From the outside, this layer of sport is almost invisible. But from within, one thing becomes clear very quickly: match manipulation is not rare. It exists in plain sight, but few notice it.
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Post Tagged with: "Athletes"
Gronk’s Legacy
Nine seasons, three Super Bowls, three rings. Rob Gronkowski was an exhilarating player and a lively character on the field, bringing pride to all Patriots fans. He wants to show how once a Patriot, always a Patriot. Gronk signed a one-day contract with the Patriots on November 12, 2025. He […]
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Money Changes People
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The question of how legal sports betting has changed, and will continue to change, the culture of sports is a complicated one. The wide array of platforms and products certainly increases opportunity and decreases risk for bad actors to influence athletes or impermissibly utilize inside information. On the other hand, […]
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The Upsides
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With all the negative coverage of sports betting – concerns about gambling harms, cheating scandals, bad behavior directed towards athletes – the casual observer to wonder why we ever wanted it in the first place or why state legislators continue to push sports betting forward. The reality is that the sports […]
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Women’s Basketball: A New Era
We all know the big names in basketball: LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Steph Curry, Kobe Bryant, and Shaquille O’Neal. When you think of basketball, you think of these legends that shaped the history and culture of this great sport. As you may or may not have noticed, there are no […]
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Sports are the Catalyst for National Unity
In the present, it’s largely accepted that sports serve the masses for entertainment purposes, whether it be going to a game or watching it with friends and family on the television. However, there is one thing in common, that is it always seems to attract groups of people who share […]
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The Importance of Great Coaching
When we see a successful team, we recognize the players for their extraordinary talent and capabilities. However, the reason they get there is incredible coaching. A study by The Harris Public Policy believes that the coaches are responsible for 20-30% of the team’s outcome. This proves how coaches are a […]
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More than just a rumor: The real impact of trade speculation on Athletes
Silly season, trading period, and transfer window are all key elements of a different sports season, but ultimately, the same thing. No matter the sport, there comes a point in each athlete’s journey when their contract expires or they risk being traded to a different team. Silly-Season in Formula 1 […]
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Today’s College Athletes
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Dr. Patty Raube Keller talks about how today’s college athletes have different needs than those of the past with Dr. Jeremy Piasecki on the Culture in Sports Podcast.
Read More Update From the Sidelines
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This episode provides an update on developments related to the inclusion of trans athletes in interscholastic sports, including the Second Circuit’s en banc decision in the Soule v. Connecticut case, the general Title IX Final Rule litigation, transvestigation during the Summer Olympics, and a recent Senate hearing on an entirely […]
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Unionizing College Athletes
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Michael Hsu talks about college athletes, unionization, and the uncertain future of college sports with Bob Boland and Dr. Jeremy Piasecki on the Culture in Sports Podcast.
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The Future of College Athletics
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The Culture in Sports Podcast continues with season 5: The Future of College Athletics. Robert Boland and Dr. Jeremy Piasecki have an incredible discussion about the uncertain future of college sports.
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ACL Tears: Understanding How to Face Injury As Individuals And Community
Participation in any form of exercise comes with a risk of injury. Factors that contribute to the risk of injury include what type of exercise one might participate in. Examples include, playing sports, going to the gym, and excessive running without proper recovery. Injuries are something that athletes never wish […]
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Building Relationships with Peers, Athletes, and Stakeholders: The Cornerstone of Effective Coaching
Strong relationships are the cornerstone of any successful organization. In the realm of sports coaching,the significance of building solid relationships with peers, athletes, and stakeholders cannot beunderstated (Jowett, 2017). In the world of sports, collaboration is vital. Coaches work closely with their peers—fellow coaches,trainers, and team managers. These relationships can […]
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Special Episode 2: Athletes Struggling With a Crisis of Confidence
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This is the second of two special episodes about CrossFit’s cultural and organizational issues brought to light by the death of elite athlete Lazar Ðukic at the 2024 CrossFit Games.
