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| Big Sol and Timmy Big Time rewarding a deserving athlete |
Be a Good Sport!
-Sol
Friday, 30 September 2011
-Sol
Thanks for being an avid reader and supporter of the Sportsmanship Blog. You're able to read and watch video about sportsmanship stories from all over the country. This blog is also a conduit to promote the programs within the St. Louis Sports Commission's Sportsmanship Initiative. The Sportsmanship Initiative creates more positive environments for kids to play sports so they will remain active and lead healthier, happier lives. Many of you have attended the annual St. Louis Sportsmanship Summit (now Youth Sports Summit); which provides youth coaches and parents a forum to address youth sports issues and better serve our kids. Coach It Right! Soccer and Baseball clinics give youth coaches free training from top-notch instructors. Several St. Louis area organizations are members of the Team Players Program. Membership includes a free Cardinals Care Package - a sportsmanship kit filled with materials to help coaches, parents, and athletes promote good character and sportsmanship.
The Sportsmanship Brigade is a group of volunteers who attend youth sports events looking for acts of good sportsmanship. "Guilty" parties are rewarded with a certificate of recognition and a gift card to a local business. Last but not least, the Sports Commission produces the National Sportsmanship Awards - a night that celebrates all that's right in sports. Athletes, coaches, teams, and others are recognized for selfless acts and promoting respect, integrity, civility, and fair play. Yes, Sportsmanship is a full-time job and we need your help to keep this momentum going. The Sportsmanship Initiative has been entered into Monsanto Corporation's Grow St. Louis Contest. Monsanto is looking to support St. Louis area programs that have great impact. The company will award up to $15,000 to the project that receives the most votes. Here's what you can do to help:
Be a Good Sport!
-Sol
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| To vote for the St. Louis Sportsmanship Initiative |
The Sportsmanship Brigade is a group of volunteers who attend youth sports events looking for acts of good sportsmanship. "Guilty" parties are rewarded with a certificate of recognition and a gift card to a local business. Last but not least, the Sports Commission produces the National Sportsmanship Awards - a night that celebrates all that's right in sports. Athletes, coaches, teams, and others are recognized for selfless acts and promoting respect, integrity, civility, and fair play. Yes, Sportsmanship is a full-time job and we need your help to keep this momentum going. The Sportsmanship Initiative has been entered into Monsanto Corporation's Grow St. Louis Contest. Monsanto is looking to support St. Louis area programs that have great impact. The company will award up to $15,000 to the project that receives the most votes. Here's what you can do to help:
- Click on the following link to go to our voting page - The St. Louis Sportsmanship Initiative.
- Vote 100 times! (That's right. The system will ask for your email address to validate votes. Then, go to work.)
- Vote 100 times a day...EVERYDAY...between now and October 16.
- Share this post via email, Twitter, Facebook or however you want.
Be a Good Sport!
-Sol
Thursday, 29 September 2011
Page 2 has everything from the mild to the wild this week. Check out the rundown...
- Would you be comfortable with magnetic wands, metal detectors, and bag searches at youth games? It may be on its way to California...and maybe to a league near you.
- Jodie Lynn of stltoday.com gives helpful advice for parents looking to register their kids for more competitive soccer leagues.
- Do you want to make a positive impact on sportsmanship in the St. Louis area? You'll find out how to volunteer for the Sportsmanship Brigade.
- MLB umpire Gary Cederstrom stopped a game to go to the home dugout and make a phone call. Who was he calling and what for?
- Finally, a Syracuse, N.Y. area coach has come under scrutiny for allegedly taking his players to a cemetery and having them lie down on graves. Spooky stuff, and it's not even Halloween.
Full coverage of the entire rundown is available on Page 2. Enjoy. Until next time...
Be a Good Sport!
-Sol
Wednesday, 28 September 2011
The young lady in this picture attended the free screening of the film 'That's What I Am' yesterday (you can view more photos in the upper-right corner of this page). This photo was taken while she was being interviewed for WWE TV. She wasn't chosen randomly. WWE staff wanted her interviewed because she asked one of the most thought-provoking questions of the day. WWE Superstar Sheamus talked about how he dealt with bullies as a child in Ireland. He gave the students with multiple ways to handle bullies. Sheamus also emphasized that fighting is not an answer to bullying. Then, he took questions from the kids. The girl pictured here asked Sheamus, "Don't you find it ironic that you beat people up on TV and then come here to tell us not to fight?"
