UnderRated Sports Magazine

Vol. 1 Issue 7 October 2012

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Reading opportunity is the key that unlocks the door to

• Two-thirds of students who cannot read proficiently by the end of fourth grade will end up in jail or on welfare.

• 85% of all juveniles who are introduced to the juvenile court system are functionally illiterate.

• One in four children grows up unable to read in the lowest two literacy levels.

Literacy is learned.

p. 10

“Trust in God; Respect myself and others; Understand I have unlimited possibilities; Try my best and never give up; Honor myself and the Truth Creed at all times.”

DEPARTMENTS

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sideline snapshots

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Making of the TRuth

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Fundraising for PTA Truth Sports

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Preventing shoulder injuries

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The mental game

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Preventing bullying

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How to talk to a coach: A guide for mom’s

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American Youth Football league

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Doc Lawson Helping the children of Liberia by building a national youth sports infrastructure.

A guide to child development through sports Even at a young age, children are overwhelmed by many mental and physical problems that they shouldn’t experience.

Having health, confidence, self-esteem and social issues can be detrimental to a child’s development in life.

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WELCOME

Welcome to

Under Rated M a g a z i n e We are the Media source for Freshman High School, Middle School and Select Sports. 2012 is almost over but the games are still going on and we want to ensure that your team is on the radar before the end of 2012.

The 2013 season will have lots of challenges for you and Under Rated will have many opportunities for you to explore Individual Competitions, Tournaments, Community Challenges, and Honor Roll Awards.

If you would like to have your team or program featured please email gary@underratedsports.com the following information: action photos with captions

(Photos submitted need to be at least 1MB)

a team photo

(please include a list of names front to back left to right)

and anything else you would like to share!

For more information call 214.603.8339 or email Gary@UnderratedSPortS.Com 2

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Carter Benink

Bixby Red 7 yrs old Linebacker/Defensive End

To nominate a student athlete email Gary Roseberry at gary@underratedsports.com U N D E R R A T E D I Yo u t h F o o t b a l l Youth Football I UNDER RATED

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U N D E R R A T E D I Yo u t h F o o t b a l l UNDER RATED I Youth Football

U N D E R R A T E D I Yo u t h F o o t b a l l Youth Football I UNDER RATED

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Under Rated wants to see your photos! Whether you are a proud parent, sibling, an aspiring photographer, or all of the above, we’d love to see what you have captured on the sidelines. Please send your work to photos@underrated.Com with a brief discription of the photo and you might be featured in the next Under Rated issue!

F e at u r e

The core of the future is the children and we have to make sure the core doesn’t fail.

By Alejandro Roseberry Photos by Willy Orji n April of 2008, Coach Ray Elder met

athletes. It was primarily started to include girls in

Deion Sanders at local radio station

the program because the organization wanted more

97.9. Through conversation about

diversity. It also included field events for the kids who

their own children, both men got into

wanted to showcase their abilities. Baseball is run by

the topic of youth sports and decided

Coach Rick Funches. They had one team of 11 year

to merge their select football teams.

olds who competed in every competition they could.

Coach Elder and Sanders wanted a

The team went to the World Series and finished 4th out of about 72 teams.

higher level of competition for kids who

They’re going to s t a r t k ee p i n g leagues that had kids that were playing football for every kid instead the first time.” –Coach Ray Elder. of j u s t k ee p i n g t h e The inaugural football team was created in June. The b e s t . T h i s me a n s mo r e team drove from downtown Dallas to Frisco twice a week for practice to help accommodate every player’s t e a m s w i ll b e m a d e . ” didn’t have exposure.

“Shiloh [Sanders] was scoring 30 TD’s a season in

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living location in the DFW. Although the inaugural

“it really changed the perception of the stereotype

team might have had a little jet lag, they managed to

that African American players can’t/ don’t play

go undefeated.

baseball. We had a lot of diversity on the team.” –

As the football program was becoming successful,

Coach Ray

this sparked ideas to create more sports for the

Basketball started in 2011, run by Coach Steve

other children in the growing T.R.U.T.H family. There

Smith. They participate in leagues in both Lancaster

are about 600 kids in 6 programs. Track has 70-80

and Oak Cliff. 8-12 year olds. In essence it is an

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COACH AAU team for the TRUTH. The girl’s team, coached by Hall-of-Famer

SP

E

AK

Nancy Lieberman, made it to the playoffs in their league.

Cheerleading, started in 2010, is run by Kim Mathis. There are

“I want to be part of the solution in these children’s lives, not the problem.”

roughly 30-35 girls in the program ranging from ages 8-14. Their first competition is expected to be in November/ December.

“Momma told me she thought my calling was to be in the church, I told her ‘Momma, THIS is my calling.”

Soccer is run by Kevin Mathis.

The inaugural 8 year old team is “competing to have fun”. “The way we trick the kids is to make them compete for who was having the most fun, not who is the best player. All the kids know right now, is that they are playing a sport that they love. They don’t realize that this sport teaches a multitude of life skills: patience, respect, and honesty.” – Coach Kevin Mathis.

T.R.U.T.H CREED

> Coach Ray<

I want to let the kids know how serious it is to be an outstanding student, citizen, then athlete.”

Remond (Ray) Elder. Grew up in Carrollton, Georgia. He played Running Back at Grambling State University from ’89 – ’94the. Part of Omega Psi Phi fraternity, he says it helped him being able to help kids. Director of Football Operations & Track Coach.

“Trust in God. Respect myself and others. Understand that I have unlimited possibilities. Try and do my best. Honor myself and the TRUTH creed at all times.”

TRUTH coaches try and make it a way of life, not just pertaining to sports. They challenge the parents, players, and staff to make them be better students, athletes, families, and citizens. An A – B grade average is a requirement to be on any team in the organization.

“We want the best StudentAthletes, not just the best athletes.

We make it a point of emphasis that grades are going to better their lives more than sports will. Once they have that mindset, then everything else starts to fall in place for them” –Coach Calhoun

(C.Q) “90% of participation in the organization comes from the families IN the organization...that’s unheard of.”

“My title in the organization isn’t something that defines me. I want to make sure everybody has what they need to succeed.

If they need help doing something, I don’t mind passing out uniforms, pick up trash, work the concession stands.”

[On single parents] “The TRUTH is giving them an opportunity to cheer and enjoy their time instead of having to worry their son’s or daughters are hanging out with the wrong people.”

> Coach Reginald< His son made the inaugural team and he started volunteering immediately.

