Not World Cup But Tempers Flare At 9 Yr. Old Youth Soccer Game: DON'T MISS THIS STORY & RADIO SHOW

Yes, skirmishes between adults do occur at prestigious events like the World Cup, however, ever hear of a fist fight breaking out at a youth sporting event?

Well, that is exactly what happened this past weekend at a girls youth soccer game.

When parental emotions run high during competitive events involving their own kids, volatile situations can result - especially when a situation occurs where one parent sees unfair play that they feel puts their own child at risk.

Now I don't want to add too much of my own flavor to this since it is such a hot topic right now in the Westchester, NY area where AM 1230 WFAS Radio will be covering the topic on this Sunday's morning radio show, "Let Them Play" at 8:00 a.m. Central Time.

If you want to know more about what happened, I encourage you to read the story and responses at the blog here: Let Them Play
And you certainly don't want to miss the show. Here is the link as it is being streamed this Sunday the 27th (8:00 a.m. Central Time):  Listen In to 1230 WFAS
If that doesn't work, try the radio station link here: AM 1230 WFAS Radio and click the Listen Live link near the top, left.

If you are a coach or a parent of young athletes, or just plain interested in what is going on in our youth sports culture, DO NOT MISS THIS SHOW!!!

Parents Suing Over Athletic Code Violation: Nothing Beats a Real Life Example!!!

I set my Google account to alert me to breaking stories and news dealing with sports and youth sports issues. On opening up my email this morning I received an alert on my tag "athletic code." As I perused the titles and short briefs available I key in on one specific title, Maine Family Sues Over High School Honor Code from The Boston Globe at Boston.com.

It should be no surprise to anyone who has read my last two posts (Current High School Athletic Codes: Are You Aware They Have Changed? and Teens, Athletes, Parents, and Drinking: What's a Parent To Do?) that this would be of immediate interest to me. I promptly click on the title and head to the article knowing full well what I am about to discover, and this article did not disappoint.

Sports and Ethics: The Debate Over Performance Enhancement

Several of my recent articles explore the continued debate over the use of performance enhancement substances with regard to possible baseball Hall of Fame nominees, the MLB blood testing for HGH, and suggested guidelines that differentiate between appropriate versus non-appropriate sports performance enhancement practices.

I know there are some who believe that performance enhancement drug (PED) use is no big deal, that maybe it would be best to just legalize all of it, and that the entertainment value of higher levels of performance is most important. Then there are those whose beliefs operate on a completely different plane, the opposite of that which I just described. And, of course, there are those whose thoughts on this topic fall somewhere between these two extremes.

Jaylin Fleming: The Nation's Finest 10-Year-Old Basketball Player - WOW!!!

(Photo from
Chicago Tribume)

In today's Chicago Tribune, Anne Stein highlights the exceptional talents of a very young and rising basketball star (can you be a rising star at 10?) in her article The Best 10-Year-Old Basketball Player in America. On the current online version of this story, they have a video demonstrating Jaylin's basketball prowess, along with comments from his father regarding how he is being raised and where Jaylin's and his family's priorities are.

What I find most interesting as I watched the video clip, and read through the commentary in the article, is how much of what Jaylin is doing and dedicating himself to resembles what I went through as an athlete my last year of high school, only, for me, at a much older age. His passion for mastering the skills of his sport, at least at this point, is very evident, and the solid foundational upbringing of placing family, school, and religion as important pieces in his life is also obvious.

Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Alex Rodriguez, and the rest: Are They Truly Hall of Fame Material?

In this Sunday's PARADE section of the Chicago Tribune, the article Do Steroid Users Have a Place in the Hall of Fame? raises a question that holds some heated debate within a variety of sports venues, something it will do for some time to come.

PARADE.com even has an online poll, asked from a different slant than their article title (be careful of this), for individuals to vote one way or the other. And the current statistical trend seems to be weighing heavily on the YES they should NOT be allowed into the Hall of Fame side of the equation.

For me, the answer is simple, and, aside from what some who read my posts might guess, has no direct relevance to the poor character choices these athletes have made and examples they have set.

