The NCEP Widens Coaches Outlook    Many coaches spend their time in the sport of wrestling on a usual path, running a kids' folkstyle club and coaching folkstyle in a high school program.  Some coaches have the amazing ability to stay focused on this direction for years.  While others reach a level of burnout or seeming disinterest and let their program slip as their effort does the same.      The National Coaches Education Program gives coaches the opportunity to step outside the normal mode of coaching.  For those that feel their efforts are in a rut, or are looking for a new way to reinvigorate their interest in the sport getting involved with the NCEP can be greatly rewarding.      "As a coach I really feel I came into my own as I became active with the NCEP.  I started by attending a Copper Course at the Western Regionals with my wrestling staff, and then that summer I went to a Silver College in Cincinnati, within a year I completed my Silver and Gold Certification, and now I actively teach NCEP courses in Arizona for our state organization," cited Tyler Brandt Head Wrestling Coach of Hamilton High School in Chandler, Arizona.      Coach Brandt knew, like others, that being involved on a deep level was really a goal he wanted to achieve.  Prior to taking the Copper Course he felt that he was involved with wrestling, but only in the typical folkstyle path mentioned before.      "With the NCEP it really felt like a lot of doors opened up to me.  I understand the sport on a much deeper level now and that has given me the skills to be better at developing my program and getting my wrestlers more involved in the sport."      Coaches that want to see more of the sport of wrestling have a multitude of ways to interact with the sport through the NCEP.  All coaches can lead a Copper Course for area coaches or prospective coaches in training like graduating seniors (click here for more information).  Also, coaches that get Bronze Certified can attend the Silver Coaches College that is a detailed week of training with other wrestling coaches nationally.  Coaches active with the NCEP are encouraged to apply for tour assignments with the National Teams Department or to attend one of the many training sessions offered at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.  Coaches can also be involved with international Silver Colleges; one is scheduled for Hungary in the fall with the World Championships.      The National Coaches Education Program is designed to broaden coaches understanding of the sport of wrestling.  Coaches that want to be actively involved with wrestling beyond their youth and high school programs may find that the NCEP is just the opportunity they are looking for.  For more information on the NCEP contact twitulski@usawrestling.org or call (719) 598-8181.    Copper Online    The Copper Certification course for coaches is available online through the American Sport Education Program.  The course for coaching youth wrestling at www.asep.com leads coaches to Copper Certification.      Upon completion of the course the American Sport Education Program sends the participants contact information and the Copper card and certificate will be issued from the National Office.  The course allows coaches to work at their own pace, and not have to worry about making it to Copper Clinic.      Because there is a longer turnaround time for issuing certification in this manner, coaches are encouraged to plan ahead and complete the course.  USA Wrestling will not be able to rush delivery of certification to meet the needs of coaches.  Please make sure to take the course in advance of tournaments that require the certification.      Coaches that complete the course are able to print out a completion letter from the website to use until they receive their official Copper card and certificate from USA Wrestling.  Presently, the Bronze Course is not available on-line.      For more information on the National Coaches Education Program, contact the NCEP Manager, Ted Witulski, at twitulski@usawrestling.org.