President of PTA sports. Served 21 years in the Army, was a bronze star recipient and finally retired in June of 2007.

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F e at u r e

There was a Home Team win on Monday night Oct 1,2012 in Dallas after the Cowboys and Rangers lost.

C.J. Turner General Manager of Courtesy Nissan Presents Deion Sanders and Gary

leading operator in the automotive retailing

Roseberry Director of Fundraising for

industry. Since its initial public offering

PTA Truth Sports with a check for $5,000

in October 1997, Group 1 has grown to

at The Fan Sport Lounge in Victory Park

become the fourth largest dealership

Dallas This is the beginning of a Sponsor

group in the United States. Group 1 owns

Partnership with Mr. Turner, Group1 Autoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

and operates 122 automotive dealerships,

and Deion Youth Sports Organization.

with 159 franchises and 28 collision

Courtesy Nissan is a dealership under Houston-based Group 1 Automotive, Inc., 12

a Fortune 500 automotive retailer, is a

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centers, in the United States and in the United Kingdom.

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He a l t h

Preventing Shoulder Injuries ue to the enormous amount of motion and stress that occurs at the shoulder, throwing injuries are common during all sporting seasons. One of the more common shoulder injuries seen is the rotator cuff strain or instability. Conservative rehabilitation is usually the first option for treatment

D

criteria are met the athlete must follow certain guidelines to progress their throwing. An interval throwing program, which has specific criteria to progress, should be followed. Normally the distance and number of throws are intermittently increased as long as the throwing is not painful. This allows the athlete to build arm endurance slowly which

To minimize the risk of re-injury once the above criteria are met the athlete must follow certain guidelines to progress their throwing. of these overuse type shoulder injuries. A common question that is asked following a sports shoulder injury is “When is it safe to begin throwing”?

Unfortunately, the answer is not quite as easy as the question.

Regardless of your athlete’s level of sporting participation; several key criteria need to be met before an athlete can be allowed to return to throwing. To begin the shoulder should not be painful at rest or during activity – this includes throwing. The athletes shoulder should have normal range of motion and normal movement at the joint surfaces known as “arthrokinematics”.

The shoulder should have full muscular strength of the rotator cuff and scapular muscles. Forced overpressure to end range of motion of elevation should not recreate symptoms of the athletes shoulder pain. A physical therapist should be able to examine an athlete’s shoulder and determine if they are ready to throw. If these criteria are not yet met, the athlete should continue rehabilitation.

Despite what coaches and parents may tell the athlete, they should not have pain while throwing.

Pain during throwing is your body’s way of telling you that it is not yet ready to throw!

To minimize the risk of re-injury once the above 14

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will minimize the risk of injury. Because the athlete must meet certain criteria to progress their throwing if followed correctly there is very little risk of re-injury following an interval program.

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U N D E R R A T E D I Yo u t h F o o t b a l l Youth Football I UNDER RATED

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4 C’S MENTAL GAME

THE

OF THE

often talk about the pursuit of excellence, in both sport and life, being a journey not a destination. And while its much easier to talk about it in concept it is a long hard road fraught with setbacks, disappointment and failure.

But for those who continue to pursue it, despite the hurdles and pain, the joy of victory and accomplishment far outweigh the agony of defeat.

Vince Lombardi said it best “I firmly believe that any man’s finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is the moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle – victorious.”

In an effort to inspire and encourage you on your arduous and exciting path to greatness I want to talk about what I call the “The 4 C’s of the Mental Game;” Commitment, Confidence, Consciousness & Character!

Better understanding these 4 C’s and how one can benefit from them will not make the path any easier.

Rather the path will seem easier because your power of purpose and desire to continue will increase. This concept is more eloquently stated by Heber J. Grant who said, “That which we

I

Seth M. Quealy, MS is a sport psychology consultant/mental skills coach. He works with teams, coaches & individuals from all walks of life who realize the importance the mental aspect plays in peak performance. Seth shows them how to maximize their potential by developing the correct attitude & mind set through mental skills training. This empowers them to start getting control of themselves so they can take control of their performances.

He has worked with athletes who excel in baseball, basketball, soccer, volleyball, lacrosse, field hockey, speed skating, downhill skiing, football, gymnastics, swimming, cycling, running, snowboarding, surfing, golf, fencing and more. He also works with actors, dancers and entertainers to help them deal with the anxiety and pressure that affects all performers.

Seth says “while the sports and performance disciplines may differ, the commonality lies in the fact that the participants and coaches all want the capability to do their best more consistently. They are also willing to utilize all the resources at their disposal, most importantly sport psychology & mental skills training.”

The pursuit of excellence and peak performance is a trait associated with champions and top achievers. Seth stated “I love working with these people, they motivate me and inspire me, together we accomplish more than we could alone!”

Seth obtained a Masters in Kinesiology, Applied Sport Psychology from California State University, Fullerton under Dr. Ken Ravizza. He completed his Bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sport Science at the University of Utah with a minor in Psychology.

“I love helping others realize their dreams though the discovery and application of the mental game!” Seth looks forward to the opportunity to work with you or your team!

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persist in doing becomes easier..; not that the nature of the thing has changed, but that our power to do has increased.”

Commitment- This is a very powerful word that implies a pledge to do something now and in the future. It is also the state of being obligated or emotionally impelled to achieve something greater.

If one merely decides to accomplish some task or goal that will not be enough.

He or she must also COMMIT to it and the work necessary & time requisite to achieving their goal.

Commitment takes courage and conviction because on those cold days and those times when something else may seem more fun you will have to decide to stay the course and that is not easy.

In these moments it helps to go back to when you started and the “why” behind your pursuit of excellence.

This will bring back the emotions the desire and the determination to go on. As I’ve already said, there will be setbacks, frustrations and temptations along the way so commitment and re-commitment is vital to success!

Confidence- Is the goal of the mental game! It is that feeling and belief in yourself, your abilities and

your preparation, regardless of the situation, that you CAN get the job done. I often refer to it as CANFIDENCE! When you are confident you have a feeling or thought in the back of your head that you belong in this moment and you deserve to be here! You move forward

pointer or 15 foot jumper. You’re not thinking “do this or do that” you just do it to get the job done.

Character- Who thought this was part of the mental game? Yes your character has an impact on how you both prepare and perform.

“I firmly believe that any man’s finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is the moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle – victorious.” Vince Lombardi knowing you have a chance instead of hoping or even doubting in yourself. When you can play with confidence on a more consistent basis you will play up to your potential and even surpass it.

