Published on Weplay.com: "A Time For Change?"

Weplay has just published my third article A Time For Change? on their popular ParentHOOD: Expert Advice For Sports Parents section of the Weplay website.

This particular article takes a critical look at the poor sports behavior demonstrated by many athletes over the last decade. It then proposes a code of ethical standard in order to initiate change. Following such a code will only bring a better more positive experience to athletes no matter what level they compete. That is aside from the obvious internal rewards and external accomplishments such a code can inspire.

Wide World of Sports - 1978 NCAA DI Still Rings National Championships

This is the actual program that was aired on ABC's Wide World of Sports back in 1978. You know, it just does not seem that long ago.

Face Plant: Oops, Now Thats Gonna Leave A Mark

Ahh, I think the title says it all here.

Man, I had a burn on my face for almost a week after that dismount. This occurred maybe a week or two before the National Championships in Eugene Oregon in 1978.

1979 NCAA Still Rings National Championships - Division I

Top 3 competitors on the still rings at the 1979 NCAA Division I National Gymanstics Championships.

Olympian Jim Hartung
Olympian Kurt Thomas
and, yep, thats me :-)!!!

Question: Who is the smartest gymnast on the stand at the end of the video.

Hint: Got to be the only one who kisses the girl!!!

The Benefits of Competitive Athletic Sports Participation in Today's Sports Climate

For those of you interested in my article, The Benefits of Competitive Athletic Sports Participation in Today's Sports Climate,  that was recently published on the ParentHOOD: Expert Advice For Sports Parents at Weplay, I have posted it here in its entirety below.

According to the National Council of Youth Sports (NCYS) there were over 40 million boys and girls participating in organized sports in 2008. Considering the continual growth of youth sports participation each year, it would certainly be of benefit to highlight the positives behind these numbers. This becomes especially important with the seemingly heavy media concentration on the opposing side of the fence, where the negative tends to make a better news story.

As a current physical educator, former coach, national champion and parent of two Division I athletes, the positive aspects of athletic sports participation is a focus of deep meaning to me. Yes, there is always the possibility, maybe even probability, of too much too soon and a misplaced emphasis on the “wrong” things like winning at all costs. However, these risks do not negate all the positives that can and do occur. And

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Taking The "Im" Out of Impossible: A Matter of Connecting The "Dots"

I would like to thank Weplay again for selecting my article Taking The "Im" Out of Impossible: A Matter of Connecting The "Dots" as their headline article on the ParentHOOD: Expert Advice For Sports Parents section.

It is a pleasure for me to write material for Weplay as they are a positive force in sports and youth sports with parents, coaches, and athletes. I am truly looking forward to publishing future articles with them.

It will take more than one person to really make a difference.

Thanks again Weplay!!!

Inspirational Quote for 2010

Remember the past for it represents ones previous successes and/or failures giving confidence, solace, and room to grow;

live in the present for it is here that one establishes the foundation for what is to come;

plan for the near and distant future for this gives one direction – a point of reference where one wants to be.

                                                                                     Kirk Mango 2010

A Definition of True Success

The willingness, perseverance, and commitment to go through a process that allows one to achieve personal, family, and/or group goals; the kind of goals that many view as impossible to accomplish.

And to do so with solid character and integrity, the kind of character and integrity that beseeches one to do the right thing just because it is the right thing to do. This is regardless of the outside pressure to do otherwise.

Finally, the willingness and resolution to reach out to others in order to teach them how to do the same.

It is this kind of success, true success, which brings with it

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Downers Grove Reporter Article on Kirk Mango & "Becoming a True Champion"

(Photo courtesy of Mark Busch at

the Downers Grove Reporter)
I would like to thank the Downers Grove Reporter and Janice Hoppe for taking time to acknowledge my work on Becoming a True Champion and with athletes through the inspirational speaking presentations I have been giving at Downers Grove South High School. It was a pleasure being interviewed by Janice and I am honored just to be recognized.

Thanks!!!

Downers Grove Reporter article link:
Physical Education teacher inspires students

The Benefits of Competitive Athletic Sports Participation in Today's Sports Climate

Hey, check out my article, The Benefits of Competitive Athletic Sports Participation in Today's Sports Climate. at Weplay.com (in "well being"), a proactive and popular sports website for athletes, coaches, parents, and fans. It is the headline article for their ParentHOOD: Expert Advice For Sports Parents section.

It is an honor to have been selected as a writer for weplay's ParentHOOD.

Thanks Weplay!!!

