DYS Inaugural Issue

8/7/2019 DYS Inaugural Issue

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Dublin CoffmansKyle Molock:

ON THE ROADTO PURDUE

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Youth Athletic TrainingHow young is too young?Youth Athletic TrainingHow young is too young? PAGE 12

Youth Sports OptionsFind the right fitfor your child

Youth Sports OptionsFind the right fitfor your child PAGE 22

INAUGURAL ISSUE YOUR YOUTH SPORTS RESOURCE!

CONCUSSION:TACKLING THE

PROBLEM HEAD ON

CONCUSSION:TACKLING THE

PROBLEM HEAD ONIs Your Child Protected?

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Celebrating The Spirit


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2 Dublin YOUTH SPORTS January, 2011


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Most communities

today recognizethe considerablebenefits of provid-ing a variety of

quality recreational youth sportsprograms, as they are proven to pro-mote healthy childhood developmentas well as a heightened sense ofcommunity. The City of Dublin is noexception and invests in both thefacilities and resources necessary forour children's positive physical, psy-chological and social development.

The city is involved across abroad spectrum of youth sportsopportunitiesfrom the most funda-mental, recreational program toprograms recognized and respectedfar beyond the City of Dublin. Whilethe city's ability to accommodatethis broad spectrum is facilitated bycommunity partner programs, its pri-mary obligation is to those involvedat the recreational level of play.

Resource allocation, whether

those resources are athletic fields,indoor gymnasiums or the staffingrequired to run programs, is a keyprinciple in the city's decision makingprocess as it pertains to support ofyouth sports programs. On a finitebudget, the city's first responsibilityis to balance the use of publicresources in a manner that maxi-mizes service to the greatest numberof residents and generates optimalbenefit to the overall needs of thecommunity. Once achieved, the city

then addresses those services cate-gorized as specialized or beyondthe general recreational level.

By prioritizing broadly-appealing,recreational levels of competition inprograms and services, the city isalso able to allocate resources in away that will increase the variety ofopportunities available to the com-munity's children. Studies consis-tently show that, throughout the

adolescent years, regular participa-

tion in a wide range of physical,psychological and social experi-ences produces significant benefitsrelated to short- and long-termchildhood development.

This philosophy also balancesthe concept of specialization.

Adolescent youth under the age of15 who participate in a single,competitive-level sport year-roundare more predisposed to experiencenegative side effects, including, butnot limited to, overuse injuries and

general burn-out due to rigoroustraining schedules and excessivetime commitments. In youth sports,this may be the athlete focused onbecoming the next elite player,earning a college scholarship oreven becoming a professionalsports player. On a related note,there are an estimated ten academicscholarships awarded to every oneathletic scholarship, while the prob-

City Of Dublin


Fields Of Dreams

While the City of Dublin's recreational facilities may not be located in an Iowancornfield, W. P. Kinsella's seed notion of If you build it, they will come,has found purchase.Aspirations, some less obvious than others, are borne andrealized on the city's well-tended fields and diamonds.

BY MATT EARMAN


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ability of becoming the next profes-sional athlete is an underwhelmingone percent (relative to the entirecollege athlete population).

While the city actively accommo-dates and values programsproviding opportunities for further

advancement in the various sports,participation in such programscomes at a significantly higher costthan that of the general recreationlevel of play. This cost differential isan understandable result of profes-sional coaching, training clinics, andtravel to distant tournaments to pro-vide the required levels of competi-tion, and is necessarily a factor inthe city's resource-allocation model.

Currently, there are more than3,000 children playing recreational

sports in Dublin. The city strives toencourage participation in a widerange of youth sports so these chil-dren, and their parents, can discoverwhat activities they enjoy most andcan develop the overall competencenecessary to optimize future suc-cess, on or off the field.

City programs and partnershipswith youth athletic organizationssuch as the Dublin Soccer League,Dublin Youth Athletics, ColumbusCricket Club and the Miracle Leagueare evaluated in terms of how effec-tively they produce recreational

opportunities that promote thedesired outcomes of positive self-esteem, self-worth, learning anddiversity of experience. In addition topartnerships with these communityorganizations, the city offers morethan 1,500 recreational programsannually. Many of which are youthrecreational sports activitiesdesigned to promote childhooddevelopment, complement thecommunity organizations' programsand to fill voids in those areas that

wouldn't exist otherwise. By offeringexploratory youth sports camps,youth fitness training classes,instructional lessons, communityswim teams and a variety of othersports activities, kids of all ages andskill levels are provided the opportu-nity to further the many benefits

from participation in a variety ofsports activities.

Ultimately, the city's primaryobjectives with its youth sportsprograms are for its young residentsto develop self confidence and tofoster a lifelong appreciation of

physical activity. If the result of ourcommunity's children participatingin recreational sports produces thenext superstar athlete, the city willproudly recognize and celebrate hisor her accomplishments. The citywill be equally as proud should itsucceed in fostering another resi-dent of the Dublin community whosimply loves their quality of life andactive recreational lifestyle.

www.dublinyouthsports.com

Matt Earman CPRP

City of Dublin, Director ofRecreation ServicesWith more than 28 years in the parksand recreation profession and a grad-uate of Virginia Tech, Matt Earmancurrently oversees the City of Dublin

Division of Recreation Services. As a Certified Parksand Recreation Professional, he is a member of theNational Recreation and Parks Association and serveson the Board of Directors for the Ohio Parks andRecreation Association.