Take a moment and look back at your best performances, I would bet you were feeling confident. You were trusting in your stuff and were having fun playing. When we are confident we think less and trust more. We play by feel instead of analysis which in turn allows us to play free and loose. Our minds are uncluttered from doubt and fear propelling us to perform with power and conviction.

Developing the ability to be confident will be paramount in your quest for peak performance.

Consciousness- This may be the most important of the 4 C’s! Consciousness, alertness or the ability to be aware of ones mindset, thoughts & emotions is like I’ve said before; “the foundational skill of the mental game.” With out it you will not be able to control yourself, specifically the things I just talked about. And if you can’t control yourself you cannot control your performance!

It starts with conscious awareness where you have to think about what’s going on and how you are reacting or responding to it.

Then as you begin to become more adept at checking in it will become second nature or a subconscious awareness. It will be part of how you play and you will be able to adjust and compensate as needed on the fly. Just like your ability to adjust your swing for a fast ball or curve or the difference in your shot for a 3

It has to do with who you are, not only as an athlete but more importantly as a person!

It gets to the heart of how you want to be remembered when your career is over and what people will say about you above how you played. I believe the choices you make and the way you treat people, coaches, teammates etc. carries over to your mentality on the court and effects your ability to play your best.

You’ve worked so hard to be your best so put your best self out there, on and off the court.

In an underlying statement about character President Theodore Roosevelt stated “Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure…than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.” So regardless of where you are at in your pursuit dare to be great, dare to fail and break out of that relative “gray twilight” and do mighty things!

I believe that understanding and working on the 4 C’s of the mental game will help you in sport and life. You will approach your preparation with more purpose and your performing with more passion. Life is about going for it and the chance of winning “glorious triumphs.” The ordinary and gray twilight are boring and bland. I say be EXTRAORDINARY and look forward to “laying exhausted on the field of battle – victorious.”

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Bullying & Suicide

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here is a strong link between bullying and suicide, as suggested by recent bullying-related suicides in the US and several other countries. Parents, teachers, and students need to be aware of the dangers of bullying so they can get help for students who may be at risk for suicide.

In recent years, a series of bullying-related suicides in the US and across the globe have drawn attention to the connection between bullying and suicide. Though too many adults still see bullying as “just part of being a kid,” it is a serious problem that leads to many negative effects for victims, including suicide. Many people may not realize that there is also a link between being a bully and committing suicide.

The statistics on bullying and suicide are alarming: •

•

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Suicide is the third leading cause of death among young people, resulting in about 4400 deaths per year, according to the CDC. For every suicide among young people, there are at least 100 suicide attempts. Over 14 percent of high school students have considered suicide, and almost 7 percent have attempted it Bully victims are between 2 to 9 times more likely to consider suicide than non-victims, according to studies by Yale University U N D E R R A T E D I Yo u t h F o o t b a l l

•

•

•

A study in Britain found that at least half of suicides among young people are related to bullying 10 to 14 year old girls may be at even higher risk for suicide, according to the study above According to statistics reported by ABC News, nearly 30 percent of students are either bullies or victims, and 160,000 kids stay home from school every day because of bullying

Bully-related suicide can be connected to any type of bullying, including physical bullying, emotional bullying, cyberbullying, and sexting, or circulating suggestive or nude photos or messages about a person.

Some schools or regions have more serious problems with bullying-related suicide. This may be due to a problem with bullying at the school. It could also be related to the tendency of students who are exposed to suicide to consider suicide themselves.

Some of the warning signs of suicide can include: •

• •

Showing signs of depression, like ongoing sadness, withdrawal from others, losing interest in favorite activities, or trouble sleeping or eating Talking about or showing an interest in death or dying Engaging in dangerous or harmful activities, including reckless behavior,

• • • •

substance abuse, or self injury Giving away favorite possessions and saying goodbye to people Saying or expressing that they can’t handle things anymore Making comments that things would be better without them If a person is displaying these symptoms, talk to them about your concerns and get them help right away, such as from a counselor, doctor, or at the emergency room.

In some cases, it may not be obvious that a teen is thinking about suicide, such as when the suicide seems to be triggered by a particularly bad episode of bullying. In several cases where bullying victims killed themselves, bullies had told the teen that he or she should kill him or herself or that the world would be better without them. Others who hear these types of statements should be quick to stop them and explain to the victim that the bully is wrong.

Other ways to help people who may be considering suicide include: •

•

•

•

Take all talk or threats of suicide seriously. Don’t tell the person they are wrong or that they have a lot to live for.

Instead, get them immediate medical help.

Keep weapons and medications away from anyone who is at risk for suicide.

Get these items out of the house or at least securely locked up.

Parents should encourage their teens to talk about bullying that takes place. It may be embarrassing for kids to admit they are the victims of bullying, and most kids don’t want to admit they have been involved in bullying. Tell victims that it’s not their fault that they are being bullied and show them love and support. Get them professional help if the bullying is serious.

It is a good idea for parents to insist on being included in their children’s friends

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on social networking sites so they can see if someone has posted mean messages about them online. Text messages may be more difficult to know about, so parents should try to keep open communications with their children about bullying.

• Parents who see a serious bullying problem should talk to school authorities about it, and perhaps arrange a meeting with the bully’s parents. More states are implementing laws against bullying, and recent lawsuits against schools and criminal charges against bullies show that there are legal avenues to take to deal with bullies. If school authorities don’t help with an ongoing bullying problem, local police or attorneys may be able to.

• People who are thinking about suicide should talk to someone right away or go to an emergency room. They can also call a free suicide hotline, such as 1-800-273TALK (8255).

Friends and relatives of suicide victims also need to find someone to talk to as they grieve, especially if they are suffering from depression or suicidal thoughts themselves.

Prevent Bullying

One way to stop bullying is to take steps to prevent bullying from starting. Some ways to prevent bullying is through providing a bully policy, consequences for bullies, and educating potential victims of bullying. Keep reading for more tips on preventing bullying.

Steps to prevent bullying before it starts can address the problem from several directions.

Prevention can be aimed at creating a situation in which bullying is not tolerated, in giving potential bullies outlets and behavior suggestions so that thoughts and feelings that could end up in bullying are channeled in different ways, and in helping potential victims avoid becoming the butt of bullying behavior.

This article explores some of the current thoughts about how bullying can be prevented.