Read More Special Episode 1: Loss of Innocence
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On August 8, 2024, Lazar Ðukic lost his life in a Texas lake during the first event of the 2024 CrossFit Games. His death has rocked the competitive CrossFit community to its core. Although competition resumed, it wasn’t the same. Many top athletes were missing from the floor and those who […]
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Cherishing The 4 Years Of Student-Athletes
As a current (time of writing this article) high school athlete, the high school sports experiences is has lots to offer to any athlete. Teens at the end of their 4 years will take away with them invaluable life lessons, lifelong friendships, and the will to compete. It holds a […]
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From Me to We: Promoting Team Cohesion Among Youth Athletes
Have you coached a high school sports program for many years? Have you volunteered to coach a youth sports team in a recreational league? Either way, team cohesion dramatically impacts the success of your program and you as a coach. What is team Cohesion? Imagine a sports team as a […]
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Mending Crushed Spirits – How to Approach a Bad Performance
Many athletes have experienced what it’s like to leave the court or field and prepare themselves mentally only to have coaches criticize them for a subpar performance. Players just need some time to think things through since they’ve heard enough. On the flip side, coaches feel compelled to speak frankly […]
Read MoreUncovering the Truth
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Season 4 of the Culture in Sports Podcast continues with Lori Okimura (World ParaVolley) and Dr. Jeremy Piasecki having a discussion with investigative reporter Scott Reid, from the Orange County Register. Scott broke the story about the current toxic and abusive culture on a collegiate sports team: Idaho Volleyball. Learn […]
Read MoreSafeguarding Athletes
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Season 4 of the Culture in Sports Podcast is here! In this episode, Lori Okimura (World ParaVolley) and Dr. Jeremy Piasecki take a deep dive into a current #toxic and #abusive #culture on a collegiate #sports team.
Read MoreThe End of the Beginning
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This final episode of our first season closes with some final thoughts from most of this season’s guests where transgender youth in K-12 sports currently stands, where it could be headed, and what we should be doing with our concerns in the meantime.
Read MoreStrange Bedfellows
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In this episode, I explore the various factions who, despite their different general ideologies, have united in advocating for the exclusion of trans kids from sports. We discuss why this presents such a challenge when working to educate and advocate around this issue. I also provide some additional details on […]
Read MoreFor the Kids
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When I started thinking about how to address the issue of trans exclusion from youth sports, I knew I needed to include the culture/industry of youth sports as part of the discussion. The pressure to compete and perform at a high level in athletics is reaching kids earlier than ever […]
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How Do I Help the Organization Reach Success? A Coach’s Guide
Being a sports coach is more than just guiding a team to victories on the field. It involves building a culture, fostering resilience, developing athletes’ skills, and driving the success of the entire organization (Mallett & Lara-Bercial, 2016). It begins with creating an environment conducive to growth and excellence. As […]
Read MoreFair’s Fair
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One of the most commonly expressed objections to the inclusion of trans athletes is that it is fundamentally unfair, particularly to cis women and girls, to compete against trans women and girls. While this cultural belief may be ubiquitous, the science behind it is far from black and white. Without […]
Read MoreTitle IX
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This episode picks up where the last left off – about 50 years ago – when Title IX’s enactment changed education and athletics for women and girls in some big ways. But this 50 year old statute and implementing regulations were not created with trans and non-binary students in mind. […]
Read MoreNo Shortcuts to Success
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Listen to Dr. Jeremy Piasecki and Aron McGuire, the CEO of USA Bobsled & Skeleton, discuss culture, leadership, stakeholders, competence, character, and the different pathways to success.
Read MoreTarnished Gold
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To better understand how and why sports are a part of education, this episode goes back to where they started. Although the culture of youth sports has certainly evolved, the purpose of interscholastic athletics really has not. Today, just like 100 years ago, educators value the role of sport in […]
Read MoreState of the Union
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Episode 2 looks at the recent legislative push to ban transgender kids from scholastic sports across the country in the context of the anti-trans bathroom bans that preceded it. I also dive into the Soule v. Connecticut case that is so frequently referenced as an example of trans athlete exceptionalism despite the […]
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Video: Developing Athletes
Watch Dr. Jeremy Piasecki and Jason Olive, of the Los Angeles Volleyball Club, discuss the importance of developing athletes, youth sports, leadership, team culture, trust, changing the way we coach, respect, and about athletes finding the environment that they believe will best develop them as individual athletes.