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Ever wondered about the heavy traffic around

Avery Park on Saturday spring and fallmornings, or euphonic choruses ringing

out across Dublin green spaces at those times?Wonder no longer it's soccer!After all, over 50%of the people on planet Earth (3.6 billion of 6.89 billion)are fans of the sport, and Dublin is no exception.

Grassy Roots

The home of soccer at the local, recreational level isthe Dublin Soccer League (DSL). Founded in the mid-seventies, the organization is a member of UnitedStates Youth Soccer Association (USYSA)'s OhioSouth Youth Soccer Association. The DSL has serveda vital role in the sport's growth in Dublin by providingfamilies with an affordable opportunity to play TheGame For All Kids, as the USYSA refers to soccer.

According to league Executive Director John Muir,The goal is to provide the kids in the community withan opportunity to exercise, learn skills, make friendsand socialize by participating in the sport of soccer."With over 400 individuals serving as coaches and ref-erees, the league also offers residents an opportunityto give back to the community.

The DSL was originally formed by a group of dedi-cated parents in response to the demand for youthsoccer within the community. From these humblebeginnings, the league has grown to the point where itattracts over 2,200 players on over 200 teams playinga fall and spring schedule. This impressive growth is

mirrored on the national level, with USYSA ranksswelling from a mere 100,000 annually-registered U.S.players in 1974 to over 3.2 million in 2010, with over130,000 of these players in Ohio alone.

Ready To Kick Off?

The league offers programs for boys and girls aged4 1/2 to 19. There are four, age-specific programs inthe DSL, which run for eight weeks in the fall andseven weeks in the spring:

1. U5 Co-ed Program: Known as the Timbits, this

THE HOM

DUBLIN

Dublin Soccer League

hotograph by www.shotinaction.com


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program serves as an introduction to soccer.The Timbits meet on Saturday mornings, with thesession split between instruction and playing.

2. U6 through U12 Program: Children participate inan organized league, with players assigned toteams according to birth date, gender, and, wherepossible, Dublin City Schools attendance areas.Teams practice once during the week, and play onSaturday mornings.

3. Middle School Soccer Association (MSSA):The league shifts gears at the middle school leveland works in conjunction with the MSSA, anassociation run by the Columbus East Soccer

Association (CESA). Players continue to registerthrough the DSL and are assigned to teamscoached by Dublin parent coaches. With practiceonce a week, and two weekly games, there is lighttravel to communities in the Columbus area.Scheduling and end-of-season tournaments arecoordinated by CESA.

4. High School Soccer Association (HSSA):Students in 9th through 12th grades play in theHSSA. As with the MSSA, games are scheduledthroughout Columbus. There is one game a weekand practices are optional. Since scholastic sportparticipation is considered a priority by the DSL,those who participate on a school team are permittedto enroll in DSL's spring session only.

Consistent participation is a cornerstone of successful

recreational youth programs, as it is with the DSL program.League policy requires each registered child play at least50% of every game he or she attends. Opportunities tostart and play at every position, regardless of skill level, arealso strongly encouraged.

"Our programs are specifically designed with the recre-ational player in mind," said Muir. "Any soccer experiencehas an element of competition, of course, but this is verymuch secondary to the bigger picture of providing the manybenefits soccer can offer, including building an increasedsense of oneself and one's community. There are club pro-

grams in Dublinparticipating in the Mid-Ohio SelectSoccer League and the Midwest Regional Leagueforthose who are looking for a higher level of competition."

DSL practices and games take place at the City ofDublin's Avery Park and Darree Fields soccer complexes.The conveniently-located parks contain over 40 fields ofvarying sizes to accommodate all age levels. The leaguehas also furnished goals and nets at most Dublin elemen-tary schools to give kids another place to practice andplay informally.

The Bigger PictureThere are also many high-quality resources in the immedi-ate area with which the league frequently collaborates toenhance the overall soccer experience. "We use LockerSoccer [in Powell] for coaches' meetings and recommendthe organization to parents of children who may be too

FACTS:

OF

S CCER BY DAVID LIFTON

REGISTRANTS: 2,250

DUBLIN RESIDENCY: 99%

MALE/FEMALE RATIO: 55% - 45%

AGE RANGE: 4 1/2 -19

SKILL LEVEL: Recreational

PROGRAM COST: $60 - $135

VOLUNTEERS: 350 - 400+

REGISTRATION: 5/1 - 6/1511/1 - 2/1

Organizations


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Dr. David R. Monfort has been providing outstanding orthodontic care in Central Ohio since 1978.He attended the University of Notre Dame, then received both his Doctor of Dental Surgery andMasters Degree from The Ohio State University College of Dentistry.

Dr. Monfort maintains professional memberships with the American Dental Association and theAmerican Association of Orthodontists. Dr. Monfort enjoys golf, Notre Dame football, movies andreading in his spare time.

Dr. Jared Zwick attended The Ohio State University College of Dentistry. Additionally he completedfour years of advanced and specialty training before receiving his Master of Science andSpecialty Certificate of Orthodontics from The Ohio State University in 2009.

Dr. Zwick is also a member of the American Dental Association and the American Association ofOrthodontics. Dr. Zwicks interests include watching sports, playing golf, exercising, traveling, andspending time with friends and family.