A Tribute to John Wooden: A Role Model For Us All

The first time I ever heard the name John Wooden was during a master's course I was taking for a post-graduate degree in administration. One of my assignments was to write a synopsis on a video of Coach Wooden's principles, relating his beliefs to information being taught in the course. Before then, I really had no idea who John Wooden was - let alone his coaching accomplishments. He was not someone I had ever come across. Boy, what a small world I lived in, right?

Pushing the video into my VCR, I sat back on my couch, with a pad of paper and pencil to jot down some notes, and proceeded to watch what I thought would be a mundane lecture on success, leadership, or something else along those lines. However, what I got was so much more.

College Recruits Getting Younger and Younger: Kindergarten the next great recruiting venue!!!

Ok, let me make sure I have this right. According to ESPN Los Angeles, Sills, 13, commits to USC, and CBSSports.com MaxPreps, Delaware seventh-grader is a USC commit, we now have 13-year-old student athletes making college commitments. Is this for real? Do 13-year-olds even know what size underwear their mom buys them, let alone what college will be the best fit five years into their future?

Look, I am all about dedication, commitment, setting high goals, and becoming the best one can be; however, adding to that the challenge of college decision-making at such a young age? Not so sure about that one.

A Time For Change?

In the wake of Tiger Woods’ indiscretions, the airing of his apology, Mark McGuire’s recent coming clean about his steroid use, as well as a host of other poor character behavior, I can’t help but reflect on how this past decade has inevitably changed the view of many regarding the values taught through competitive sports participation.

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

It is in giving several inspirational presentations to high school athletes, and programs, that I have had the distinct opportunity to truly reflect on what allows a select few athletes to achieve greatness through adversity. This “special” ingredient is something that most certainly comes from within, permitting a competitor or a team to reach beyond normal limitations. It is also a major focal point in my speaking engagements.

All of us, at one time or another, have seen or heard of athletes who accomplish what looks from the outside to be impossible. You know, that unachievable goal that just can’t happen…….yet, these special athletes somehow find a way of “beating the odds.” Films like Rudy, Miracle, Hoosiers, Remember The Titans and others, all depict true stories of those who have not only taken on challenges like this but have succeeded in the process. They all found a way to beat the odds.

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

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 when athletes are exposed to the proper environment, and put forth proper amounts of effort and make good choices, you would be hard pressed to find anything that gives them the opportunity for holistic benefits that participating in competitive sports does.

These benefits, at least from my perspective, fall into all 3 of the following categories:

Inspirational Quote for 2010

Remember the past for it represents one's 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

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

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 forthcoming 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.)

Forthcoming 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:

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.

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.

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

(Picture from
USAG Website)
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.

Process Over Outcome: Has America Forgotten?

The first half of this post’s title takes direct aim at something I have spent a good deal of time referencing in many of my articles pertaining to youth sports. What I would like to do here is step back from that environment for a moment, taking a look at this idea of process over outcome, and the loss thereof, as it relates to the “big picture” – our society as a whole. Before I go ahead with my rant on this topic, it might be a good idea to define these two terms as they pertain to the relationship I am about to draw between them and what I see as a shift in American ideals.

Things Your Kids Didn’t Learn in School And Our Current Sports Environment

In perusing the internet, talking to colleagues, and sharing information from within the teaching and coaching profession, I come across interesting bits and pieces of information that force reflection. One such piece was recently emailed to me by a colleague and it is one I have seen circulate on the internet from several different sources.

It is claimed by some to be a piece from a speech Bill Gates gave to a group of high school students. However, it actually comes from the teachings of Charles J. Sykes, author of Dumbing Down our Kids and 50 Rules Kids Won’t Learn in School.

A “What If?” for Coaches

What if you were able to gain specific information about the athletes under your direction that gave detailed insight into their personality strengths and weaknesses, how they think, react, are motivated and inspired? The type of information that would give you the ability to interact with them at their best level of understanding, allowing you to reach inside each athlete and pull out the potential they have within. Do you think this type of information might help you to create a team environment where everyone on that team thrives? Where leaders can be chosen based on who brings the best leadership skills to the table, and where goals become a mere end result of a process rather than the brass ring that few can reach. If any of this has sparked your interest, then stay with me as I introduce you to Pam Brooks, a certified behavior analyst from Arizona.