Thursday, September 30, 2010
The Ike Special - Varsity Edition
Watch this heartwarming sports story of Ike - Play Like A Champion Today(TM) likes this!
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Just Coaching
Justice has many definitions, but one I heard lately seemed particularly appropriate: “treating someone as they should be treated.” Being a just person means realizing that while not everyone has the same opportunities and skills and interests and priorities that you do, all people deserve respect. From a coaching point of view, being just means realizing that every single athlete can be a champion, but may take different paths to get there, and may require a different coaching style for motivation. Some coaches break down their teams mentally, telling them to play harder or be better or else they won’t get to play; some coaches play their stars, unwilling to face the wrath of a parent or administrator. And then there are some coaches that go beyond what is normally considered sportsmanship to make sure every player on their roster feels at home.
On Mark Perry’s Snohomish High School football team in Washington, a young man named Ike Ditzenberger always gets the last run in varsity practice. Ike has Down syndrome, but that doesn’t mean the kid doesn’t get to play. Acknowledging obvious differences, the coach made a deal with Ike: if he kept his shoulder pads on and his mouthpiece in, he would get to play. He became obsessed with football watching his brothers play; his older brother Jake was on the team for Ike’s first two seasons, giving Ike a sense of place despite his limitations. The Snohomish team has embraced Ike, appreciating the camaraderie and sense of routine that his runs at the end of practice provide. In addition, having Ike on the team helps place sports in perspective; his ceaseless enthusiasm reminds everyone involved that football is a game, a fun activity for everyone to enjoy.
Justice means making sure that everyone has the opportunity to be a champion. Read about Ike’s touchdown from the link below!
http://rivals.yahoo.com/highschool/blog/prep_rally/post/Down-syndrome-football-player-scores-TD-in-Washi?urn=highschool-272803
Kathleen Stanley
ND 2011
Social Principles of Coaching
On Mark Perry’s Snohomish High School football team in Washington, a young man named Ike Ditzenberger always gets the last run in varsity practice. Ike has Down syndrome, but that doesn’t mean the kid doesn’t get to play. Acknowledging obvious differences, the coach made a deal with Ike: if he kept his shoulder pads on and his mouthpiece in, he would get to play. He became obsessed with football watching his brothers play; his older brother Jake was on the team for Ike’s first two seasons, giving Ike a sense of place despite his limitations. The Snohomish team has embraced Ike, appreciating the camaraderie and sense of routine that his runs at the end of practice provide. In addition, having Ike on the team helps place sports in perspective; his ceaseless enthusiasm reminds everyone involved that football is a game, a fun activity for everyone to enjoy.
Justice means making sure that everyone has the opportunity to be a champion. Read about Ike’s touchdown from the link below!
http://rivals.yahoo.com/highschool/blog/prep_rally/post/Down-syndrome-football-player-scores-TD-in-Washi?urn=highschool-272803
Kathleen Stanley
ND 2011
Social Principles of Coaching
Monday, September 20, 2010
Reggie Bush's Heisman Scandal
The Heisman Trophy is one of sport’s most prestigious awards, given yearly to the best college football player in the country. For an amateur athlete, there is no greater glory or honor. This week, for the first time in its long and storied history, the Heisman trophy was returned. Reggie Bush, the 2005 winner, gave back the trophy after an NCAA investigation into his college playing days was announced.
During his time at USC, Reggie Bush put up staggering numbers and drove his team to one of the longest winning streaks in NCAA history, winning two national championships. It could easily be argued that he was one of the greatest players in college football history. He seemed to be a good guy who was genuinely likable, even if he was dominating your favorite football team. Unfortunately, it turns out he may have been breaking all sorts of rules.
The NCAA has alleged that Reggie Bush took payments and housing during his time at USC, something clearly not allowed for an amateur athlete. These violations by Bush have not only hurt his legacy, but his actions have also decimated the USC football program and athletic department. The school will likely have to forfeit its national championships and has already removed all signs of Bush’s time at the school. They gave back their copy of Bush’s Heisman a month ago. USC has done all it can to apologize for this situation and correct its wrongs. Unfortunately, Bush has not.
Once the NCAA had made it clear that Bush and the school had committed violations, USC immediately began to rid itself of the stain and embarrassment of the violations. Reggie Bush could have followed suit and began to reestablish himself as a role model for young athletes. Instead, he has constantly denied any wrongdoing in the face of insurmountable evidence. When he finally gave back his Heisman trophy at the beginning of the week, it seemed like a humble gesture. Perhaps Bush was finally admitting his wrongs and showing remorse. Instead, the next day Bush held a press conference to announce that the return of the trophy was “in no way an admission of guilt.” Rather, Bush said he simply wanted to stop being investigated by different groups. What appeared to be an act of honest humility turned out to be a selfish decision.
Reggie Bush is yet another example of why athletes cannot be looked to as role models. He had the chance to be a great, honest, and inspiring football player for America’s young athletes. Instead, he took money in college. When he had a chance to show the world how to fess up to your mistakes, he took the easy way out and denied wrongdoing. Reggie Bush, an NFL superstar, is looked up to by kids across America. And it’s a shame.
Mike Hill, ND 2012
Social Foundations of Coaching
During his time at USC, Reggie Bush put up staggering numbers and drove his team to one of the longest winning streaks in NCAA history, winning two national championships. It could easily be argued that he was one of the greatest players in college football history. He seemed to be a good guy who was genuinely likable, even if he was dominating your favorite football team. Unfortunately, it turns out he may have been breaking all sorts of rules.