Sheamus told the group that what they see him and his fellow WWE Superstars do is just entertainment. They're not really a bunch of mean guys who go around beating people up all day. He did a good job of bridging the gap between what adults do and what we tell children they should do. As adults, we need to remember that. Our children often hear us tell them one thing while we do another. Other students provided very real and personal situations about themselves or a friend being bullied. Kids came looking for answers and Sheamus helped them a great deal.
WWE holds live events all around the world on most days of the year. The company has a tremendous influence on kids and they know it. Thankfully, they are using that influence to affect positive change for kids. Sheamus' overall message to the children can be summed up in three points.
1). If you are being bullied, tell a parent, teacher, or another trusted adult.
2). Surround yourself with friends who will support you.
3). Don't be a bully. Be a S.T.A.R. - Show Tolerance and Respect.
Until next time...
Be a Good Sport!
-Sol
Tuesday, 27 September 2011
WWE Superstar Sheamus competed in a 10-man battle royal for the WWE Intercontinental Championship last night in Kansas City. Have a look at the video below (email subscribers click here). After the show in Kansas City, Sheamus drove overnight to St. Louis. He probably arrived sometime today between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. Despite his bumps, bruises, and obvious sleep deprivation - Sheamus will join the Sports Commission and about 150 kids to talk about bullying prevention. We'll be at the Moolah Theatre beginning at 9:30 a.m. for a free screening of the film That's What I Am. Sheamus will then share his personal story and tell the kids how to prevent bullying in their schools and communities. On behalf of the children and the entire St. Louis region, we thank Sheamus and WWE for their commitment to kids. Sheamus' nickname is 'The Celtic Warrior.' No matter how many matches he wins or loses in WWE, it's certainly clear he's a warrior for kids. Until next time...
Be a Good Sport!
-Sol
Monday, 26 September 2011
The video clip below is from an event WWE held in Bridgeport, Conn. earlier this year (email subscribers click here). WWE Superstar Sheamus lead an anti-bullying rally with kids at a local community center. He'll do the same thing again when he leads St. Louis area youth in a discussion about how to prevent bullying. Tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. inside the Moolah Theatre in St. Louis, the Sports Commission and WWE will host a free screening of the film That's What I Am. At the conclusion of the film, Sheamus will talk with local students on how to be a S.T.A.R. - Show Tolerance And Respect in their schools and communities. Space is still available and we don't want you and your kids to miss this unique opportunity. You can still register by calling 314-345-5130 or email salexander@stlsports.org. Make sure to also check out SportsmanshipTV for specific examples of bullying from the film as well as the Nine Pillars of Character. Until next time...
Be a Good Sport!
-Sol
Sunday, 25 September 2011
At the conclusion of today's Rams-Ravens game, check out SportsmanshipTV for a WWE be a STAR marathon. We'll show all five bullying examples as well as the Nine Pillars of Character. The first episode will be posted as soon as the clock hits zero in St. Louis. Each successive episode will be posted every half-hour beginning at 7:30/6:30 Central. If you haven't registered your school, youth organization, or individually for the free screening of the anti-bullying film That's What I Am - you can do so by emailing salexander@stlsports.org or call 314-345-5130. For more information on the event, taking place this Tuesday morning at the Moohlah Theatre in St. Louis at 9:30, please click here. Watch the videos with your kids. Take action by joining us on Tuesday. Until next time...
Be a Good Sport!
-Sol
Thursday, 22 September 2011
DeAngelo Hall of the Washington Redskins vows to target Tony Romo's injured ribs this weekend. A school district superintendent gave the title quote after handing down some rather harsh discipline after a football brawl. Couldn't have said it better myself. Finally, the St. Louis Sports Commission wants you to nominate an individual, team, or act of sportsmanship that represents all that's right in sports. The winner will be recognized at the 2012 National Sportsmanship Awards. Enjoy Page 2 everybody! Until next time...
Be a Good Sport!
-Sol
Wednesday, 21 September 2011
The St. Louis Rams filed a complaint with the NFL about the conduct of the New York Giants during their game this past Monday night. St. Louis took issue with what has been described as two New York players "faking" injuries. The Giants were ahead 7-3 in the first quarter when St. Louis switched to a no-huddle offense. The strategy was working. Giants defensive players were out of position, confused , and tired. St. Louis drove to the New York 7-yard line when this happened (email subscribers click here).
