By Father Nicholas Rouch
I grew up in a household where sports was one of the values integrated into family life. My brothers were very involved in football, wrestling, baseball, swimming and golf. They pursued athletics throughout grade school, high school and beyond, and I am convinced it was an important aspect of their personal formation.
I enjoyed sports as well, but would probably qualify myself as one of those students who did a lot more hoping than achieving in this area. I had one coach in particular who emphasized ability to the degree that it became a discouragement rather than a motivator.
Perhaps it is this varied experience with athletics that has me so intrigued with a new pilot program we will introduce in five elementary schools this fall. It’s the Play Like a Champion Today (PLC) series from the University of Notre Dame.
Play Like a Champion first came to my attention when Kim Hill, who is the mother of two students in our schools as well as a coach and a health and physical education teacher, told me and Doug Chuzie, director of Athletics for the Erie Diocese, about it. She contacted Clark Powers, who developed the program, and I was pleased to secure endowment funds to send Kim, Doug and another coach to Notre Dame for training last summer.
A word from our athletic director:
I am delighted we are introducing the Play Like a Champion Today series. We have a large number of dedicated volunteer coaches, and I am committed to doing everything possible to help them stand out in the athletics community. We have always offered more to students and parents than Xs and Os, and PLC will take us to the next level.
Athletics is the largest youth group within the Catholic community, something which presents us with a tremendous opportunity. PLC will help our coaches to recognize their roles as youth ministers, and to incorporate ethics and morals into everything they do with their young athletes.
I learned what I know about sports from my father. But he taught me much more than the rules. He taught me about life through baseball, basketball and soccer. He incorporates Christ in everything he does—that’s just who he is.
As a certified PLC trainer, I believe the program is a perfect fit for the Erie Diocese. I am more than pleased to have a program that will give our coaches, parents and students the tools they need to experience the kind of training I was fortunate to receive from my dad. I know it will set our students apart. |
Here’s a surprising fact: over 78 percent of kids stop participating in sports by the 7th grade because they say it is no longer fun. Although we all know our culture has become obsessed with competition beginning as early as preschool—I find that 78 percent statistic surprising. I think we can agree it does not bode well for developing lifetime wellness.
What I like about PLC is it successfully blends the fullness of the faith and the fullness of athletic energy. For now, we will introduce it in five elementary schools: Notre Dame in Hermitage, and Blessed Sacrament, St. James, St. John-Holy Rosary and St. Luke in Erie. If it’s successful, we’ll expand it to all of our elementary schools in Erie County as well as any throughout the diocese that express an interest. I would be delighted if our high schools recognize its value and integrate it eventually. Launching the program will take buy-in on the part of many people. All the coaches at PLC schools will be trained, and parents and students will be educated about the philosophies as well.
What exactly are the PLC philosophies? Here are some additional points Kim makes about Play Like A Champion Today:
“Play Like A Champion Today embodies Christian values and helps coaches, parents, and athletes recognize the inherent goodness in sports for everyone. The program promotes the moral and character development of our youth within the context of organized sports. It emphasizes participation and fun as well as skill development and sportsmanship. It also identifies many trends that have emerged in youth sports which lead to burnout, disinterest, and sports related injuries, including expensive, year-round travel teams and tournaments, over-zealous parents, the pressure to specialize at a very young age and the over-emphasis on winning at all costs.
Play Like A Champion Today is about developing the human person/spirit as well as body through athletics, it is about pursuing excellence in all endeavors, nurturing Christian character and calling forth personal integrity and responsibility. Finally, in light of the rising rates of childhood preventable diseases (diabetes, heart disease, obesity, etc.), Play Like A Champion Today encourages active lifestyles which reverse this trend.”
Notre Dame also points out that youth sports programs nurture not only the great athletes, but also the leaders of the future. For this reason, youth sport coaches must be prepared to foster excellence both on and off the field. PLC programs are designed to help coaches and parents make sports a positive and enriching experience for each and every child who wishes to participate.
People are impressed with the way PLC works to find the balance between individual achievement and team accomplishment. Once integrated, parents will be assured that their child’s athletic potential will be drawn out at developmentally appropriate stages. Our students will learn to respect themselves, their teammates and their competitors. And parents of especially talented athlete will be assured that their child will be treated as a whole person, not just a good athlete. Our programs will grow in their commitment to laying a solid foundation for students’ futures.
You can visit www.PlayLikeAChampion.org if you are interested in more details. I look forward to working with you and our coaches on this exciting new initiative.
— Fr. Nicholas Rouch is diocesan vicar for Education and can be reached at NRouch@ErieRCD.org
