapters nationwide, partnered with roughly 3,500 schools and youth sports organizations to deliver more than 20,000 live group workshops, reaching 19.2 million youth.

PCA gains support from a National Advisory Board of elite coaches, professional and Olympic athletes, organization leaders, and academics who share PCA’s mission. PCA is proud to partner with more than 50 national governing bodies.

Birthplace: N/A
Residency: Mountain View, CA, USA

Link: Positive Coaching Alliance

Length: 2 min 20 sec
Theme: Concentration

Mistakes and failure will always happen when your juniors are playing hard. They need to be encouraged as making mistakes through effort are a critical part of personal development.

Coach: Positive Coaching Alliance, better athletes, better people.
Bio: Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) is a national non-profit organization with the mission of creating a positive, character-building youth sports environment that results in BETTER ATHLETES, BETTER PEOPLE. 

Youth sports currently involves 40M children, which presents a tremendous platform on which to develop youth character and life skills. PCA ensures sports are ‘done right’ with programming that is research-based and designed to have an impact.

Since its founding in 1998, PCA has established 18 chapters nationwide, partnered with roughly 3,500 schools and youth sports organizations to deliver more than 20,000 live group workshops, reaching 19.2 million youth.

PCA gains support from a National Advisory Board of elite coaches, professional and Olympic athletes, organization leaders, and academics who share PCA’s mission. PCA is proud to partner with more than 50 national governing bodies.

Birthplace: N/A
Residency: Mountain View, CA, USA

Link: Positive Coaching Alliance

Length: 1 min 37 sec
Theme: Strategy

It is more important than ever to help your juniors understand how to compete with grace and integrity. Discover why their 'personal brand' is incredibly important.

Coach: Positive Coaching Alliance, better athletes, better people.
Bio: Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) is a national non-profit organization with the mission of creating a positive, character-building youth sports environment that results in BETTER ATHLETES, BETTER PEOPLE. 

Youth sports currently involves 40M children, which presents a tremendous platform on which to develop youth character and life skills. PCA ensures sports are ‘done right’ with programming that is research-based and designed to have an impact.

Since its founding in 1998, PCA has established 18 chapters nationwide, partnered with roughly 3,500 schools and youth sports organizations to deliver more than 20,000 live group workshops, reaching 19.2 million youth.

PCA gains support from a National Advisory Board of elite coaches, professional and Olympic athletes, organization leaders, and academics who share PCA’s mission. PCA is proud to partner with more than 50 national governing bodies.

Birthplace: N/A
Residency: Mountain View, CA, USA

Link: Positive Coaching Alliance

Length: 1 min 40 sec
Theme: Motivation

As a parent, are you going to be helpful or helpful to your junior players' development? Discover how to ensure you can have the most positive impact.

Coach: Positive Coaching Alliance, better athletes, better people.
Bio: Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) is a national non-profit organization with the mission of creating a positive, character-building youth sports environment that results in BETTER ATHLETES, BETTER PEOPLE. 

Youth sports currently involves 40M children, which presents a tremendous platform on which to develop youth character and life skills. PCA ensures sports are ‘done right’ with programming that is research-based and designed to have an impact.

Since its founding in 1998, PCA has established 18 chapters nationwide, partnered with roughly 3,500 schools and youth sports organizations to deliver more than 20,000 live group workshops, reaching 19.2 million youth.

PCA gains support from a National Advisory Board of elite coaches, professional and Olympic athletes, organization leaders, and academics who share PCA’s mission. PCA is proud to partner with more than 50 national governing bodies.

Birthplace: N/A
Residency: Mountain View, CA, USA

Link: Positive Coaching Alliance

Length: 2 min 20 sec
Theme: Concentration

Other tracks by PCA: When Things Go Wrong, When Parents Can Be Helpful Or Harmful, Compete With Grace, Why Mistakes Are Good, The Ride Home.

You might like: The Ride Home.

Juniors hate the ride home from a match or tournament. Learn how you can navigate this car journey and make sure (as parents) you turn it into a positive experience for both you and your junior.

Coach: Positive Coaching Alliance, better athletes, better people.
Bio: Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) is a national non-profit organization with the mission of creating a positive, character-building youth sports environment that results in BETTER ATHLETES, BETTER PEOPLE. 

Youth sports currently involves 40M children, which presents a tremendous platform on which to develop youth character and life skills. PCA ensures sports are ‘done right’ with programming that is research-based and designed to have an impact.

Since its founding in 1998, PCA has established 18 chapters nationwide, partnered with roughly 3,500 schools and youth sports organizations to deliver more than 20,000 live group workshops, reaching 19.2 million youth.

PCA gains support from a National Advisory Board of elite coaches, professional and Olympic athletes, organization leaders, and academics who share PCA’s mission. PCA is proud to partner with more than 50 national governing bodies.

Birthplace: N/A
Residency: Mountain View, CA, USA

Link: Positive Coaching Alliance

Length: 2 min 30 sec
Theme: Emotion

Other tracks by PCA: When Things Go Wrong, When Parents Can Be Helpful Or Harmful, Compete With Grace, Why Mistakes Are Good, The Ride Home.

You might like: When Parents Can Be Helpful Or Harmful.

Youth sports is an enormous industry.  Childhood athletics is no longer just signing up for town rec soccer, little league, or a bunch of teenagers playing basketball at the local court.  If you are a parent or a grandparent, you will be interested in my discussion on the culture of youth sports.  I chat with Jason Sacks, Executive Vice President of the Positive Coaching Alliance, a non-profit whose mission is to highlight the positive impact that sports can have on a child now and in the future.  He shares his insight into the current climate and the business aspect of youth sports, and how to ensure children have a happy and healthy experience with athletics.

Any questions or comments, I can be reached at marc.penziner@bernstein.com or 212-969-6655.

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