Preventing Bullying

With Policies

A clear definition of bullying and a policy that 20

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disallows it and lays out the consequences is one means to arm a school or school district against this problem. For one thing, when bullying is clearly defined, then it can be more easily recognized and separated from constructive criticism, discipline, and motivation, all of which are bordering areas. It is important that the policy be clear and research-based in order to not be so broad that educationally valid negative statements are branded and students and teachers are fearful of being perceived as bullies at every turn when what they say is not praise. And it is different, though still potentially painful, if a child is picked last for games because he or she has an objectively poor skill set as opposed to being picked last due to an explicit campaign to ostracize him or her.

Policies may explicitly mention major types of bullying, including verbal, social, physical, pack and cyberbullying, and racist, religious, homophobic bullying, along with bullying of people with disabilities. But it is important that policies should be worded so as not to exclude the bullying of mainstream victims, nor victims who are teachers, staff, administrators, or school board members, rather than students.

As of September, 2009, most states have laws about bullying. Bullying laws do not exist, however, in Alabama, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

Preventing Bullying

With Consequences

With a carefully written and precise bullying definition in place, there is a need to follow up with appropriate and fair consequences when bullying occurs, whomever the perpetrator and victim are. Victims must know that they will get a fair hearing in order to be persuaded to come forward. Bullies must not be perceived as immune on account of longevity or position.

Consequences need to be applied consistently in order for policy to be effective.

In states in which there are laws about bullying and in cases in which bullying involves physical altercations or damage or theft of property, the consequences of bullying may include criminal

prosecution, as well as school sanctions. In addition, bullies, both students and teachers, not to mention schools, school districts, and parents of bullies have been sued for damages.

Preventing Bullying

and Family Education

Perception of bullying has changed over time, and while policy can touch organizations such as schools, it is harder to reach families. People who come from families in which bullying was the norm have been exposed to behavior models that are not considered acceptable today. These people, whether teachers or students, may need explicit models of how to act on thoughts

Within the home, parents can prevent bullying both by modeling alternative behaviors as well as explicitly pointing out behaviors that fall into the category of bullying and differentiating ways of acting and sharing that are acceptable within a family. and feelings that could lead to bullying and/or they may need greater assistance to learn new behavior patterns and break old models, such as counseling, rather than simply punishment.

Community education is difficult and takes time: many people feel that what happens behind their closed front door is their business and is private and resent and reject suggestions for change. But if dad bullies mom, or vice versa, and the children take this behavior as a model, what’s behind closed doors can flow out into the community.

Within the home, parents can prevent bullying both by modeling alternative behaviors as well

as explicitly pointing out behaviors that fall into the category of bullying and differentiating ways of acting and sharing that are acceptable within a family - in which people often know more about each other’s characteristics, faults and failings, for example, because of how space is shared rather than because someone has “outed” someone else - from what is acceptable in school and other public settings.

Other Means of Preventing Bullying

Supervision and appropriate intervention can help stop bullying that is in progress.

Teach appropriate assertiveness to those who are, or may be, targets of bullying.

If the bullying is linked to something that can be changed - such as an article of clothing or a lack of skill or training in some area - discuss various responses with the person, including changing the behavior, by making a different choice or by working to improve in the area that is lacking if this is an appropriate response, or learning to assert his or her right to be different, if this is appropriate. For example, if a student is ridiculed because his or her desk or locker is a mess with things falling out of it, some assistance in creating and maintaining order could both be beneficial and remove the reason for the bullying. If, however, the student wants to continue to wear a Yankee baseball cap in Red Sox territory, a different approach will be needed.

Staff training can help make sure that the school (and state, if applicable) policies are widely understood.

Some bullying occurs at the rate of “almost every day” according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) 2007 data. Head off repeat offense by encouraging reports of bullying and making sure reports are dealt with expeditiously. A victim who has accepted another student’s derision as “jokes” up to should be able to report the derision without feeling complicit or guilty for the bullying being ongoing.

Sources stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov nces.ed.gov stopbullyingnow.com youthviolence.edschool.virginia.edu

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C O A C H SP E AK

How To Talk To A Coach: A Primer For Moms

By Brooke de Lench

A Stressful Situation

If the world were a perfect place, talking to a youth sports coach would be as natural and stress free as talking to your child’s teacher. Mothers should feel free to let the coach know anything we feel will affect our child’s participation, such as stress in his home life or school, the fact that he has chronic asthma, that he is grieving over the death of a family pet or has to miss a game to attend a family wedding. We also should be able to expect that the coach will share any concerns with us about our child at any time.

Unfortunately, as I know all too well from my conversations with mothers and coaches over the years, there is nothing that worries and confuses mothers more. It is simply astounding how many otherwise confident and competent mothers successful trial lawyers, emergency room physicians, business executives, and stay-at-home moms - end up lying awake in the wee hours of the morning worrying about this issue. The reason is that, unlike your child’s teacher, her coach, in all probability, is not a professional educator trained to put the child’s interest first at all times.

Since it simply isn’t possible to shield our children completely from bad coaches, when we feel that we have something to say, no matter how unpopular, we should speak up. If your intuition is to speak, speak.

There is no dishonor in voicing an opinion; there is no dishonor in trying to protect your child.

Before you talk

First, regardless of the issue you may have with your child’s coach, talk to your child to find out what he is feeling and thinking before you talk to the coach.

His feelings may be very different than yours and they deserve your respect.

Second, encourage your child to talk to the coach himself. If you jump in every time your child has a problem, your child will soon get the message that 22

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she isn’t capable of taking care of herself and will look to you to solve other problems she may be having in her life. For instance, if he is not getting as much playing time as he thinks he deserves, he should ask, “Coach, what do I need to work on so that I can earn more playing time?”

Third, don’t speak up until you see a pattern and after you have gathered all the facts with an open mind. Check with the assistant coaches and other parents. Be patient. Give the coach the chance to get to know your child before you begin complaining.

Fourth, even if your child’s feelings mirror your own don’t conclude that you have to talk to the coach.

Consider the effect your talking to the coach may have on your child’s relationships with his teammates and the coach. Sometimes, it may be better to keep quiet until you have given the matter more thought and, perhaps, talked to other parents to see if they have concerns similar to yours. If so, you may be better off going to the coach as a group.

Talking to the coach: the when, where and what If your child can’t resolve the problem with the coach on her own, it is time for you to become your child’s advocate and meet with the coach. Your child should be present, even if you end up doing most, if not all, the talking because it will help her learn how to speak for herself in the future with other coaches and authority figures.

