Bronco Spotlight: Gina Cline
Master or Arts in coaching sport performance, 2019
Figure Skating Coach and Assistant Skating Director for the Niles Park District, in Niles, Illinois
I assist the director with the skating school, our competitive club and all special events we host. I teach group classes for the Park District, and I also have 17 private students that range from ages 5 to 16 that I work with weekly. Right now because of the corona virus pandemic, my job is slightly different, but I am still working with my skaters and helping them improve their skills. Hopefully I will be able to coach them through competitions when things start to open up a little more.
If you had a campus job or internship, how did they impact your career development?
I did have this job while I was working on my masters program at WMU, but going through the program made me more aware of my coaching. I was able to improve the way I speak to my students, become more confident with my ability to work through students' physical and emotional struggles, and I developed skills in sport safety, nutrition, and other areas that I was lacking some background in. I am so fortunate to have been able to find a degree that helped improve my coaching. I feel validated at my job and know that this masters program helped get me where I am today.
What advice do you have for others pursuing a career similar to yours?
While this degree wasn't required for my current job as a coach, I am so happy that I did it. I would recommend this masters program to any coach (of any sport) who wants to coach as a full-time job. It only made me better and more competent. The professors I had cared about me and my progress in the program, and the students that I worked with, while they weren't coaching figure skating, understood my job as a coach and we all supported each other. If anyone is questioning it, I would highly recommend this program! You will become a better coach for your athletes!