Julie grew up in a small farm town in New York state where she started playing sports at the age of 4, from tee ball to basketball, dance (ballet, tap, and jazz), horseback riding, soccer, and eventually collegiate softball. In one way or another, sports have always been a part of her life. In high school, Julie played both softball and basketball. Following high school, Julie attended college at a small Division III liberal arts school in Pennsylvania called Juniata College.
It was here that she pursued a path in Pre-Veterinary Medicine but soon realized that her passion was in sports and training/coaching. Graduating with a Bachelors of Science in Biology in 2006 catapulted Julie into her first job at the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center. It was soon after moving to Pennsylvania that Julie became entrenched in coaching opportunities and the fitness industry. Her coaching at the collegiate and high school levels jump-started her own sports training business specializing in youth conditioning and coaching.
Julie is currently a head coach at Avon Grove High School, and she’s off to an auspicious start: In her first year, she took the Red Devils to the League Championship for the first time in school history, set the mark for most wins in a season, and received the program’s highest seed ever in the District 1 Class AAAA tournament. She and her girls then went on to win the District 1 Title for the first time in school history. All these accolades resulted in Julie being named Coach of the Year at Avon Grove.
Throughout her years in the industry, Julie has noticed a tremendous need for specific education in training youth. Seeing countless athletes injured by improper training and athletes losing the love of their sport through ruthless coaching are two key factors driving Julie in her endeavors to educate coaches who in turn educate our athletes.
Life Philosophy
Its important to be who you are, live life with gratitude, and never hold back. I believe that seeing the good in people and situations is the way to live life happy. Be thankful. Be true to who you are. Through hard work, commitment, and integrity, achievements and relationships take on more meaning. Having these valuable and supportive relationships have enabled me to live my life without holding back. This means jumping at opportunities and adventures that come my way and valuing the creation of memories and moments over the gaining of materials, which gives depth to life.
I coach the way that I live my life: by building relationships, trust, and commitment. I also lead by example, showing that hard work and dedication pay off if you are determined. Finally, I teach my athletes to surround themselves with people who support them, teach them, and challenge them to be better, both in life and in sports.
Coaching Philosophy
When it comes to coaching sport and/or training all kinds of athletes, there needs to be a balance. There are so many kids these days who are over-worked, misused, and abused to the point of no return. My philosophy hinges on creating a “love for the game.” Depending on age level, it’s a mix of work and play. Implementing many of the IYCA’s techniques, my coaching and training strategy has nothing to do with winning. It’s about the process, NOT the outcome: Eventually, the desired outcome will come if you focus on the process. Correct conditioning, skills through drills, and support and encouragement stand at the forefront of my coaching and training style. I always focus on the positive of each negative situation in order to build confidence and achieve that balance, constructively guiding each athlete to achieve their own personal best. It’s not about me; it’s about them. If they are playing other sports and are on other teams, I still support them. Working with other coaches is the key to the success of our athletes—not working against them. Creating a platform for communication and trust in all circumstances have kept clients loyal and have kept together teams that I have coached.
My Priorities and Goals at the IYCA
I am very excited to have the opportunity to work with those at the IYCA. This family is made up of talented, committed, and extremely intelligent people who are experts in teaching and educating others to be the best at what they do in this industry. I have grown and been educated through the IYCA for most of my career as a coach, business woman, and trainer. I truly believe that I would not be where I am today without the education I received in the process.
As we all know, education is constant in this industry. The information is ever-changing, so it is essential to evolve, especially for the sake of the kids you work with. As the new Brand Manager, my goal is to provide a valuable link between the experts, resources, and the coaches and trainers across the world; to learn what the customers want and need from us to become better; and to build relationships that last. I believe we are all a team, and if we all work together in this world of coaching/training , we can provide our youth with positive, healthy experiences and opportunities that may impact their lives forever. After all, a coach’s impact is one of the strongest experiences that many of our youth today will ever have.
Contact Julie at jhatfield@iyca.org