The Executive Leadership Council (ELC)’s Post

The Utah women’s basketball team faced a harrowing ordeal, marred by racial slurs and intimidation, tarnishing what should have been a time of jubilation for their NCAA Tournament qualification. As some athletes grapple with traumatic responses, the NCAA’s decision to permit relocation reflects a commendable acknowledgment of the gravity of the situation. Head coach Lynne Roberts’ swift and unwavering support underscores her profound dedication to her players’ welfare and underscores her leadership in times of crisis. In the aftermath, prioritizing the team’s mental and emotional well-being becomes paramount. Accessing counseling, engaging in team dialogues, and tapping into available resources are crucial steps toward healing and resilience. Moreover, confronting racism and intolerance head-on is imperative to prevent such distressing incidents from recurring in the future, fostering a culture of inclusivity and respect within sports and society at large. Athletes of color often face vulnerability on multiple fronts. Not only do they contend with the pressures of competition and performance like all athletes, but they also encounter unique challenges related to race and identity. From navigating racial stereotypes and biases to confronting systemic barriers and discriminatory treatment, athletes of color often confront a complex web of obstacles that can impact their experiences both on and off the field. Additionally, incidents of racial discrimination and harassment, like the one experienced by the Utah women’s basketball team, can exacerbate this vulnerability, highlighting the need for systemic change and greater support for marginalized athletes. Recognizing and addressing these vulnerabilities is essential for fostering an inclusive and equitable environment where all athletes can thrive. #BlackAthleteMentalHealth #BlackAthletesMatter #BlackMentalHealth #AthleteOfColor #BlackExcellenceInMentalHealth #BlackAthleteWellness #BlackAthleteSupport #BlackAthleteResilience #BlackAthleteThrive #HealingInBlackAthletes #BlackAthleteEmpowerment #BlackAthleteAdvocacy #StrengthInBlackAthletes #MindfulBlackAthletes #BlackAthleteCommunity

The Utah women’s basketball team faced a harrowing ordeal, marred by racial slurs and intimidation, tarnishing what should have been a time of jubilation for their NCAA Tournament qualification. As some athletes grapple with traumatic responses, the NCAA's decision to permit relocation reflects a commendable acknowledgment of the gravity of the situation. Head coach Lynne Roberts' swift and unwavering support underscores her profound dedication to her players' welfare and underscores her leadership in times of crisis. In the aftermath, prioritizing the team's mental and emotional well-being becomes paramount. Accessing counseling, engaging in team dialogues, and tapping into available resources are crucial steps toward healing and resilience. Moreover, confronting racism and intolerance head-on is imperative to prevent such distressing incidents from recurring in the future, fostering a culture of inclusivity and respect within sports and society at large. Athletes of color often face vulnerability on multiple fronts. Not only do they contend with the pressures of competition and performance like all athletes, but they also encounter unique challenges related to race and identity. From navigating racial stereotypes and biases to confronting systemic barriers and discriminatory treatment, athletes of color often confront a complex web of obstacles that can impact their experiences both on and off the field. Additionally, incidents of racial discrimination and harassment, like the one experienced by the Utah women's basketball team, can exacerbate this vulnerability, highlighting the need for systemic change and greater support for marginalized athletes. Recognizing and addressing these vulnerabilities is essential for fostering an inclusive and equitable environment where all athletes can thrive. #BlackAthleteMentalHealth #BlackAthletesMatter #BlackMentalHealth #AthleteOfColor #BlackExcellenceInMentalHealth #BlackAthleteWellness #BlackAthleteSupport #BlackAthleteResilience #BlackAthleteThrive #HealingInBlackAthletes #BlackAthleteEmpowerment #BlackAthleteAdvocacy #StrengthInBlackAthletes #MindfulBlackAthletes #BlackAthleteCommunity