Also, Thanks Candice for the great "Shout Out"
It is much appreciated

Kirk Mango on 90.9 WDCB FM Radio “The Sports Doctor”

Please join me and host Dr. Weil on his radio show The Sports Doctor for our discussion on the inspirational speaking presentations I have been giving in order to help make a difference for athletes. Other topics may include: my book Becoming a True Champion, success in sports, raising college athletes, and generally anything related to sports and athletes. I am excited about appearing on his show again and would appreciate any time you might give to listen. Below I have included the date and time of the show and an on-line link for those unable to tune into 90.9 WDCB FM in the Chicagoland area.

I would be honored by any listener feedback. Thanks!!!

2nd Upcoming Radio Interview on
The Sports Doctor

Who: Author Kirk Mango

Where: 90.9 WDCB FM Radio

When: Thursday December 10th, 2009
6:30 p.m. Central Time

What: Making a Difference for Athletes


If you missed the show here is the mp3 link: Kirk Mango on the Sports Doctor
(Just click on the link above and then and give it some time to start. It does seem to take a little while due to its mp3 origins.)

Book Website Link: Becoming a True Champion

Paralympian Lloyd Bachrach From “Yes You Can!” Endorses Becoming a True Champion

Great endorsement from paralympian and inspirational speaker Lloyd Bachrach ( Yes You Can!). Here is what Lloyd wrote after reading Becoming a True Champion:

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Steve Weatherford From the New York Jets Endorses “Becoming a True Champion”

I was happy to receive an enthusiastic endorsement from Steve Weatherford, current punter for the New York Jets. Here is what Steve had to say after reading Becoming a True Champion:

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Inspiring Athletes From Within: A personal attempt to make a difference

It is in my continuing efforts to publish Becoming a True Champion (BATC) that it dawned on me how important group and team motivational speaking presentations could be in delivering the principles of athletic success I so desperately want to encourage in athletes.

You see, in addition to BATC, I have gathered and/or written a fair amount of inspirational material for my blog (The Athlete's Sports Experience: Making a Difference), that I felt could truly help athletes achieve higher levels of excellence in sports; maybe even inspire them to reach beyond the “normal” limitations that traditionally hold others back from accepting difficult challenges.

After much introspection, I decided on four important concepts (for my presentation) that I felt were necessary if I ever expected to be successful at reaching inside athletes to help them discover the power they have within. To truly do this, my presentation would have to:

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Team Sports and Consistent Performance

Often I hear team sport athletes talk about how difficult it is to perform their skill set in competition on a consistent basis. I have frequently witnessed many of them (team sport athletes, and even entire teams) ride a wave of inconsistency playing well one night and completely opposite the next.

It is during this up and down performance rollercoaster that I find myself asking questions like, What if?, How come?, Why is that so? and Is there a better way? As a former athlete, coach, and teacher, it is simply part of my nature to ask such questions.

So what is it that seems to make it difficult for many team sport athletes to achieve the consistency that eludes them? In order to try and answer that question it might be best to take a look at sports where consistency is king.

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High School Inspirational Speaking Presentation a Success

This past Monday, I had the wonderful opportunity to present my thoughts and ideas to the DGS High School Volleyball Program on how athletes (or anyone for that matter) can achieve success through very adverse conditions. Basically, how people “beat the odds” and become one of those rare groups of individuals able to surmount what others believe to be impossible.

There were approximately 60 athletes present along with the coaching staff and all seemed involved and interested in the activities and stories I used to support my thoughts.

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Title Change For BATC

After much deliberation my coauthor and I have decided to make a change in the title of our book. The purpose of this change is to bring more focus and direct more attention to the larger market for which Becoming a True Champion was written. Now the title speaks loudly about its purpose just as the book itself speaks directly to whom it will benefit. Our new title:

Becoming a True Champion: Achieving Athletic Excellence From the Inside Out

If You Live To Be 100!!!

If you live to be 100 years old you will spend the first 50 years of your life doing many things.

You will spend the next 50 years doing more things and reflecting on all of those things that you did in your first 50 years.

Toward the end of those 100 years of fruitful living you will spend a good deal of time continuing to reflect and evaluating those 100 years of life.

So, make sure you spend time doing things that are worth reflecting on and that bring value to you and to others.

It is in so doing you will find happiness in a life that was truly worth living.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Interview With One of College Baseball Elites!!!

Interview Chat with Louisville University Cardinal baseball player Phil Wunderlich. Phil is a standout player and the #1 hitter for the Cardinals. His outstanding play helped Louisville make it to the Super Regional of the NCAA Division I Baseball Championships.

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Interview With a National Gymnastics Champion, Elite College Ball Player, & Major League Ball Player

In keeping with my purpose of giving young athletes, parents, and coaches valuable information about youth sports, I have planed several interview chats with some highly successful athletes. These competitors have been through it all.

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