Fitness you cando as a family

Traveling thenational parks

Home kitchen orshort-order restaurant?

KIDS ANDSPORTS

Why are so manykids opting out?

TheFamilyISSUE

Special Advertising Section | November 2016

18 | buffalo | November 2016

CoverStory

Optingout

Sports are healthy andpositive for development— then why are so many

kids dropping out?

Photo

byDaveJarosz

19

BY KEVIN SNOW

Chances are you played asport while growing up. Notjust one sport — all of them.

As the seasons changed,so did the games. You didn’t

always need a referee, and home-fieldadvantage was just a fancy way of referringto your backyard.

Those days are gone, replaced in largepart by one-sport athletes on travel teamsthat play and practice year-round.

The result, according to a recent pollby the National Alliance for Youth Sports,is that almost 70 percent of kids in theUnited States stop playing organizedsports by the time they turn 13.

“It is certainly a different time; thepressures have changed for kids,” explainsDr. Greg Reeds, a sports psychologist andprofessor at Canisius College. “There’san emphasis on making travel teams andpremier teams, and parents trying to liveout their own dreams through their kids,even though the odds of making the prosare something like one in 12,000. But Isuppose every parent thinks it’s their kidthat’s going to make it.”

It’s a significant change over thecourse of a generation.

“The joy of kids’ sports used to bethe backyard, just playing and having funusing spontaneity and creativity. Adultstoday have airmailed in all adult values onyouth sport and it’s sapped the joy out ofwhat kids like to do so much. It’s the play-ground mentality that I wish could returnfor some of these kids,” said Reeds.

As kids enter their teenage years, thereare the additional unique pressures ofhigh school sports. Many kids have gonefrom being the big fish in a small pond toswimming with sharks. And with so muchemphasis being put on kids to specializein one sport, the pressures and politics ofmaking a high school team are more thanmany kids are ready for — especially whenthey are already navigating the minefieldsof puberty, friendship and peer pressure.

Reeds says that’s often when theywalk away.

“It takes guts for these young kidsto try out for a team. They’re in ninthgrade and they want to show the coachwhat they’ve got. They are given twoweeks of practice to prove themselveson a JV or varsity team, where manyof the spots are already spoken for byolder kids. If they don’t make it, thatcycle of getting cut and not feelinggood about yourself begins. Once theJV option is gone, sports at the highschool level can become pretty exclu-

sionary. Being cut early and having noplace to go is the sad part of sports.”

Other reasons for opting outBeing cut from a team isn’t the onlyreason teenagers are walking awayfrom sports, however. With so manykids now specializing in just one sport,the commitment — both physical andemotional — can become too much tohandle. Not to mention the constant pres-sure of being expected to succeed at thehighest level by parents and coaches.

By age 12, up to 70 percent of kids are opting out of organized sports, despite opportunities on house leaguesand school teams.

Phot

oby

Bill

Wip

pert

Once the JV option is gone, sports at the high school

level can become pretty exclusionary. Being cut early

and having no place to go is the sad part of sports.— Dr. Greg Reeds, a sports psychologist and professor at Canisius College

Continued on next page

20 | buffalo | November 2016

Yo

urNeighborhoo

d C

afé

Found their commercial space withGeniene & James.1 Delaware.

Holly.Ellicott Square.

Brian Mahony.The Fairmont.

WORK WITH US.

The inevitable burnout fromdoing just one sport for 12 months ayear can happen at any time.

“Kids do get more isolated in asport at the high school level nowa-days,” says Lucian Forcucci, assistantJV boys lacrosse coach at OrchardPark High School. “Years ago, maybewe’d have a softball girl that was justa really good athlete, and she’d playlacrosse as her second sport. Now, weare seeing that girl focus solely on hersport year-round.”

Enjoying the sport and growingthe game from a young age is whyForcucci revived the Orchard ParkGirls Lacrosse summer programtwo years ago with OP varsity coachKristen McGuiness.

For Forcucci, the focus is on fun.“You want them to enjoy the

Opting out, continued from page 19You only need to roam the bleachers at a soccer, footballor hockey game to realize that parents are often moreintense than the kids playing the game. Even withvisible signage at most venues promoting proper parentetiquette, it often goes too far.

Take, for example, the local hockey referee that washarassed twice by the same parent following a hockeygame at Holiday Twin Rinks last season. Angered byan injury to his son during the game, the fuming fathergreeted the referee with some choice words as he leftthe ice. That was followed by a trip to the referee’s lockerroom, where he burst in and challenged the officials to afight. It took a police presence to restore order.

“I feel awful for the young officials in the game,” says the referee, who must remainanonymous per USA Hockey rules. “The behavior of parents and coaches has cost this gamesome really talented people because they decide the harassment isn’t worth it.”