Dublin Office: 250 W. Bridge St., Dublin, OH 43017 (614) 889-7613Upper Arlington Office: 1570 Fishinger Rd., Columbus, OH 43221 (614) 451-1240

David R. Monfort, DDS, MS

Jared C. Zwick, DDS, MS

PEACE OF MINDAs fellow parents, our children are everything to us. Whether choosing a doctor, an orthodontistor a coach, we want the best for themthe most knowledgeable, experienced and dedicated.Dublin parents have trusted MonfortZwick Orthodontics for 32 years, and you can too.

Dont take chances with your childs smile. Call MonfortZwick today For A FREE Consultation.


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young to become involved with theDSL," said Muir. Last summer, we alsoput on a British soccer camp in conjunc-tion with Challenger Sports, which weare hosting again the week of June 27ththrough July 1st in 2011."

Dublin soccer players and fans alsobenefit from the presence of a successful

Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise soclose to Dublin. "We encourage all partici-pants to support the Columbus Crew,"said Muir. "There aren't many communi-ties that can enjoy a professional MLSgame in their own backyard. We organizea DSL night-out at Crew Stadium at leastonce a year. It's a lot of fun for the kids,the parents and for us!"

A high priority on the list of DSL objec-tives is giving back to the community.For the past 21 years, the league has runthe Dublin Charity Cup over Labor DayWeekend for boys' and girls' U9 throughU15 teams. The invitational tournamentattracts over 200 teams from Ohio,nearby states, and Canada. To date, thetournament has raised approximately$500,000 for various children's charitieswith the most recent beneficiary being

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio.You just can't beat being able to giveback to the community through themedium of soccer, commented Muir.

The Trenches

Muir attributes much of the league'ssuccess over the years to the many

volunteers who dedicate time to serveas coaches and help out in the leagueoffice. This includes parents who continueto be involved in the league even thoughtheir children are grown, as well ascollege students who simply love beinginvolved with the sport. No prior experi-ence or certification is necessary to be acoach. "That said, we do offer coachesan opportunity to be trained andlicensed through the Ohio South YouthSoccer Association," Muir said. "Interest,enthusiasm and willingness to work with

children trump any lack of previousexperience. Coaches are provided withinstructional materials and meet with theleague officials at the beginning of eachseason to discuss what is expected ofthem. Coaching can be a very rewardingexperience. It is a great way to supporta wonderful sport, as well as the pro-gram," he added.

No soccer match is complete with-out the proper officiating. Over 100youth and adult referees contract withDSL each soccer season to officiate

games in U6 and up. All DSL refereesmust be certified by the Ohio SouthState Referee Committee, which offersclinics throughout the year, For manyof our youth referees, DSL provides theirfirst true work experience, said Muir.The position provides a nice payday forthe kids and gives them self confidencefew other work experiences can dupli-cate, added Muir.

So, if your idea of a rewarding athleticexperience is one based on friends, funand community or you think you mayhave a budding Abby Wambach or

Landon Donovan, register today (throughFebruary 1st) for DSL's Spring session byvisiting www.dublinsoccerleague.com.Full-year registration runs from early Maythrough June 15. Call (614) 793-8320 any-time to learn more about the many volun-teer opportunities available at the DSL.

Organizations


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F

or the better part of three decades, JimLink has volunteered to work with com-munity partners; engineer complexsolutions to practice, game, and coachschedules; tirelessly prepare baseballdiamonds; all the while putting Dublin

kids' athletic needs first and resolvingto leave it better than he found itsomething helearned from a Scoutmaster early in life.

It was legendary Ohio State Football Coach WoodyHayes who said, You win with people. Ask any parentwith children involved in youth athletics in Dublin overthe past three decades, and they'll likely agree: JimLink is just the kind of people Coach Hayessurrounded himself with at OSUa team player withintegrity and a passion for the game, who consistentlygoes the extra mile. That's the winning combination

Link brings to Dublin Youth Athletics (DYA).

The Early Days

For 27 years, Link has volunteered countless hours atDYA and currently serves as the organization's AthleticDirector. His personal experience with youth athletics

began in a much-less-organized fashion as a kidgrowing up in north Columbus. I played sports at theYMCA and through church, but the real experiencewas when we'd grab our fathers' mowers and cut outa baseball diamond the field behind our house and allthe neighborhood kids would come running, Linksaid. That was the way we learned the game.

Link played baseball and basketball growing upand began coaching children while still in highschool. I used to assist with a recreational baseballleague at Whetstone Park of Roses and was asked


JIM LINK:JIM LINK:

The FaceAndThe Spirit Of DYABY MAUREEN MOXLEY

If you take away thepressure and give kidsthe chance, they can

gain so much out ofthe experience of

participatingin sports.

- Jim Link

Photograph by www.shotinaction.com

Volunteerism


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to be a head coach when I was asenior in high school, he said.Helping young people grow anddevelopwatching them learn andhave fun with a sport that you lovethat is very rewarding for a coach.Link continued coaching as a stu-dent at Miami University and whenhe started working at his first job, he

just kept it going. In 1981, he begancoaching tee-ball in Dublin when thefirst of his two children was oldenough to participate.

