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Todd M. Kays, Ph.D.
December 22nd, 2007
News Release Wire
Youth sports are extremely different today compared to 20-30 years ago. Although we expect sports to be a business at the professional level, we do not generally expect them to be business-like at the college, high school and youth levels. Unfortunately, however, youth sports have become more of a business than most people would like to admit. And with this business attitude comes pressure. Parents make comments about their children being the next Mia Hamm, Michael Jordan, or Tiger Woods. Furthermore, it used to be that only colleges recruited student-athletes, but now it is very common for high school coaches, parents, and student-athletes to be “recruiting” student-athletes in middle school. Wanting our children to be successful is normal, but we need to keep things in perspective. We need to make sure that the FUN never leaves youth sports. Here are some tips to remember as you grow with your child in sports:
By Brian McPherson
December 23rd, 2007
St. Cloud TimesSt. Cloud Cathedral’s boys hockey players were a little bit skeptical when their coaches dragged them into a computer lab one evening to take a 20-minute brain function exam.
The exercises weren’t particularly easy, either. In one, a mass of X’s and O’s appeared on the screen and the participant had to remember which ones previously had been colored yellow. In another, the participant had to remember which symbols (a triangle or a half-circle) had been associated with which numbers from a previous exercise.
But if the program works as anticipated, it will give doctors an objective tool to use when evaluating players who have suffered head injuries.
Youth sports volunteers are subject to safety measure
By Nick C. Sortal
December 24th, 2007
South Florida Sun-SentinelShe's more than happy to be a team mom for her sons, so Angela Walker is willing to participate in the latest attempt by cities to keep the fields safe.
She wears an ID badge, showing that she has cleared a criminal background check. So does every coach and anyone else who comes into contact with the children.
"It gives you a sense of security to know they're in good hands," said Walker, whose sons play football, basketball and baseball. "You can't just allow anybody and everybody around your child." Riviera Beach joins West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale and other cities that started ID badge programs this year. Hollywood began requiring ID badges for its more than 600 volunteer coaches more than two years ago.
By Kristi Henderson
December 25th, 2007
Dakota Zinn, 11, thinks a skating facility could be just what the city of Lawrence needs
What's a boy to do when he wants to play hockey in Lawrence?
He could go to Overland Park, where Kansas University's ice hockey club plays. Or, if the weather would stay cold enough, long enough, he could play on a frozen pond.
But, if he's like 11-year-old Dakota Zinn, he might try to get an arena built here in town.
Dakota, a sixth-grader at Langston Hughes School, envisions an ice arena where youths and adults could play ice hockey and where KU's hockey team could play. He also would want to offer open skating hours for the community and facilities for parties. And Dakota's adamant on one point: No alcohol allowed. He has seen fans act up at Topeka RoadRunners hockey games and he wouldn't want to see the same at his arena.
"I'd rather be safe than have people there being crazy," Dakota said.
December 27th, 2007
(WTNH) _ As fast as one game finishes, another one is about to begin. the assembly line churns out game action that brings out enthusiasm, and excitement, the competition is fierce and most of the time it's fair, although there have been moments when, the aggression has been a little overboard.
Team Pittsburgh's Coach Raffi Wolf says, "They are all very competitive and they all want to win."
The competition on the ice brings out the athleticism, it teaches teamwork and sportsmanship. Yet, it's the entire experience, traveling, sharing, understanding and learning makes this event worth much more than the thousands, parents spend making this a reality.
By Ryan Stotts
December 28th, 2007
La Crosse Tribune
Organizers of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse’s Winter Youth Sports and Fitness Camp don’t want kids to rest too much on their Christmas vacation.
“It’s a lot of fun and you get to meet new kids,” said Lindsay Felt, 12. “It’s better than staying at home.”
The Logan Middle School seventh-grader is among the participants in the camp, which ends today.
The program promotes a physically active lifestyle, said Co-Director Ray Martinez, who also is a University of Wisconsin-La Crosse professor.
“We’re trying to get kids active so they can be healthy,” said Martinez, who teaches sports science and physical education at UW-L. “We also want to teach lifetime games they can continue to play.”
By Bryan Vashus
December 30th, 2007
Post Independent
Recently I refereed a local junior varsity football game and was disturbed by the attitude of the coach on my sideline. He was angry at some of the calls that were made during the game.
It's not the first time I've felt this way towards someone either as a referee, coach or spectator. And, apparently, I am not the only one feeling this way. There have been a couple of articles in the Post Independent related to both coaches' and parents' attitudes towards referees.
Up until taking my current job I was very critical of referees. I used to get furious and even cost various teams I competed on or coached points. I received my fair share of warnings from referees as well.
But I've changed.