Choose the right time and place. If you have criticisms, or want to voice a negative comment to your son or daughter’s coach, the best time to talk to the coach is after the game and alone, not in front of the players and other parents. Right before, during, or immediately after games or practices are absolutely the worst time to have a heart-to-heart with the coach.

Contact the coach later that day, when you have calmed down and have had a chance to develop some perspective, after you have had a chance to collect your thoughts, or, better yet, put them down

on paper. If a face-to-face meeting is warranted, set a time and place which is free of distractions where you can talk and maintain good eye contact.

Someplace where you can talk over a cup of coffee or grab a donut works well. If you are better at communicating in writing, you could send an e-mail, but remember that they can be easily misinterpreted and come off as confrontational and be read and forwarded by anyone.

Don’t apologize. While there is no best way to give criticism, don’t apologize or make excuses. Women tend to say “I’m sorry” more than men. The problem is that men tend to view such ritual apologies as a sign of weakness, that the speaker lacks confidence.

Keep the message simple but direct. Girls grow up learning conversational styles that focus on the relationship aspect while boys learn conversational styles that focus on the status dimension. Men try to avoid being put in the “one-down” position. Women tend to avoid putting anyone in that position. A woman’s tendency to use indirect speech, to temper criticism with praise, and exchange compliments works fine when talking with other women, but less well when talking with a male coach who tends to speak directly and take words literally. State one or two concerns, at most, simply, briefly, honestly and directly. Be respectful. Don’t exaggerate. Describe the situation in non-judgmental terms. Explain how it affects you and your child; and then state a preference for how you believe it can best be resolved.

Watch your tone of voice. Women have a different speaking style than men, one that often makes us seem less competent and self assured then we actually are. I found that I was able to advocate more effectively for my child when talking to a coach if I lowered my voice so I didn’t whine, and didn’t get emotional or angry (Unfortunately, women who are angry and tense sound whiny).

Check your body language: Are your arms tightly folded across your chest or are your hands loose and comfortable?

Are you making direct eye contact and are your eyes open without the “evil eye” appearance

that you may really want to be expressing?

Talk slowly. Deep breathing helps to regulate and slow down your speaking.

Avoid words that block open communication. What you say can make a big difference in how you are perceived. Avoid words like “but”, “try,” “should,” “have to ...,” “always,” “never,” and “obviously.”

Be assertive, not aggressive. Be firm but polite.

You want the coach to hear you, believe you, and help resolve an important problem, not feel like he is being attacked. Yet, common communication techniques almost guarantee the opposite result. Too often, we lead with personal attacks, exaggerations, and pre-judgments. Opening salvos such as “You told Allison that she would be the starting midfielder,” or “Josh never would have played on this team if you’d told us how expensive it was going to be” beg for debate and rebuttal, rather than inviting problem solving and empathy. Instead, send a powerful message that can get through the coach’s defenses because it focuses on the problem, not the person.

Practice active listening. After the coach has stated his thoughts you should paraphrase what he has just said, such as by saying, “What I hear you saying is that ….” Saying to a coach, “What I understand you to be saying is that some of the girls will play the entire game while most will only play half the game or less,” may make him see how unfair he is being.

Try to see things from the coach’s point of view; it is likely to vastly improve the quality of the discussion.

Look for common ground. Usually, we think we have the solution all figured out, before we know enough about the problem. Making a single, nonnegotiable demand prevents discussion of other creative options and makes it harder to back down in favor of a better idea (especially if the coach is a man, given the natural resistance of men to being told what to do, which they view as an assault on their competence). A more constructive approach is to accept that there are many ways to solve a problem. Then, generate as many options as possible that combine the coach’s interests and your own. Remember, men are especially likely to be indirect when it comes to admitting fault or weakness, so pushing for an admission of fault, which forces a man into the uncomfortable “one down” position may not be the best approach. © Brooke de Lench 2010 Adapted from the book: Home Team Advantage: The Critical Role of Mothers in Youth Sports

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F e at u r e

OKLAHOMA ELITE F

T

he Oklahoma Elite Football league is a league dedicated to the enhancement of youth sports in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. OEFLâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s primary objective is to provide the youth in the metro with a 24

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program that is committed to giving the kids the tools it takes to succeed both on and off the field. They strive to give them a positive environment for building character and learning to overcome adversity. OEFL instills the values of hard work; commitment and that playing by the rules will ultimately lead to a positive end result. The Oklahoma Elite Football League

endeavors to have an impact on the young boys and girls that will spend three to five years of their lives going through one of sports and/or educational programs.

Their two main goals in 2012.

The first is to establish the OEFL as a league that provides a variety of sports applications that will enhance the experience and development of the youth, the parents and the coaches. We will

FOOTBALL PROGRAM

do this by bringing innovated sports concepts to include but not limited to the following: Tackle Football Leagues, 7-on-7 Football Leagues, Flag Football Leagues, Soccer Leagues, Sports Camps and YouthRanking Combines. The second area of focus will be to launch our OEFL Literacy & Educational program. They will partner with the Oklahoma City Parks

& Recreation Department & Dell Computers to establish an after school learning centers in 1 or 2 of their current youth centers. (North & South location) These programs will focus on providing fluent reading & literacy programs as well as ACT/SAT Prep courses for youth of all ages.

OEFL were the first to bring the competitive tournament

concept to the Oklahoma City market, the first to bring the playoff concept to the Oklahoma City market, the first to bring youth football televise games concept to the Oklahoma City market.

In 2012, they will continue to bring first concepts type ideas and events to the youth market of Oklahoma City. For more information visit okelitefootball. com.

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F e at u r e

Helping the children of Liberia by building a national youth sports infrastructure.

H

onored Olympic and pro athlete; a youth sports consultant who designs sports infrastructures for Youth; charismatic visionary focused on inclusion; wellnetworked with successful entrepreneurs, Investors and corporate leaders; strongly committed to the educational and athletic development of kids.

Reputation for excellence. International orientationâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;dedication to global social change through youth sports. Served 14 years on the Board of Directors of the United States Soccer Federation. Born in Liberia, West Africa, and returned for the first time in 40 years in December 2009. Has made a commitment to Help the children of Liberia by building a national youth sports infrastructure.

