Journal for College Athletes

Meet your Authors

Courtnee Downs

Courtnee Downs is a retired 20 year Army Veteran, Certified Coach, Speaker and Trainer, Podcaster and Financial Educator. She is also the author of a Self-Discovery Journal for women. Courtnee is the owner of Courtnee C Downs LLC and is passionate about personal growth, leadership and empowering others to boldly explore their identity, find their voice and fearlessly pursue their purpose.

Chris Duckworth

Chris Duckworth is husband to Laura and a father to Cooper and Callie. He has been the owner of DuckWorks Lawncare for 20+ years. Chris serves as a character coach at Southern Illinois University.He serves as a full-time women's basketball character coach and serves as needed through several other sports. Chris created Hearts and Minds Ministries in January 2023 to serve student athletes full-time.

How it started…

Chris

As a character coach, I build relationships with student athletes, focusing on their hearts and minds. My conversations with them improve their performance in academics, sports, and personal lives. Having a journal like this would have made it easier for me to build trust, improve communication, and provide better assistance to more student athletes in less time.

This tool benefits the student athletes both in the short and long term. Recognizing the need for this tool, I partnered with someone to bring my vision to life. The journal enables me to initiate deeper conversations through thought-provoking prompts.

It serves as a place for structured reflection and paves the way for future open discussions between coaches and athletes when they are ready. This journal is a powerful tool for all coaches and mentors to bridge the communication gap and to address the challenges faced by college student-athletes.

Courtnee

Having enlisted in the military at the age of 17, I could only have imagined having a mentor back then who could have guided me through the intricacies of life, education, career, and the path ahead. As I rose to a leadership position within the military, I made it my mission to fulfill that mentoring role for my fellow Soldiers.

When Chris presented the opportunity, my decision to embrace it with a resounding "Yes" was undisputable. Our present world is characterized by communication, yet authentic connections often remain elusive. For the upcoming generation to truly flourish, the presence of coaches and mentors who possess the skills to forge connections is indispensable.

This journal was meticulously crafted to support the relationship between coaches/mentors and college athletes. It stands as a testament to the understanding that genuine connections can be nurtured through structured guidance and thoughtful support, fostering an environment where potential can be fully harnessed.

Interested in using this journal with your athletes?

You can purchase individual journals

If you would like to make a bulk purchase

Journaling can be a powerful tool to enhance communication between coaches, mentors, and their Athletes

Here are several ways in which journaling can facilitate this process:

  • Private reflection

  • Increased self-awareness

  • Emotional outlet

  • Structured reflection

  • Bridge to conversations

  • Feedback and Development

With over 99 journal prompts covering 11 topics, this journal is a place for private structured reflection and self-awareness where your athletes can express their thoughts, emotions and challenges.

By incorporating journaling into the athlete's routine, you can create an avenue for enhanced self-awareness, personal growth, and more open communication about the challenges they face both in sports and in life.

To implement journaling effectively:

  • Provide Guidance: Offer guidance on how to use the journal effectively, including prompts and suggestions for reflection.

  • Set Regular Times: Encourage athletes to establish a routine for journaling, such as after practice or before bed.

  • Review Entries Together: Consider periodic check-ins where athletes can share specific entries with coaches or mentors for discussion.

  • Respect Privacy: Emphasize that the journal is a personal space, and athletes have the option to keep their entries private.