Before the first practice began or the first whistle blew on a new athletic season, more than 40 Lake Oconee Academy coaches gathered for an experience focused not on game plans, drills, or championships, but on something even more meaningful—the lasting impact they have on the lives of their student-athletes.

As part of LOA's annual Back-to-School Coaches Meeting, held on July 28, coaches and administrators participated in a leadership workshop led by Joe Ehrmann, founder of the InSideOut Initiative and author of InsideOut Coaching: How Sports Can Transform Lives, and Jody Redman, co-founder of the InSideOut Initiative and a nationally recognized leadership facilitator.

The workshop marked the beginning of a new multi-year partnership between Lake Oconee Academy Athletics and the InSideOut Initiative, made possible through a generous private donation dedicated to investing in leadership development within the school's athletic program.

Grounded in the belief that every coach is an educator, Ehrmann and Redman challenged participants to look beyond wins and losses and instead focus on the lifelong influence they have on the young people they lead. Throughout the morning, coaches reflected on how athletics can cultivate character, resilience, leadership, and purpose—and how everyday interactions can leave a lasting impact long after the final whistle.

"Athletics provides an incredible opportunity to teach lessons that last a lifetime," said former Athletic Director Chris Ingle. "We wanted every coach to begin this season thinking intentionally about the influence they have on our students every single day. One question challenged every coach in the room: 'What does it feel like to be coached by you?'"

The workshop encouraged coaches to look beyond athletic performance by building meaningful relationships, cultivating positive team cultures, and helping students grow into confident young adults whose success extends far beyond the playing field.

LOA’s new Athletic Director, Patrick Croffie, said the workshop reflects the culture he hopes to build throughout every Titan program. "Our goal is to build programs where relationships matter, kindness is intentional, and every student-athlete knows they are valued beyond their performance," Croffie said. "We want our coaches to challenge students to compete while also helping them become leaders, outstanding teammates, and people of character. Those are the qualities that will stay with them long after their playing days are over."

The impact of the InSideOut Initiative extended beyond the coaching staff. On the evening prior to the workshop, Ehrmann and Redman met with approximately 75 LOA high school student-athletes for a leadership session focused on becoming “transformational teammates.” Students reflected on their purpose, reflected on the influence they have on others, and developed personal mission statements to guide them throughout the upcoming school year.

For many coaches, the morning served as both an inspiration and a challenge heading into the new school year. "We all have the opportunity to improve by simply taking a moment to reflect," said varsity football coach Patrick Stewart. "That's one of my main goals this season, to create more opportunities for reflection, not only on wins and losses, but also on how each player is growing both on and off the field."

The July workshop is only the beginning. Over the coming years, LOA coaches will continue participating in the InSideOut Initiative through guided book studies, leadership resources, and ongoing professional development designed to strengthen education-based athletics across every Titan program.

At Lake Oconee Academy, athletics are viewed as an extension of the classroom, where students develop their athletic abilities, alongside integrity, perseverance, teamwork, and leadership. By investing in the growth of its coaches, LOA is investing in every student-athlete.

As the 2026–2027 school year begins, one question will continue to guide Lake Oconee Academy's athletic philosophy: "What will you give the students on your team this year that will sustain them beyond the physical aspects of the game you coach or the program you lead?"

At LOA, the answer extends far beyond wins and losses. It is found in the character coaches model, the relationships they build, and the lasting influence they leave on the lives of each student-athlete who proudly wears Titan blue.