From Super Mom to Soccer Mom
First in a three blog series: “Redeeming Soccer Mom” Who is Soccer Mom? It’s hard to believe, but the term “Soccer Mom” has only been in regular use since 1996, when she was a highly sought after “swing voter” in the election of that year. According to Wikipedia, “One candidate Susan B. Casey ran with […]
Marion Booth Mentored Me
In November, 92 year old Marion Booth received the award of a lifetime: A Distinguished Service Award from the Maryland State Golf Association. I can think of no one more deserving. Marion has played championship golf since her teenaged days. She’s played with and against the best. She still competes in District Golf matches and […]
Dick Schultz, Coaching God’s Way
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” ~I Corinthians 9:24 What prize are you running for? Who is your role model? Who is holding you accountable for how you run? These were the questions […]
The Beautiful Game, Beautifully Played
How many of us have watched in amazement and disgust this week as Elizabeth Lambert of the University of New Mexico women’s soccer team assaulted players from Brigham Young University’s team? First, pulling a player down by her ponytail, then administering karate chops to the face of a player on a “tackle” and more. After […]
Is it “just” Growing Pains?
I was stretching with my U13 soccer team after a scrimmage. Through a chorus of moans and evident wincing one player told me, “Coach, no one in my class can touch their toes.” Her teammates nodded in agreement. Yep, tight muscles in longer limbs are natural when they’re growing. But does that mean pain is […]
NEEDED: Coaches Who Teach, Not Just Recruit
We’re seeing an alarming trend among coaches of elite athletes in all sports today: recruiting their talent rather than building it. After all, in an environment that celebrates winning above all else, teaching the fundamentals takes too long. Why develop talent when you can recruit it? Why spend time in injury prevention drills, strengthening and […]
For young female athletes, selection is personal
I had a disconcerting phone conversation with a friend and fellow “soccer parent” the other day. She said her daughter is “on the bubble” between the ‘A’ and ‘B’ team. They are waiting to hear which team she will be playing for. The parent told me that it is likely she won’t make the ‘A’ […]
Is winning worth dying for?
Over the Edge,* a 1997 Sports Illustrated article, painted a scary picture of the motivations and standards behind a sampling of American athletes. They reported the results of a poll of 198 Olympians and aspiring Olympians. The athletes were queried based on two scenarios. First, you are offered a banned performance-enhancing substance with 2 guarantees: […]
Got Milk?
A popular ad campaign, used to ask, “Have you had your milk today?” It was spoken in pictures of celebrities, sports figures, models who wore a milk mustache. Drink your milk because it builds strong bones and strong bodies, they tell us. I think to myself: I hope my kids are reading this and listening. I have pleaded with […]
Under Their Own Power
While I was out for a walk I came upon a young father coming out of the driveway behind his toddler son who was on one of those big plastic tricycles that has the handle behind for pushing. The son signaled the direction he wanted to go with his right arm and pointer finger. Upon […]