An Ohio youth soccer organization went as far as creating “Silent Sundays” more than 15years ago. Frustrated by erratic parent behavior on the sidelines, the Ohio North SoccerAssociation implemented a program where parents were encouraged to avoid cheering orjeering during games to eliminate sideline distractions. The program drew immediate ravesfrom the players, and has since gained momentum in various states nationwide.

PARENTS BEHAVING BADLY

21

Garrett, Godfrey &Gino.Organist/Choirmaster & CEO New Quest Staffing Solutions.Enjoy Buffalo Philharmonic.

Wade LeBlanc.Buffalo Bison.Enjoys the old architecture.

Found their apartment with

LIVE WITH US. Special Buffalo Magazine offers at

ELLICOTTDEVELOPMENT.COM

Kathleen, Oliver & David.HR Business Partner & Executive Director.Enjoy Elmwood Art Festival & hockey season.

sport, and leave practice wantingto come back,” Forcucci explained.“At that level it shouldn’t be somuch about playing games or theXs and Os. We try to incorporateas many creative games as we canthat emphasize the skills of lacrosse,while making it fun for them.”

Counteractingthe pressureRudy Pompert has been around thegame of soccer most of his life, andhas seen firsthand how the long-termgoals of the parents don’t alwaysalign with what their child reallywants to get out of the game.

While the kid is playing forfun and healthy competition,mom and dad are envisioning a

Phot

oby

Bill

Wip

pert

Sacred Heartfaces off againstMount St. Mary’sin lacrosse, a sportthat Orchard Parkis currently focusedon growing from ayounger age.

Continued on next page

22 | buffalo | November 2016

full ride to college and multi-milliondollar professional contracts.

“You see it a lot where the par-ents are almost more obsessed withtheir kids going to premier [leagues]or being on these really competitiveteams,” says Pompert, the DelawareSoccer Club’s Director of Soccer andformer head coach of Buffalo State’smen’s soccer team. “But without anypressure or anonymously asking thekids if they want to play with a pre-mier team or just with your friends,I think a lot of kids would say they

just want to play with their friends.“Do (parents) really ask the kid

what they want, and does the kid havethe freedom to answer that questionhonestly without being fearful or paren-tal pressure? Because at the end ofthe day, you don’t want to disappointyour parents who think you shouldbe playing for a premier team and acollege scholarship,” said Pompert.

Fortunately the kids who have been“pushed out” of sports by parents, poli-tics and coaches do still have options.Numerous local leagues offer seasonal

Of course, sports also offer huge benefits,especially to kids who may be otherwisedisenfranchised by familyincome or disabilities.Here are five sportsprograms that showthere’s more to lifethan the final score.

First Tee of WNY(Thefirstteewesternny.org)First Tee’s mission isto encourage and inspire positivevalues and healthy choices in the nextgeneration of Western New Yorkersthrough the experience of golf. Thefive-level program is for ages 7 and up,and integrates life skills teaching withinthe game of golf, including etiquette,goal setting and conflict resolution.

SABAH (Sabahinc.org)SABAH stands for the Skating Associationfor the Blind and Handicapped, but theorganization provides a multitude ofathletic and fitness opportunities to helpenrich the lives of individuals with specialneeds. The annual Celebration on Ice isthe group’s showcase event, involvinghundreds of participants every spring.

Miracle League (Miracleleaguewny.org)Opened in 2012, the Miracle League fieldin Grand Island is a magical place forchildren with disabilities to play MiracleLeague baseball, regardless of theirabilities. The Miracle League currentlyserves over 200,000 children and youngadults with disabilities in the UnitedStates, Canada, Puerto Rico and Australia.

Buffalo Sabres Sled Hockey(Buffalosabressledhockey.org)Buffalo Sabres Sled Hockey is acompetitive sled hockey organizationthat promotes the athletic abilitiesof physically challenged youth andadults in Western New York. Thereare currently four teams in theorganization, with games played atNorthtown Center in Amherst andthe Cornerstone Arena in Lockport.

Hasek’s Heroes (haseksheroes.org)Launched in 2001 by Buffalo Sabres’ Hallof Famer Dominik Hasek, the goal ofHasek’s Heroes is to be a developmentalhockey program for economicallydisadvantaged kids in Buffalo. Basedout of rinks at Riverside and CazenoviaPark, the organization also includesan off-ice component with academictutoring and mentoring programs.

Opting out, continued from page 21

Phot

oby

Bill

Wip

pert

For many kids, the pressure to commit to a travel team or play a sport year-round starts early; expertscaution parents to allow their kids to go at their own pace.

THE F

AB FIVE

23

BU-1253110

house team programs in theirrespective sports that allow kidsto continue playing without theadded pressures of extra games,practices and workouts, giv-ing them the chance to just playthe sport because they love it.

