Top 10 things every Lansing Student Athlete needs to remember this season… 10. As a coach, I have made a commitment to you and your parents to do everything I can to keep you safe and healthy this season. This includes monitoring your activities and behaviors off the field, and talking to you about alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use.
Top 10 things every Lansing Student Athlete needs to remember this season… 9. I will enforce the rules regarding alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use this season. I do not expect you to use any of these substances while you are a part of this team. And I expect you to behave as a team, and hold each other accountable on these issues.
Top 10 things every Lansing Student Athlete needs to remember this season… 8. According to the NCAA, 23% of athletes who did not drink during the season suffered some kind of on-the- field injury. 54% of those who drank got hurt on the field. I need all of you to be healthy, so dont let your off-the- field partying get you hurt while you are on the field.
Top 10 things every Lansing Student Athlete needs to remember this season… 7. I expect you to talk to your parents about this talk we are having right now. Ask them what they thought about the presentation that they got. Ask them what surprised them about the information I gave them. I want you to talk to your parents about this subject.
Top 10 things every Lansing Student Athlete needs to remember this season… 6. Most of you know an adult who has a drinking or other drug problem. Research has shown that the earlier you start using alcohol, the higher the chance is that you will become an alcoholic later in life. And if one or both of your parents are alcoholics, it increases your risk even more. I dont want any of you to have to deal with that later in your life.
Top 10 things every Lansing Student Athlete needs to remember this season… 5. There are hormones and chemicals running through your brain and body that are as important as your helmet, mouth guard, shin guards, or shoulder pads. When you add alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs to your body, you mess up those chemical and hormonal balances. If I know you have done that and let you play, it would be like me letting you play without the proper protective gear. I wont take that chance.
Top 10 things every Lansing Student Athlete needs to remember this season… 4. Your parents found it easy to believe that there are parts of your teen brain that are still developing. Most importantly are the frontal lobe and the white matter that sends messages back and fourth to your body. Because of this, adding alcohol to your system makes things really dangerous really fast. Your brain really is different than mine and most other adults.
Top 10 things every Lansing Student Athlete needs to remember this season… 3. As much as you like to think so, energy drinks are no substitute for sleep. Some of the hormones and chemicals in your brain and body only work when you are asleep. So energy drinks might give you a short burst of energy and alertness, they are no substitute for getting enough sleep.
Top 10 things every Lansing Student Athlete needs to remember this season… 2. As good as I think we can be this season, we already know that only about 2% of you will go on to college sports. And.0001% (1 out of every 10,000) will go on to the pros or world class competition. So if I discipline you this season, I am not trying to rob you of your chances of getting a college scholarship. I am fulfilling my commitment to you and your parents to get you through this season safe and healthy.
Top 10 things every Lansing Student Athlete needs to remember this season… 1. I am committed to you having a safe and healthy season. But I need you, as a team, to make that happen. I have asked your parents for their partnership and agreement on these issues. I am asking the same from you. We will need to work together as a team to do our best at getting everyone through this