3:03 p.m., Dec. 2, 2008----The University of Delaware, in cooperation with the U.S. Olympic Committee and Olympic Solidarity, has completed the first two modules of the International Coaching Enrichment Certificate Program (ICECP). The program included 27 coaches from Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania and the Americas.

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Offered as a part of the USOC's expanded international relations effort, the program involved the U.S. Olympic Committee as well as 27 other National Olympic Committees, multiple national governing bodies of sport in the United States, U.S. based professional sport organizations, several university athletic departments and Olympic coaching development experts from Spain, France, Canada, England and the United States.

The five-week course, held on the University of Delaware campus and at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, provided a practical program aimed at developing proficiencies in the technical, theoretical, conceptual, managerial and ethical aspects of coaching at all levels of competition.

The program consisted of daily lectures, group projects and demonstrations from UD professors and coaches, USOC performance staff and world recognized experts in the sport sciences, strength and conditioning, nutrition and athlete development.

The UD part of the program included field trips to Philadelphia to visit the training facility of the National Football League's Philadelphia Eagles, and a tour of the Wachovia Center, home of the National Basketball Association's Philadelphia 76ers. Participants also had a chance to see the 76ers in action against the New York Knicks. While in the city, the coaches had the chance to run the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum made famous in the “Rocky” movie series and visit the National Constitution Center.

The group also traveled to Washington, D.C., where they received a guided tour of the Capital building and had the chance to visit the museums and monuments along the National Mall.

“The coaches were an incredible group with which to work,” said Matthew J. Robinson, University of Delaware associate professor of sport management and ICECP director. “They all gave such a wonderful effort in every aspect of the program. It has been a true honor and pleasure to work with all of them and to get to know them on a personal level. I look forward to maintaining relationships with all of them for years to come.”

“Through the ICECP we have the opportunity to share as an Olympic Committee and as a nation our knowledge, resources and personal willingness to reach out to the rest of the world,” said James E. Scherr, chief executive officer of the USOC. “We are especially grateful for the dedication, personal attention, courtesy and passion that Dr. Robinson and the whole team at the University of Delaware demonstrated towards the coaches and in making the ICECP program a great success.”

After completing the UD part of the program, the coaches -- who represented 14 Olympic sports -- participated in a one-week apprenticeship either with their respective sport national Olympic team or a college team.

The apprenticeships took place with the national coaching staffs of: USA Cycling, USA Judo, USA Canoe/Kayak, USA Modern Pentathlon, USA Soccer, USA Wrestling, USA Triathlon and USA Boxing (at Northern Michigan University).

The track and field coaches served their apprenticeship with the Penn State University track and field coaching staff; swimming, volleyball and softball coaches with the UD coaching staffs of the respective sports; the fencing coaches with the Ohio State fencing coaching staff, and the table tennis coach with Texas Wesleyan University table tennis coaching staff.

The program moved to the U.S. Olympic Training Center where sessions were presented by the staff of the USOC. The group also visited the United States Air Force Academy and attended a football game as well as a National Hockey League match in Denver.

To conclude the program the participants met with international sport tutors from Spain, France, England, Canada and the United States. The tutors will work with the participants over the next several months in developing and implementing a project in their home country.

Projects to be implemented include: development of coaching education curriculums, talent identification programs, grassroot sport development efforts, long-term athlete development strategies and training programs for elite athletes.

The program concludes in April when the participants and ICECP staff meet in Lausanne, Switzerland, headquarters of the International Olympic Committee, to present the results of the projects.

“ICECP was an incredible demonstration of international cooperation,” Robinson said. “So many great people worked together to make this a life time experience for everyone. The participants were incredible and all who worked on the project were World Class. On behalf of UD, I can not thank the USOC and Olympic Solidarity enough for their belief, support and guidance and for the opportunity for UD to make a valuable contribution in promoting the high ideals of the Olympic movement and in sharing the Olympic spirit.”