Read MoreDeveloping Athletes
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Listen to Dr. Jeremy Piasecki and Jason Olive, of the Los Angeles Volleyball Club speak about developing athletes, youth sports, leadership, team culture, trust, changing the way we coach, respect, and about athletes finding the environment that they believe will best develop them as individual athletes.
Read MoreMore Than a Game
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In Episode 1, I start to introduce you to some of the legal scholars and advocates I interviewed in my research. Their remarks all come from recorded interviews that are available in full via provided links. I excerpted these specific portions to frame my approach to discussing the significance of […]
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Understanding Your Role in Driving the Organization Forward
Being part of a sports organization is more than just taking up a position; it’s about embodying a role that influences and shapes the direction of the team. As a coach, your role is instrumental in guiding the organization towards its desired future. This article aims to help you understand […]
Read MoreHearsay From the Sidelines – Season 1 Prologue
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This brief prologue explains a bit about who I am as host and creator of Season 1 of Hearsay from the Sidelines. You can learn more about me as a professional via my Seton Hall Law faculty profile. My interest in creating a podcast focused on the issue of transgender […]
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Shaping the Future: What Kind of Organization Do We Want to Be?
Defining the future of an organization is a fundamental strategic process that underpins the direction, purpose, and values it aspires to uphold. In sports coaching, determining the kind of organization we want to be, shapes not just the broader institutional framework, but also the coaching practices and the experiences of […]
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The Person Behind the Athlete
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Season 2 of The Athletic Approach concludes with Episode 8 Hear Kristen and Manisha detail the importance of balancing the athlete and person in and away from sport through mindfulness and what life after sport looks like for the 21st Century Athlete
Read More Video: The Person Behind the Athlete
Understanding Your Organization’s Values: The Foundation of Effective Coaching
Coaching in sports goes beyond the realm of performance metrics and winning strategies. It shapes the culture of an organization and profoundly impacts athletes’ lives. At the core of this influence are the organization’s values, the guiding principles that help to navigate the complexities of the coaching role. Values of […]
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Identifying My Preferred Leadership Style
Effective leadership is a crucial aspect of coaching. By identifying and understanding your preferred leadership style, you can lead more authentically and make a greater impact on your athletes and your team’s performance. Understanding Leadership Styles Leadership styles are distinct methods of guiding, motivating, and influencing others. Recognized styles include […]
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The Influence of Personal Values and Beliefs on Coaching
In the arena of sports coaching, personal values and beliefs act as an invisible guiding hand, shaping our interactions, decisions, and coaching practices (Hardy, Jones, & Gould, 1996). The Role of Values and Beliefs in Coaching Values represent the principles we consider important, guiding our behavior and decisions (Rokeach, 1973). […]
Read More Video: The Mental Roadmap of Sports Psychology
The Mental Roadmap of Sports Psychology
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On the latest installment of The Athletic Approach Manisha and Kristen break down an in depth view of the mental roadmap that is sports psychology by detailing their first experiences dealing with of the most transferable fields of study and application in the world of sports, the exposure they’ve witnessed […]
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Embracing Authenticity in Leadership and Coaching
Authenticity has emerged as a critical aspect of effective leadership and coaching. Leadership researchers often cite authenticity as a key characteristic of successful leaders, linking it to improved leadership effectiveness and employee engagement (Banks et al., 2016). Understanding Authenticity Authenticity involves aligning actions with inner values and beliefs, embracing one’s […]
Read More Video: The Athletic Approach: Season 2 Episode 1: The Weight of Expectations for Women and Girls in Sports
How Do I Communicate? Exploring Communication Styles in Sports Coaching
Interaction with others is part of the human connection. However, many will spend an entire lifetime refining their communication skills. As a coach, communication is essential to athletes, the team, and reaching success. Effective communication is critical for coaching success, influencing everything from team dynamics to performance outcomes. Understanding Your […]
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Why Do I Love Coaching?