I have a wonderful wife and twogreat children who are now grown,Link said. When our kids wereyoung, my wife and I both feltstrongly that getting them involvedin youth athletics was a good wayto get them to recreate, to exposethem to different sportsand tofoster an enjoyment for sports sothat they one day would be able tocontinue these activities as adults.

A Moment of Clarity

While both of Link's kids did go on tocompete at the collegiate level, hefeels it is important to allow kids toenjoy the experience of recreationalsports programs, without focusing onchasing the elusive scholarship. Helikes to share a personal story thatspeaks to that competitive drive thatso many parents display today inyouth sports. My son played forMiami University's baseball team. At

one of his double headers, I sat therefor the entire length of both gamesand finally saw my son go in to pinchhit in the 7th inning of the secondgamethat was it. After the game,his son came from the dugout with ahuge smile on his face. Before Icould even say 'hello,' he said to me,'Dad, I know you drove hours to gethere and spent all day waiting to seeme play. I want to tell you that I'm

having the time of my life and I reallylike my teammates and being a partof this team.' Right there I realizedwho am I to worry and get frustratedabout playing time if he is happy?

From that point on, Link says thathe was able to enjoy his children'sinvolvement in sports from an entirelynew vantage point. I saw things thatI had been missing because I wasn'tso focused on stats and team stand-ings, or what I would have done dif-ferently to win a game. I just enjoyedwatching my kids having a blast outthere on the field and on the court.To Link, that's what DYA is all about.There are so many life lessons tobe learned hereleadership, com-passion, teamwork, self-discipline,respectthe list goes on and on. Ifyou take away the pressure and givekids the chance, they can gain somuch out of the experience of partici-pating in sports.

The DYA Volunteer:Inspired and Inspiring

As athletic director, Link deals withparent, player, and team issues, butfeels that the positives far outweighany negatives that may come withthe job. Sure, you have the ultra-competitive parents out there, butthere are hundreds and hundreds ofother parents who really get it.

According to Link, parents and com-munity members are the driving force

behind the success of DYA, nowmore than 1,000 volunteers strong.We are fortunate to have so manyoutstanding people involved withDYA that are genuinely here for all theright reasonsthey love the kids andthey give of themselves to help theseyoung athletes enjoy learning andplaying the game.

DYA has grown to a membershipof 3,500 youth athletes participating

in recreation and travel sportsincluding baseball, softball, tee-ball,lacrosse, basketball, volleyball andgolf. The organization is the jointeffort of parent volunteers, the Cityof Dublin Recreation ServicesDepartment, and the Dublin CitySchools.

Link is proud of DYA's accom-plishments. This organization isvery highly regarded as a qualityprogram for the kids, not only inDublin, but well beyond, he said.Our dedicated volunteers and ourkids deserve the credit for earningthat reputation. He believes that intoday's busy, high-tech, constantly-connected world, it's easy for bothkids and their parents to becomeself-absorbedand that sports helpprovide much-needed balance.

Link shared a recent DYA storythat reinforces why he is involvedwith youth sports: Last season

there was a boys' basketball semi-final game in which the teams werevery well matched. During the finalminutes of the game, the leadchanged hands about five times, hesaid. The winning basket was athrilling near-half-court shot. Whenthat game was over, Link recalled,people on both teams agreed, We

just saw an incredible game! Therewere friends, neighbors, and parentson these opposing teams who con-gratulated each other for a job well

doneand a game well-played.They celebrated all of the kids at

the conclusion of that game. It justmakes you happy to see peoplecome together through that kind ofsportsmanship and enjoyment froma game, Link said. That's the rea-son we're here.


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YOUTHATHLETICTRAINING:YOUTHATHLETICTRAINING:

It's a typical question formany parents: What is the

right age for my child to

start strength training andoverall conditioning?


The appropriate age to

start training? It's a

common question for

parents when discussing pro-

grams for their kids. For the

sake of this discussion, train-ing pertains to improving over-

all speed, agility and strength.

Much of the information on thistopic can be confusing to par-ents. That said, it is alwaysimportant, as a parent, to do yourown research, focusing particu-larly on your child's coach. TheInternational Youth Conditioning

Association (IYCA) is a greatplace to start a leading

authority on youth training, theIYCA's information is science-based. The IYCA also conductsbackground checks on all certi-fied trainers.

Motor Learning Theory

According to the association,ages 6 to 11 represent a criticalperiod for motor learning. Justas the brain is a sponge forinformation, creativity and criti-cal thinking at this age; the

spine and its neural pathwaysare also primed for developingbetter insulated pathways forsignals from the brain to thespine and out to the extremities.In this period, the body learnsand imprints many motor pat-terns, from skipping to sprinting;changing direction under bal-ance; and developing skilled,hand-eye coordination.

To develop speed at this earlyage, movement patterns, andnot technique, are key. An olderathlete refines general move-ment patterns much like an

Olympic sprinter needs coachingand feedback to improve minorflaws in technique. A young ath-lete, however, works to improvetheir overall motor skill. Inimproving motor skill, the youngathlete will learn to use moremuscles, and motor recruitment,to perform a specific task likesprinting or agility. Sessions takethe form of fun, challengingactivities and establish a founda-tion of skills upon which the

child can further develop his orher athletic abilities.

