Joe "The Heart Guy" Heskett
Is sport failing our youth?
This is a question that I’ve asked myself more than once when I notice the trend that most athletes discontinue sports because they are no longer having fun and/or don’t see the significance sport can have in the game of life.
During a 3 hour conversation with a buddy of mind named Joe Heskett, we talked about the significance sport plays in the lives of youth. Joe is currently an assistant wrestling coach at a decorated Division I collegitate wrestling program.
Joe during his NCAA times where held a carrer record of 143-9
In college he was a 4x NCAA All-American and even ranked amongst the top 5 wrestlers in the world before sidelined by a life threatening congenital heart conditioned. We have congruent passions and this is what he expressed to me.
Sport itself is like an athlete with limitless potential, but sport is lacking the direction and foundation to sustain greatness. One specific foundational block, education. Teachers spend nearly a quarter of their young adult life prepping to be certified and teach in the classroom. We entrust administrators and teachers to prosper the minds of our youth. Teachers are guided by years of practical knowledge, certifications tests, continuing education, student teaching and lesson plans. A focused and sensible path of preparation.
Sport on the other hand, where children probably spend more time with their coach then a specific teacher, embraces a polar opposite standard. In sport we talk an excellent game of life skill development, but tell me… no show me how! I often observe ill tempered parents, uneducated coaches, tunnel visioned student-athletes and I question; how can sport do more?
Thus I answer my own question with an affirmative yes, sport is absolutely failing our children. Why? Because sport can do more. Much more.
This may seem very critical coming from an individual who has benefited tremendously from the fruits of organized sport. But, sport is much bigger than any one individual. I currently view sport bottled up in an ’abstract world of intangibles’. Invaluable concepts such as, character, greatness, success, honor, sportsmanship etc. exist as broad and generalized concepts, but how do we go about achieving these glorious feats, how do we make them tangible, something real, something that changes sport and changes lives!
Sport can change your life…if you are open to being coached and educated.
Live Your Legacy!
-Rob “The Kinetic Guru”
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