February 17, 2005 Parents, Kids Invited To Attend "Fair Play: Teaching Respect Through Youth Sports" Feb. 26

Disturbing trends are emerging in youth sports today. Fans yell at coaches, injured kids are sent back into the game, parents berate their children during games. These issues and more will be the focus of “Fair Play: Teaching Respect Through Youth Sports,” a free forum from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, at the St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center’s Anderson Center.   Boise State tennis coach Greg Patton will emcee a fast-paced program featuring a keynote address by former major league baseball star Bill Buckner and a panel of high school and collegiate athletes discussing their perspectives on sportsmanship today. Panelists are former BSU football player Chris Carr, Timberline High School volleyball and softball star Mandy Klein, Timberline soccer standout Bill Myers, Albertson College soccer coach Aisha Reed and Boise State tennis player Beck Roghaar.   Boise State kinesiology professor Linda Petlichkoff will provide tips on teaching respect on the field. All participants will be eligible for prize drawings and receive a free book about sportsmanship by authors Lynn Marriott and Pia Lindstrom.   The program is sponsored by the Coalition for Youth Sport, including Capitol Youth Soccer Association, the Boise State University Center for Physical Activity & Sport, Boise Parks & Recreation Department, Idaho Elks Rehabilitation Services, Idaho Elks Rehabilitation Hospital, St. Luke’s, Treasure Valley Family YMCA, and the Boise-area Optimist football and AAU basketball programs with support from the Governor’s Generation of the Child Initiative. Media partners are Treasure Valley Family Magazine, radio station KTIK and television station KIVI.   For more information about the forum see www.cityofboise.org/parks or call384-3829. -30-   Contact: Linda Petlichkoff, kinesiology, 426-1231; Christine Bubb, marketing director, Idaho Elks Rehabilitation Hospital, 489-4701   Media contact: Kathleen Craven, communications, 426-3275.