Headlines From The Nation's Press

Each week we open the show with some of the most glaring and reoccurring stories chronicling the ugliness surrounding youth sports organized by adults; issues pertaining to our children's health and education. These headlines clap like thunder across the country signaling a warning to parents, coaches, administrators, lawmakers, and community stakeholders that widespread change is imperative.

My good friend, and frequent guest on the show, Professor Doug Abrams of the College of Law at the University of Missouri, will add you to his daily mailing list of these stories. Simply email Doug and ask him to add your name to the list.

The Main(e) Event

Friday Night Lights. High School Football is BIG in Texas where ten of the top football coaches earn more than $100,000 per year! It is also big throughout the South where the kids play in multi-million dollar stadiums - with naming rights.

Americans everywhere love football, and high school football is still the thing to do on Friday night and Saturday afternoons. In many parts of the country, attendance is down considerably. More high school boys and girls are playing other sports than ever before. Besides, there are more avenues for entertainment today than there were twenty years ago.

High School football programs cost a lot of money; more than any other sport, although hockey is right up there. While school districts across the country are experiencing serious financial problems, many have been forced to cut athletic programs, including football.

So, why does a small high school in Southern Maine want to start a football program? We'll find out from the Freeport High School Head Coach, Steve Lechner, Principal Mark Tinkham, and Athletic Director Craig Sickles. They will be joined by Courtney Hanna, the president of the Booster Club, sophomore quarterback, Jon Klages, and freshman, Joey Stratis one of the team's tri-captains. We'll learn what it takes to recruit players and boosters, and what it takes to become a sanctioned program. We'll also get a glimpse of what motivates parents to bankroll the entire venture because no financial support comes from the school.

Dave Eid, Channel 13's well-known sports director/anchor will join us in studio to discuss this week's headlines and to talk about his insights on the impact of sport on our culture. He'll also share his views about youth sports as a professional journalist and as a father.

The Coaches Corner

Remember: 1) These are just kids. 2) Make no mistake! It's about them having fun. It's not your game, so be sure you don't take it away from them. 3) First and foremost, you are a teacher and a role model. The most important lessons you teach will NOT be about learning a game.

Regis' Rant

Kudos to Massabesic High School for suspending 13 athletes who violated the school's substance abuse policy. Seven football players, five field hockey players, and one female soccer player were suspended for four games. In addition to the suspensions, each student athlete must receive counseling, write papers explaining how they would avoid a similar situation in the future, and perform ten hours of community service.

Most schools have athlete contracts signed by the athletes and their parents, but without enforcement, such policies are often ignored when parents, coaches, and administrators turn their heads, especially when the incidents involve key players.

My hat goes off to the administrators and coaches at Massabesic for making this a learning experience for their community and other schools and communities around the state.

The Parent Trap

Next week's blog on http://www.mainetoday.com/kidsfamily/ will be my thoughts about the Parent Trap. I hope you will visit and add your comments.

We invite our listeners to call in and share their views.

Listeners can take part in the show by calling:

207-775-2217 or 1-866-811-9505.

or email me during the show at:

Regis@thecenterforkidsfirst.org