“Coaching is unlocking a person’s potential to maximize their growth,” said legendary business coach, Sir John Whitmore. This sentiment rings true across all coaching domains, including sports. The passion for coaching sports goes beyond winning games; it is about nurturing talent, fostering personal growth, and inspiring others to achieve their […]
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Coaches Do Make Mistakes
Coaches do make mistakes. Are these “mistakes” intentional or actual mistakes that a human being can make? Are coaches and other sports leaders willing to self reflect, identify toxic and abusive behavior, and take corrective action? Or will they double down on their behavior at the expense of others? We, […]
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Another Super Bowl, Another Barrier
The first Super Bowl with two African American starting quarterbacks,sent me thinking back to two pioneers, who inspired me as a fat white kid growing up in Upstate New York and destined to put my hand on the dirt as a lineman, but who grew up loving the quarterback position. […]
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Video: Myths in Sports Psychology
Sport Psychology Myths
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In the final episode of season one the hosts breakdown common misconceptions when it comes to what a Sport Psychologist produces and experiences.
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Video: RELATIONSHIPS
RELATIONSHIPS
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This week’s episode breaks down the different scenarios and dynamics involved with relationships in sport. How can we get to know each other as people, deeper than just a coach player model.
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Video: Identity
Identity
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In this weeks episode the team breaks down the different facets of identity and how it relates to sports performance. Determining what kind of parts of identity allow us to get through challenges.
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Video: Goal Setting
Goal Setting
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In todays episode Bryce and Manisha break down the dynamics of goal setting. Reflect and re-evaluate, its ok that your goals can change. Develop a roadmap to combat challenges to your goals.
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VIDEO: FOCUS
FOCUS
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In todays sport mental performance conversation, hosts Bryce and Manisha discuss routines, how each sport requires a different focus, and focus control.
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Make Good Choices
Since my daughter was in middle school, me and my wife have told both of our kids to make good choices…and not eat yellow snow. Even though our daughter is 21 and our son is 17, we still say it repeatedly to them, well to make good choices, that is. […]
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VIDEO: RESILIENCY
RESILIENCY
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Breaking down the importance of creating resiliency as an individual athlete, which can lead to mental toughness as a team culture.
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VIDEO: Visualization
Using mental reps to get positive outcomes for yourself, through being able to use your imagination. What’s the difference between day dreaming and being able to see positive benefits from imaginations?
Read More Visualization
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Using mental reps to get positive outcomes for yourself, through being able to use your imagination. What’s the difference between day dreaming and being able to see positive benefits from imaginations? How to have intention behind your visualization, how to activate your five senses while doing so.
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The Brutality of Burnout in Competitive Sport
The last few articles I’ve written here have been primarily focused on different Mental Skills and helping athletes reach their full potential and become the best athletes and people they can be. But we also understand that sports aren’t always sunshine and rainbows. Competitive sports can bring us some down […]
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Video: Confidence
Hosts Bryce and Manisha discuss the role of confidence in sport. The process of revealing, building, and holding self confidence in peers from a sports psychology perspective.
Read More Confidence
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Hosts Bryce and Manisha discuss the role of confidence in sport. The process of revealing, building, and holding self confidence in peers from a sports psychology perspective.
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Motivation
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Manisha and Bryce discuss the importance of mental performance and motivation for athletes, teams, coaches, organizations, culture, and leadership.
Read More Motivation – Video
Manisha and Bryce discuss the importance of mental performance and motivation for athletes, teams, coaches, organizations, culture, and leadership.
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Gain a Mental Advantage – Video
Manisha and Bryce discuss the importance of mental performance for athletes, teams, coaches, organizations, culture, and leadership.