Doc created DonamiSport, a non- profit organization to carry out his vision/mission for the children of Liberia 26

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DonamiSport Mission

Traumatized by 20 years of civil war, the country of Liberia has come to recognize its own YMCA in the non-traditional role of a social services provider. DonamiSport, in partnership with the over 100 year-old YMCA of Liberia, will be of tremendous support to this organization â&#x20AC;&#x201C; heavily involved in implementing psychosocial

programs (health information services, psychological counseling, non-violent conflict resolution, etc.) DonamiSport will provide a sports program initiative that will support the psychosocial programs. Currently, there is no existing infrastructure throughout Liberia for community-based sports programs for children ages 4-14. DonamiSport will provide the resources and expertise to create that plus a teen sports initiative for 15-17 year

olds. DonamiSport will be the “third place”* community-based social network for young people and additionally serve as the feeder system to support the Liberia YMCA’s alreadyexisting programs . The DonamiSport programs started in January 2011.

Contact: Doc Lawson/ CEO: dlawson@ donamisport.org for additional information on how to Donate, Sponsor or Partner for this great cause. No Gift is to Small, No Gift is to Large.

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He a l t h

ven at a young age, children are overwhelmed by many mental and physical problems that they shouldn't experience.

Having health, confidence, selfesteem and social issues can be detrimental to a child's development in life.

Going through these struggles should not be on a child's list of things to worry about. One helpful way to improve, or even prevent these issues is through the child's participation in sports.

Sports can be a fun, healthy way to build confidence and other admirable characteristics in a child. Sports can provide children with motivation and teach them about life lessons, as well as the importance of social stability and education.

So, how do sports play as a positive factor in child development? Here are the answers to that question.

Physically, you want your kids to be fit. Plenty of parents believe that their child is physically fit, but the numbers are lower than people believe. One way sports can improve child development is through the physical aspects of their

E

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lives. During the childhood years, normally between the ages of 6 and 11, the child's body will go through multiple changes. Keeping a child active during this time will help achieve healthy stability in him or her. By doing it safely and with proper technique, sports can be a good way for any child to work out certain ways to stay fit. It is also a good way for children to understand eating habits while staying fit; out with the bad, in with the good foods in order to maintain stamina and physical stability.

Then there are the social aspects of any sport. Sports give way for a child to hang out with friends, meet new people and build bonds.

Teams are a brother or sisterhood of sorts,

giving children people around them that they can rely on. As teammates, the children are trusted and forced to trust others in order to succeed. These characteristics are very beneficial in life, from jobs to friendships.

Giving the child an atmosphere where they can express themselves to others of similar interests will also provide confidence in them.

The mental aspects of all sports can be as beneficial, if not more, than anything else.

Building confidence and self-esteem in the child is a trait that will take them through life with their heads held high. The child will also learn the characteristics of leadership through the process of sports and the importance of it. Going through life as a follower, mimicking other people is no way to push you ahead of the crowd.

Standing out and being your own person, that's the lesson sports can teach a child, allowing them to stand tall and rely on themselves.

Leadership, confidence, high self-esteem, and success; these are all attributes every parent wants for their child. Sports are a solid base to provide those to children and help with their healthy development through life.

As your child grows older, the role of a student-athlete becomes increasingly important. The ability to balance out sports and school will instill responsibility into the child, allowing them to plan accordingly.

We all know the importance of education in children and we're learning the importance of sports to a child's development. Becoming a student-athlete gives emphasis to the importance of academics and sports at the same time. In fact, education at the high school and college levels is a necessity to

compete in organized sports, making a child ineligible if their grades are not up to the standards of that school. With proper balance of the two, meaning being responsible in choices the child makes, success is much easier to achieve.

Keep in mind that the child must also understand the middle ground of winning. It's not everything, and it shouldn't be. Winning is nice and can build confidence, but knowing to get right back up and shake it off if you lose is another strong characteristic to have.

Winning should coincide with the other elements of sports such as teamwork, fun, fitness and confidence.

Make sure the child understands that it isn't about winning; it is about how you win. Some people will do whatever it takes to win, including cheating, and that is a negative developmental characteristic. When a child enters sports, make sure to embrace and celebrate winning, but don't overemphasize it as the most important aspect. Winning with class and dignity, is the more rewarding victory.

When children play sports, they develop a high multitude of positive characteristics that will carry them throughout life; not just in the field, court, or ring, but in everyday living.

Let's review: Confidence, social abilities, responsibility, determination, appreciation, leadership, teamwork; all these things can be instilled in a child's characteristics from sports at a young age and beyond those years. Children will develop with a different mindset playing sports, and grow into respectable adults with all the keys to be successful in all of life's games.

S ta n d i n g o u t a n d b e i n g y o u r ow n p e r s o n , t h at â&#x20AC;&#x2122; s t h e le s s o n s p o r t s can teach a c h i l d , a llow i n g t h em t o s t a n d t a ll a n d r el y o n t h em s el v e s .

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P r e p t i me

What a Player Can Learn from

W at c h i n g

the

he 2004 US Open was a very exciting tournament full of surprises and excellent & Bobby Bernstein tennis. Many great Coordinator, Coaching Education matches were contested USA Tennis Player Development on Ashe and Armstrong stadiums, as well as the outer courts. We spent a lot of time observing many great players in the junior and main draws. Coaches, players, and parents can learn a great deal watching other players compete. We certainly learned a lot this year! You can learn how players deal with adversity; change their style depending on the flow of the match; or remain calm under pressure. Here is a sample of what we learned from the some of the most intriguing matches at the Open. Adapt to the changing weather conditions (Agassi and Federer) In the past few years players at the US Open have dealt with long and numerous rain delays. For many players this is a major distraction leading to less than their best tennis. One of the best matches of the men’s tournament occurred under the worst wind conditions we have witnessed. Dealing with the aftermath of a Hurricane blowing through Ashe Stadium, Agassi and Federer battled in a tight five set match. Despite the gusts of wind, both players maintained their focus and played very good tennis.

How did they do this? For sure, Agassi and Federer adapted to the gusting wind conditions. Their footwork was excellent as they took the small steps to adjust to the abnormal flight of the ball.

The following are suggestions for any player dealing with poor weather conditions.

1. Understand that the conditions affect both players.

Do not allow the weather to beat you!

2. You will need a high tolerance of mistakes; you are not going to play your best. So don’t let the perfectionist in you ruin your performance.

