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 Weekly High School Sports Report

Michael Hoffer, Sports Editor for the Forecaster, will report on high school sports, focusing on the "minor sports." We won't just be reporting scores and game results, but we'll focus on the kids who train hard and participate in those sports that receive less adult and media involvement. That said, Mike will keep us informed of all post season playoffs and tournament results, as well as behind-the-scenes and human interest happenings.

The Main(e) Event

Back in the day here in Maine, you could count on snow and frozen ponds already. I don't know if global warming has anything to do with it, but skiers have got to be wondering. I was sure we'd have a ton of snow by now. Go figure.

This week the whole show is on skiing. Ski writer, Scott Andrews helped to produce this show. Joining us in studio will be Suki Benoit, the Portland Ski Club; Karla Marcus, WinterKids; Jack Manheimer, USA Snowboard Association; Jackie Roux, Windham Recreation Department; and Greg Sweetser, Ski Maine. We'll also have a couple of enthusiastic and articulate kids from the Portland Ski Club.

One of the great things about skiing is that it is a lifetime activity. Another plus is that families can do it together....even if the kids snowboard and mom and dad use skis.

Speaking of back in the day, it just so happens that I tore my ACL (who knew what one was back then, or that you could reconstruct one) up in Waterville with those vintage ski boots that clamped onto the skis and didn't break away. It was circa 1957 and doctors still made house calls. I was diagnosed with a "bad sprain," and the doctor prescribed aspirin and bed rest. It was some 35 years later, after one old fashioned surgery to remove torn cartilage, and regular trips to the doctor to "drain" a swollen knee, that I had the ACL repaired and learned that I had been without it for my entire adult life!

When I tried skiing again as an adult, the best I could manage was "the snowplow" because my brain must have been wired from that accident to not let me go all out. As a result, after one day of skiing this way, my knee would swell up so badly I couldn't walk and spent the rest of the time in the lodge. That wasn't all that bad, but I've haven't returned to the slopes in 20 years!

Injuries are a part of flying downhill at 30 miles per hour, taking jumps, riding rails, and doing 360's on boards and skis. Orthopaedic trauma surgeons are especially busy during ski season repairing broken collar bones, torn ACL's, and fractures of all kinds. But that doesn't seem to hurt the sport's popularity. The only thing that can do that is the lack of snow!

We'll learn about today's high tech equipment, fashionable clothing, and the high flying kids do on skis and snowboards. My guests will also have lots of information about the many clubs, programs, and school teams that offer recreational sport and competition for all ages.

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

Parents, Beware! Your schools may be cutting back on recess and free play in order to increase more "seat time," and to avoid possible litigation. The problem with much of what is happening in our schools is that the majority of parents are "sleeping at the wheel," and not aware of what is going on.

It makes no sense whatsoever to eliminate or reduce the amount of daily physical activity our children receive in light of the incidence of childhood obesity, and it makes no sense in terms of how children learn. Years of research and "common sense" support the need for children and young adults to move about frequently and vigorously throughout the day in order to burn off calories and energy, stay alert, and renew the brain's source of oxygen.

Schools are now using the "liability" issue to reduce or eliminate recess and free-play. They say they can't control bullying and rough play that can lead to injury. Poppycock! Insanity! Well-supervised activity periods on safe playgrounds protect the kids and the school. Injuries happen to kids. My son broke his collar bone this week playing in an after-school, school-sanctioned 5 on 5 flag football game. I'm not going to sue anybody, and neither are 99% of us parents who want our kids to have a "normal" childhood filled with healthy activity and fun, free from out-of-control parents and over-the-top coaches! Its worth the occasional broken bone or bloody nose.

Parents! Don't let the so-called "experts" trump your common sense and the basic needs your kids have for daily, strenuous, physical activity that keeps them healthy and enhances learning! Speak up and tell 'em you aren't going to take it anymore!

The Parent Trap

Check out my blog on Mainetoday.com for some interesting articles, and comments from readers.

 http://www.mainetoday.com/kidsfamily/blogs/kidsfirst/008162.html Your comments are appreciated and wanted.

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