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

Ellen Staurowsky, Department of Sports Management and Media at Ithaca College. Ellen received her undergraduate degree in Health and Physical Education from Ursinsus College, a master's degree in Sport Psychology from Ithaca College, and a doctorate in Sport Management from Temple University. Her research interests focus on gender equity, Title IX, the exploitation of athletes, the representation of women in sport media, and the misappropriation of American Indian imagery in sport.

Since the civil rights era of the 1960s and 1970s, an increasing number of American Indians, educators, lawyers, scholars, politicians, journalists, and government officials have challenged the use of American Indian imagery by corporations, schools, the entertainment industry, and sports teams.

Why do offensive images like Chief Wahoo, the mascot for the Cleveland Indians, receive widespread support, while similar caricatures of other racial groups, such as Amos and Andy, and The Frito Bandito, have disappeared from the American landscape?

This opposition to American Indian sport imagery has resulted in some organizations choosing new mascots and nicknames. Schools such as Scarborough High School have been inclined to change mascots in recognition of the need to reassess the educational value of images that stereotype American Indians and the harms they cause. We'll be joined in studio by Andrew Dolloff, Assistant Superintendent in the Scarborough School District, who was principal at Scarborough High when that school changed its mascot.

This will be a fascinating discussion about the history of American Indian sport imagery, common misconceptions about American Indian mascots, and the impact this imagery has on American Indians and our culture.

In the second hour, Charles Euchner, the author of Little League, Big Dreams, will be back to talk about the 2006 Little League World Series, and to follow-up on the commercialization, and exploitation of the children who have become the stars of this prime time event.

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