Jenny Dalton-Hill (Coach and College Softball Great): Would Change Attitude Of Entitlement of Today's Youth

Submitted by May Is Sports Moms Month on Thu, 05/31/2012 - 14:59. | comments

Being the mother of an athlete is a challenging yet rewarding role. So momsTEAM designated May as Sports Moms Month and has been celebrating by asking some of our favorite sports moms to share their wisdom by responding to a series of questions.

We heard from a fascinating range of sports moms, from a mom of an Olympic athlete to moms who were themselves Olympic athletes, from a moms of former minor league baseball players and NCAA Division 1 basketball players to a Minnesota hockey mom and author, from a sports nutritionist to an award-winning health and safety reporter.

A former college softball great and longtime coach would love to change the attitude of entitlement that today's youth possess about sports, and says sport should be approached with respect: Respect for coaches, parents, equipment, and the game.

May Is Sports Moms Month

Rena Stover (Basketball Mom): Need More Emphasis On Skill Development, Less On Tournament Play

Submitted by May Is Sports Moms Month on Wed, 05/30/2012 - 15:02. | comments

Being the mother of an athlete is a challenging yet rewarding role. So momsTEAM has designated May as Sports Moms Month and is celebrating by asking some of our favorite sports moms to share their wisdom by responding to a series of questions.

So far this month we have heard from a fascinating range of sports moms, from a mom of an Olympic athlete to moms who were themselves Olympic athletes, from a mom of two former minor league baseball players to a Minnesota hockey mom and author.

Today, we hear from Rena Stover, a mother from California with two sons playing Division 1 basketball, who blogs on college recruiting issues for Student Athlete Lab^TM.

A mother of two Division 1 college basketball players wants to see more of an emphasis on skill development and not so much energy on kids playing in tournaments.

Emily Cohen

Is Your Child's Coach Committing an Athletic Felony?

Submitted by Emily Cohen on Sat, 05/26/2012 - 23:17. | comments

Much has been written lately about the emotional damage coaches can do to youth athletes.

Coaches who selfishly overuse and physically push athletes too far for the benefit of the team's win-loss record or their own ego are committing an athletic felony.

Barbara Bleiweis

The Road to Varsity : Dealing with Disappointment

Submitted by Barbara Bleiweis on Fri, 05/25/2012 - 19:12. | comments

The 2012 Summer Evaluation Program, or SEP as my association calls it, is coming up and several officials have been invited to attend and be evaluated for potential promotion. I was NOT on the invitation list and am very disappointed to say the least. The elation of last year's promotion has been abruptly and unceremoniously replaced with a lousy feeling of failure and self-doubt.

A high school basketball official reminds herself that, if it is one thing she has learned about life's setbacks, it is that they often represent blessings in disguise.

Hal Tearse

Better Enforcement, Not Rule Changes Key To Reducing Dangerous Play in Hockey

Submitted by Hal Tearse on Fri, 05/25/2012 - 02:58. | comments

Minnesota Hockey and the Minnesota State High school league increased the penalties for dangerous plays following the tragic life changing accident Jack Jablonski, a 16-year-old Benilde St. Margarets player, suffered in January of 2012. The question at hand now is should we continue with the stiffer penalties, modify them, add to them or return to the previous rule book? So far the consensus is to keep them and add to them.

It seems so simple, but as we learn in life nothing is simple. Perhaps we should look at the causes that are creating the current environment and then asertain if the penalties are warranted, are sufficient or need changing.

We won't make ice hockey safer for players by increasing penalties for dangerous play. We need to address the core issue: the violent culture of the sport.

May Is Sports Moms Month

Sandy Kimbrell: Helping Daughter Realize Her Dream Of Playing Baseball For USA

Submitted by May Is Sports Moms Month on Wed, 05/23/2012 - 19:44. | comments

Being the mother of an athlete is a challenging yet rewarding role. So MomsTEAM has declared May as Sports Moms Month and is celebrating by asking some of our favorite sports moms to share their wisdom by responding to a series of questions.

So far this month we have heard from a fascinating range of sports moms, from a mom of an Olympic athlete to moms who were themselves Olympic athletes, from a mom of two former minor league baseball players to a Minnesota hockey mom and author.

Today, we hear from Sandy Kimbrell, mother of a USA Baseball player, Anna Kimbrell: Anna Kimbrell and her mom Sandy

The mother of USA Baseball star Anna Kimbrell says she the biggest lesson she has learned from her daughter is that everyone has a God-given talent, and with proper support and hard work dreams CAN and DO come true.

May Is Sports Moms Month

K.C. Wilder (Performance Coach): Learned From Kids That No Such Thing As Failure In Sports

Submitted by May Is Sports Moms Month on Wed, 05/23/2012 - 18:54. | comments

Being the mother of an athlete is a challenging yet rewarding role. So, in 2012, MomsTEAM designated May as Sports Moms Month and celebrated by asking some of our favorite sports moms to share their wisdom by responding to a series of questions.

Today, we hear from former professional cyclist, certified sports trainer, performance coach and sports mom, K.C. Wilder:

MomsTEAM: Were you an athlete and what sports did you play as a youth (under 19)?

A former professional cyclist, certified sports trainer and performance consultant says the most important thing she has learned from her kidsis that there is no such thing as failure in youth sports.

Brooke de Lench

Praise For MomsTEAM Is Nice, But The Fight To Make Youth Sports Safer Isn't Over

Submitted by Brooke de Lench on Wed, 05/23/2012 - 15:14. | comments

As readers of this space well know, MomsTEAM and I have long advocated that the best way to help keep our kids playing interscholastic sports is for schools to hire certified athletic trainers (ATs).

Years before sport concussions took over as the predominant youth sports safety issue of the 21st centry, we were highlighting the critical and unique role that ATs play in recognizing, evaluating and managing concussions.

Knowing that MomsTEAM's long advocacy for more certified athletic trainers in the nation's schools, and a powerful video explaining just why ATs are so critical to youth sports safety, are making a difference is not only gratifying, but with only 42% of high schools in the country having access to ATs, MomsTEAM's work is far from done.

Brooke de Lench

Laurie Wolfe America's Most Inspirational Mom BGCA Contest Winner

Submitted by Brooke de Lench on Wed, 05/23/2012 - 14:07. | comments

Recently, MomsTEAM founder Brooke de Lench had the opportunity to interview Laurie Wolfe, the winner of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America's “America’s Most Inspirational Mom” contest, about how her local club's Family Plus program has provided her the support system she needs to allow her her kids can play sports.

MomsTEAM founder Brooke de Lench interviews Laurie Wolfe, the winner of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America's “America’s Most Inspirational Mom” contest, about how her local club has provided the support she needed as a single mom to allow her kids a chance to play sports.

Tim Twellman

Sharing A Child's Sports Experience: A Gift For Parents

Submitted by Tim Twellman on Mon, 05/21/2012 - 13:57. | comments

Have you ever taken the time to sit back and really think how fortunate you are as a parent to be able to share your child’s athletic experiences with them? Do you appreciate how such moments can actually bring the family together? Do you know just how excited your kids get knowing that we are watching them play?

I know that, when you are going through the experience, it is sometimes hard to stop to realize just how fortunate you are to be given these years with your kids.

Someday you will look back at these years, and hopefully in a positive way. I know I have.

As sports parents, it is important to slow down long enough from the whirlwind of raising kids to realize just how lucky we are to be able to share with our children the gift of athletics.