A truly insightful piece from The Athletic - Brittany Ghiroli on a former MLB's hopes to change youth sports’ toxic culture Former MLB player Travis Snider reflects on his journey from being a highly touted prospect to struggling in the majors due to childhood trauma and pressure. Now, as a father of three, Snider aims to change the toxic culture of youth sports through his company, 3A Athletics. He believes that focusing on the development of young athletes as human beings, rather than solely on performance, is crucial. By providing resources for parents, coaches, and athletes, Snider hopes to promote healthier, happier athletes who can navigate adversity and transitions more effectively. Key Takeaways: - Early Pressure and Trauma: Snider's experience highlights the detrimental effects of early pressure and trauma in youth sports, impacting mental health and performance. - Changing Youth Sports Culture: Snider's company, 3A Athletics, seeks to address the toxic culture of youth sports by prioritizing athletes' holistic development over performance metrics. - Parental and Coaching Influence: Snider emphasizes the significant roles parents and coaches play in shaping young athletes' experiences and identities, urging them to prioritize children's well-being over achievement. - Holistic Approach to Athlete Development: By providing interactive guidebooks and athlete journals, 3A Athletics aims to foster emotional regulation and life skills in young athletes, promoting long-term success on and off the field. - Personal Growth and Advocacy: Snider's journey towards self-awareness and advocacy underscores the importance of acknowledging and addressing mental health challenges in sports, advocating for a more balanced approach to athlete development. - Snider's vision for partnering with larger youth sports organizations and expanding the reach of 3A Athletics suggests a commitment to scaling the initiative and reaching a broader audience of young athletes and their families. - Stigma Reduction: Snider's openness about his struggles with Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) and ongoing therapy contributes to reducing the stigma around mental health in sports, encouraging others to seek help and prioritize their well-being. #YouthSports #Sportsbiz #LinkedInSports #Baseball #Kids #Parents Major League Baseball (MLB) https://lnkd.in/d7mrmbhC via: The Athletic

I've been thinking about participation in women’s sport all wrong. I used to believe it was like a pyramid — build the grassroots, and eventually, the fame at the top would follow. This is what we were taught in Sport Science at school. And while that's a typical approach for elite performance at the top, it doesn't tackle participation or any of the other in balances between male and female sport. At the launch of Sid Lee and Appinio's report on 'The Fame Gap' in London last week, we were shown the fame trap - this made it all much clearer for me. The reality is, grassroots participation and fame feed into each other. It’s not a one-way street but a cycle. And when you think about the fact that girls’ participation drop offs so rapidly between ages 12-14, right when they’re starting to seek role models outside of their immediate circle, it makes sense that famous, authentic, and charismatic (not necessarily in a traditional extroverted way) athletes would keep them interested and engaged. It’s clear to me now that fame, visibility, and strong role models aren’t just the outcome of building from the bottom up — they’re essential to keeping girls in the game and building that foundation. Fame can inspire the next generation and help stop that decline in participation. Full report: https://okt.to/vMSNbK #FameGap #WomensSport #RoleModels #SportParticipation #FameTrap #AgencyPartnership

Calling all Milwaukee Athletes! May is here, and so is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month! Let's kick off this month with a big shoutout to the Milwaukee Youth Sports Alliance (MYSA) for their support in promoting health, wellness, and the joy of sports among our community's young talents. From basketball to soccer, from swimming to track and field, MYSA's membership organizations offers a diverse range of sports programs that cater to the interests and abilities of every youth athlete. But why is it so crucial for our young ones to get involved in sports? Let's break it down: Physical Health: Regular participation in sports activities helps kids develop stronger muscles and bones, improve cardiovascular health, and maintain a healthy weight. In an age where sedentary lifestyles are becoming increasingly common, sports provide a fun and engaging way to keep our bodies active and fit. Mental Well-being: Engaging in sports isn't just beneficial for the body; it's also great for the mind. Sports help reduce stress, anxiety, and symptoms of depression. Through teamwork, goal-setting, and overcoming challenges, young athletes develop resilience and confidence that they can carry with them both on and off the field. Social Skills: Sports provide an excellent platform for building friendships, fostering teamwork, and enhancing communication skills. Whether it's strategizing during a game or celebrating a victory together, the bonds formed through sports can last a lifetime. Lifelong Habits: Participating in sports at a young age lays the foundation for a lifetime of healthy habits. By instilling the importance of regular physical activity early on, we empower our youth to prioritize their health and well-being as they grow older. As we celebrate National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, let's join MYSA in encouraging our youth to get active, stay healthy, and pursue their athletic passions. Whether it's shooting hoops at the local basketball court or diving into the pool for a refreshing swim, let's make this month a celebration of the power of sports in shaping bright and healthy futures for our Milwaukee youth! #MYSA #YouthSports #PhysicalFitnessMonth #MilwaukeeSports #HealthyYouth #ActiveLifestyles

