Athletics director reports healthy participation, pilots mental performance program for athletes and coaches

Gravette’s athletic director summarized participation and staffing across sports and said most programs are fully staffed while the district continues to recruit for a head track coach.

Coach Beyer described healthy participation numbers and noted some sports have higher athlete‑to‑coach ratios — wrestling was highlighted as a program with particularly high numbers. Beyer said staffing decisions and whether programs cut rosters have been handled case‑by‑case with a focus on program sustainability and youth development.

Beyer also described a pilot mental performance program several girls’ programs and one boys’ program will use. “It’s going to basically break down every athlete with a pre seasonal toughness and composure, competitiveness, and confidence,” Beyer said. The program includes a 30‑minute initial setup and a 5–10 minute weekly check‑in; it offers both athlete and coach modules. Beyer said the program is used at college level and in some Arkansas high schools and that local data will be collected to evaluate effectiveness.

Board members asked to revisit roster and cut policies after the first year to assess effects on participation and program health. No policy changes were adopted at the meeting.