There was a thread started about a drinking policy for HS coaches -
http://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?thread=6674797
- but to me it is a much more relevant topic for college coaches.
How do you approach the issue? Do you ignore alcohol all together and pull the wool over your eyes and act like it's not a major issue? Or do you approach it honestly and try to treat your athletes like adults?
When I was coaching college, I always said if I had coached a single season sport, my policy would be simple, "No drinking during the season." However, track and field is a year round sport. It's not really realistic to think collegians aren't going to drink all year long.
Do you tell them not to drink during the championship part of the season?
In my mind, alcohol isn't a problem. But drinking as it's done in college - binge drinking - is. Most kids have trouble distinguishing between the two. A married 5th year senior probably could easily have a glass of wine with his wife at dinner every night with no implications.
But a freshman might here that the star 'drinks' every night and think that means he can go get bombed every weekend.
How do you approach it (if you do at all) with your team?