No. 57 Jacquian Williams of the Giants went down first. Then, Deon Grant collapsed. Williams sees Grant go down and is miraculously healed by the power of...OK, I'll stop. You get the picture. By the way, this worked. The Giants were able to re-group on defense and hold the Rams to a field goal. As a result of the Giants' actions, the NFL sent a memo to all 32 teams warning them against faking injuries. The league cited its rule against "conduct detrimental to the game" and will use said rule to discipline teams if the behavior continues.
We all know injuries happen in football and no one wants to look the other way if a player is truly hurt. I realize some of you may laugh this off and call it gamesmanship. How's this for gamesmanship? As many of you know, youth sports often run on a continous clock. When the time is up, that's it. There are three minutes left in the game and if the other team scores, your child's team loses. Your kid suddenly collapses on the field grabbing his knee. You, your spouse and the entire coaching staff run out on the field. Your heart is in your throat and you're screaming for someone to get help. After about two minutes, your child hops to his feet and jogs to the sideline as if nothing had happened. What would you do? Until next time...
Be a Good Sport!
-Sol
No. 57 Jacquian Williams of the Giants went down first. Then, Deon Grant collapsed. Williams sees Grant go down and is miraculously healed by the power of...OK, I'll stop. You get the picture. By the way, this worked. The Giants were able to re-group on defense and hold the Rams to a field goal. As a result of the Giants' actions, the NFL sent a memo to all 32 teams warning them against faking injuries. The league cited its rule against "conduct detrimental to the game" and will use said rule to discipline teams if the behavior continues.
We all know injuries happen in football and no one wants to look the other way if a player is truly hurt. I realize some of you may laugh this off and call it gamesmanship. How's this for gamesmanship? As many of you know, youth sports often run on a continous clock. When the time is up, that's it. There are three minutes left in the game and if the other team scores, your child's team loses. Your kid suddenly collapses on the field grabbing his knee. You, your spouse and the entire coaching staff run out on the field. Your heart is in your throat and you're screaming for someone to get help. After about two minutes, your child hops to his feet and jogs to the sideline as if nothing had happened. What would you do? Until next time...
Be a Good Sport!
-Sol
Tuesday, 20 September 2011
The title of this post has been repeated to me more times than I care to remember. We love our children and want to protect them from all hurt, harm, and danger. We think of them as innocent and we want to preserve that innocence. Those thoughts about our kids should never change. However, a lack of knowledge and direction can sometimes lead them to do cruel things to one another. Take a look at the clip below from the film That's What I Am (email subscribers click here).
The ignorance of Jason Freel becomes an assault on Katie Connor. His unfounded paranoia about cooties led him to consult another kid who fed him more nonsense. This resulted in an eighth grade girl being whipped with a leather jacket. Although That's What I Am is a work of fiction, it provides examples of the kind of cruelty perpetrated on kids by their peers. I'm sure many of us can cite real-life instances as well. But what can we do about it? You can start by bringing your kids to the free screening of That's What I Am on Tuesday, September 27 at the Moolah Theater in St. Louis beginning at 9:30 a.m.
After the film, WWE Superstar Sheamus will discuss the film and talk about his own background as a bullying victim. Seats still remain for your school or youth organization. Please call 314-345-5130 to register or email salexander@stlsports.org. Until next time...
Be a Good Sport!
-Sol
The ignorance of Jason Freel becomes an assault on Katie Connor. His unfounded paranoia about cooties led him to consult another kid who fed him more nonsense. This resulted in an eighth grade girl being whipped with a leather jacket. Although That's What I Am is a work of fiction, it provides examples of the kind of cruelty perpetrated on kids by their peers. I'm sure many of us can cite real-life instances as well. But what can we do about it? You can start by bringing your kids to the free screening of That's What I Am on Tuesday, September 27 at the Moolah Theater in St. Louis beginning at 9:30 a.m.
After the film, WWE Superstar Sheamus will discuss the film and talk about his own background as a bullying victim. Seats still remain for your school or youth organization. Please call 314-345-5130 to register or email salexander@stlsports.org. Until next time...
Be a Good Sport!
