Sport Specialization Syndrome

Summer camps are a great way for children to explore a variety of interests and sports. Just this past week, we had several kids participate in our football camp as a trial period for their interest. I commend their parents for using the camp system to test the waters of interest. Too often today, we (those in recreation and sports) are seeing the massive push for kids to be the best at a particular sport at an earlier age. Therefore, they are not experiencing or developing their bodies and minds for other sport/recreation disciplines. As I have been observing this trend over the last several years, I really believe its a microcosm of our culture as a whole - you have to be bigger and better at all costs.

Recently I was pleased to see in the Sports Illustrated magazine on June 7, an article pertaining to the topic mentioned above. Dr. James Andrews, leading orthopedic surgeon and director of the American Sports Medicine Institute, says that "we are seeing kids hurt before they even have a chance to become athletes." Andrews' sports medicine clinics are filling up with kids who are playing one sport year round in order to get the exposure and skill needed to make the junior varsity or local travel baseball team. A whopping 60% of the athletes that Andrews sees are now high school players or younger! Dr. Andrews says, "I don't think epidemic is too strong a word." Today it is common to see stress fractures in cross country runners, frayed ligaments in soccer players, and strained elbows and shoulders in baseball and tennis players. And the reason for the large number of injuries - sports specialization. Parents today must pay attention to the amount of activity their athletes participate in and ensure they are doing enough different activities that create proper muscle development as well as emotional development. The physical and emotional stress placed on our kids is in return giving us discouraging numbers in both health and participation in sports.

Here are a couple of recommendations to think about: It is recommended that kids "cross-train" in order to develop their bodies properly. Make a choice to encourage your child to play a variety of sports at an early age. Choosing one sport year round will create burnout for your child by age thirteen. Support your child one sport at a time. Don't sign your child up for two or more sports within the same season. Make sure your child is also playing a variety of positions throughout the season. Eliminate the same mechanical motions day after day. Teach the game from different perspectives.

While every parent of a child playing sports wants them to excel and make it to the college ranks or as a professional athlete, you have to ensure first that they are having fun and you are providing a positive experience for them. Besides, most professional athletes didn't decide their professional sport until college. Encourage your kid to try a variety of sports and activities. Give them time to develop, and don't chase the trends of our culture. Let them be kids and enjoy the game!

For more information on safety tips for sports, visit www.stopsportsinjuries.org.

Rec Interns

Awe..... the freshness of having Recreation Interns this summer!

Each summer the recreation ministry is provided the means to hire summer interns. And I love it. For several reasons: they are enthusiastic and breathe life into our ministry, they fill the gaps needed while volunteers are on vacation, and they are given the opportunity to lead and develop ministry skills.

This summer we welcome back Hunter Goins and Will Hausenfluck. And we welcome to our team Logan Spiers. Throughout the summer season they will stimulate interesting conversations among our staff as they are at different levels of college and areas of interest. I never thought I would be old enough to say this, but they are keeping our staff young! They will be, and currently are, responsible for planing and leading Vacation Bible School recreation, organizing a Monday night student recreation league, working the rec center desk, organizing equipment, and touching up the facilities. An intern will basically do it all! That's why I /we love them.

Investing in others and providing the opportunity for people to explore ministry and lead is one of my passions. It's going to be a great summer!

Camping out on Psalm 139

Football camp is underway this week with forty campers and 12 coaches. The lines have been painted, the field prepared, end zones set, and temperatures over 100 degrees! Oh yeah, are you ready for some football?

Throughout the camp our staff works hard to teach the game of football. From drills and skills that teach speed / agility, catching and receiving, passing, and defense. Each station is equipped with coaches ready to help each player develop into the best football player they can become. And each coach is prepared to help each player recognize the person God created them to be.

The camp verse for the week is Psalm 139:14 - "I praise you because you made me in an amazing and wonderful way. What you have done is wonderful. I know this very well." As we gather for our Game Plan Speaker time, this verse is taught and applied to specific sport attributes. There are several truths we want our campers to take home both athletically and spiritually. First, we teach on the concept of success. I love John Wooden's definition of success, "Knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming." Because of God's great creation of us as people and individuals, we can focus on becoming the best we are capable of rather than focusing on others and comparing ourselves to their abilities, lifestyles, and personalities. In order for us to see the potential inside of us and becoming the best we can, we must first see that we are God's creation and He has done an amazing work. With that perspective, we can then understand that our success is defined and built in/through our Creator.