Larry Lauer, Ph D Coaching Education Coordinator, ISYS, Michigan State University

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T

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US

Open

3. Look and listen for weaknesses from your opponent if they seem to be getting frustrated dealing with the conditions. Is your opponent looking to the sky? Yelling at the wind? Checking the court with their shoes? When she does this, her focus is not fully on the match. Pounce on your opponent right away by attacking their serve and/or coming to the net.

4. Practice in bad weather; this is the best way to become an all-weather player!

5. Have a plan for rain delays. Know what you will do during this break from play.

For example, you should know what you want to focus while waiting for the match to begin. Is it best for you to stay focused on the match while waiting, or should you relax and plan to refocus prior to the start? How you approach the delay depends on how long you think it will be, but we suggest that you attempt to stay focused on the match during very short delays, and for long delays find activities that will take your mind off the match. Then plan to refocus in the 15 –30 minutes prior to the start of play.

6. Have a plan or strategy to deal with all the different situations that might arise. What will you do if the wind gusts at 30 mph? Start fast; finish strong (Federer v. Hewitt, Davenport v. Kuznetsova) In the final weekend, two very interesting matches displayed the importance of momentum in tennis. In the semi’s, Davenport and Kuznetsova met in an up and down affair. Davenport went out fast (6-1) but was unable to keep the momentum and Kuznetsova gained control of the match in the 2nd set and won the match fairly comfortably. In the men’s final, Federer started very fast against Hewitt at 6-0, but in this case was able to continue dominating his opponent (won the third set at love as well).

How was Roger able to maintain momentum while Lindsay could not? Why was Svetlana able to change

momentum when Lleyton could not? We cannot say exactly why, but here are some suggestions for juniors to get a fast start out of the gate and also for those who often get an early advantage only to see it slip away.

Start Fast: The match begins the day before.

1. Scout the opponent so you know the best way to attack their game. If she has a weak backhand, attack it early and often. Have a game plan!

2. Be fully prepared by preparing your equipment and getting proper food and rest.

3. Know you pre match schedule, including when you will wake up, eat, etc. Have a pre match routine and follow it!

4. Be ready to go from the first point by bouncing on your toes to energize.

5. Have a focused warm-up. Think about your game and how you will play out your plan.

Finish Strong: Maintain focus to keep the momentum.

1. Focus on what is important – playing the game.

Attempt to focus only on the present and stop any thoughts that you have about past mistakes, the future outcome of the match, or analyzing too much. Have a mental cue such as a “stop” that blocks these thoughts from distracting you.

2. A junior should continue to attack and play his game style. When you have the lead do not pull up, keep doing what got you the lead.

3. Be prepared for shifts in momentum. Understand that an opponent is probably doing everything he can to gain control. Do not overreact to shifts in momentum.

Instead, a junior should focus on his game plan and playing his game style.

4. When you have lost momentum it is easy to get frustrated. Instead, a junior player needs to refocus by taking more time between points to prepare to play the next point with full intensity and focus.

Go for your shots when you are not getting the calls (Serena Williams in the controversial match vs. Capriati) The most controversial match at the Open pitted Serena Williams against Jennifer Capriati. In a tight match, Serena hit several balls that were in, but called out. Serena handled this situation with class; however it may have affected her willingness to go for her shots.

A little more conservative play from Williams was all Capriati would need to win the match. What should a junior do if she is receiving awful calls? Obviously, the situation is different

in juniors because there are rarely line judges; the opponent has to call the lines at most tournaments.

Nonetheless, it is most important that the player focus on what she can control.

• Focus on playing the point aggressively and avoid thinking about what could go wrong during the point. Think “hit out” instead of “don’t miss” or “don’t hit near the lines.”

• Accept mistakes and move on. No player (or line judge for that matter) is perfect.

• Understand that the only way for you to win when you are playing a great opponent is to play “all out.” Pulling back or playing to not lose will lead to poor performances and probably losing.

• Handle yourself with class and dignity even when you think you are receiving terrible line calls.

• Ask for an official to watch the match. This should help you to feel more comfortable in hitting your shots.

Conclusion Tennis is a very exciting sport to watch. The players are great athletes and have tremendous levels of fitness and strength.

However, there is a lot more that is going on to the trained eye. The mental battle that occurs often determines the result of a match. Watch how the great players approach various match situations with success. This will give you a good idea of how you might want to approach these situations. So, when watching your next match, look for the mental dynamics that underlie the score.

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AR E A E V E NTS

On December 2nd 2012, American Youth Football (AYF) and Under Armour is kicking off the world’s largest football competition. More than 15,000 football players, cheerleaders, and their families from across the U.S. are expected to be at the Football National Championships.

Since its inception fourteen years ago, AYF has become the nation’s largest youth football program with more than 650,000 athletes aged 5-16 playing on 18,000 teams in all 50 states. The organization strives to use football as a means to ‘give back’ to the community and fulfill its mission to provide all kids with a place to play. In order to qualify for the National Championship event, coaches and league administrators participated in months of education, training and fundraising while players had to demonstrate excellence both on the field and in the classroom.

“Qualifying for the Championships far exceeds simply winning games, it requires months of dedication from an entire community,” Said Galat, “Incredibly, we could have invited 300 teams to participate this week which exemplifies the strong commitment to youth football from across the country.”

The top 140 youth teams will compete in 20 divisions allowing players of all ages the chance at a national title, with over 300 games being played. In addition to high-intensity football, players will have the chance to participate in Under Armour Combines with top trainers, events at local area theme parks, appearances by NFL players and celebrities and national media coverage.

Watch the 2012 Under Armour American Youth Football National Championships, as seen on Fox Sports Net at youtube.com/ayftv.

To view the full brackets visit, www.ayfchampionships.com

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and Physical Education, an association of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance

AR E A E V E NTS

The Tom Lott All-American Championships are a competitive youth football tournament located at Nienhuis Stadiums in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Our goal is to have a centrally located tournament with the best teams from across the nation to participate and determine who plays the best junior football. In itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inaugural year, the championships will be played over the 2012 Thanksgiving Holiday. Check-in for the Championship will be Friday November 23rd (Games will begin immediately following check-in).

About the Championship THIS IS A NO-WEIGHT LIMIT GRADE BASED FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT. Double Elimination Tournament.

No Gate Admission Fees Entry items will be given to all players who participate in the tournament.

Team awards for Gold, Silver & Bronze placements.

NFHS rules will be in effect with modifications coming from the Indian Nations Football Conference Rules governing youth football in Oklahoma.

Discounted hotel rates for both in state and out of state teams.