December 17th, 2007
Newswire
By Todd M. Kays, Ph.D.
Sport Psychologist
This time of year brings presents, little children’s smiles, busy shopping malls, and then spending the holiday watching youth sporting events. Yes, I said watching youth sporting events. More than ever, youth sports have become like professional sports and are a priority during the holiday season. The number of families traveling to a youth sporting event over the holiday season and on Christmas Day seems to rise every year. But is all of the focus on sports such a good thing for families or just a sign of the times?
It has become accepted that youth sports are a major priority during the holiday season. This festive season is just another opportunity to play and become better young athletes. With a break from school, it is an ideal time where youth can compete more frequently and consistently. Youth sports have become so intense and dramatic that it is almost understood that youngsters have to travel and compete during breaks from school. Many parents feel pressure and state that if they do not take the opportunity to travel and compete, their children will fall behind their peers and lose the chance for higher success. Isn’t there enough pressure to find the right present?
By Hugh Muir
December 18th, 2007
The Free-Lance Star
"We felt we had to regroup here," said Angela Regan, the gymnastics program director.
The result is Henry Nunez, from the Dominican Republic, new head coach for the Royals competition team, and Yan Wu, from China, whose goal is to develop, for the first time, a competitive rhythmic gymnastics group for the Royals.
Stafford's gymnastics program began on a limited basis in 1968. In 1980, a year-round gymnastics program was started at all levels. From that grew the Royals, a team eligible to perform in official USA Gymnastics competitions.
More than 900 youngsters come to the facility every week. Of these, 85 are on the Royals team, from ages 6 to 18.
By Special to the Explorer
December 19th, 2007
Can you believe the holidays are here? We’re saying good-bye to 2007, and preparing to embark on a new year. Most of us are reflecting on past memories and hoping to create more beautiful ones in the future.
With the holidays upon us and resolutions being contemplated, this month I have decided to write about your U.S. Tennis Association District of Southern Arizona (SAZ) and elaborate on the numerous ways you can participate and help others.
SAZ is a volunteer-based 501-C3 organization that supports tennis throughout Southern Arizona. Currently I’m president of the group.
SAZ has offerings for players of all ages and levels. There are tournaments with separate age divisions and leagues for all levels of play, including adults (19 and up), seniors (over 50), Super Senior (over 60), mixed doubles, senior mixed doubles and more. The possibilities are endless and I know a lot of you are already a part of these programs
By Tom Kuyper
December 19th, 2007
Dear Santa, How are you? Working hard I bet. I think I have been pretty good this year.
I know you must have seen the time I twisted up the rubber band and put it in Angela's hair, but I said I was sorry and asked her to forgive me. Her mom said her hair would grow back ... maybe by next year when we're in third grade, so I have some things I would like to ask you for.
I've been trying really hard to do good in sports ever since I started when I was in kindergarten, and it used to be fun, but I don't really want to play anymore because sometimes it's not fun. I know it's real important to my dad, so maybe if you help us out a little, we could have more fun.
My list is longer than usual this year, but what I want doesn't take up much room in the sleigh, so I'm gonna go for it, OK?
With Silver Stick coming, teams see fewer kids joining
By Jim Whymer
December 21st, 2007
Port Huron once was known as a youth hockey hotbed.
In addition to being the home of the prestigious North American Silver Stick International Hockey Tournament, Port Huron had a youth program that was busting at the seams.
"Back when I played, I think there might have been 1,000 to 1,500 kids in the program," said Bill Warren, a former player and coach in the Port Huron Minor Hockey Association. "Those numbers were big from 1980 to the mid-1990s.
"Everybody loved playing hockey. There weren't as any many distractions for kids in those days."
McMorran Pavilion and arena were packed with house and travel teams from morning to night.
But there also was one association in town.
S.J. PROGRAM GIVES BETTER RIDES TO YOUNG DISABLED ATHLETES
By Bruce Newman
December 20th, 2007
Mercury NewsDominic's old wheelchair was the kind you see in airports and hospitals - functional, unless you happen to be a boy who dreams of playing rugby and basketball. And dancing.
"It got to the point that he wasn't really active because he was scared to go over cracks in the sidewalk or the garden hose," said Iben Rodriguez, Dominic's dad. "He was afraid of tipping over because the chair wasn't stable."
By Kirsten Grind
December 16th, 2007
Seattle Times
Masami Hasegawa isn't a tour guide or a travel agent.
But late last month, the Kent youth-baseball coach found himself leading 19 high-school age baseball players and their parents on a 10-day visit to Japan.
The group of 42 visited three cities, and the athletes played 12 games against Japanese teams on a tour that was completely organized by Hasegawa.
It's his idea of a really good time.