We then build on this lesson with the concept of poise. Poise is often thought of as being calm or self assured. But poise can be defined simply by "just being yourself." Remember, God created you in an amazing and wonderful way. Learning to live in daily belief of who God has created you to be, will always lead to living in a spirit of calmness, becoming the best you can be, and facing difficult or anxious moments with self control.

The last part of our camp verse for the week leads us to the final concept of living in confidence. Unfortunately our world celebrates arrogance and self confidence. In many arenas, people are promoting themselves every chance they get. But when we look at the last part of the passage above, it says, "I know this very well." Knowing is not just head knowledge or a hopeful thought. It is a daily surrender to believe that you are amazing because of the image in which you have been created -God's. While our athletes are preparing themselves for on field success through drills and skills this week, we also want them to know that it is God who has equipped them for life and Godliness. Because of His plan for each our lives we are able to live in confidence each day.

When we live in God's perspective and understanding of who we are and the potential that is within each of us, we then can become the person or athlete we want to be. Remember, it's confidence in God and His work in us, rather than ourselves.

Making Time for Conversation

Recently I was reading ESPN the Magazine. In each issue they have a professional athlete that writes particular stories about life in the professional sports world. This past article was about the on field conversations that take place throughout a baseball game.

For most of us, we see and hear the umpires, the crack of the bats, the sound of vendors barking sales, gloves popping, and reactions from both players and fans. It's part of the thrill of the game. But for major league players, there is another element taking place: the on field conversation. While these players know each other, they rarely have time to spend with each other. So, while playing against one another, it's catch up time. The conversations that happen on the field and in between innings consist of wishing each other luck in the next series, critiquing the pitchers, how funny someone looks in a uniform or acting in a commercial. One player wished the base runner good luck just prior to yelling out, "Running" before the steal. And of course, there are the third party conversations between player, bat boy, and fan that even take place. Who would have thought that while the average fan is locked into the atmosphere of the game, it's the players time to communicate with each other.

So, who are we talking to and what about? Everyday we cross paths with people we work with, people we do not know, and people who our in our lives at the start and conclusion of each day (family). And it seems we have gotten so busy with our schedules that our conversations have slowed down. Creating opportunities for conversation has become more of an art form than a past time at the local market or dinner table.

Having and developing relationships is important. Christ lived His life conversing with others about their lives and His. He found ways to engage them and talk about everyday experiences while communicating His love with them. As you go about your day, look for ways to communicate with people. It's not always going to be the long conversations, but rather the one minute impacting ones. The scripture speaks about the person who speaks a word of encouragement, speaks truth in love, and whose words add salt to the conversation. Be a person of communication. Listen to those talking, engage others around you, and share a word of encouragement through Christ's love.

Graduation # 1

This weekend I will be celebrating the first high school graduation of our family. My son Tyler has completed (I hope no last minute surprises) his 12 years of education. Several interesting facts about his 12 years are that he has lived in two different countries (spoke English, Arabic, French), two different states, seven different school systems and eleven different homes.

In watching him prepare for graduation, I found myself reflecting back to my high school graduation. As the years have passed I can not really remember the feelings or emotions I had on that last week of school or graduation night. So I decided to look back at both our achievements and compare. What I found was this:

Things in common between us:

1. A High School Diploma
2. Accepted in to college (Chowan College for me and George Mason Univ. for Tyler)
   

Things not in common between us: (Tyler's awards that I did not receive)

1. Hanover Scholar
2. 4.1 Grade Point Average
   
3. Principles Service Award
4. National Honor Society
5. BETA
6. Weighted Internship TV 99

Well done son. You have pressed on toward the goal despite many relocation's and making of new friends at each place. You stayed focused on your task ahead and trusted Christ's direction for your life.

Although our achievements may be somewhat different, I am still two more degrees up on you!
(In time I am sure you will pass this as well)

Have Fun Go Nuts

The buzz phrase at The Diamond is: Have Fun Go Nuts! The Richmond Flying Squirrels continue to promote themselves in a positive manner and reinforce family and baseball as a winning combination.

