The Decorah Eagles: Lessons for Youth Sports?

Submitted by Brooke de Lench on Mon, 06/27/2011 - 18:05. | comments

Since April I have had a front row seat watching the Decorah Eagles, one of best teams in the nation, at work.

Who are they? A baseball team? A lacrosse team?

No. These Eagles are actually, well, a family of American bald eagles from Decorah, Iowa - members of the bird family Accipitridae and a proud symbol of America - whose teamwork between the eagle parents (coaches) and the players (eaglets, now fledglings) set an example from which every youth sports stakeholder- parents, coaches, fans and especially young athletes - can learn valuable lessons.

Brooke de Lench

Bruins' Stanley Cup and Father's Day: Remembering My Dad

Submitted by Brooke de Lench on Thu, 06/16/2011 - 16:08. | comments

My dad has been gone for close to twenty years now, yet this Father's Day week he is closer to my heart than he has been in many years.

If he were still alive, II am sure we would have been sharing in the excitement of the Stanley Cup playoffs over the past few weeks, culminating in the Bruins' victory over the Vancouver Canucks last night in Game 7.

It was an excitement we shared 39 years ago when the Bruins last won the Cup. Since he was born in 1925, he was alive for all of the other Cup victories by the B's in 1929, 1939, 1941, 1970 and 1972.

Brooke de Lench

Increasing Cynicism of Younger Coaches Is Disturbing Trend

Submitted by Brooke de Lench on Sun, 05/01/2011 - 19:31. | comments

In his monthly column on youth sports heroes, Doug Abrams highlights two high school baseball pitchers who refused to follow their coach's instructions to intentionally throw at the head of a batter.

His article highlights one high school baseball coach but proves two larger points.

Brooke de Lench

Win-Win: A Satisfying Sports-Themed Movie The Whole Family Will Enjoy

Submitted by Brooke de Lench on Mon, 04/25/2011 - 16:11. | comments

The new movie, Win-Win, should appeal to all age groups, but, may be especially appealing as a movie for grandparents to see with their sports-active teenage grand-kids.

Concussion Safety Education Is Personal For MomsTeam Founder

MomsTeam Founder and Publisher, Brooke de Lench, talks about the difficult decision to pull a son with a history of multiple concussions and learning disabilities out of high school football and lacrosse, and says parents should have a right to expect when they entrust their children to a sports program that it will take reasonable precautions to protect them against harm. In other words, parents have a right to expect that the entire team to whom they entrust their children's safety — including the national governing body for the child's sport, the state association, the athletic or club director, the athletic trainer (if there is one), and especially the coaches - are part of the concussion solution, not part of the problem.

Brooke de Lench

Assaults on Youth Sports Referees: When Will They Stop?

Submitted by Brooke de Lench on Mon, 03/07/2011 - 16:29. | comments

Every day when I come to work one of the first things I do is check the e-mails I get from parents and coaches all across the country with stories from newspapers about youth sports, including one from Moms Team expert, Doug Abrams.

Fresh Ideas For Growing a Youth Sports Program

Looking for ways to grow your local youth sports program? MomsTeam founder and publisher Brooke de Lench has some suggestions on registration, advertising, cross-promotion, and making sports programs more family-friendly, especially in these tough economic times when the cost of sports may be impeding full participation.

Brooke de Lench

Defunding of Texas Steroid Testing Program A Chance to Consider Better Ways for Schools To Spend Money on Sports

Submitted by Brooke de Lench on Sat, 02/05/2011 - 16:23. | comments

A recent article in the Boston Globe reported that a controversial steroid testing program of high school athletes in Texas is in danger of being de-funded, as the state House budget has cut the money for the program. The Senate draft still includes funding for the program. Florida eliminated a small testing program in 2009. New Jersey and Illinois also have statewide programs.

Brooke de Lench

Was The Welker Benching During the Patriots-Jets Playoff Game a Teachable Moment?

Submitted by Brooke de Lench on Tue, 01/18/2011 - 18:48. | comments

On Sunday, the New England Patriots met their bitter rivals, the New York Jets, for the third time this season, with the winner advancing to the AFC Championship game. The Pats had only lost two games all season, were unbeaten at Gillette Stadium, and were heavy favorites to not only beat the Jets but to go all the way to and win the Super Bowl in Dallas in early February.

But it didn't go according to plan. Bill Belichick's team played poorly, the Jets played well, and the result was a shocking 28-21 loss by New England to Rex Ryan's Jets.

As painful as the loss has been for Pats fans, it nevertheless provides a great "teachable moment" for parents to talk about with their young athletes around the dinner table.

Brooke de Lench

Indiana Teen Unfairly Kicked Off Basketball Team Because Of Length Of His Hair

Submitted by Brooke de Lench on Mon, 01/10/2011 - 17:10. | comments

Last October, 14-year-old Austin Hayden earned a place on his Greensburg, Indiana middle school boys' basketball team. A week later, he was told he could no longer be a member of the team after refusing to cut his hair (which was long, but not long enough to pull into a pony-tail) to comply with the coach's policy, which required that his hair be above his collar and ears.

Brooke de Lench