Announcements

USATF COACHING EDUCATION NEWS - SUMMER 2026

Welcome to the latest happenings, upcoming events, and exclusive sneak peeks from USATF Coaching Education.

NEW: USATF COACHING EDUCATION SUMMER SCHEDULE DROP

USATF Level 2 School | Emory University (Atlanta, GA)

• Dates: July 7–9, 2026
• Registration Deadline: June 21, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET
• Disciplines Offered: Sprints, Hurdles, Relays, Endurance, and Jumps. (Note: Throws and Combined Events are anticipated to be offered in December 2026.)
• Can't make it this summer? Get a head start on the brand-new Level 2 Sport Science course—a prerequisite for all first-time Level 2 attendees (requires a current Level 1 certificate).

Upcoming Level 1 Event-Specific Schools
Seats are strictly limited to 100 coaches per session, so don't wait to lock in your spot. Must be enrolled in the USATF Level 1 Program to register.

• June 19–20 (Pacific Time)
• July 10–12 (Eastern Time)
• July 22–24 (Central Time)
• Aug 15–16 (Pacific Time)

ICYMI (In Case You Missed It): USATF Club Coaches now qualify for a 15% discount on the Level 1 Program! Contact your club administrator to ensure the club coach role is added to your profile before registering. Qualifying club coaches must seek out the separate “USATF Level 1 – CLUB COACH RATE” registration to take advantage of the special rate.

USATF Cross Country Specialist Course

Experience our brand-new blended learning format. Get immediate access to self-paced digital materials upon registration, followed by a live, two-day virtual workshop to practice building training plans alongside lead instructors Scott Christensen and Thom Hunt.

• Session 1: June 19–20, 2026
• Session 2: July 24–25, 2026

REMINDERS: ACT NOW

• Emerging Female Grants: A limited number of grants are still available for upcoming Level 1 Schools. Applications for Level 2 grants will reopen alongside registration for the December Level 2 School.
• Coaching Education Awards: Help us recognize outstanding contributions and service to our coaching community. Submit your peer nominations by September 30th.
• Missed the 2025 Late Level 1 Recertification Period? Don't let your credentials lapse. Level 1 certificate holders must accrue a minimum of 8 USATF continuing education hours per period. Email coachingedu@usatf.org  immediately to discuss your options.
• Need a coach credential at an upcoming USATF Championship? Make sure you are listed on the USATF Coaches Registry to be eligible.

COMING SOON: AN EXCLUSIVE SNEAK PEEK

New CEU Course: Applying the Scientific Method to Coaching Track & Field
When an athlete's performance plateaus, it's easy to rely on instinct—adding more cues, heavier drills, or higher intensity, hoping something sticks. This course teaches you to replace guesswork with precision by using the scientific method as your daily coaching playbook.
You will learn how to:

• Accurately diagnose performance limiters.
• Formulate and test training hypotheses.
• Communicate your decisions clearly to athletes, staff, or fellow coaches.
• Bridge the gap between sports research and practical, track-side application.

Watch for the new course to officially launch in late June.

USATF Marathon Specialist Course Update

Keep an eye out for upcoming summer and fall dates. The Marathon Specialist course is currently getting an upgrade to match the popular, highly interactive blended format of the Cross Country Specialist course!

USATF Professional Toolkit Courses Loading

At USATF, we know that excellence isn't limited to the track, field, or road. Success in the sports industry requires a robust professional toolkit. Whether you are looking to increase club participation, secure major sponsorships, or lead a volunteer committee with precision, our new professional development courses provide the strategic edge you need. Each learning track contains multiple self-paced, expert-led topic courses and a certificate of completion.
Available Learning Tracks:

• Business Development & Sales Excellence
• Digital Marketing & Brand Strategy
• Organizational Leadership & Management
• Workplace Communication
• Personal Leadership & Resilience

Master the Skills to Grow Your Club, Your Brand, and Your Career
These courses are specifically curated to meet the diverse needs of our community:

• Club and Registered Coaches: Master marketing and leadership to grow participation, effectively market your services to new clients, and build a championship culture.
• Race & Road Running Organizations: Drive registration and maximize sponsorship revenue through advanced sales and digital strategies.
• Athletes: Take control of your career by learning to build your personal brand and navigate professional networking.
• Volunteers & Professionals: Sharpen the communication and project management skills that make you an asset in the workplace and the community.

Verified USATF Association Leadership Roles will have complimentary and early access to all Professional Toolkit courses. Beginning July 1, 2026, current adult USATF members will be able to enroll in the toolkit courses at a special rate.