The Best NFL Player Who Never Was

Submitted by Brooke de Lench on Thu, 07/12/2012 - 13:23. | comments

There will be times in our lives that we have an opportunity to listen to a motivational speaker whose story is so powerful that it leaves an indelible impression to last a lifetime. JK Parker and Brooke de Lench

Recently, I had that opportunity when I heard John “JK” Parker speak to a high school football team in Oklahoma with which MomsTEAM is working to develop a concussion management program.

There will be times in our lives that we have an opportunity to listen to a motivational speaker whose story is so powerful that it leaves an indelible impression to last a lifetime. Recently, I had that opportunity when I heard John “JK” Parker speak to a high school football team in Oklahoma about how the use of performance enhancing drugs deprived him of a chance at NFL stardom.

Tim Twellman

There Is Life After Sport: It's Called Work

Submitted by Tim Twellman on Mon, 07/09/2012 - 19:55. | comments

All athletes, all levels will have to adjust to life after their playing careers are over. This is a very difficult time in most players' lives, and it can happen most unexpectedly.

This is exactly what happened to all three of my kids as well as myself.

My daughter Alexandra broke her nose, which was so dramatic she decided not to play and hasn't played ever since her senior year in college. She is currently working, and has adjusted very well to life after sports.

My son James tore both ACLs in a matter of 12 months, which ended his professional playing career. He is also currently working and doing well. A devastating year for James, but he has poured his energy into working and is very successful.

All athletes, all levels will have to adjust to life after playing. It is a very difficult time in most players' lives and it can happen most unexpectedly.

Preventing Head Injuries in Football: No Tackling With Crown Of Helmet!

Submitted by Bobby Hosea on Wed, 06/27/2012 - 20:43. | comments

In the four years I have been sharing my expertise on how to prevent helmet-crown related injuries in football, there has been an increase of concussion awareness here on MomsTeam and all over the country. But such steps as baseline concussion testing are meaningless if the cause of the initial concussion is not addressed, because the player will suffer a more severe concussion without identifying the cause.

The way to prevent concussions and serious head and spinal injuries in football is for parents to make sure that coaches are trained on how to teach players to avoid tackling with the crown of their helmets.

Hal Tearse

Minnesota Hockey Retains More Severe Penalties, Aims for Better Enforcement

Submitted by Hal Tearse on Wed, 06/27/2012 - 03:19. | comments

Minnesota Hockey, the governing body for 40,000 youth hockey players in the state, has voted to continue with the pilot program begun last Janaury that made checking from behind and boarding 5 minute major and 10 minute misconduct penalties. The program was instituted after high school player Jack Jablonski suffered a spinal cord injury from an unpenalized check from behind. The USA Hockey rule book allows for escalating levels of penaly time depending on the incident. That discretion no longer exists in Minnesota in youth or high school hockey.

Minnesota Hockey, the governing body for 40,000 youth hockey players in the state, has voted to continue rule changes enacted last January which stiffened the penalties for checking from behind and boarding and hope for better enforcement.

June Is Sports Dads Month

Ray Lokar (Coach and Positive Coaching Alliance Trainer): Young Athletes Will Play With Joy If Adults Let Them

Submitted by June Is Sports Dads Month on Tue, 06/26/2012 - 20:00. | comments

Editors note; The following article originally ran in June 2012 for our “Sports Dads Month” focus on dads we identified as helping to keep all kids safe.

With MomsTEAM's June Is Sports Dads Month winding down, we hear from longtime coach and trainer for the Positive Coaching Alliance, Ray Lokar:

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

A longtime coach and trainer for the Positive Coaching Alliance says that young athletes will enjoy the experience only as much as adults allow them to because, to them, it is only a game.

Emily Cohen

Spectators Must Assume Risk at Youth Sporting Events

Submitted by Emily Cohen on Mon, 06/25/2012 - 22:25. | comments

So it's come to this. A woman hit by a ball while sitting near a Little League diamond two years ago is suing the then-11-year-old player who threw the ball. Elizabeth Lloyd's lawsuit alleges that the errant throw was "intentional and reckless." According to Lloyd, the player, Matthew Migliaccio (now 13) "assaulted and battered" her and caused "severe, painful and permanent" injuries. Really? Assault and battery? Intentional? Can you see my eyes roll? And that's just the first count.

So it's come to this. A woman hit by a ball while sitting near a Little League diamond two years ago is suing the then-11-year-old player who threw the ball.

June Is Sports Dads Month

Steve Stenersen (US Lacrosse CEO): Too Many In Youth Sports Put Profit Ahead Of Kids

Submitted by June Is Sports Dads Month on Sun, 06/24/2012 - 18:25. | comments

Editors note; The following article originally ran in June 2012 for our “Sports Dads Month” focus on dads we identified as helping to keep all kids safe.

Being the father of an athlete is a challenging yet rewarding role. At MomsTEAM we think sports dads deserve to be honored, not just on the third Sunday in June, but for an entire month. So we have designated June as National Sports Dads Month and invited some veteran sports dads to share their wisdom by responding to a series of questions.

USA Lacrosse CEO Steve Stenersen and son Cole

The CEO and President of US Lacrosse, the fastest-growing sport in the country, is concerned that youth sports has become increasingly a big business, with a growing numbers of private clubs and tournaments too often motivated more by a business plan than by what's best for kids.

June Is Sports Dads Month

David Kittner (a/k/a Youth Fitness Guy): Adults in Youth Sports Need To Always Remember It's For The Kids

Submitted by June Is Sports Dads Month on Sun, 06/24/2012 - 17:28. | comments

Editors Note: This blog is part of a special series on dads which originally ran in 2012. Because it is timeless we are sharing it again.

A sports dad, coach, and longtime youth fitness instructor thinks the adults involved in youth sports, including league administrators, coaches and parents, need an attitude adjustment: to remember, first and foremost, that the game is for the kids.

Tim Twellman

College Recruiting: How An Expert Can Help

Submitted by Tim Twellman on Thu, 06/21/2012 - 20:35. | comments

If you son or daughter wants to play college sports, it is important that you and your student athlete understand the recruiting process and that you are doing what is necessary and and off the field to get noticed. An expert in the college recruiting process can help.

A couple of tips:

If you son or daughter wants to play college sports, it is important that you and your student athlete understand the recruiting process and that you are doing what is necessary and and off the field to get noticed. An expert in the college recruiting process can help.

June Is Sports Dads Month

Mark Hyman (Sports Journalist): Favors "Kid-Centric" Approach to Youth Sports

Submitted by June Is Sports Dads Month on Thu, 06/21/2012 - 17:54. | comments

Editors Note: This blog is part of a special series on dads which originally ran in 2012. Because it is timeless we are sharing it again.

Being the father of an athlete is a challenging yet rewarding role. At MomsTEAM we think sports dads deserve to be honored, not just on the third Sunday in June, but for an entire month. So we have designated June as National Sports Dads Month and invited some veteran sports dads to share their wisdom by responding to a series of questions.

Today, we hear from sports journalist Mark Hyman: Ben and Eli Hyman

A sports journalist explains how, after allowing his son to briefly pitch in a playoff game despite a sore arm, he hit the reset button and now advocates in favor of a kid-centric approach to youth sports which considers, first and foremost, how adult decisions effect kids on the field, on the court, and in the pool.