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.

Inspirational Sports Speaking Presentation: Achieving the Impossible

Ever wonder how certain athletes, certain people, are able to accomplish objectives (goals) through adverse conditions or circumstances that look, from the outside, to be insurmountable?

I mean, how is it that people like Jim Abbott (former one-handed pitcher), Wilma Rudolph (polio survivor who was never expected to walk again, yet won 3 gold medals in track), or the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team (who went on to win gold after defeating the best hockey team on the planet, the Russians, in the semis) are able to "beat the odds." Examples like this exist at all levels of competition, and in all types of sports. Even though few in number, they are there representing a pinnacle of performance not many seem to be able to reach - or that is what most believe.

NCAA March Madness: Low Graduation Rates For Some - Why?

There has been a swirl of articles floating around on the internet pertaining to the Secretary of Education Arne Duncan's statement that teams with a graduation rate below 40% should not be allowed in the NCAA tournament, something that the Chicago Sun-Times expanded on in its article, Low grad rate should bench NCAA teams, this past Sunday.

Much of the information currently presented centers its focus on basketball and March Madness stating that there are 12 teams in the men's tournament below this 40% level, some of which are as low as 8%. Sure had to scratch my head on that one. Do they go to class at the University of Maryland?

Tim Tebow: Can He Make It In The NFL?

In perusing the internet looking for various sports stories of interest, I came across several conversations about Tim Tebow and what others think he can and can't accomplish. This young quarterback from Florida is currently facing the daunting task of silencing his critics and becoming a premiere NFL quarterback, something I believe to be a goal of his based on what I have read.

Now, I certainly do not claim myself to be an expert on football (especially quarterbacks), something I am sure my colleagues where I teach, and coached, would be quick to point out given half the chance. However, I do believe I have some insight into what it takes to overcome adversity in athletics (Becoming a True Champion). Tim's story, still at its beginning, just hits home with me.

MLB Union Opposed To Blood Test for HGH: Go Figure!!!

In today's NY Daily News, it is reported that the World Anti-Doping Agency is encouraging Major League Baseball to take a stand and start testing for use of HGH (Human Growth Hormone), something the MLB players union has not been in favor of. Yea, what a surprise!

The article World Anti-Doping Agency calls on Major League Baseball to implement HGH testing by Christian Red and Nathaniel Vinton delves into the idea that the players union feels it "inappropriate" for blood testing to be done. They are much more inclined to approve a urine test but seem to be opposed to a blood test for this or any other performance-enhancing drugs (PED).

Do Not Miss: "The Long Green Line"

I recently had the wonderful opportunity to watch the award winning film, The Long Green Line by LGL Productions. A colleague of mine, a fellow teacher and coach, strongly suggested that I see it. He felt the film would help support and confirm all the positive things sports should be encouraging in others.

Now traditionally, I am a sucker for true-to-life stories that motivate; however, documentary-type films are not necessarily the kind that jumps to the top of my list. That particular point is what made this film such a nice surprise (it most certainly did not disappoint) as it details Joe Newton's incredibly successful coaching career at York High School in Elmhurst, Illinois.

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.

The Tiger Woods Apology: Please, Enough is Enough!!!

Friday, February 19th at 10:00 a.m. Central Standard Time, Tiger Woods held a press conference to apologize to everyone. My question, Why?

Seriously..., why is this news? Why does the media, or anyone else for that matter, continue to show such deep interest in a story like this? The amount of air time and attention this whole situation has received is simply absurd. Is this really something that ABC, NBC, CBS, ESPN, etc., etc. should glamorize in the way that they have? Are we saying, through the enormity of this coverage, that this apology (something that is really between him and his wife) is so noteworthy and newsworthy that it trumps anything else out there?

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.

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

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

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

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