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 - Expanded

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, Michael 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

During the past three decades, there has been significant evolution in the role served by the athletic director in high schools across the country. At one time many high schools hired coaches to handle tasks associated with athletic administration. Paid a small stipend for their efforts, they recruited and hired staff, developed budgets, ordered and maintained equipment and supplies, and provided game management services.

There were no prerequisites to becoming a high school athletic director. The individual was most often a varsity coach in several sports, in addition to holding down a full teaching load. These individuals also assumed responsibility for lining and roping fields, pulling out bleachers, cleaning facilities, and coordinating ticket sales and booster club activities.

Major changes in the mid-1970s affected the role of AD. Title IX forced schools to provide equivalent opportunities for female and male students, with girls athletic programs growing exponentially.  Schools were also forced to add subvarsity teams and brand new programs such as ice hockey, field hockey, and lacrosse.

Athletic Directors gradually became responsible for reporting schedules and games results, certifying player eligibility, and ensuring compliance with state regulations.

With the addition of lights for outdoor contests, and the number of games being played indoors and out, the high school athletic director is on the job five to six days a week from 7 am until after 10 pm. This expansion of programming and  responsibility has challenged the individual capacities of ADs to meet the time, energy, and organizational demands of the job. People are leaving the profession in droves, and in 2006 turnover in the state of Maine was at an all-time high.

We'll be discussing this important topic with Bonny Eagle AD, Gary Stevens; Westbrook AD, Todd Sampson; Sanford High AD, Gordie Salls; S. Portland High AD, Kevin Woodhouse; and Portland High AD, Rich Drummond. We'll be taking an in-depth look at the causes and effects of AD Burnout.

Do things like parental interference, an emphasis on winning, a sense of entitlement by parents and athletes, funding, rules and regulations, and personal and family pressures make this job untenable? A study by the Maine Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association Ad Hoc Committee will provide us with the facts and what can be done to make the job more manageable. This promises to be an interesting and provocative show.

Podcast Update

I'm experimenting with Podcasting the weekly show. Since I'm self-taught, the learning curve is steep at this point. Nevertheless, there are three "sample clips" of the show that can be listened to and downloaded at:

 http://www.thecenterforkidsfirst.org/Podcasts.htm

I would appreciate any and all feedback, especially with regards to which player your browser used, i.e. Windows Media Player, Quick Time, etc. Were you able to download and save the file? How long did it take to download/play? What was the quality of the sound?

Once I figure out the best way to do this, anyone, anywhere will be able to listen to the show whenever it is convenient.

The Coaching Tip Of The Week

Remember: 1) These are just kids. Don't treat them like adults.  2) Make no mistake! It's about them having fun. Not you! 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 have nothing to do with the game you are coaching.

This week's Tip: Visit the website, use the "Coaching Tips" link or just click on the link below to see my Tips for Coaches. These tips come from my 48 hour Coaching Development Workshop and have nothing to do with X's and O's or game winning strategies. These tips are all about your professional and personal development as a teacher of kids who happen to be organized for playing a sport.

http://www.thecenterforkidsfirst.org/CoachTipsArchives.htm

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