Stephanie Wippert, 17, startedplaying hockey with the Shamrocksprogram at age six, and had movedon to the Amherst girls’ 12U travelteam. But when she didn’t makethe travel team the following year,she didn’t let it deter her.

An active participant in sev-eral sports throughout her younglife, Stephanie opted to play in theAmherst girls’ house program rath-er than try out for another travelteam, or quit the game. Ph

oto

byB

illW

ippe

rt

Continued on page 25Stephanie Wippert, 17, says house hockey is a great way for kids who’ve started later, or want to bring the stress level downa notch, to participate in a sport.

24 | buffalo | November 2016

TOUR THE MARTIN HOUSEAND GRAYCLIFF

RESERVATIONS

716.856.3858 | darwinmartinhouse.org716.947.9217 | GraycliffEstate.org

WRIGHT IN THE CITY AND WRIGHT ON THE LAKE

EXPERIENCE THE GENIUS OF FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT

Discover two of Frank Lloyd Wright’s finest achievementsin a region filled with architectural wonder.

BU

-125

1417

Harvest some savings.

Contact us to see howmuch you could save on

more than just car insurance.

716-604-03453835 McKinley Pkwy, Hamburg

∑øœ∂˚BU

-125

4188

Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states or all GEICO companies. Motorcycle coverage is underwrittenby GEICO Indemnity Company. Homeowners, renters, condo, flood, and term life coverages are written through non-affiliated insurance companiesand are secured through the GEICO Insurance Agency, Inc. Boat and PWC coverages are underwritten by GEICOMarine Insurance Company. GEICOIdentity Protection is provided by Europ Assistance USA (EA USA), and is secured through the GEICO Insurance Agency, Inc. Identity protectionservices provided by EA USA are not an insurance policy and do not provide any insurance benefits to Covered Members. Overseas coveragesprovided by non-affiliated insurance companies through GEICO Financial Services, GmbH, a GEICO affiliate, representing AIG Europe Limited(NL), AIG Europe Limited, AIG, Mirascon Versicherungsagentur GMBH. The GEICO Personal Umbrella Policy is provided by Government EmployeesInsurance Company and is available to qualified Government Employees Insurance Company and GEICO General Insurance Company policyholdersand other eligible persons, except in MA. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, D.C. 20076;a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. GEICO Gecko image © 1999-2016. © 2016 GEICO.

716-604-03453835 McKinley Pkwy., Hamburg

WHAT’S THEENDGAME?Here’s a dose of reality:

According to the NCAA’s 2016-17 Guide for theCollege-Bound Student Athlete, there are morethan 480,000 student-athletes – and fewer thantwo percent will turn pro in their sport.

There were 1,093,234 high school footballplayers in the nation last season. At the collegiatelevel there were 71,291. Of those playing NCAAFootball, only 1.6 percent moved on to the NFL.

Think you’ve got the next Jack Eichel on yourhands? Of the 213 players that were selectedin the 2006 NHL Draft, 123 (57.7 percent) havenever played an NHL game.

Phot

oby

Bill

Wip

pert

25

BU

-124

6616

Opting out, continued from page 23

She hasn’t looked back.“Going into house hockey, I didn’t

know what the expectations weregoing to be, but I knew it wasn’t as bigof a commitment as travel was,” saidStephanie. “In travel if you missed onepractice due to a doctor’s appointmentor you had a lot of homework that night,you could be missing learning newplays. And by not knowing the new playfor the upcoming game, you could beput onto a lower line than usual.

“House, on the other hand, isalways such a good time. Everyonegoes at their own pace. In house, youcan miss a practice or two and it’s nota big deal. House hockey is definitely

something kids who want to play hockeybut may have started later, or wantto take the stress level down a notchshould do or at least think about.”

Without the year-round demands ofa travel team, Stephanie has also beenable to devote more time to the othersports she loves as much as hockey.Now in her senior year at Sacred HeartAcademy, Stephanie even played lacrossefor the first time last year. She’s alsoan avid golfer who’s played on her highschool team for four years.

Her father and hockey coach, BillWippert, says he knows exactly whathis role as coach should be every timehe steps on the ice for practice or goes

behind the bench at a game.“At the youth or house league level,

I will try to help the kids get better, but Iwon’t be the coach that makes them quit. Ilove the thought of them liking and playingthe game for years to come,” said Wippert.

Reeds agrees with Wippert’s coach-ing ideals.

“Sport needs to have a different phi-losophy and mentality. Intrinsically, itshould feel good and make you feel goodabout yourself,” said Reeds. “We learn tocompete, we have great teammates, andwe’ll make memories that last a lifetime.”

Game on. nKevin Snow is a local freelance writer.

“At the youth or house league level, I will try to help the kids get

better, but I won’t be the coach that makes them quit. I love the

thought of them liking and playing the game for years to come,”— Bill Wippert, Hockey Coach