Learn from coaches doing the work.
Hear how Dan Baker and Aaron Essex approach competition, leadership, character, and program culture in their high school environments. Take away ideas grounded in real coaching experience.
NHSSCA Illinois Family Day
Good Coaches.
Real Conversations.
Stronger Connections.
Spend a morning learning, sharing ideas, and connecting with coaches and educators who understand your work. Two practical presentations, open discussion, lunch and networking, and dedicated roundtables give everyone a chance to contribute — not just listen.
Friday, October 30, 2026
9:00 AM–1:00 PM CT
Seneca High School · Illinois
Everyone who helps develop high school athletes is welcome. Strength coaches, sport coaches, PE teachers, athletic directors, and others who support student-athletes — members and non-members alike.
Why Give Us Four Hours?
Walk away with more than ideas.
Illinois Family Day is designed for more than sitting through presentations. Two coaches sharing practical experiences, time for questions, lunch and networking, and dedicated roundtable conversations create opportunities to learn from one another, exchange ideas, and build relationships with people who understand the work.
Be part of the conversation.
Both presentations include dedicated Q&A time. Ask questions, hear different perspectives, and explore how ideas might work in your own school, classroom, or athletic program.
Share what's working in your program.
Two 20-minute roundtable discussions give attendees a chance to exchange takeaways, discuss implementation, and explore topics submitted by fellow coaches. Your experience is part of the value.
Leave with more people in your corner.
Lunch and networking create time to connect with strength coaches, sport coaches, PE teachers, and others who support high school athletes. Build relationships that can continue long after Family Day ends.
Come for the ideas. Leave with more people in your corner.
Save My SeatWho Belongs in the Room?
If you work with student-athletes, there's a place for you.
You don't have to be a strength coach or an NHSSCA member to be part of the conversation. Illinois Family Day brings together the people who teach, coach, lead, and support high school athletes. With discussions centered on leadership, character, culture, and student development, different roles and perspectives are part of what makes the experience valuable.
Strength & Conditioning Coaches
Share approaches to athlete engagement, building program culture, developing leadership, and creating environments where student-athletes thrive.
Sport Coaches
Explore practical ways to develop character, strengthen team identity, build relationships, and use competition to create a positive and accountable team culture.
PE & Health Educators
Exchange ideas for student engagement, building positive learning environments, developing leadership, and helping students feel connected and valued.
Athletic Directors
Connect with coaches and educators, exchange perspectives on program development, and explore ways to strengthen collaboration across athletic departments.
School Administrators
Gain perspectives on the role of leadership, relationships, and school culture in supporting student development and creating stronger school communities.
Emerging Professionals
Meet experienced coaches and educators, ask questions during open discussions, learn from their experiences, and begin building a professional support network.
Different roles. One coaching community.
Whether you're an NHSSCA member or joining us for the first time, your experiences and perspective matter. Come ready to learn from others, share what you've experienced, and make connections beyond your own school or program.
The NHSSCA 1 More Initiative
You know someone who should be in this room.
A fellow coach. A PE teacher. An athletic director. Someone who's doing good work but hasn't experienced the NHSSCA Family yet. Illinois Family Day gives them an opportunity to join the conversation, share their experiences, and build relationships with people who understand their work.
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More
One Personal Invitation Can Make a Difference
Save your seat. Then bring somebody with you.
Think of one person who would benefit from being in the room with fellow coaches and educators. Invite them to join you for two practical presentations, time for questions, lunch and networking, and roundtable conversations where their experiences and perspectives matter. No membership required. No need to already know anyone. Just come ready to learn, share, and connect.
The NHSSCA Family grows through relationships. Bring someone who hasn't experienced it yet and give them a chance to see what makes this community different.
Learn From People Doing the Work
Meet the people leading the conversation.
Two high school coaches and educators will share how they use competition, leadership, relationships, and intentional culture-building to make an impact beyond the weight room. Each presentation includes time for questions and discussion, so you can explore how their ideas relate to your own program.
Strength & Conditioning Coach
Dan Baker
Seneca High School
Irish Power League: Building Culture Through Competition
Discover how Seneca uses its Irish Power League to unite athletes across sports, create excitement, and strengthen buy-in. Dan shares practical approaches to using competition to develop leadership, participation, and a strong program culture.
45-Minute Presentation + 15-Minute Q&A
Wellness Teacher / Sport Coach
Aaron Essex
James B. Conant High School
More Than Wins and Weights: Building Connection, Character, and Culture
Explore how everyday coaching interactions, shared experiences, and intentional leadership can strengthen relationships and build positive team culture. Aaron shares approaches to developing character, accountability, and a genuine sense of belonging.
