LEGAL CONCERNS: Children with Disabilities – What the New Directives Mean
Equal Sports Opportunities for Children with Disabilities: The U.S. Department of Education’s New Directive By Doug Abrams On January 25, the U.S. Department of Education instructed the nation’s public school districts that federal disability law requires them to “provide students with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate alongside their peers in after-school athletics.” … Continue reading
HS CODE OF CONDUCT: Here’s How One Athletic Director Makes His Program Work
If you have a chance to listen to the interview I did this AM with Chris McCarthy, the Athletic Director at John Jay HS in Cross River, NY, it will be well worth your time. I have said many times on my show that there are very few jobs that are as demanding and as … Continue reading
DEALING WITH FINANCIAL CONCERNS: “Scholarships at the Youth Level”
Financial Assistance for Families in Need: More Strategies for Achieving Diversity in Youth Sports By Doug Abrams When I was president of the local youth hockey association nearly 20 years ago, one of our families hit temporary hard times. The father was laid off, and the mother had been working only part-time so … Continue reading
OBNOXIOUS SPORTS PARENTS: Don’t Make the Mistake of Making “Special Requests” at Sign-up Time
It’s that time of year when Moms and Dads are eagerly signing up their youngsters for spring sports…and when that happens, invariably lots of special requests and favors are being asked of the volunteers who run the registration desks. Requests like: “Can you arrange to have my son be on the same team with Joey? … Continue reading
SPORT SAFETY: THE RARELY DISCUSSED CONCERNS OF CEEBRATORY “DOGPILING”
Storming and Dogpiling: The Perils of Uncontrolled Victory Celebrations In Youth Sports By Doug Abrams Tragedy nearly struck Saturday afternoon at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina moments after the North CarolinaState men’s basketball team upset the No. 1-ranked Duke Blue Devils, 84-76. At the final buzzer, a few hundred jubilant … Continue reading
SPORTSMANSHIP: Should All Coaches and Kids Be Forced to Speak English?
Celebrating Diversity in Youth Sports By Doug Abrams On December 8, two referees in Cooper City, Florida ejected a volunteer youth soccer coach from a game for instructing some of his 14-18-year-old players in Spanish. The coach had refused to heed the refs’ instructions to speak only English. The ejected coach later said that … Continue reading
PUBLICIZING YOUR TEAM: Writing About Youth Sports in Letters to the Editor – Part II
Writing About Youth Sports in Newspaper Letters-to-the-Editor (Part II) By Doug Abrams Last week, Part I encouraged parents, coaches, and even youth leaguers themselves to write about youth sports in letters-to-the-editor to local, regional and national newspapers. The article began sketching a roadmap to the editorial pages with five initial … Continue reading
SPORTSMANSHIP: Why Do Basketball Coaches Allow Lopsided Scores
It’s become so routine that the final scores no longer shock sports fans. It happens in all sports, but it really has become an issue primarily in HS basketball, both in boys and girls. I’m talking about routs. Lopsided scores. Recent games have included final c0unts of 107-2, 100-0, and other ridiculous scores. Even at … Continue reading
Doug Abrams
Rick Wolff
Steve Kallas
Ask Coach Wolff 