Here is an excerpt from upcoming column:
Steve DeVries has a message for parents of young athletes — “relax.”
DeVries, 60, has a doctorate in sports psychologist. He’s a professor at Cornell College in Mount Vernon who teaches sports psychology and sports sociology. He also offers a coaching authorization class.
More importantly, DeVries is a former coach who spent 18 years directing the Cornell wrestling program. Most importantly, DeVries is the father of two sons who were successful youth, high school and college athletes.
DeVries loves athletics. He thinks they play an vital role in our lives. They teach valuable lessons.
Yet those lessons often are lost on parents of aspiring athletes and coaches molding our youth.
“The things you can do to make sports more enjoyable also makes (the athletes) more productive,” he said.
DeVries’ message is simple. “It’s not rocket science,” he said.
But it’s one that too often falls on deaf ears — or the wrong ears.
DeVries has three main points he makes to parents and coaches — let the kids be kids (i.e. have fun), make it a successful experience (this does not mean winning) and learn the “good stuff we know our kids can get out of sports” (i.e. development).
“Try to identify something they did well, something positive about the experience,” he said. “Any kind of improvement ... glimmers, lights you can find.”
Parents and coaches need to point out these small victories, he said, because teammates too often won’t and “the kids are going to focus on the stuff you focus on.”
We have to keep it fun to keep them involved.
“Parents just need to relax and let their kids enjoy this thing,” DeVries said.