Imagine a world where young athletes excel in their sport and thrive mentally and emotionally! That's the power of a nurturing sports community to keep youth coming back to sports. On average, children spend less than three years playing a sport, quitting by age 11. A Cornell study found athletes successfully translated their leadership skills, developed through youth sports, into successful careers, and possessed self-confidence and self-respect as leaders! The leadership stats of sports combined with supportive communities is the next level for youth sports! And, my daughter's recent experience at the HOOPQUEENS and The Give & Grow basketball workshop shines the light on the power of sports and community!! Here’s what they learned: Go Beyond Single Sport Focus: Embrace multiple sports is key to mental well-being. The girls explored how diverse athletic experiences can safeguard against the mental health often seen in single-sport specialization. The Power of Community: They discussed how peers, coaches, and mentors can collectively push athletes beyond self-limiting beliefs. Self-Discovery Through Competition: My daughter had a personal victory winning a dribble challenge - It was more than just winning; she witnessed her own power and potential in a new way! This experience was more than a skill-building session. It was a life-altering event that highlighted the importance of community support, a balanced approach to sports, and self-belief in shaping our youth's future. Let's champion the cause of supportive sports community! A huge shoutout to HOOPQUEENS Olivia Ho for igniting this spark of change. #growth #community #sports #youth #resilience

Caitlin Clark. Alex Morgan. Coco Gauff. Katie Ledecky. Simone Biles. Michelle Kwan. Mary Lou Retton. Jackie Joyner Kersee. Billie Jean King. Household names of icons for many of us. But for many others, they were chalked up to ‘just’ the names of great female athletes that “no one is watching on TV.” Emphasis on the preface: female. Today, those same women are the pioneers who’ve changed the face of women’s sports and introduced an opportunity for future generations of young girls (and boys!) to find their moment. We know they didn’t have it easy – at times the world may as well have been rooting against them. They were doubted. Judged. Passed on and left out. Told they were too much and yet also not enough. Told no. But they persisted, and persisted, and persisted. And now decades of hard work later, they’ve fostered a space that celebrates inclusivity, diversity, and equal opportunity for players and fans alike. Watching women’s sports has become our remedy – our moment of joy and reflection on how things should have always been. This Moment of Lonely is anything but momentary. The universal excitement and embrace for women’s sports has arrived; but also, it’s here to stay. Reinforced by these mind-numbing stats from the past year: • The Big Ten and S.E.C. women’s conference basketball tournaments selling out. 👏 • Nebraska women’s volleyball match setting a world record with 92,000 spectators. 🤯 • The debut of the Professional Women’s Hockey League. 🥅 • 30% growth in applications to the University of Iowa despite declining college enrollment nationwide. 📈 • Television ratings record of 12.6 million viewers for the 2023 women’s college basketball final between LSU and Iowa. 🤝 • Deloitte predicts that women’s sports will surpass $1 billion in revenue for the first time ever in 2024. 💯 Sometimes a moment is a movement, and if you love women’s sports, that moment has arrived. #MomentOfLonely #WomensSports #Inspiration

This article really spoke to me, as a parent of two kids in three sports each. It’s about the process, not the outcomes. And the focus on skill building and being a good teammate and succeeding through adversity and challenge, these are what help you grow into a successful member of society.

📉 Multiple news sources have begun reporting on the high numbers of kids dropping out of organized sports. 🚫 Loyola Marymount University (CA) just announced that it will not have multiple non-revenue generating sports teams after this year. ⚠️ If this continues, less professional athletes will compete in these sports and kids will have fewer and fewer role models to look up to. 🚨 I don't know about you, but if I didn't have a role model to look up to in any facet of my life... let alone baseball when I was playing... my life would have been a whole lot different - and NOT in a good way. 👏 It's time to start helping student-athletes earn while playing it forward in their communities. Kids need: 1) Someone to look up to 2) Something to do to keep them active and healthy 3) Organized sports (and other activities) to maintain healthy relationships with their peers. #VantageSportsCommunityAllianceprogram #PlayItForward