Healthy Progression

The most important factor indeciding upon a program foryour child is selecting a qualifiedprofessional with the ability toexecute a progressive, non-destructive program for yourchild. This is particularly true forresistance training, which boththe American Academy of

Pediatrics and the NationalStrength and ConditioningAssociation agree a child is readyfor at the age of 7-8 years old.Healthy progression is obviouslythe key principle. Preeminentyouth conditioning figures suchas Lee Taft and Brian Grasso'swork in this age group alsodemonstrates favorablerisk/reward scenarios with docu-

How Young Is Too Young?BY NATE FUGITT

Conditioning


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mented studies of zero-injury rates acrosslarge groups and extended time periods.

Bottom line

Early exposure to these techniques helpsyour child optimize his or her athletic ability.More importantly, it can establish safe and

effective fitness habits ... that can helpprevent injuries for a lifetime.


Nate Fugitt B.S.CSCS, IYCAStrength andConditioning CoachNate Fugitt is aCertified Strengthand Conditioning

Specialist, and has served as theStrength and Speed Coach for the

Washington Nationals' AAA affiliateColumbus Clippers baseball team.He has 20+ years experience as astrength and conditioning coach witha focus in the development of youngathletes. For more information, visitwww.p2sonline.com

Registration Reminder!

DYA Baseball,

Softball & Lacrosse

Sign-Ups Are Underway.

Go Towww.dya.com

For Details.


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FACTS:Kyle Molock, #22Height: 6'2"Weight: 175 lbs.Position: Point GuardYear: JuniorSchool: Dublin Coffman


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Road-bumped inJuly, 2010 by asignificant kneeinjury, theCoffman junioris undeterredas he works

resolutely toward his goal of play-ing the game he loves at ever-more-challenging levels. Molocktook time out and shared his pas-

sion for the game, his goals, inspi-rations, his verbal commitment toPurdue and more.

DYS: So, Kyle, what are some

memorable moments from your

involvement in youth sports?

KM: I used to live in Wilmington,Delaware, and I played travelbasketball in Philadelphia. When Iwas in about fifth or sixth grade,our team traveled to a tournamentin Memphis and before the gameCoach Calipari spoke to our team.I was in awehe was very motiva-tional and had such a presence.He spoke to us about the value ofworking hard; that really inspiredme to set goals, play hard, andwork on my game.

DYS: What are some lessons you

learned young and continue to

carry with you today?

KM: My parents really instilled in

me a strong work ethic. Theyalways told me that you have towork hard and push yourself nomatter what, because there isalways somebody out there work-ing just as hard or harder to tryand earn that top spot. You can'tcontrol what other people do; youhave to focus on what you cancontrolyourself.

DYS:Any other influential figures

or role models?KM: The other person who hashad a positive influence on me isChris Quinn. He went to Coffmanback in the late 90's, played atNotre Dame and then signed onwith the NBA as a free-agent. Heplays today for the San AntonioSpurs. Quinn is inspiring to menot only because he is a talentedathlete, but because he worksand trains so hard. His determina-tion and dedication got him wherehe is today.

DYS: Behind most success

stories are great support systems.

Who has been a part of your

system, other than your parents?

KM: Coach Collins (head basket-ball coach, Dublin Coffman HighSchool) has been so supportiveof me. Even before my injury henever put any pressure on me to

perform. Coach has alwaystaught me that there is no limit onwhat I can do and what I canachieveI just have to play mygame. He is very positive and hasbeen a great support to methrough my rehab process.

DYS: So, tell us about the 2010

torn ACL injury and the rehabilita-

tion process thus far?

KM: It happened when I was in

Los Angeles playing in an AAUtournament game on July 27,2010. I was driving to the basketfull speed and got pushed frombehind. I planted my foot andtried to change direction and myknee just gave out. I had surgeryon August 4th to repair the ACLand am working hard on rehab atOSU Sports Med.

DYS: How long are you out, and

how do you maintain focus and

motivation being away from thegame for such an extended

stretch?

KM: I'll be out for this entire highschool basketball season. I shouldbe cleared to play in February,which will be in time for thetravel/AAU season.

I'm still a part of the team eventhough I'm not out there on thefloor every day. I still go to every


2Deuce DeuceDYS recently sat down with #22 Kyle Molock. Considered Ohio'stop point guard prospect and ranked in the top 30 nationally inthe Class of 2012, Molock is blazing a highly-competitive trail.BY MAUREEN MOXLEYAthlete Profile


16/24

practice and every game. I'm in thegym just as much as I was before. Iwouldn't want it any other waythisis my team.

DYS: You mentioned travel basket-ball ... which is more demanding:

travel or high school play?KM: Winter and fall are the easiesttimes of the year for me. Duringspring and summer, I travel to differ-ent cities all across the country play-ing in AAU tournaments. I do love it,but it is a crazy schedule.

DYS: You played multiple sports until

recently. Why and what were the pros

and cons?

KM: When I was really young Iplayed tennis and up until 8th

grade I also played baseballand ran track. After 8thgrade, things get morecompetitive and I realizedthat I had to focus onbasketball exclusively if Iwas going to take mygame to the next level.

DYS: So why basketball?

KM: I love competition.Basketball is really my pas-sion; it is the perfect sport forme because it is such a fastgameit just doesn't stop.There is no break and itchanges up so quickly, whichmakes it even more exciting.I just love to play this game.