Last night I had the opportunity to head to the Diamond to see the Squirrels play the Double A Mets. Myself and youngest son Brendan were invited to join Renton Arkesteyn and his son Caleb. Caleb and Brendan are the same age and will be playing fall ball together in September.

The night started out with a free Inaugural Baseball and an invitation for Brendan and Caleb to play a middle inning game on the field. We then headed to the picnic area for a full buffet of hot dogs/burgers/ribs/drinks/and salad.

At the fifth inning, the kids headed down to the field to get ready for their game. Caleb on the first base line and Brendan on the third. With the fans cheering, they raced back and forth building a pizza. From putting out the crust, to laying on the cheese and pepperoni. In great stride they finished strong and each given a Ledo pizza to enjoy. We then headed back to our seats next to the Mets bullpen and they worked tirelessly in gaining the attention of future Major League players. By the end of the night, they both received a legit Eastern league baseball that was used on the field of play.

What a night for us fathers at the ball park. To watch out kids dream about playing baseball, to seeing them on the field playing in the half inning game, to receiving a baseball from the players. It's what a night at the park should be. It was a night that allowed for Renton and I to have memories with our kids. And it was a night that the boys could Have Fun and Go Nuts!

New Age Joshua's

The World cup is under way. Soccer games, I mean football games, are being played each day in South Africa with great anticipation. And while I know our attention is supposed to be drawn to the actual matches being played, it appears that the players and teams have been robbed by the sound of buzzing bees....The Vuvuzelas. Vuvuzelas are South African horns being played throughout each match. While you can not see them through the TV screen, you certainly can hear the awful buzzing noise over the commentators. They have become a popular expression of soccer that is rocking the World Cup.

While thinking about or trying to comprehend the concept of the Vuvuzelas, I couldn't help but think back and wonder what the people thought about Joshua and the horns of his people (Joshua 6:1 - 20). If the people of the world are irritated by cheering fans blowing horns, what was the level of irritation when Joshua's peeps started to blow their trumpets for a victory at Jericho? Even I asked the question during the USA / England match, "what's up with these buzzing horns in the background? They are going to do what?" Certainly that was the same thought people had when Joshua gave instruction for the them to shout and sound the trumpets. The result was a wall falling down for a victory. God was glorified.

While I am not sure the Vuvuzelas will guarantee a victory for any team, it is safe to say they have grabbed our attention. Whether you like them or not, they have created a buuzzzzzzzz.

Pilates and Ellipticals Grow

In a recent Club Industry report (research through Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association), continued growth in the area of use for Pilates and Ellipticals topped the scale. While many other fitness areas have grown over the last ten years, none more than these two.

Pilates offers people a great group fitness experience and allows you to work and develop at your own pace. The Elliptical is another example of how training through appropriate technology can bring many people into an active lifestyle.

On the list of other fitness areas in highest to lowest ranking were:

• walking for fitness
• bowling for fitness
• treadmill for fitness
• free weights for fitness
• running/jogging for fitness
• weight resistance / stretching

If you are looking for a place to experience Pilates or use the Ellipticals, come by the Rec Center. We have both and offer a personal training option as well. Remember, our goal is to help you be both spiritually and physically fit for the life God has in store for you.

Well Done, Coach

Well Done, Coach
Taken from FCA daily devotion

““For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere.” ”
--Psalm 84:10

While talking with his son, John Wooden told him that he needed to shave because he was going to see his bride very soon. The basketball coaching legend knew his final breath was coming, and he wanted to be ready to meet his Maker and his wife. Going home to glory at the age of 99, Wooden left an example for all coaches, no matter what the sport, to follow. NBA great Jerry West said, “He did not have two sets of rules for his players…they all played under the same rules.” Wooden was true to his faith in Christ, true to his family, and true to his fundamentals of life, which had been taught to him by his parents back in Indiana so many years ago.

As great a coach as Wooden was on this earth, and as many titles and trophies he won, I have no doubt that he would have traded them for a single day in the presence of the Lord. I’m sure that even the greatest feeling of a national title was nothing compared to the moment when Wooden met Christ face-to-face. Coach knew that Heaven, not Westwood, was not his true home. He lived a simple life and passed it on to many. He held seven personal “keys to life,” and followed them closely. They included…

1. Be true to yourself.
2. Help others.
3. Make each day your masterpiece.
4. Drink deeply from good books, especially the Bible.
5. Make friendship a fine art.
6. Build a shelter against a rainy day.
7. Pray for guidance and give thanks for your blessings every day.

