Drinking around kids at team functions?

Have no more than one beer, just celebrate later.

This can have more of an impact than you'd expect. When I was in high school, I looked up to coaches and teachers and if they practiced healthy lifestyles, I would be more likely to be healthy too.

If I were you I'd drink nothing, especially if you are currently a runner and not just an ex-runner.

Don't drink. You don't NEED to have one and it can only be viewed as a positive if you don't. Imagine the goodwill if someone asks why you aren't drinking and you say "as the coach I don't think it would be appropriate."

Never -- I repeat, NEVER -- drink in front of your athletes.

I would hope that you, as a coach, would have an ounce of self-control to not drink a drug in front of your athletes.

Dont drink - simple.Related side note - I coached a while ago in a system school with a really clear cut rule - no alcohol at any team functions regardless of location and age of participate. At a pre-state meet dinner watched the mom hosting the event basically toss a lady who brought her own wine and stated 'she was drinking anyways' - Good times!

Not a coach, but it sounds like a pretty easy decision to me. You should celebrate your incredible season...with your dry athletes.

Downsides of drinking:

-Creates some social separation between you and your athletes, who are presumably the guests of honor at the event.

-Some parents will judge you for drinking.

-You'll be wondering who's judging you.

Upsides of drinking:

-??

An adult drinking 1-3 beers at a dinner is not poor character.

I'm a drinker and approve of drinking but agree with most of the other replies here. There is absolutely ZERO upside to drinking while at an event with your athletes. Head to a bar after the event with some of the parents if you like and have a few there.

I really like the idea of zero tolerance policies in this case. They keep things simple and keep questions and litigation at bay.

Coach X wrote:

Never -- I repeat, NEVER -- drink in front of your athletes.

THIS!

I can't believe this is even a post!

(You can drink afterwards in the comfort of your own home.)

I would say drink if it relaxes you or eases social anxiety. I don't know why so many Americans are so uptight about drinking. Bizarro world!

H.S. Coach #64854 wrote:

Coach X wrote:

Never -- I repeat, NEVER -- drink in front of your athletes.

THIS!

I can't believe this is even a post!

(You can drink afterwards in the comfort of your own home.)

Only the weak and insecure feel compelled to drink at social functions.

jackarse wrote:

Only the weak and insecure feel compelled to drink at social functions.

So what you're saying is that you only drink alone.

Wow I didn't know that not drinking was a display of waving your schlong in your hand douchery.

hmmmmm.... wrote:

jackarse wrote:

Only the weak and insecure feel compelled to drink at social functions.

So what you're saying is that you only drink alone.

No, never. I don't drink at FUNCTIONS. That does not mean I only drink alone. It means I don't drink at FUNCTIONS.

get it wrote:

hmmmmm.... wrote:

So what you're saying is that you only drink alone.

No, never. I don't drink at FUNCTIONS. That does not mean I only drink alone. It means I don't drink at FUNCTIONS.

Do they all bow down to your self righteousness as you call them weak and arm wrestle everyone in the room?

get it wrote:

hmmmmm.... wrote:

So what you're saying is that you only drink alone.

No, never. I don't drink at FUNCTIONS. That does not mean I only drink alone. It means I don't drink at FUNCTIONS.

Well it's tough to drink there when you're not invited.

If booze is being served, then it means it's OK to have a glass or two. It is actually not unhealthy to drink one or two glasses of wine a day, so you are not sending a bad message to anyone.

High school kids respect a man who knows how to hold his liquor. Drink at least four and leave the bottles out for all to see. Just make sure you don't say or do anything embarrassing afterward.

It blows my mind that people think it's OK to drink mind-altering substances. Wow.