SoCalHoops High School News

Amateur Athletic Foundation Of L.A.:
Sports Psychology & Violence In Sports--(Oct. 25, 2000)

We received the following press release, and it's really sort of important, and we think that everyone who has an interest in the future of high school and competitive youth sports ought to pay attention. . . Not that the problems of violence among parents and players in youth sports is going to be solved in two short hours, but now that we've got your attention, perhaps if you are a coach, or an interested parent, you'll consider this a worthwhile enough event to attend.   No, there won't be any body-slamming or punching permitted, but here's the press release we received from Terri Sullivan at the Amateur Athletic Foundation of Los Angeles:

WHAT: Across the country, a number of incidents point to a definite trend of violence escalation in youth sports. In Torrance last Friday evening, a high school football coach was assaulted by a player's family members. Verbal abuse of soccer officials by parents has forced the Mission Viejo AYSO to stop recording scores and standings for players under the age of 14. Los Angeles Times columnist Sandy Banks laments a world where her 10 year-old little girl is praised for a "good foul" in which another child is pushed to the ground. The news is filled with incidents ranging from poor sportsmanship, to verbal abuse, to outright fighting. There are a number of possible reasons for this sad state of affairs, as there are a number of proactive measures that can be taken to avoid such situations. The panelists have the expertise to offer some insight and solutions to such problems.

WHO:  AAF President and International Olympic Committee First Vice President Anita L. DeFrantz will open a panel discussion with four experts in sports psychology and ethics in sports. The speakers are Shari Young Kuchenbecker, Ph.D., sports psychologist specializing in child development; Darrell Burnett, clinical and sports psychologist specializing in youth sports issues; Dallas Willard, professor of philosophy at USC specializing in ethics in sports; and panel moderator Jim Thompson, Stanford coach and teacher, author and founder of Positive Coaching Alliance. Invited guests include coaches and executive directors of youth sports programs in Southern California. 

WHEN: Wednesday, November 1, 2000,  6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

WHERE: Amateur Athletic Foundation of Los Angeles,   2141 West Adams Blvd.,  Los Angeles, CA 90018

For further information, contact: 
Terri Sullivan
Program Officer
Amateur Athletic Foundation of Los Angeles
2141 West Adams Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90018
Telephone (323) 730-4600 FAX (323) 730-9637

See you there.

 
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