Coach Wooden is now in a better Hall of Fame—one with streets of gold. There, his championships mean nothing and he can sit with his bride and share the joy of Heaven with the saints of old. I thank the Lord for this man’s impact, influence and Christ-like example. I am sure he was greeted with the line we all want to hear when our time comes: “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” Coach Wooden, thank you for being a blessing to countless coaches, athletes and fans around the world.

Sports Spectrum Radio

Just had a great opportunity for a radio interview with Bill Houston. Bill hosts the national radio program for Sports Spectrum Radio out of Grand Rapids Michigan. Sports Spectrum Radio has been impacting our culture for over 20 years and airs over 200 stations. They are in partnership with RBC Ministries and produce devotionals such as Our Daily Bread.

The topic of discussion for this particular interview was sportsmanship. While sportsmanship is an ongoing teaching process for all people (kids to adults), it is part of the discipleship process we use in our Recreation Ministry. In the interview we discussed the role of a coach in teaching sportsmanship and the responsibility we have as a league to instill those principles. A key biblical verse we teach our participants is 1 Corinthians 10:31, "Whether you eat or drink, do all for the glory of God." In all our actions, our practices/games, in how we play (by the rules or cheat), we need to do so from God's perspective and His glory to others. Sportsmanship covers a variety of circumstances that occur naturally or by freak of circumstance. In either instance, our response needs to be consistent. See blog entitled Perfect Sportsmanship a few days back.

The interview will air on August 7th online at www.sport.org and also in various Virginia cities (Ashland and Chesapeake are included). Check out www.sport.org for a specific FM or AM station in your area to hear the interview.

Also, bookmark www.sport.org and www.sportsspectrum.com as a favorite sport website. They have great articles and interviews with local, collegiate, and professional athletes.

The Second Act

Starting this Sunday, my wife Kelly and I will be teaching with Scott/Karla Allen, Andy/Anji Lacatell, and Steve/Emily Jones in a new community called The Second Act.

This group will consist of those fresh out of High School, currently in college, young adults, and newly married couples. We are looking forward to connecting with them as they enter in or are currently in the second phase of their lives. Through lessons we have learned, it is our desire to walk with them and facilitate/create an environment that fosters community and spiritual growth.

We will look first at Acts 2 for what real community consists of and then proceed through the book of Galatians for an in depth study of Grace.

National Donut Day

It's National Donut Day! That's right, go to any Dunkin Donuts or Krispy Kreme and receive your free donut. As some of you may be learning, I love coffee and donuts! Go ahead....get a free donut!

Perfect Sportsmanship

The baseball nation was poised to witness history last night with the potential "perfect game" in sight for Detroit Tigers pitcher Armanda Gallaraga. After retiring 26 consecutive outs, the potential final out of the game was ruled safe at first by umpire Jim Joyce. What was clearly a missed called, and admitted missed after the game by Joyce, halted Gallarage from being the 21st pitcher in baseball history to record a perfect game. Though the Detroit Tigers would defeat the Cincinnati Reds 3-0, the spirit of loosing the perfect game was another blow to a struggling town.

In the midst of great disappointment for baseball fans (as well as Jim Joyce), one thing stood out to me as I watched the event unfold. From the one who should have been bothered the most, the pitcher, the nation witnessed sportsmanship at its best. Gallaraga, though I am sure disappointed, responded with respect for authority on the call that was made and refused to make any comment on the umpire in after game interviews. Sure, he could have rightfully blamed Jim Joyce for blowing history (as most of us did in the moment), but he made a choice to celebrate the great performance he had and accept the way in which the game was played.

Sportsmanship is and should be the standard by which we participate in any recreational or professional sporting event. Sportsmanship involves the following:

• respecting the game - rules, coaches, umpires, fans, and others participating
• playing by the rules - removing any cheating or shortcuts
• playing your best - do the best you can despite what occurs during the contest, it's not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game
  
• being proactive and not reactive - doing your part to represent sportsmanship in light of circumstantial issues within a contest
  
• demonstrating a healthy competitive spirit with self restraint - play hard with self control, refusing silly fouls, penalties, and self promotion

While we were all anxiously cheering for the perfect game, what we witnessed was perfect sportsmanship. Gallaraga applied each of these points in the moment of controversy and pressed on to complete the game with a one hitter in 9 complete innings. Which is still a great performance.

