College coaches who emphasize their players’ academic abilities may be the best defense against the effects of “dumb jock” stereotypes, a Michigan State University study suggests. Researchers found that student-athletes were significantly more likely to be confident in the classroom if they believed their coaches expected high academic performance, not just good enough grades...
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Larry Lauer, coaching director at the Institute for the Study of Youth Sports (ISYS) and MSU kinesiology researcher, recently appeared on the Indiana-based Kids Count Radio Show. The program, which is produced by the Indiana Youth Institute, recruited Lauer to give an expert opinion about the important roles that coaches play in the lives of youth athletes...
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Students: Looking to gain rewarding, hands-on experience in the field of education? The College Ambition Program (CAP) at Michigan State University is seeking student volunteers to serve as mentors/tutors. The program is designed to help local high school students explore their potential for going to college and take steps to make their goals a reality. Although voluteering for this...
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In response to the recent coaching scandal at Pennsylvania State University, ESPN The Magazine has dedicated its December cover story to spreading awareness about sexual abuse among youth athletes. The article urges parents, teachers and adults everywhere to educate children about sexual predators, despite the human tendency to shy away from such taboo topics. For insight about this difficult...
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The Institute for the Study of Youth Sports at Michigan State University has issued a statement about the importance of knowing — and screening, training and more closely observing — the thousands of athletic coaches interacting with children across the country. Written by four national coaching experts and supported by six others, the statement...
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In the November 2011 edition of Parenting magazine, Larry Lauer, MSU kinesiology research assistant and director of coaching education and development at the Institute for the Study of Youth Sports, shared the importance of good sportsmanship among young athletes. “Kids this age are still in the ‘all about me’ phase,” Lauer wrote. “They won’t naturally say ‘Good game’...
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