Volume I, Issue 34 | May 3, 2019
Academics vs. Sports? There's No Competition at this High School.
From elementary through college, educators have always been quick to emphasize that academics come before sports, as evidenced by the traditional split time spent in the classroom compared to practice (and the GPA requirements for athletic participation). Now one South Carolina high school is turning that idea on it's head. Welcome to Oceanside Collegiate Academy, where academics and athletics are given equal value in nearly every way. Proponents suggest their on to something, claiming that test scores and college admissions prove the validity of this approach. Others are concerned about the message this sends to kids and families. Read the profile and decide for yourself: is this the future or a troubling experiment?
The Problem with Running as a Punishment for Athletes
Coaches have used running as a disciplinary measure for decades, yet research shows this method has some serious flaws in both motivating and promoting long-term athletic development. In this week's blog, read about why this method of punishing athletes is counter-productive & potentially harmful.
Part of Sports Injury Prevention is How You Move
New technologies are helping doctors find flaws in the movements & technique of young athletes that may lead to injuries. See what sports medical experts like our friends at Akron Children's Hospital are doing to get ahead of the game by identifying issues and making changes in an attempt to prevent future injury.
Is Pay Hurting the Development of Sports Officials?
With news of officiating shortages across the country, most of the commentary has been focused on how the actions of coaches and parents are driving them out of the game. While this is most certainly true, it turns out that low pay may also be a serious issue. Are we underpaying officials and limiting our pool of qualified refs?
After Knee Injuries, Be Wary Returning to Sports
A new study is raising serious questions about the viability of return-to-play testing for athletes who have suffered ACL tears. It also found that those injured are more than twice as likely to injure their other knee. With these injuries on the rise in teenage and adult athletes, more information may be necessary to determine the best path forward.
Think Before You Speak After Youth Sports Competition
Coaches and parents are often tempted to spend time after a game rehashing the positive and negative elements of their athletes' performance. Yet that's almost never a good idea. As this columnist points out, perhaps we should stop to listen to our young athletes before speaking.
The Quotable Athlete
“ Michael Jordan  may have been the best basketball player in history, but he couldn’t have won six NBA titles without a team.”

~ Mark E. Hyman


Hyman is a professor at George Washington University and an author
& contributor to several books on youth sports and sports in general.
To learn more about programs and events...
Play Like a Champion Today Educational Series
574.250.6424