-Sol
Monday, 19 September 2011
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| From L-R: Je'Marre Duncan (Lift For Life), Shawan Dreyfuss (Cleveland), Nathaniel Archie (Lift For Life), Solomon Alexander. Not pictured: Marquez Buck (Lift For Life). |
Shawan Dreyfuss plays center for Cleveland and is the ultimate teammate. He could be heard from the stands shouting words of encouragement. Dreyfuss ran Gatorade out to his teammates and could be seen working on snapping the football when Cleveland was on defense. He told me after the game, "I act like this if we win or lose. I just like to play football." Rewarding respectful, hardworking young people makes our work worthwhile. Brigade members were unanimous in their selection of these players. Our season has just begun and we'd love to see the quality kids in your organization too.
The Sportsmanship Brigade is a group of Sports Commission volunteers who visit youth sporting events looking for acts of good sportsmanship. When volunteers identify an athlete, coach, or parent who commits an act deserving of recognition, that individual will be rewarded at the conclusion of the contest with a certificate of recognition and a gift card from a local business. If you'd like the Sportsmanship Brigade to visit your school or league, please call 314-345-5130 or email salexander@stlsports.org. Until next time...
Be a Good Sport!
-Sol
Saturday, 17 September 2011
I promise pictures will come in my full report on Monday, but the day should not end without highlighting two teams for their tremendous play and sportsmanship. Cleveland NJROTC high school defeated Lift For Life Academy 30-28 on Saturday afternoon in a thrilling game. The Sportsmanship Brigade was out in-force and this was a good one. Four young men showed outstanding sportsmanship on the field. Je'Marre Duncan, Nathaniel Archie, and Marquez Buck of Lift For Life were recognized as well as Shawan Dreyfuss of Cleveland. Again, full details will come on Monday. I just couldn't fall asleep without celebrating these young men. If they had done something terrible, the video would be viral by now. It's just as important - no more important that we apply the same zeal when young people are caught doing the right thing. Congratulations guys! Until next time...
Be a Good Sport!
-Sol
Be a Good Sport!
-Sol
Thursday, 15 September 2011
This week's Page 2 is up and the title story is just one of five. We also have posts about an Ohio State booster, Notre Dame's Brian Kelly, a St. Louisan showing tremendous sportsmanship, and NPR asks a serious question about sportsmanship and high-profile athletes. Enjoy! Until next time...
Be a Good Sport!
-Sol
Be a Good Sport!
-Sol
Wednesday, 14 September 2011
The Sportsmanship Brigade will be out again this Saturday as Lift For Life Academy takes on Cleveland NJROTC in high school football action. Come out with us and support the kids from these two great schools. October is also a very busy month for the Brigade thanks to the good people at the St. Louis Junior Football League and the Mid-Rivers Junior Football Association. We have four dates set with those organizations. Please check back with the Sportsmanship Blog in the coming weeks as we get closer to those dates.
We have re-named the St. Louis Sportsmanship Summit. The St. Louis Youth Sports Summit as it will now be known is coming January 14, 2012. Maryville University has once again agreed to host the event and we promise to provide you with the tools to make your kids' sports experience the best it can be. Tons of information on this event will be coming very soon. Check out the Sportsmanship Stuff page on this website for sportsmanship tools you can get right now. The best part is that everything I just mentioned is absolutely free.
Now, onto the part I've been waiting for. Sportsmanship is not a one-man job. It never has been and it never will be. I am taking this time to publicly thank some of the people who have helped champion the cause of Sportsmanship. Your support is always welcomed, needed, and appreciated. Thanks to Madelyn Alexander, Madison Alexander, Madelyn Perry, Frank Viverito, Patty Viverito, Marc Schreiber, Erin Schreiber, Gina Bauman, Kristin Folkl-Kaburakis, Tim Ryan, Chris Roseman, Brent Shulman, Emily Fisher, Karli Juenger, Annie Benninger, Maria Huggins, Noah Cohan, Kristin Gregory, Lauren Johnes, Marcus Washington, Leonard Lawson, Sean Spinks, Kris Kalin, Steve Worthy, Naomi Tao, Bob Ciapciak, Shaun Hayes, Scott Schnuck, Doug Albrecht, Jack Stapleton, Craig Wielansky, Walter Lamkin, Kathleen Killion, John Kijowski, Doug Brookover, David Braswell, Tony Thompson, Demetrious Johnson, Kevin Pulley, Jennifer Harris, Steve Nicollerat, Tom