I have noticed as time goes by very quickly that I have the urge to write about my life and the people in it. These people are those that I have had contact with but also include those that I admired for their talent and/or contribution to my life as well as to society in [...]
How do we get full engagement from people on our teams, in our projects and in our lives? What determines the quality of their performance? What has us able to be consistent with any group given the divergent points of view we are working with? I am not thinking about agreement … too limiting and [...]
Many times the five-, six- or seven-year-old wants to play a particular sport because of an adult's influence (Mom, Dad, Coach, etc.). Since it was really someone else’s choice in the beginning, it is important that they learn something and have fun in the process. Also, there will be varying levels of skill at the [...]
One of the errors I think we make in coaching kids is that we don’t give them enough credit for what they already know or sense or feel. Since they were born (and probably before), they have been little sponges just soaking up everything going on around them. The prime sounds, of course, come from [...]
Something that continues to bother me is the lack of respect shown to each other by people of all ages, but especially our young folks. Disrespect for their elders, teachers, coaches and peers and especially each other. You can say I am old school. I’m not hip. I’m not cool. Don’t waste your breath. I [...]
The latest statistics say that there are over 40 million kids participating in youth sports every year. And, that’s without mentioning the adults (i.e., parents friends and coaches). For the time being, let’s stick to the kids. The kids are what I would term “unknown athletes.” I propose that is how it should be. Athletics [...]
This week’s Sports Illustrated had a story on Kansas University men’s basketball and talked about three impact players from that university’s storied basketball program. Also mentioned was a fourth person, Phog Allen, whose influence allowed for that history. One thing that getting older provides is the experience of going through several decades of a school’s [...]
Given that it is “all-sports” season I have had the opportunity to watch practice for a variety of sports at various D-I schools. I have come away with the following question, “Is anyone listening?” These are teams coached by solid, respected coaching staffs. I would say that no more than 20% of the athletes at [...]
BLOG OCTOBER 01. 2013 I have followed University of Southern California football since the days of Frank Gifford and Lindon Crow. Both of these fine athletes grew up in the San Joaquin Valley of California as did I. They were both key performers for the New York Giants in the classic playoff game between the [...]
I am writing this for all the adults that may be involved in youth sports now and in the near future… I say near future as that period in a child’s life comes and goes very quickly. And, it can be a very important time in the child’s growth and development. It can also be [...]