Read More Gain a Mental Advantage
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Manisha and Bryce discuss the importance of mental performance for athletes, teams, coaches, organizations, culture, and leadership.
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Being Distracted
Tom Brady had a tough game this past Sunday. Teammates, coaches, analysts, and fans can all speculate what happened on Sunday, but Tom Brady is the only one who truly knows what he was going through mentally, physically, and emotionally. Being an athlete at such high level is difficult enough. […]
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Recognizing & Celebrating Resilience: The Key to Making this Season Matter
Back in the Summer of 2021, a time no one really remembers because time in this pandemic has truly been a flat circle, without much context within it, only recollections from before and some sense of the now as things seemingly have progressed, I wrote a series of articles on […]
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Resilient Athletes
Yesterday, Bryce Strecker wrote that “Resilient athletes aren’t born, they’re built”. It was an extremely informative article that dove deep into how athletes respond to adversity and that it is essential that coaches help athletes refocus. If you have not read Bryce’s article yet, you must take a few minutes […]
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People Behaving Badly in Sports Can Result in Death
I recently wrote a few articles about coaches, athletes, parents, and even officials behaving badly at sporting events. Poor behavior in sports looks like it is on the rise, especially in the United States. While there is no data supporting this perception, people in sports behaving badly has been in […]
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Providing Positive Feedback
When did you last take the time to provide positive feedback to your athletes? Was it last week, month, or year? Have you ever provided positive feedback as you are always “hard” on your athletes? Providing positive feedback, saying great job or thank you to an athlete may just make […]
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What is Winning?
A conventional definition of winning is gaining, resulting in, or relating to a victory in a contest or competition. But have you ever questioned it beyond this definition? In the context of sport, what is it? Is it about winning trophies, titles, medals, etc? Or is it something else? What […]
Read More Assessing Your Team’s Culture
When was the last time that you assessed what was happening in your organization? What did you see? Who did you speak to? Was what you saw and heard reflective of the organizational culture that you want to be involved with? What are you going to do about the leadership […]
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Athlete Confidence
Yesterday, Bryce Strecker wrote an in-depth and exceptional article about confidence. If you have not had an opportunity, please take the time to read “The Start of the Confidence Rabbit Hole”. Bryce does not discuss about an athlete’s confidence and correlation to their success, but rather the complexities of the […]
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How Young Is Too Young for Parents to Think About Professional Sports Careers for Their Children?
I was recently speaking to a parent of a very young athlete about the importance of youth participation in sports, specifically team sports. There are many benefits of children participating in sports, to include learning about teamwork, appreciation for sports, healthy competition, self-confidence, resiliency, trust, and supporting teammates are to […]
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Social media being a toxic factor in football
The power and evolution of social media continues to grow and have an impact on not just football but all sports especially in the last decade. With social media now becoming such a necessity to people of all ages and how popular it has become majority of people use some […]
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Athleticism And Humility At Its Finest, Justin “Jolly” Rogers; True Sportsmanship Leads To A New State Record
Readers, Justin “Jolly” Rogers is a remarkable athlete and person who recently broke the Pennsylvania State Meet AAA record with a vault of 17 feet 3 inches … utterly remarkable. Not only is he talented, but Jolly embodies what it means to respect not only a sport, but also his […]
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How A Team’s Sports Culture Drives Their Success
It would be foolish for any high level athlete to think that their team is not a business. In terms of the NBA, teams are money making machines, and owners won’t stop for anything if they see a chance to increase their revenue. Every team is a business, we know […]
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Samantha Johnson: Soccer, Support, & Stars of the Future
This week Wes and Mike interviewed Californian soccer player, Samantha Johnson, who has been involved in the game since she was five years old. Samantha came from a culture of team bonding and this she cites as the reason for her positive experiences in sport growing up. Samantha supports the […]
Read More Video: Life in the World of Soccer
This episode provides a glimpse into the world of soccer with Samantha Johnson. She discusses how she sought mentorship at different points in her life. We’ll also hear how important team bonding is and so much more.
