Omaha Sports Series: Athletic Directors Social Media Plans: High School Cross Country Team

Objective:

The primary goal of a social media plan is to increase community engagement, showcase athletes hard work and achievements, build team spirit, and highlight the season’s progress and accomplishments. The focus is to connect with students, parents, alumni, and the broader community while promoting the values of teamwork, sportsmanship, and healthy competition.

Social Media Platforms:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Twitter (X)
• TikTok (optional for creative content)
• YouTube (optional for race highlights and interviews)

Tone and Style:

• Tone: Friendly, motivational, and community-focused
• Style: Visual with a focus on images and short videos, highlighting athletes, events, and milestones

---

Pre-Season (2–3 weeks before the season)

Goal: Build anticipation and hype for the upcoming season, introduce new team members, and engage the community.

1. Team Introduction Posts

• Content: Introduce the cross-country team, including coaches, captains, and key returning athletes. Share bios, fun facts, and training goals.
• Frequency: 2–3 posts per week
• Platform: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter
• Hashtags: #MeetTheTeam #XCSeason

2. Behind-the-Scenes Training

• Content: Post short videos or photos of team practices, focusing on drills, training routines, and the camaraderie of the athletes.
• Frequency: 2 posts per week
• Platform: Instagram Stories, TikTok (if applicable)
• Hashtags: #XCTraining #RoadToState

3. Throwback Thursdays

• Content: Share memorable moments from past seasons, highlighting former athletes or major accomplishments.
• Frequency: Once a week
• Platform: Instagram, Facebook
• Hashtags: #TBT #TeamTradition

4. Countdown to First Meet

• Content: Create a countdown graphic leading up to the first race of the season, building excitement.
• Frequency: Daily in the final week leading to the meet
• Platform: Instagram, Facebook
• Hashtags: #RaceDayComing #GoXC

---

Early Season (Weeks 1-3 of Competition)

Goal: Showcase race-day highlights, individual performances, and team progress.

1. Race Day Highlights

• Content: Post photos and videos from each meet, focusing on action shots, finish line celebrations, and candid team moments. Include final results and standout performances.
• Frequency: After each meet
• Platform: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok (videos)
• Hashtags: #RaceDay #XCStrong #RunPrep

2. Athlete of the Week

• Content: Highlight a standout athlete each week with a photo, short bio, and reasons for recognition (e.g., personal best, team leadership, etc.).
• Frequency: Once per week
• Platform: Instagram, Facebook
• Hashtags: #AthleteOfTheWeek #XCStar

3. Motivational Mondays

• Content: Share motivational quotes or tips from coaches or athletes to inspire the team and community.
• Frequency: Every Monday
• Platform: Instagram Stories, Twitter
• Hashtags: #MotivationalMonday #KeepRunning

---

Mid-Season (Weeks 4-6)

Goal: Maintain engagement with race recaps, focus on improvement, and prepare for major competitions.

1. Mid-Season Recap

• Content: Share a recap of the season so far, including team standings, individual achievements, and upcoming goals. Use a highlight reel or photo montage.
• Frequency: Once at mid-season
• Platform: YouTube (for video), Instagram, Facebook
• Hashtags: #SeasonRecap #XCHighlights

2. Spotlight on Seniors

• Content: Highlight senior athletes nearing the end of their high school careers. Share their memories, favorite moments, and future plans.
• Frequency: 1-2 seniors per week
• Platform: Instagram, Facebook
• Hashtags: #SeniorSpotlight #XCLeaders

3. Training Tips & Nutrition Advice

• Content: Share tips from the coaching staff or athletes on training, recovery, and nutrition, helping to engage parents and younger athletes.
• Frequency: 1 post per week
• Platform: Instagram Stories, Twitter
• Hashtags: #XCTraining #NutritionForRunners

4. Interactive Polls and Q&A

• Content: Engage the audience by asking them to vote on favorite meet moments, best finishers, or predicted outcomes for future races. Host a Q&A with a coach or team captain.
• Frequency: Once a week
• Platform: Instagram Stories, Twitter
• Hashtags: #VoteXC #FanFavorites

---

End of Season (Championship and State Meets)

Goal: Celebrate accomplishments, prepare for major meets, and engage the community in postseason excitement.

1. State Qualifiers Announcement

• Content: Post photos of athletes who qualify for district and state competitions, congratulating them and previewing upcoming races.
• Frequency: Once per qualification announcement
• Platform: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter
• Hashtags: #StateBound #RunForGlory

2. Post-Race Celebrations

• Content: Share photos and videos of team celebrations, including awards ceremonies, PRs (personal records), and emotional post-race moments.
• Frequency: After each major competition
• Platform: Instagram, Facebook, TikTok
• Hashtags: #TeamVictory #PRMoment

3. Coach’s Corner: End of Season Reflection

• Content: Post a video or written message from the coach reflecting on the season, thanking athletes, parents, and supporters.
• Frequency: Once at the end of the season
• Platform: YouTube, Instagram, Facebook
• Hashtags: #CoachsCorner #ThankYou

4. Team Banquet Coverage

• Content: Share highlights from the end-of-season banquet, including award winners, speeches, and team photos.
• Frequency: Once post-banquet
• Platform: Instagram, Facebook
• Hashtags: #TeamBanquet #XCFamily

---

Off-Season (Optional)

Goal: Maintain engagement with followers and provide insight into off-season training.

1. Off-Season Workouts

• Content: Post workout ideas, fitness challenges, or behind-the-scenes of athletes preparing for the next season.
• Frequency: Bi-weekly
• Platform: Instagram, Facebook
• Hashtags: #OffSeasonGrind #StayInShape

2. Alumni Features

• Content: Spotlight alumni who are competing in college or who have made a mark post-graduation.
• Frequency: Monthly
• Platform: Instagram, Facebook
• Hashtags: #AlumniSpotlight #XCLegacy

---

Additional Strategies:

• User-Generated Content: Encourage athletes, parents, and supporters to share photos and tag the team’s social media accounts, using a designated hashtag (e.g., #PrepXC).
• Live Updates: For major meets, post live updates on Twitter or Instagram Stories with results, photos, and videos.
• Engagement: Respond to comments, questions, and messages promptly to keep the community engaged and foster a sense of belonging.

By executing this season-long social media plan, the high school cross-country team can build a strong and engaged online presence, celebrating the athletes and keeping the community connected to the team’s progress throughout the season.