Zinselmeyer, Denny Vaninger, Jason Barbour, Lesley Barbour, Dani Apted-Schlottmann, Danny Lewin, Kurt Knoedelseder, Louise Losos, Bob Bone, Dick Wehner, Chip Allison, Katrice Noble, Chandra Palmer, Rory Seals, Marshall Cohen, Holly Yoakum, Stephanie Mueller, Scott Schatzman, Tyron Woodley, Bill Bommarito, Paul Scovill, Butch Rosier, Buzz Swanston, Allison Rockamann, Brett Markwort, Barry Roufa, Kristin Gillette, John Leavens, Kathy Busch, Lane Green, Celeste Knierim, Myrle Mensey, Jackie Hibbler, Belinda Draft, Rennell Parker, Aeneas Williams, Chris Hollenbeck, Tom Eschen, Brandon Floyd, Aaron Floyd, Serena Muhammad, Teresa Von Stamwitz, Torrey Davie, Kisha Lee, Joyce Jones, Barbara Washington, Martin Mathews, Flint Fowler, Stephanie Garvey, Reggie Jones, Dean Christiansen, Chris Kusnerick, Mike Bush, Frank Cusumano, Lynn Beal, Andre Holman, Kathleen Nelson, Vahe Gregorian, Paul Harris, Sherri County, Tom DeClue, Jim Hudson, Chuck Bennett, Carol Brown, Becky Limback, Evelyn Austin, Jim Orling, Guan Hollins, Vince Nance, Joe Jackson, Ken Morr, Ann McKay, Brian Goldman, Joe Eaton, Kelly Behlmann, Margene Jerrolds, Kelly Hill, Michael Yarbrough, Kevin Demoff, Renah Jones, Lamont Buford, Chris Draft, Chris Long, Ron Bartell, Julie Nash, Julie Metzger, Diana Wilhold, Liz Gibbons, Diane Stirling, Marvin Berkowitz and the only man I've ever called 'Dad' - John Perry. A special thanks to you for showing me the way. Until next time...
Be a Good Sport!
-Sol
Tuesday, 13 September 2011
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| Coach Al Womack accepting Sportsmanship Brigade Certificate |
It was late in the third quarter and Collinsville was ahead 7-0. The Alton defense stopped Collinsville's offense and was ready to receive the punt. The returner for Alton fumbled the punt and Collinsville recovered deep inside their opponent's territory. High school is very different from the college and professional ranks. On those higher levels, the coach would probably pull the player from the game after making such an error. In high school, almost everyone plays offense, defense, and special teams. The young man who muffed the punt had to go right back out and play defense.
Collinsville ran the ball right at him on the next play. They scored easily, but a Collinsville lineman took his blocking assignment a bit too far and blocked the Alton kid through the end zone. Between fumbling the punt and now being man-handled, the young man couldn't take it anymore. He and the other player began throwing punches. Other players on the field joined in. The fight happened close to Collinsville's side of the field and their players began moving in that direction. While other Alton coaches ran to help officials and Collinsville coaches break up the melee, Coach Womack turned to the bench of about 40 players ready to fight and said two words. "Don't move!"
The image of these young men was a sight to see. They were itching to join the fracas, but not one player's foot so much as touched the sideline. Coach Womack didn't jump up and down or use profane language. His position of respect and authority was louder than his voice could ever be. After things settled, Coach Womack gathered the players who were going back onto the field. He looked each player in the eye and spoke to him about responsibility and focus. Both teams finished the game without incident. The Sportsmanship Brigade recognized Womack for his leadership and good sportsmanship during the game. He is an outstanding coach and leader of young people.
The Sportsmanship Brigade is a group of St. Louis Sports Commission volunteers who visit youth sporting events looking for acts of good sportsmanship. Athletes, coaches, and fans who practice good sportsmanship are rewarded on the spot with a certificate of recognition and a gift card to a local business. If you would like the Sportsmanship Brigade to visit your youth league call 314-345-5130 or email salexander@stlsports.org. Until next time...
Be a Good Sport!
-Sol
Be a Good Sport!
-Sol
Monday, 12 September 2011
Wow! What a difference two years makes. Actually, two years didn't seem to make much difference at all if you're Serena Williams. The former world No.1 found herself in the U.S. Open final. Williams took on Samantha Stosur of Australia. In a semi-final appearance in 2009, Williams lost to Kim Clijsters after being penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct and a rather ugly confrontation with an official. Her previous actions were chronicled in the post Mouth All Mighty. Fast forward to 2011 and Williams was at it again.
She was already down a set to Stosur when the following sequence of events happened (email subscribers click here).