DYS: You started playing

organized basketball in 4th grade. Do

you see kids who have been playing

as many years as you have now get-

ting burned out and wanting to walk

away from the sport?

KM: Definitely. Especially in AAU and

other travel programs because thepace can be so grueling. My adviceis to make sure that you have somebalance. I do believe that you have towork hard and to push yourself, butyou also need to allow yourself tohave a breakeven if it's just a weekoff to allow yourself to mentally andphysically recover.

DYS: What have been the biggest

challenges and rewards of the path

you have taken?

KM: While I have put a lot of time into get where I am today, I've missedsome things with my friends becauseof those commitments. The reward is

that I am lucky enough to have acollege scholarship to play the gameI love.

DYS: What was the most motivational

speech you have heard in a competi-

tive environment and who gave it?

KM: I'd say that it wasn't as much aspeech, but being able to meet withand watch pro players, how theyhandle themselves and how theymotivate each other, their teammates

and younger players like me. ChrisQuinn and Mike Conley are twoplayers I really admire and look upto; they have both had a tremendousimpact on me and my game.

DYS: How do you respond to

adversity, both on and off the court?

KM: The key is to stay positive. Whenyou dwell on the negative it just takesyour heart out of the game. I learnedthat with my injury this year, you haveto look for the bright spot and keepyour focus there.

DYS: Congratulations on your verbal

commit to Purdue! What drew you to

the Boilermakers?

KM: I have always followed them.Last year I met some of the coachingstaff at an AAU tournament. In thefall, they came to open gyms atCoffman and then later offered me ascholarship to play. I have made averbal commitment; you cannot offi-cially sign until your senior season.

DYS: What did you learn from the

college recruitment process?

KM: You have to understand thateach coach and each program islooking for something different. Andyou don't know what that is, so thekey is to play your gamedon'tworry and stress and try to impresscoaches who may be watching. Justgo out there and do your best and let

the rest take care of itself.

DYS: When you head off to

Purdue, what memories will

you take with you of your

time in Dublin and at Coffman

High School?

KM: My memories atCoffman will be of a greatteam and the camaraderiethat we all share. We havea lot of fun togetherridingthe bus to away games,practices, tournament play.

We have made some greatmemories with this team.

DYS: What advice do you

have for the Dublin young-

sters who aspire to follow in

similar footsteps?

KM: It sounds clich but youhave to work hard. And it is impor-tant not to compare yourself to any-one else. If you concentrate on yourgame, stay focused, set your ownpersonal goals and then work as

hard as you possibly can, pushingyourselfyou can take yourselfanywhere you want to go.

DYS: Thanks Kyle! On behalf of the

entire community, we appreciate the

hard work and commitment you have

shown in representing Coffman High

School over the past few years, and

wish you and your family every

success in the future.


Photograph by www.shotinaction.com

Athlete Profile


17/24

Whether your child is the next Usain Bolt ora playground hound, nutrition is fundamentalfor overall health and fitness. A variedamount of exercise and a balanced eatingplanadequate fluids and plenty of low-fat,high-carbohydrate foodsare essential for

achieving and maintaining strength, flexibilityand endurance. Many athletes who sufferfrom constant fatigue and have troublerecovering after workouts may simply needto look at their eating habits.

Why Are CarbohydratesSo Important For Athletes?Carbohydrates are the main sources ofenergy for working muscles and shouldcomprise around 60% of the calories in anathlete's eating plan. Muscles replenishstored carbohydrates within the first two

hours after exercise. After competition youneed to be thinking about refueling! Yourrecovery nutrition plan should include lotsof fluid, that contains salt as well, andapproximately 200-400 carbohydratecalories as soon as tolerable afterexercise, and then again two hours later.

The Magic Meal Does Not ExistOne good meal prior to competition cannotmake up for a consistently inadequate diet.Pre-event meals should be low in fat, pro-tein, fiber and anything else that makes thestomach and intestines work harder andcould possibly lead to cramping. Timing is

also important as you need to allow forproper digestion and absorption of thenutrients and fuel. One hour should beappropriate for a small snack of less than200 calories, while a meal larger than 400calories may require up to four hours for

complete digestion. Carbohydrates takethe least amount of time to digest andare readily converted into energy.

What's the deal with supplements?In a recent issue of Pediatrics, the scientificpublication of the American Academy ofPediatrics, it was reported that 8 percentof girls and 12 percent of boys surveyedadmitted to using supplements in an effortto enhance their physique. Young impres-sionable athletes are often concerned withtheir body image and are easily influenced

by the media. Over-the-counter supple-ments, often found in nutrition stores andon-line, are not regulated by the FDA, andmay contain unadvertised, or even unsafeingredients. We need to make sure athletesunderstand that getting closer to their goalsby properly fueling their bodies with foodfirst, not supplements, is the healthy choice.

Eating is one of the few variables an athletecan control. Muscles need to be fueled forperformance and body compositionchanges can only occur with some focus onfood choices as well as eating habits.


