Is it Wise to Specialize
Palatine Park District presents "Is it Wise to Specialize," on Thursday, February 25 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Cutting Hall Performing Arts Center, 150 E. Wood Street, Palatine. In this workshop for parents and coaches, our speakers will examine the advantages and disadvantages of early sports specialization including the impact on a young athlete's physical, psychological, social, emotional, and athletic development. Admission is free, but reservations are required. To reserve your seat, call 847-202-5222 or visit www.cuttinghall.org.
The discussion will include what science and experience currently say about potential outcomes and will also include practical methods of optimizing youth success both on and off the field. According to Todd Ranum, Athletic Coordinator for Palatine Park District, "It seems as though parents are being asked more often to sign kids up for travel, club, and private instruction. With the numerous activities available it is a hard to decide what is best for your kids. Palatine Park District wants to provide parents with information to help them make sound decisions when offered the opportunity for young athletes to concentrate on one sport or activity at an early age."
The discussion will include a variety of perspectives, including those of coach, parent, athlete, physician, surgeon, and psychologist. Dr. Bruce Goldberg, one of the panelists, states, "In the past, with the increase in organized sports, we saw a very definite change in injury patterns and occurrences among youth level athletes. Now with the increased specialization and year around participation we are seeing again a shift in injury patterns - including more injuries and different types of injuries. Parents need to be aware and educated on these issues to make intelligent and safe choices about their children's activities."
The discussion will be led by three panelists:
• Jim Schwantz, Former Chicago Bears Player, was born and raised in Palatine where he attended Sanborn Elementary School, Sundling Junior High, and Fremd High School. When he was young, Schwantz played house baseball and basketball, and went on to play post-season and permanent travel baseball and travel basketball in 8th grade. In high school, Jim added football to his repertoire and was a three-sport athlete. After receiving a scholarship to play football at Purdue University, he continued his football career for seven years in the NFL for the Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, and San Francisco 49ers. Schwantz is currently with Von Sydow's Moving and Storage in Palatine, is the Mayor of Palatine, and does pre- and post-game for the Chicago Bears. He is the founder of the NWFFL, a premier flag football league. Schwantz lives in Palatine with his family including his daughter who was a multi-sport athlete until an injury prevented her from continuing in volleyball. His son is currently a junior at Fremd and is a three-sport athlete.
• Bruce Goldberg, MD is an Orthopaedic Surgeon with specialty interests in Sports Medicine and Pediatric Orthopaedics. He has served as Team Physician for over 30 years in a variety of sports from age groups to the professional level. Dr. Goldberg has been a competitive gymnast at the high school and collegiate levels, a gymnastic coach in the club and high school setting, and a ballet instructor. He is also a parent.
• Joe Scally is an attorney and child psychologist. He has coached football, basketball, and soccer for over 30 seasons, working with athletes from ages 6 to their early 20s. Joe has also played many sports during his life and has children who competed in high school and college sports. He has been a Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) trainer since 2006 and was PCA's national director of training from 2007-2010. Joe is passionate about sharing PCA's knowledge which is research-based and gleaned from its members and associates who are leaders in developmental psychology, education, sports psychology, and business (including Carol Dweck, Jerry Reinsdorf, Mary Fry) and from its members who are successful coaches and athletes (including Phil Jackson, Pat Fitzgerald, Tony Dungy, Dusty Baker, Chris Collins, Steve Young, Julie Foudy, Bruce Bochy, Shane Battier, Doug Wilson, Nadia Comaneci, etc.).
For more information about this event, contact Todd Ranum, Palatine Park District's Athletic Coordinator, at 847-496-6238 or tranum@palatineparks.org.
The mission of Palatine Park District is to provide a variety of safe, enjoyable and affordable parks, programs and recreational facilities that will enhance the quality of life by promoting good health and well-being for all residents and visitors while being fiscally responsible stewards of community assets and tax dollars.