Williams yelled out before her opponent had a chance to make a play on the ball. You can't do that in tennis. The official gave the point to Stosur and it became 2009 all over again. It's one thing to be loud. It's another to be wrong. Williams was loud and wrong. She accused the official of being the one who "screwed her" in 2009. First, there was a different official this time. Second, Williams made it clear that she learned nothing from the previous incident. She went on to lose to Stosur in straight sets. Two years ago, I wrote the following words to describe Williams' actions. They're still true today.
"Let this be a lesson to you and your kids. Practicing the highest ideals of sportsmanship will not guarantee you victory. However, a poor attitude and unsportsmanlike conduct will make you a guaranteed loser." Until next time...
Be a Good Sport!
-Sol
She was already down a set to Stosur when the following sequence of events happened (email subscribers click here).
Williams yelled out before her opponent had a chance to make a play on the ball. You can't do that in tennis. The official gave the point to Stosur and it became 2009 all over again. It's one thing to be loud. It's another to be wrong. Williams was loud and wrong. She accused the official of being the one who "screwed her" in 2009. First, there was a different official this time. Second, Williams made it clear that she learned nothing from the previous incident. She went on to lose to Stosur in straight sets. Two years ago, I wrote the following words to describe Williams' actions. They're still true today.
"Let this be a lesson to you and your kids. Practicing the highest ideals of sportsmanship will not guarantee you victory. However, a poor attitude and unsportsmanlike conduct will make you a guaranteed loser." Until next time...
Be a Good Sport!
-Sol
Friday, 9 September 2011
Thursday, 8 September 2011
Yes, that's me in the video doing a reverse lunge with 210 pounds (email subscribers click here). Why the self-promoting video of me? Well, you need to be strong if you're going to promote sportsmanship effectively. Seriously, I've been working hard on a couple of new additions to the Sportsmanship Blog. You'll see two new icons at the top of the main page. Page 2 is dedicated to five stories that I think are very meaningful to the cause of sportsmanship but I couldn't get around to writing about them all in full. Check them out. This week's edition has everything from Nyjer Morgan's Twitter tirade to a 5'4 basketball walk-on earning a scholarship his senior year. Sportsmanship Stuff is all about the St. Louis Sports Commission's Sportsmanship Initiative and its programs. Did I mention it's all free? Take a look and learn what you can do to improve sportsmanship for your parents, coaches, and kids today. That's all for now. Explore a little and tell me what you think. Until next time...
Be a Good Sport!
-Sol
Seattle area high schools Garfield and Lake Washington played each other last Friday in the season-opening football game for both. Lake Washington held a 14-0 lead with a little over 10 minutes to go in the third quarter. Garfield fumbled the ball on one of its possessions and Lake Washington recovered. Coach Kevin Goliday of Garfield argued the call. That in itself isn't a big deal. Coaches argue calls all the time. What he did next, however, was selfish and inexcusable. Goliday pulled his team from the field and refused to let them return. KING 5 TV in Seattle posted the following video from a fan in the stands showing the incident (email subscribers click here).
Goliday's actions are the juvenile equivalent of taking your ball and going home. He didn't even give his kids the chance they deserved to try and come back. Goliday's actions showed a total disrespect for the game and a lack of confidence in his players. Garfield has since suspended its coach pending administrative review. Good for them. It doesn't matter if they win all of their games or lose them all. Our kids should never be taught to quit. Until next time...
Be a Good Sport!
-Sol
Related Reading:
Yahoo! Sports - Coach's disagreement with ref leads to team walk off, forfeit
Goliday's actions are the juvenile equivalent of taking your ball and going home. He didn't even give his kids the chance they deserved to try and come back. Goliday's actions showed a total disrespect for the game and a lack of confidence in his players. Garfield has since suspended its coach pending administrative review. Good for them. It doesn't matter if they win all of their games or lose them all. Our kids should never be taught to quit. Until next time...
Be a Good Sport!
-Sol
Related Reading:
Yahoo! Sports - Coach's disagreement with ref leads to team walk off, forfeit
Tuesday, 6 September 2011
The overwhelming majority of student-athletes are decent hard-working young people. They say "please," "thank you," and they call mom on Mother's Day. We often get swept up in the sensational, though. The athletes who are self-serving and greedy get a lot of attention. Thankfully, we have young people like Jack Long and Shane Simpson to pull us back. Long and Simpson attend Missouri Western State University (St. Joseph, Mo.) and are defensive backs on the school's football team. As those who follow football know, defensive backs are the last line of defense. If an offensive player makes it past them, the play or the game is usually over.