HealthyChoices

Suggestions for200-400 caloriesof carbohydrates:

1 pint of chocolate milk

2 slices toast withpeanut butter

Grilled cheese sandwich1 cup of grapes and a bagel

1 cup of yogurt toppedwith 1 cup of fresh berries

1 oz. of cereal with 1/2 cupof skim milk and 1/2 cup

of sliced bananas

12 oz. orange,grapefruit or

cranberry juice

Anastasia Fischer, MD, a sports medicine physician at NationwideChildren's Hospital, gives these tips for Eating for Optimum Performance:

1. Always eat breakfast2. Eat many small meals throughout the day, rather than 1-2 big meals3. Eat within two hours after exercise to replenish stores4. A serving of chocolate milk is easy to consume, costs less, and in many cases works as well or

better than a protein shake as a recovery drink.5. A carbohydrate snacksuch as a sports barprior to exercise will provide energy for sport.

Kerry Waple,MEd, ATC, CSCSKerry Waple isthe Senior AthleticTrainer withNationwideChildren's Hospital

Sports Medicine. She is a certifiedand licensed athletic trainer and acertified strength and conditioningspecialist. She received her master'sdegree in education (athletictraining/sports medicine) from theUniversity of Virginia and has servedon the U.S. Olympic Committee,working with the 1996 and 2004

U.S. Olympic Teams.

AnastasiaFischer, MDAnastasia Fischer,MD, is a SportsMedicine Physicianat NationwideChildren's Hospital.

She received her medical degreefrom The Ohio State University and isa member of the American Academyof Family Physicians, AmericanCollege of Sports Medicine, andAmerican Medical Society of SportsMedicine.

FUELING YOUR CHILD'SATHLETIC SUCCESS

BY KER RY WAPL E and DR. ANASTASIA FISCHER

Nutrition


18/24


19/24

Concussion Series: Part 1

Parent Education IsPowerful Medicine

There is a delicate balance that we look toachieve as we discuss concussionespeciallywhen we are studying the injury as it relates toathletes, said Dr. Robert Bornstein, OSU SportsMedicine Concussion Neuropsychologist.Concussion is a brain injury. It does not developdue to an injury to a particular part of the brainand does not lead to structural changes that can

be documented in today's imaging technologysuch as CT or MRI scans, he said. In fact, youdon't have to hit your head, suffer a direct blow,or have loss of consciousness to sustain a con-cussion, Bornstein added. Educating parents isvital to a healthy discussion about concussion.

The evolution of public perception about con-cussion and the medical advances during the pastfive decades have helped us to arrive at a betterunderstand of the injury. Back in the 1950's and60's, as a culture, we'd simply shrug off concus-sion and encourage players to tough it out and getback into the game, said Dr. Bornstein. During

these years, there were antiquated ideas with manyathletes underreporting symptoms in an effort tokeep their starting position in a lineup and/or toavoid social stigma associated with injuries incompetitive athletics.

In the 1970's and 80's, concussion gradingscales were developed to try and identify theseverity of the injury and assist in gauging whena player could safely return to play. That scalewas no more than an educated guess, Bornsteinsaid. Because there was no real scientific foun-

dation about what was known to happen during aconcussion. However, over the past 30 years, wehave come to arrive at a greater understanding,he said.

Concussion: Where We Are Today

Through the use of CT scans and MRIs, we knowtoday that concussion does not produce a struc-

tural change in the brain. Bornstein explained:There is a bio-chemical change that takes placeEssentially, there is stretching of the fibers in thebrain, which causes an energy mismatch tooccur. As the brain tries to settle itself, there is anincreased demand for glucose while a reducedsupply is flowing into the brain. Regaining thatbalance takes time.

When high-profile athletes like Troy Aikman,Steve Young and Pat LaFontaine suffered multipleconcussions with subsequent loss-of-play time,

Americans began to sit up and take notice. Whenwe saw professional athletes suffering from these

injuries, it called to attention not only the return-to-play issue, but also the notion of long-term effectand quality of life after sport, said Bornstein.

In 1998, the Centers for Disease Control andPrevention (CDC) estimated 300,000 sports-relatedconcussions with loss of consciousness (LOC)per year in the United States. Today the CDCconcludes that since only 8-19% of sports-relatedconcussions involve LOC; a more realistic estimatemay be 1.6 - 3.8 million sports-related concussionsoccurring in the United States each year.

Loosely defined as the disruption of normal brainfunction, concussion is a topic of growing concern amongparents whose children are involved in sports today.

Well Being


BY MAUREEN MOXLEY

Photographbywww.s

hotinaction.com


20/24


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general categories, descr-ibed in the chart above.

Once symptoms havebeen identified, it is impor-tant to consult with a physi-cian, preferably a physicianexperienced in the treatmentof concussion. Treatmentprotocols are evolving and,ultimately, the decision toreturn to play, or regularactivity, is a critical one on

which most parents lookfor guidance. Resting thebrain is imperative torecovery, and that meansboth physical and mentalrestif you cannot run onthe soccer field, youshouldn't be attemptingcalculus, either, Logan

added. In addition, anathlete should never returnto contact sport while stillsuffering post-concussionsymptoms at rest or withexertion, she stressed.

Allowing an athlete to returnunder these conditions risksnot only cumulative braininjury, but also Second-Impact Syndrome (SIS)apotentially serious condition

that can occur when a sec-ond head injury is sustainedbefore symptoms of the firsthave resolved.

It is important that par-ents become proactive inprotecting their children fromthe effects of concussion.Educate yourself and your

child about the nature of aconcussion and the dangersof returning to play too soon.