45-Minute Presentation + 15-Minute Q&A
Hear their ideas. Bring your own perspective.
See the ScheduleThe Illinois Family Day Schedule
A morning to learn. An opportunity to connect.
Two high school coaches sharing practical approaches to competition, leadership, character, and culture. With dedicated Q&A, lunch and networking, and two roundtable discussions, you'll have time to contribute to the conversation.
8:00 AM
Doors Open
Venue access begins at Seneca High School.
8:30 AM
Registration & Check-In
Check in and connect with fellow attendees before the program begins.
9:00–9:15 AM
Welcome & Event Overview
Opening remarks and introductions with Dan Baker, Illinois NHSSCA State Director John Beerbower, and Seneca High School Superintendent Dr. Stecken.
9:15–10:15 AM
Irish Power League: Building Culture Through Competition
Dan Baker · Seneca High School
Learn how competition can build engagement,
leadership, and a stronger program culture.
10:15–10:30 AM
Group Photo & Break
Gather in the main gym for a group photograph at the beginning of the break.
10:30–11:30 AM
More Than Wins and Weights: Building Connection, Character, and Culture
Aaron Essex · James B. Conant High School
Explore the role of leadership,
intentional relationships, and
character development in coaching.
11:30 AM–12:15 PM
Lunch & Networking
Spend time with fellow coaches and educators,
exchange ideas, and build relationships
before the roundtable discussions.
Lunch sponsored by Jimmy John's and Power Lift.
12:15–12:55 PM
Your Voice Matters
Roundtable Discussions
This is where Family Day becomes a shared experience. Join fellow attendees for two 20-minute conversations focused on practical takeaways, real-world implementation, and the challenges coaches are facing. Come ready to contribute your perspective, ask questions, and learn from others around the table.
12:15–12:35 PM · ROUND 1
Key Takeaways & Implementation
Share your three biggest takeaways from the morning and discuss how those ideas could be implemented in your own strength and conditioning program, classroom, or team.
12:35–12:55 PM · ROUND 2
Coach-Submitted Topics
Continue the conversation around topics and questions submitted by attendees. Exchange ideas, hear different perspectives, and explore possible solutions.
12:55–1:00 PM
Closing Remarks & Next Steps
Final takeaways, event evaluation, and instructions for eligible Illinois educators seeking professional-development documentation through ISBE PD+.
Come ready to learn. Leave better connected.
Save My SeatReady to Join Us?
Save your seat. Then bring somebody with you.
Two high school coaches sharing practical approaches to competition, leadership, character, and culture. Dedicated time for questions, lunch and networking, and two roundtable discussions where your experiences and perspectives matter. Whether you're a strength coach, sport coach, PE teacher, athletic director, or someone who supports student-athletes, there's a place for you. Put yourself in the room.
Date
Friday, October 30, 2026
Check-In
8:30 AM CT
Program
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM CT
Location
Seneca High School
307 East Scott Street
Seneca, IL 61360
Event
2026 Illinois Family Day
Already coming? Think of your 1 More.
Think about the sport coach, PE teacher, athletic director, administrator, emerging professional, or fellow strength coach who would benefit from learning and connecting with you. Illinois Family Day welcomes both NHSSCA members and non-members.
Add Your Heading Text Here
PUT YOURSELF IN THE ROOM.
Reserve your place for an afternoon built around learning, application, conversation, and connection with people working to make high school strength and conditioning better.
2026 NHSSCA Illinois Family Day
Event hosted at Seneca high School, 307 East Scott Street Seneca IL 61360 | Friday, October 30, 2026, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
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Going
Plan Your Visit
KNOW WHERE YOU’RE GOING.
KNOW WHO TO CONTACT.
Supported By
Thank you to the partners helping make Family Day possible.
Events like this happen because organizations choose to invest in coaches, schools, and the continued growth of high school strength and conditioning.
Thank you for investing in the people who invest in athletes. Stronger together.
Illinois Family Day
You shouldn't have to solve coaching challenges alone. Put yourself in the room.
Join fellow coaches and educators at Seneca High School for a morning of practical ideas, shared experiences, and real conversations. Whether you're a strength coach, sport coach, PE teacher, or someone who supports high school athletes, there's a place for you in the NHSSCA Family.
Save your seat. Bring a colleague. 1 More.