Over the past four years, Hasegawa, 60, has led two similar trips to Japan, taking student athletes, their parents and coaches. He organizes every detail of the visit, from transportation down to meals and meet-and-greets with local dignitaries.
It's his way of showing off his home country to students and their families.
By Jason Jacks
December 12th, 2007
Loudon Times
A hill crests in the middle of the splotchy field behind Newton-Lee Elementary School in Ashburn, where Matt Curry's 10-year-old daughter plays soccer. Patches of grass create mounds that are seemingly tall enough to turn an ankle if stepped upon. And that's not the worst of it.
"Look at this rock," said Curry, pressing down on the 6-inch-diameter slab with the ball of his foot. "A child could fall and hit her head on this. This is what our kids play on."
To combat safety concerns like these, as well as the problem of not having enough fields to accommodate a growing number of youth sports teams in Ashburn and Dulles South, Curry, president of the year-old Dulles South Youth Sports, and other parents are putting part of their hopes in, of all places, a housing development.
By Marcia C. Smith
December 12th, 2007
OC Register
America's kids have known what's going on. They have spent much of 2007 watching the sports world's doping dragnet catch cheaters, big and small.
December 12th, 2007
Wilmington News Journal
The Wilmington Parks & Recreation Department in January will start criminal background checks for coaches and other volunteers who work with youth.
The individuals will be screened using a service provided by Recreational Sports Management (RSM) when they sign up to be involved in Parks & Recreation youth programs.
The RSM service has databases that enable it to conduct a “very extensive” criminal background check, said Scott Parrish, director of the Wilmington Parks & Recreation Department. The cost will be $20 per person which will be paid by the department, not the coach or volunteer.
Drug testing will not be part of the screening process.
The EnquirerThe scene is all-too familiar to many people who've attended a youth sporting event.
The kids are playing, the coaches are coaching and the officials are officiating.
In Battle Creek alone, there were some 26,000 participants this year in 92 recreation department programs, according to parks and recreation Director Jeff Hovarter. Many participants are children, and with them come all kinds of parents and a long list of concerns and problems, including negative comments, poor and unruly behavior and inappropriate pressure on players, officials and coaches.
The multi-sport complex off Basket Road will be used for baseball, football, soccer and lacrosse.
In
addition, the Webster Athletic Association received a $25,000 state
grant to build two new Little League baseball fields at Empire Park,
serving more than 600 children ages 7 through 12.
"I drove around Webster one day with Supervisor Ron Nesbitt and it was difficult to find many venues for kids," State Sen. Michael Nozzolio, R-Fayette, Seneca County, said at a news conference Saturday at Webster Town Hall to announce the grant.
"The life lessons learned on the field — hard work, dedication,
and commitment — will serve today's youth as they become tomorrow's
community leaders," he said.
Lancaster Eagle-GazetteFAIRFIELD COUNTY - With the hard work and dedication that is required to become proficient, learning martial arts can instill an important trait in the youth who participate: Discipline.
There are several local locations where martial arts instruction is offered, giving Fairfield County a strong foundation where the arts of self-defense are concerned.
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With the instruction of children, sometimes it's helpful to soften the idea of physical confrontation.
Charlotte News AreaLast week, a Lincoln County eighth grader died from injuries he sustained during a football game. Some experts say more can be done to keep the youngest players safe.
“Youth football's not getting as much attention as of course high school and college football and they probably need more, more emergency care than they are getting at the present time,” said Dr. Frederick O. Mueller, director of the National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury Research.
Mueller collects and analyzes data on sport injuries across the country. He said younger athletes aren't hurt as often as their older counterparts, but are at risk.
By Shea Drefs |
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Monday, December 3, 2007OXFORD -- The principals don't draw eight-figure salaries, but youth sports can be big business.
Participants may not all be star athletes, but they may be building a lifelong habit of exercise. Then there's the truism that 12-year-olds wearing baseball uniforms are less likely to wear jail jumpsuits later in life.
For those reasons and more, sports complexes are getting increasing attention -- and commitment -- in some of the region's towns.
New Albany sees amateur sports not only as an amenity for local children and adults, but also a basis for economic development. Baseball, softball and soccer tournaments at the New Albany Sportsplex help keep the city's motels and restaurants busy from March to October, drawing as many as 150,000 participants, coaches and supporters in a year.
It has announced 84 percent of parents and Little League volunteers in the commonwealth who responded to an e-mail survey oppose the bill that would make it a crime to use a non-wood bat in any youth baseball or softball game.
More than 25,000 adults were asked whether Pennsylvania
should pass a law banning non-wood bats by youngsters
through high school. Of the 3,281 who responded, 2,762 said
no, according to Little League, which has been using other
type bats, mostly aluminum, since 1971 from tee-ball through
its big league division.
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