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Video: Coaching from Dad
In this episode with Jacoby and Jaylen Jackson we get to listen to experiences with having a parent heavily involved in your sport. Jay speaks on having his dad on and off the court practicing, and learning the fundamentals of leadership.
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Another Example of Bad Behavior in Sports
I recently wrote an article “Is Bad Behavior in Sports on the Rise?“, where I discussed the how fighting and other unsportsmanlike behavior of athletes, coaches, fans, and others is becoming more prevalent. While the instantaneous access to social media and the internet may be the reason that we are […]
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Lori Okimura: Volleyball Visionary
In the third episode of the second season of the Culture in Sports podcasts, Wes and Mike talk to World ParaVolley Sports Director Lori Okimura. Born and raised in Hawaii, Okimura grew up loving sports and has spent her professional career in a variety of areas in volleyball and coaching. […]
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Video: What you don’t see
How Good Coaching Helped Ronnie O’Sullivan to be World Snooker Champion Again
This past weekend saw the final of the snooker World Championships take place at the Crucible in Sheffield, England. The final was between Judd Trump and Ronnie O’Sullivan who was looking to equal the record for most wins in the competition’s history matching Stephen Hendry’s 7 titles. The match was […]
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NCAA in Turmoil: Grambling, Swarbrick, and Emmert
This is without question a time of dynamic change or just plain turmoil in college sports. The last month has seen more than its share, culminating in last Tuesday’s announcement by National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) president Mark Emmert that he plans to step down either as soon as a […]
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Saber Youman on Athlete Development
In this new podcast which is part one of two parts, Wesley Livingston and Mike Scaramella speak to Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Saber Youman about his views on athlete mentorship. Youman discusses his supported upbringing and the influences of his uncle who introduced him to soccer. He describes the positive […]
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Why Cristiano Ronaldo is a Role Model to so Many
Cristiano Ronaldo is a Portuguese footballer who many argue is the greatest to have ever played the game. He currently plays for Manchester United but has also played for Sporting Lisbon, Real Madrid, and Juventus. Over his incredible career he has won 32 trophies including 3 Premier Leagues, 2 La […]
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Michael Jordan Was More Than Just a Good Basketball Player
Rio Murray introduces himself and tells you about what he does for Culture in Sports and about why Michael Jordan was more than just a good basketball player. Link to the article is here: https://cultureinsports.com/why-michael-jordan-was-more-than-just-a-good-basketball-player/
Read More Is Bad Behavior in Sports on the Rise?
Last week, Owen Woodward of the Weatherford College baseball team decided to run at full speed and tackle a base runner after his home run hit. While baseball is not known for hits, fights, punches, or other close quarters fighting, there is occasionally a flareup. Woodward was provoked by choice […]
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Life with a little help from sports
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This is a two part episode, this first part with Saber Youman, discussing how leadership and mentorship in sports can play a role in your life and career. The values, discipline and guidance can help mold you into the type of leader you want to be in your everyday life.
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Why Michael Jordan Was More Than Just a Good Basketball Player
Michael Jordan has always been remembered as a tremendous talented basketball player and athlete and his legacy is something that’s managed to carry on and continue even after he retired. The Brooklyn born athlete managed to win six championships and was the Finals MVP 6 times. He played for the […]
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Repairing Culture Through Transparency: Rugby Canada’s Courageous Example
Amateur sports organizations everywhere are making headlines for the wrong reasons. Whether it is human rights abuses casting a shadow over the Winter Olympics, less than desired performances in a long-delayed Summer Olympics, or calls for resignation by the athletes, sports organizations are under fire. Amateur sports are facing unprecedented […]
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This is Just the Beginning: U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team Gets Equal Pay
Men in today’s sports are some of the highest paid people in the world. They get thousands and millions of dollars over the course of maybe 5-6 years depending on their contracts. Women in sports on the other hand get a fraction of what the men are making. They’re grateful […]
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