Sport as Play

Today's blog entry was written by Anna VanEgmond, a senior sociology major, member of the Notre Dame Rowing team, and a student in the Social Foundations of Coaching Class at the University of Notre Dame.

When sport acts as play, it has the ability to uplift the body, mind, and spirit.  Throughout the Social Foundations of Coaching course, we have discussed the coaches’ role in creating an environment that nurtures this sense of inner freedom and joy for kids.  This freedom and joy in sport in turn allows children to grow and develop as champions and athletes of character.

Many a times in this process, we easily recognize how a healthy body and sense of the spiritual are key elements to performance in and enjoyment of sports.  However, we often neglect the holistic picture, with the need for a healthy and clear mind as well.  As a youth minister, it is important to mentor children through sport, so that they can grow as a whole person, spirit, body and mind.  As a college athlete, I find it encouraging that the NCAA is finally realizing this as well.  Although many colleges might not address the spirit as it crosses the boundaries of religion, I think here at Notre Dame, where spirit is a factor, it will be interesting to see if there are changes in a student-athlete’s perception of what it means to “Play Like a Champion Today.”  I believe this new approach may have the ability to shift the focus of students and coaches to the development of the whole person through sport.  For more information on the NCAA's actions on mental health of student-athletes check out this link .