Take Your Best Shot

I just finished the book entitled Take Your Best Shot by Austin Gutwen. In 2004 Austin was nine years old and set out on a journey that would touch the lives of children throughout the world. His passionate desire to raise funds for AIDS victims living in Africa was achieved through 2,057 free throw shots on a local basketball court. Austin took one simple video, a round ball, and turned it into what is now known as "Hoops of Hope" with events held in over seventeen countries and over one million dollars raised to impact kids through basketball each year on World AIDS Awareness Day.

Austin's message to the reader: "God wants to use you."

Throughout each chapter, Austin lays out some great truths of God and God's desire to use each person for His kingdom while on earth. This book is not only applicable to the teenager who may be struggling with a purpose and passion, but it is a great reminder to adults that God desires us to be challenged and stretched in our Christian work.

A couple of key points I picked up:
* A passion for someone always begins with a broken heart. It was a broken heart and a sacrificed son that provided us salvation through Christ. It was a broken heart for kids living in Africa with AIDS that led to the dream and vision of "Hoops of Hope."
* Maggie Moments are critical. For Austin, Maggie was the first person introduced to him that created a moment of concern and passion. Can we see a face in need? Are we experiencing Maggie Moments in our lives for people or places in desperation?
*Everybody lives for something and dies someday. What are we living for? What if we would give to others as much as we give to ourselves.
*It's all a matter of focus. If we focus on what we do, it becomes all about us. If we focus on who we are, then it suddenly becomes about God.
*It depends how available we are if we make a difference or not. Choosing to be available will allow for God to work through you in greater ways.
*Key to Life: Loving God, ourselves, and others will open the door to life as God intends (Matthew 22:37-38).
*Discover your passion and live in it.
*Making a difference in contagious.

Check out www.hoopsofhope.org for more info.

Thanks to a good friend and fellow laborer in recreation ministry Ed Berenson for giving me this book to read and explore. Ed lives in passion for making a difference. If you don't know him..watch out..his contagious.

Extraodinary with the Ordinary

Just returned from our basketball trip to Halifax, Nova Scotia. And I am simply amazed.

Once again God was faithful in our travels, our camp work, and to Himself. After arriving safely in Halifax and getting settled with a fresh lobster meal ($5 a pound!), we started off with some praise and worship for the week. Then it was preparation time Monday morning for what would be ahead of us in terms of opportunity and basketball camp details.

Our desire throughout the week was to be able to connect with the local community while we were out and about (mainly at Tim Horton's coffee shop - it's where all the locals go. And no I am not addicted, just committed) and to provide a basketball camp atmosphere that fostered fundamentals, positive reinforcement, and spiritual truth through team huddles and building blocks of character as represented in the scriptures. We also hosted a class for parents discussing the culture of sports and their child's involvement in it.

I must admit the response we received from the camp was somewhat shocking. Last year after the camp we received some negative feedback in terms of sharing the gospel. This year we found more parents and children receptive to the love reflected through our coaches and the verbal witness of Christ. I believe this change occurred over the past year due to the effort in which Living Hope Community put forth in hosting a winter basketball league and building relationships. The people of Halifax have now seen and heard the message of Christ. And because of that love they have opened up to a new trust level that allowed for us to return and go deeper with a different response. The reminder of this in terms of a missions perspective is that it's about relationships! It's about partnering and working together with a commitment to a community for more than one "trip."

Another moment of shock for me was that despite the fact that Living Hope only has 40 active members, they actually pulled off hosting and developing a league that was affective for their community. Within this group of folks there is not athletic directors, former college or high school basketball players, and even recreation ministers. They are just different people from different backgrounds with a desire to be different in their community. From a biblical view, they are ordinary people doing extraordinary things because they yielded themselves to a God sized challenge. All I could do was sit back and chuckle at how God works.

As I return and reflect on this trip and how it has impacted my life, there are two key points:

1. Make and continue to build relationships. Have a genuine interest in people and what makes their world go round.
2. God uses ordinary people for extraordinary purposes.