VCU Sportscenter Conference to examine youth sports issues

By Mike Frontiero
VCU School of Education

RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia Commonwealth University SportsCenter will sponsor a conference featuring seven distinguished speakers who will discuss issues affecting youth sports.

"Learning Life’s Lessons Through Sport: A Focus on Youth Development" will focus on such issues as: ensuring gender equity; avoiding legal liability; coaching the child, not the sport; and sport as a vehicle for teaching. The conference will be held Feb. 15-16 at the VCU Student Commons, Commonwealth Room A/B, 907 Floyd Ave. Registration is required.

The keynote address will be delivered by Dick Schaap. This six-time Emmy Award winner is a sports correspondent for ABC News, moderator of ESPN’s "The Sports Reporters" and host of ESPN Radio’s "The Sporting Life with Dick Schaap." Schaap is the author of thirty-two books, including his new autobiography Flashing Before My Eyes: 50 Years of Headlines, Deadlines & Punchlines.

Other featured speakers include former Georgia Tech men’s basketball coach Bobby Cremins, nationally renowned sport risk management expert Herb Appenzeller, Ph.D., VCU professor of psychology and preventative medicine Steven J. Danish, Ph.D., and Fred Tattersall, president of Richmond First Tee – a chapter of the World Golf Foundation’s initiative to make golf more accessible and affordable to people who have little exposure to the game.

The conference is geared toward anyone involved in the administrative or coaching aspects of youth sports, and will provide an opportunity to consider issues faced by individuals and organizations designing sports programs that can enhance the development of young people.

The conference fee is $100 per person for those who register before Feb. 10. Groups of 5 receive one free admission. After Feb. 10, the cost is $125 per person. Group rates do not apply after Feb. 10.

The VCU SportsCenter is a graduate program offering a master’s degree in Sport Leadership, combining classroom theory with exposure to sports activities. Students trained through the VCU SportsCenter are prepared to assume the responsibilities for developing professional and amateur athletes and managing sports programs in a variety of academic, public and private sectors.