The NCAA has alleged that Reggie Bush took payments and housing during his time at USC, something clearly not allowed for an amateur athlete. These violations by Bush have not only hurt his legacy, but his actions have also decimated the USC football program and athletic department. The school will likely have to forfeit its national championships and has already removed all signs of Bush’s time at the school. They gave back their copy of Bush’s Heisman a month ago. USC has done all it can to apologize for this situation and correct its wrongs. Unfortunately, Bush has not.
Once the NCAA had made it clear that Bush and the school had committed violations, USC immediately began to rid itself of the stain and embarrassment of the violations. Reggie Bush could have followed suit and began to reestablish himself as a role model for young athletes. Instead, he has constantly denied any wrongdoing in the face of insurmountable evidence. When he finally gave back his Heisman trophy at the beginning of the week, it seemed like a humble gesture. Perhaps Bush was finally admitting his wrongs and showing remorse. Instead, the next day Bush held a press conference to announce that the return of the trophy was “in no way an admission of guilt.” Rather, Bush said he simply wanted to stop being investigated by different groups. What appeared to be an act of honest humility turned out to be a selfish decision.
Reggie Bush is yet another example of why athletes cannot be looked to as role models. He had the chance to be a great, honest, and inspiring football player for America’s young athletes. Instead, he took money in college. When he had a chance to show the world how to fess up to your mistakes, he took the easy way out and denied wrongdoing. Reggie Bush, an NFL superstar, is looked up to by kids across America. And it’s a shame.
Mike Hill, ND 2012
Social Foundations of Coaching
Monday, September 13, 2010
A Strange Game Down Under
Last fall I was able to spend 5 months living and studying in the Fremantle, Western Australia. On my return, most people when made aware of my semester abroad “Down Under” would ask me if I spent time in the outback, or ran into any kangaroos, or saw the Opera House in Sydney. The answer to all these question was thankfully yes; my time in Australia was a wonderful experience full of wonderful memories that will continue to shape my life. However, one experience that I had that is usually passed over when being questioned about my semester abroad is my encounter with the strange game of Australian Rules Football.
Footy as it is often referred to the by the locals, is a uniquely interesting game, especially to the outsider with absolutely no knowledge of the game. I once heard Australian Rules Football described as being a little like every sport we play in America, and unlike any sport we play or know. The ball looks something like a rugby ball, oddly shaped and large in comparison to a football. The field is a massive oval, resembling a cricket field. There are 18 players for each team trying to get the ball through the tallest set of goalposts at either end of the field (there are two sets of goalposts, two short and two tall on each side). Much to my confusion early on, in getting the ball down the field through the goalposts the ball can not be thrown; it must either be passed to a teammate by either kicking the ball, bouncing the ball, or by a sort of underhanded volleyball serve-pass. Players are allowed to tackle only anywhere between the shoulders and knees, making the game at first glance look a lot like rugby or football without pads.
My experience with footy began as merely an escape from the normal day of studying and school work. Whether it was playing a pick-up game in the park with classmates, or going to watch a game at the local footy club, Australian Rules Football was for me, an important athletic outlet during my time abroad. Growing up being a competitive tennis player, athletics and competition were an important part of my life. Much to my surprise and disappoint, I found opportunities to play tennis during my semester abroad relatively inaccessible in my situation; mainly because of the hefty court fees required. Thankfully though, footy stood in as an enjoyable substitute while I was abroad, speaking to the athlete inside me by giving myself and the other American students studying there a chance to get back on the athletic fields to compete and most importantly have a good time.
Ian Rangel
Social Foundations of Coaching
University of Notre Dame
Finance, Class of 2011
Footy as it is often referred to the by the locals, is a uniquely interesting game, especially to the outsider with absolutely no knowledge of the game. I once heard Australian Rules Football described as being a little like every sport we play in America, and unlike any sport we play or know. The ball looks something like a rugby ball, oddly shaped and large in comparison to a football. The field is a massive oval, resembling a cricket field. There are 18 players for each team trying to get the ball through the tallest set of goalposts at either end of the field (there are two sets of goalposts, two short and two tall on each side). Much to my confusion early on, in getting the ball down the field through the goalposts the ball can not be thrown; it must either be passed to a teammate by either kicking the ball, bouncing the ball, or by a sort of underhanded volleyball serve-pass. Players are allowed to tackle only anywhere between the shoulders and knees, making the game at first glance look a lot like rugby or football without pads.
My experience with footy began as merely an escape from the normal day of studying and school work. Whether it was playing a pick-up game in the park with classmates, or going to watch a game at the local footy club, Australian Rules Football was for me, an important athletic outlet during my time abroad. Growing up being a competitive tennis player, athletics and competition were an important part of my life. Much to my surprise and disappoint, I found opportunities to play tennis during my semester abroad relatively inaccessible in my situation; mainly because of the hefty court fees required. Thankfully though, footy stood in as an enjoyable substitute while I was abroad, speaking to the athlete inside me by giving myself and the other American students studying there a chance to get back on the athletic fields to compete and most importantly have a good time.
Ian Rangel
Social Foundations of Coaching
University of Notre Dame
Finance, Class of 2011
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