Advocate for your child whileworking with them on com-municating openly with you,and their coaching team, if

they think they may havesustained a concussion,Logan concluded.

For more information

please visit the websitewww.sportsmedicine.osu.edu.

PHYSICAL:

Headache

Nausea/vomitingDizziness or

balance problems

Vision problems

Sensitivity tolight/noise

Slurred speech

Fatigue

COGNITIVE:

Feeling dazed,

confused, foggyor stunned

Troubleconcentrating

Memory problems

EMOTIONAL:

Irritability or

emotional changesNervousness

ALERTNESS:

Drowsiness

Difficulty fallingasleep

Kelsey Logan MD,FAAPDr. Logan is anAssistant Professor ofInternal Medicine and

Pediatrics. She isMedical Director forOSU Sports Medicine, SportsConcussion Program. Dr. Logan is theteam physician for OSU wrestling, gym-nastics and fencing teams. She is boardcertified in internal medicine, pediatricsand sports medicine. Her researchinterests include musculoskeletalinjuries, concussion management, car-diovascular risk in athletes and issuesconcerning the female athlete.

Robert BornsteinPh.D.Dr. Bornstein is theSenior Associate Deanof Academic Affairs,

College of Medicine.He is a Professor ofPsychiatry, Psychology and Neurology.Dr. Bornstein is a neuropsychologistspecializing in the assessment andmanagement of sports related concus-sion at OSU Sports Medicine. He is theteam neuropsychologist for the OhioState University athletic department,the Columbus Crew and ColumbusBlue Jackets.

WARNING SIGNS OF CONCUSSIONCONCUSSION


22/24

Seeking The Elusive

Right Fit

An estimated 45 million kids partici-pate in youth sports in the United

States every year. Evidence increas-ingly supports the notion that youthathletics provides an opportunity forchildren to acquire physical, psycho-logical and social benefits that canhelp them throughout their lifetimes.

Many parents recognize this fact,yet they struggle with finding andmaintaining a good fit for their childin a program that provides a healthy,rewarding experience throughout theirchildhood and into adolescence.

Parents today have so many

more choices for their kids, saidathletic counselor Dr. ChrisStankovich. Back when most par-ents were growing up, kids weregrouped into one youth league.Today's sports landscape is muchdifferent: Elite, travel, recreational,club, varsitythe choices availableto our kids can be overwhelming.

But navigating that landscape isdo-able: According to Stankovich,kids' primary motivation for gettinginvolved in sports is to have funand that goal or expectation shouldremain at the forefront throughout thechild's athletic experience. Researchshows that at a young age, kids don'trate winning as the most importantfactor; they really want to play thegame and have fun doing it, he said.As children get older, winningbecomes more of a factorbut evenat a more advanced level, kids still

need to enjoy the experience.That fun factor is the centerpiece

of most youth sports programs forchildren 10 and younger. Parentsshould seek youth leagues for thisage set that also provide develop-mental components, Stankovichsaid. An ultra-competitive environ-ment at age 8 is going to flush out thefun and become counterproductivefor most kids. He offers a simplechecklist for a sports program gearedtoward the younger athlete: It shouldbe fun; allow for participation andplay time for all players; and promote

basic life-skills development.Stankovich contends that there

is not an ideal age for a child tobegin participating in organized ath-letics. It's not about chronologicalage, but more about how that child issupported. Allowing a young child tosample different sports, as opposedto stressing single-sport specializa-tion, provides healthy opportunitiesfor kids, Stankovich said.

Lack of variety is often associatedwith youth sports burnout. Withmore kids today participating in onesport year-round to maintain a com-petitive advantage, burnout is anincreasing phenomenon. While anofficial diagnosis doesn't exist forburnout, Stankovich offers common-sense red flags that parents shouldlook for: 1) lack of interest or motiva-tion, 2) uncharacteristic behavior,such as a child tuning out family or

social opportunities, and 3) lack ofpride in accomplishments.

To help kids reap the greatestbenefit from their athletic experi-enceregardless of where they fallon the age and ability spectrumStankovich suggests that parentsprovide for their children uncondi-tional acceptance. Far too manytimes we as parents might say 'It'sok if you don't want to play,' but ourbody language and our demeanorsuggest otherwise. Children feel thatpressure to please. Stankovich alsocautions parents not to assume that

kids love playing a sport. Justbecause dad played football or momwas a swimmer doesn't mean theirchild shares that same passion. It isimportant to create an environmentwhere kids can open up and talk.Using open-ended questions is agreat way to get kids to speak theirminds, he said.

Finding out how your child isfeeling about a coach, a team or anexperience is vital to gauging theiroverall well-beingand whether ornot you've got the right fit.

BY DR. CHRIS STANKOVICH


Keep the focus on fun and key into your childs individual needs tohelp them achieve maximum success and enjoyment.

Chris Stankovich, Ph.D.Dr. Stankovich received his Ph.D. inClinical Counseling from The OhioState University with an emphasis ofstudy in Sport, Health, andPerformance Psychology, and is aLicensed Professional Clinical

Counselor in Ohio. Dr. Stankovich has taught at severacolleges in Ohio, including Wittenberg, Kenyon, Capitaland The Ohio State University. For more information,visit www.drstankovich.com

FOR YOUR CHILD?

Psychology


23/24



24/24

DYS Inaugural Issue

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