Long and Simpson proved to be the last line of defense for 17-month-old Liam Snook as he was accidentally trapped in his grandmother's car on Aug. 23. The high temperature that day was 98 degrees and the heat index was well over 100. The young men were on their way home from a grueling football practice. No one would have blamed them for minding their own business as so many of us do. Liam's family is glad they decided to do the opposite. Watch the Missouri Western coverage below (email subscribers click here).
Most of us will never be in a position where we have to save someone else's life. However, we will all be in a position to help someone who truly needs it at some point. As you heard in the video, Liam's grandmother did not have the strength to break the car window and wore herself out after repeated strikes. The young men got Liam out with relative ease. This is what we need to teach our kids. Doing something that's almost effortless on your part could mean the world to someone else. In this case, it meant the life of a little boy. Go Griffons! Until next time...
Be a Good Sport!
-Sol
Long and Simpson proved to be the last line of defense for 17-month-old Liam Snook as he was accidentally trapped in his grandmother's car on Aug. 23. The high temperature that day was 98 degrees and the heat index was well over 100. The young men were on their way home from a grueling football practice. No one would have blamed them for minding their own business as so many of us do. Liam's family is glad they decided to do the opposite. Watch the Missouri Western coverage below (email subscribers click here).
Most of us will never be in a position where we have to save someone else's life. However, we will all be in a position to help someone who truly needs it at some point. As you heard in the video, Liam's grandmother did not have the strength to break the car window and wore herself out after repeated strikes. The young men got Liam out with relative ease. This is what we need to teach our kids. Doing something that's almost effortless on your part could mean the world to someone else. In this case, it meant the life of a little boy. Go Griffons! Until next time...
Be a Good Sport!
-Sol
Monday, 5 September 2011
In last Friday's post, there was video of a football brawl in Sarasota, Fla. At the time, police had not determined who was at fault or what the whole story was. There is a much clearer picture now. Watch the story below from WTSP-TV in Tampa (email subscribers click here).
While this incident is an all-around mess, did you catch what the official charge is? Assaulting an athletic official is a felony in Florida. Now I'm no political expert, but I do know that most laws get passed as a reaction to a particularly heinous crime or series of crimes. The disrespect and subsequent assaults of athletic officials has become so bad that the Florida legislature saw fit to step in. This incident and others like it represent an epic failure on the part of adults to teach and lead young people. Football and other sports programs are supposed to help keep young people out of the criminal justice system - not put them in it! Unfortunately, another young man has become a statistic not because of gangs or drugs, but because of his coaches. The police and politicians have no business regulating youth and high school sports. That's our job. Let's start doing it! Until next time...
Be a Good Sport!
-Sol
While this incident is an all-around mess, did you catch what the official charge is? Assaulting an athletic official is a felony in Florida. Now I'm no political expert, but I do know that most laws get passed as a reaction to a particularly heinous crime or series of crimes. The disrespect and subsequent assaults of athletic officials has become so bad that the Florida legislature saw fit to step in. This incident and others like it represent an epic failure on the part of adults to teach and lead young people. Football and other sports programs are supposed to help keep young people out of the criminal justice system - not put them in it! Unfortunately, another young man has become a statistic not because of gangs or drugs, but because of his coaches. The police and politicians have no business regulating youth and high school sports. That's our job. Let's start doing it! Until next time...
Be a Good Sport!
-Sol
Friday, 2 September 2011
Sportsmanship matters. Respect matters. Civility matters. Integrity matters. Regardless of what we see or hear, there is still a need for the work we do and support. This is not an ad or a justification statement. Think of this post as a rallying cry. Educating our kids, parents, coaches, and officials on the value of sportsmanship is more important than ever. Oh, you don't believe me? In the words of my dear mother, you don't believe fat meat's greasy, do you? That's OK. I have indisputable visual evidence in the following video (email subscribers click here).
While this youth sports disaster happened in Florida, don't think that it can't or won't take place in Anytown, USA. That's why the Sportsmanship Brigade will be out tonight, next week, and the week after that. The Sportsmanship Brigade is a group of St. Louis Sports Commission volunteers who attend youth sports events looking for acts of good sportsmanship. When an athlete, coach, or fan is caught doing the right thing, they are rewarded with a certificate of recognition and a gift card to a local business. As you can see from the video, people can't wait to break out their smartphones when something bad happens. Let's see what goes on when the Brigade comes to your neighborhood looking for something good to happen.
