Tragedy

Problems, comments or questions about this site? Please email us at webmaster (at) coachjerry (dot) com	An American Tragedy Continues By Jerry Norton
	Another incomprehensible shooting in another "it couldn't happen here" school by another angry and disturbed child. Why? When will it end? What can we do?
	These are just a few of the questions parents, school and law enforcement officials and councilors struggle to answer. Recommendations for increased security and the use of metal detectors in schools may be reasonable, even necessary measures but they won't help us understand what turns a young, innocent child into a killer?
	Many experts believe that an increasing number of children today display symptoms of clinical depression. For varied reasons, these children feel emotionally abandoned or rejected by parents, peers or society and suffer diminished self esteem. Without a positive counter influence for these children, experts believe their negative thoughts and feelings may ultimately translate to violent actions.
	Said another way, kids need to feel good about themselves, they need to know they are loved and that someone is there to care for them today and in the future. They need to feel they belong. Children also need mentors to teach respect and tolerance and to help them develop the reliable moral compass so necessary in making responsible decisions.
	Parents, teachers, and religious leaders all can greatly influence children in a positive way. Sports, sports figures and leaders of sports are an equally potent influence on children but this influence can be either beneficial or detrimental. The publicized bad behavior of many high profile college and professional athletes and coaches makes these often imitated individuals poor role models. The growing number of kids who talk trash on athletic fields is but one example of their adverse influence.
	What can be said about the role of organized youth sports on shaping children? Ideally, kids who are involved in positive, organized sports programs typically learn valuable lessons, do well in school and are less likely to get into trouble. Unfortunately, statistics show, 70% of the 20 million or so kids who participate in organized sports drop out by or before age 12 because of negative experiences.
	This raises yet another important question: Is there is a link between the tragic acts of violence occurring in the schools and the win-at-any-cost mentality (and related, senseless acts of violence) in youth sports?
	It is not a big stretch to believe that there might be a relationship here. But whether there is or not, youth coaches across the country should stop and ask themselves this question "Are my actions as coach, physically or emotionally detrimental to any of my players?" Unless the answer is unequivocally NO!, the coach should re-evaluate his or her role as a coach. Parents of players should ask themselves the same thing regarding their children. We cannot afford to waste the opportunity to shape our children's lives and values that participation in sports can provide. Youth coaches are in a unique position to be beneficial mentors and positive role models for children. They should use their position and influence to teach meaningful life lessons as well as sport skills and do everything possible to keep kids connected and involved. Kids who drop out of sports may also drop out of society, often with disastrous consequences.

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