Proceeds from the tournament will be donated to the Tom Lott support trust for cancer treatments.

For more information visit tomlottfootball.com 34

U N D E R R A T E D I Yo u t h F o o t b a l l

The Coaches Code of Conduct

T

he effect that a sport coach has on young athletes is apparent in the way the athletes conduct themselves. Although that influence is not always a positive one, the coach-athlete relationship provides an opportunity to help maximize the development of the athlete physically, mentally and social/ emotionally.

Sport is such an integral part of our culture yet coaching is not always seen as a true profession. This attitude is gradually changing.

Coaching can no longer be perceived as simply a hobby or informal second job; coaching is a profession. It may be necessary for a coach to work as a teacher or in business or other occupations. But this need not and must not diminish the professional responsibilities for executing the coaching role as a professional.

If we are to continue to enhance the cultural perceptions of coaching, then we must strive toward maintaining minimum expectations.

At minimum, the role of the coach should include the knowledge and awareness of the competencies within the following eight domains from the National Standards for Athletic Coaches: 1. Injury: Prevention, Care and Management 2.Risk Management 3. Growth, Development and Learning 4. Training, Conditioning and Nutrition 5. Social/Psychological Aspects of Coaching 6.Skills, Tactics and Strategies 7.Teaching and Administration 8. Professional Preparation The Coaches Council of the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) has established the following Code of Conduct to which coaches at all levels should be held accountable.

•

•

Coaches have the knowledge and preparation to lead their teams within the parameters outlined in the National Standards for Athletic Coaches (NASPE, 1995).

Coaches are responsible to ensure that

• • •

•

•

• • • • • • • • • • •

the health, well-being and development of athletes take precedence over the win/loss record.

Coaches accept that they do serve as role models and there must be congruency between their actions and words.

Coaches provide a physically and emotionally safe environment for practices and competition.

Coaches exemplify honesty, integrity, fair play, and sportsmanship regardless of the impact that might have upon the outcome of the competition.

Coaches maintain a professional demeanor in their relationships with athletes, officials, colleagues, administrators and the public and treat them with respect and dignity.

Coaches maintain confidentiality when appropriate and avoid situations that would potentially create a conflict of interest or exploit the athlete.

Coaches are committed to the education of their athletes and should encourage academic achievement.

Coaches are committed to the safety and well-being of each athlete and promote healthy lifestyles by their actions.

Coaches discourage the use of performance enhancing substances and dietary Supplements.

Coaches prohibit the use of any illegal or recreational drugs.

Coaches educate athletes about nutrition, safe and healthy weight loss or gain, and healthy eating behaviors.

Coaches follow current safe training and conditioning techniques.

Coaches exhibit sound injury and risk management practices.

Coaches demonstrate an understanding of growth and developmental stages of their Athletes.

Coaches encourage athletes to adopt a physically active lifestyle.

Coaches place the athlete’s needs and interests before their own.

Coaches remember that competition should be healthy and enjoyable for all.

U N D E R R A T E D I Yo u t h F o o t b a l l A Position Paper from The National Association for Sport and Physical Education - July, 2001 National Association for Sport and Physical Education, an association of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance

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Aren’t you tired of chocolate bars & popcorn?

Offer something people really want to use…

Five

scented candles!!

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

advantages of a a candle Fund-Raiser

No Up Front Cost! Your Organization Keeps Your Profit Up Front!

Your Team will earn 50% of the profit of each candle sold!

Candles are a healthy choice healthy choice in fundraising today.

The container will have your Logo on the lid!

Everyone loves candles and for those who don’t, they are sure to know someone who do and will make a purchase.

Facts from the National Candle Association: • • • •

Candles are used in 7 out of 10 U.S. households.

Manufacturer surveys show that 90% of all candles are purchased by women.

Consumers are increasingly purchasing candles as a focal point for their home décor, and for aromatherapy (relaxation and stress reduction).

Candle purchasers say they view candles as an appropriate gift for the holidays, as a house warming gift, a hostess/dinner party gift, a thank you and as adult birthday gifts.

How it works

No Up Front Cost! Your Organization Keeps Your Profit Up Front!

1. Your Team will earn 50% of the profit of each candle sold!

2. Decide on your financial goal for the fundraiser given the number of participants and your cost/profit per candle.

3. Choose your fragrances and obtain order forms from us at No cost (we can help you select which fragrances for the season that are best sellers).

4. Run your fundraiser for approximately 2 weeks, collecting funds with your orders. No minimum order!

5. Submit your total order with payment to us MINUS your profit. Remember you keep your profit up front!

6. Allow approximately 3 weeks for delivery of your order and distribute your orders when they arrive.

Taking Orders, we will supply order forms and information for all participants in the fundraiser. Participants collect orders and payment for the duration of the fundraiser.

Checks are made payable to the organization or the candle representative. Placing Orders, the organization coordinator collects the order forms and turns in the master order with payment to us. Your profit is immediate and available at the close of your fundraiser.

Delivery, the candles will be delivered directly to your organization. Great Profitability, Nevaehâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Candle Creations Fundraiser is easy and profitable for your organization.

If you have any questions regarding our Candle Fundraiser, please gary@underratedsports. com. We would love to help you meet your fundraising goal, we look forward to giving you the highest quality of product and customer service you have ever had!

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MY HOPE IS TO MAKE THE TRUTH CHEER AND ELITE PROGRAM WITH FLAWLESS TECHNIQUE, PASSION FOR THE SPORT AND NOT JUST ANOTHER RECREATIONAL CHEER SQUAD.”

Kim Mathis grew up in Dallas and was raised by her Dad and grandmother. She was a multi-sport athlete in HS and college: Cheer, track, and soccer. After graduating from Skyline with high honors, Kim attented TAMU Commerce. At TAMU Kim was an Alpha Kappa Alpha and recieved her BA in Administration.She has three kids with Kevin Mathis: Kennedy, Kaleb, Kole. (The 5 K’s) Kim has been coaching cheerleading for 14 years. In her 2nd year of TRUTH cheer. Deion asked her to be the head of cheer because of her experience, work ethic, and dedication to make an elite program Photos by Willy Orji U N D E R R A T E D I Yo u t h F o o t b a l l

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Play Hard Read Well A National Call to Action to Build Character and Self-Esteem in At Risk Children and Yo u t h t h r o u g h Athletic Achievement and Reading E f f i c i e n c y.

A Partnership of Under Rated Youth Football Magazine and the LIteracy Company

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