The Sportsmanship Brigade will attend the Ladue vs. St. Louis University High football game tonight. We'll be in Collinsville next Friday (9/9) for its game against Alton. The Brigade will also be in attendance when Lift For Life Academy takes on Cleveland ROTC on Saturday, September 17. Speaking of Lift For Life, thanks to Principal Katrice Noble for stepping up in a big way to help kids defeat bullying. Her entire sixth and seventh grade classes will join us for the free screening of That's What I Am at the Moolah Theater on Tuesday, September 27 at 9:30 a.m. Don't worry, Mrs. Noble didn't take all the space. There's still room for your school or youth organization. Call 314-345-5130 or email salexander@stlsports.org to register. Have a fun and safe Labor Day weekend. Until next time...
Be a Good Sport!
-Sol
While this youth sports disaster happened in Florida, don't think that it can't or won't take place in Anytown, USA. That's why the Sportsmanship Brigade will be out tonight, next week, and the week after that. The Sportsmanship Brigade is a group of St. Louis Sports Commission volunteers who attend youth sports events looking for acts of good sportsmanship. When an athlete, coach, or fan is caught doing the right thing, they are rewarded with a certificate of recognition and a gift card to a local business. As you can see from the video, people can't wait to break out their smartphones when something bad happens. Let's see what goes on when the Brigade comes to your neighborhood looking for something good to happen.
The Sportsmanship Brigade will attend the Ladue vs. St. Louis University High football game tonight. We'll be in Collinsville next Friday (9/9) for its game against Alton. The Brigade will also be in attendance when Lift For Life Academy takes on Cleveland ROTC on Saturday, September 17. Speaking of Lift For Life, thanks to Principal Katrice Noble for stepping up in a big way to help kids defeat bullying. Her entire sixth and seventh grade classes will join us for the free screening of That's What I Am at the Moolah Theater on Tuesday, September 27 at 9:30 a.m. Don't worry, Mrs. Noble didn't take all the space. There's still room for your school or youth organization. Call 314-345-5130 or email salexander@stlsports.org to register. Have a fun and safe Labor Day weekend. Until next time...
Be a Good Sport!
-Sol
Thursday, 1 September 2011
I just got off the phone with the folks at World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and they have confirmed that former two-time WWE Champion Sheamus will appear at the free screening for the film That's What I Am on Tuesday, September 27 at 9:30 a.m. at the Moolah Theater in St. Louis. Sheamus will speak to the children about how he was bullied as a kid in his native Ireland and what they can do to stop bullying in their schools and communities. For those not familiar with the WWE Superstar known as 'The Celtic Warrior' have a look at the following clip of him in action on the most recent edition of Monday Night Raw (email subscribers click here).
On WWE television, Sheamus plays a character who solves all of his problems with his fists. On Tuesday, September 27, he will convey the message that his character is just that - a character. Problems solved with brute for usually lead to more problems. Sheamus is now 6ft. 6in. tall and weighs 280lbs., but try to imagine him 20 years ago as a kid. He was a tall, lanky kid with fire-red hair and almost pale skin. Sheamus would have been an easy target for bullies. The Sports Commission and WWE want to show kids that there is a path to end bullying. Join us on Tuesday, September 27 at the Moolah Theater at 9:30 a.m. for a free screening of the film That's What I Am. Please call 314-345-5130 or email salexander@stlsports.org to register your school or youth organization today. Until next time...
Be a Good Sport!
-Sol
On WWE television, Sheamus plays a character who solves all of his problems with his fists. On Tuesday, September 27, he will convey the message that his character is just that - a character. Problems solved with brute for usually lead to more problems. Sheamus is now 6ft. 6in. tall and weighs 280lbs., but try to imagine him 20 years ago as a kid. He was a tall, lanky kid with fire-red hair and almost pale skin. Sheamus would have been an easy target for bullies. The Sports Commission and WWE want to show kids that there is a path to end bullying. Join us on Tuesday, September 27 at the Moolah Theater at 9:30 a.m. for a free screening of the film That's What I Am. Please call 314-345-5130 or email salexander@stlsports.org to register your school or youth organization today. Until next time...
Be a Good Sport!
-Sol
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