This Week in Youth Sports: America's Smallest Basketball Ref

Plus, are metal detectors at youth sports events in our future? Oh, and notice anything new around here? 🧐

Hi friends, and happy Friday!  Let’s pour one out for our old name because we got a little makeover. From this day forward, this Substack will be titled…. Good Game.  

To me, Good Game emphasizes everything I hope to accomplish here. It starts with basic sportsmanship from all parties where kids can say ‘good game’ to each other, win or lose, and immediately have healthy conversations with their coaches, teammates, and parents. Good Game means kids walk away from every practice and match feeling safe and loved. Good Game is a reminder that these are games and kids, not life and death.

Good Game also hopes to empower parents to navigate and push back on the ills of the youth sports ecosystem. Good Game intends to keep parents informed and build community so we can make the smartest decisions for our kids. So, I say to you and your kids, thanks for being here, and Good Game. 🖐

Ohhhh, I’m extra excited for this week’s roundup. I think we have a nice cornucopia of news and good journalism from the youth sports landscape. Take a peek, and as always, if you spot any youth sports news or craziness that you believe should be shared with this community, please drop it in the comments. You can also always hit me up on Twitter or shoot me an email at melissa@thefootballgirl. Let’s get rollin’.

Tennessee Vols’ Defensive Coordinator Embraces Multi-Sport Athletes

Say it louder for the people in the back, Tim Banks! Banks met with the Tennessee media this week and was asked about his recruiting philosophy. Couldn’t love his answer more.

"I think a lot of it is by position, specific sometimes, but I think overall makeup," said Banks on Tuesday. "You obviously want guys that are tough, guys that are athletic. When I say tough, it is not just physically, but mentally. How much of a competitor are they? I personally like guys that play multiple sports. Guys that love to compete. Those things are, to me, it seems to be a dying art. Any time you can have a guy that maybe runs track, wrestles, basketball, things of that nature, they're just used to competing no matter what the arena is. To me, that competition piece and being able to compete is a big one. But obviously size, toughness and athleticism are things that we cherish as well." 

Hopefully some of the youth football coaches out there are listening.

America’s Tiniest Basketball Referee

Don’t argue with a certain basketball ref in Arlington, Ohio.  He may tell on you or throw some Capri Sun in your face. He’s 6-year-old Brody Bergman, and he is actually officiating youth basketball. 6. That’s not a typo. Per WTOL, Bergman comes from a family of basketball coaches and has spent ample time shadowing his grandfather, a local basketball official.

WTOL also did a video feature on Bergman and, as you can see, he looks quite comfortable in stripes. Way to follow your passion, Brody!

Parents Concerned About Concussions but Lacking Knowledge

Interesting new survey by MedStar Health in the DC area showing a massive jump in concern about concussions from youth sports parents. 93% have worried about concussions in general, and 91% believe that youth sports coaches should undergo concussion training. That’s up from just over half of parents expressing concern in 2019.

But strangely, the survey found that 65% believe a helmet can prevent concussions , and about half believe that a concussion can only come from a direct hit to the head. And while this number is lower, it’s even more baffling: 13% believe an athlete can continue to play with a head injury as long as they don’t lose consciousness.

This is a major wake-up call. As compliance officer for our local baseball league, I set up a mandatory concussion training for our coaches. But next year, I’ll now be setting up one for parents as well. I hope other leagues follow suit.

Soccer superstar Alyssa Thompson Forges a New Path

Very cool piece from noted soccer writer Gwendolyn Oxenham on 18-year-old soccer phenom Alyssa Thompson who was taken with the no. 1 pick in last month’s NWSL draft by Angel City FC (co-founded by Natalie Portman). Every draft has a top pick but what makes Thompson’s story so unique is that not only did she come up through MLS Next, the most prestigious soccer flight in the U.S, she played with and against boys and still dominated. She’s also the first NWSL player taken directly out of high school, a signal of that league’s viability and potential for more growth.

BTW, HBO is airing a documentary on Thompson’s new team that looks like a good watch.

Elsewhere in youth sports

Unhappy about his son’s playing time, a father in Baltimore pulled a gun on his son’s coaches during an elementary basketball game. And there was another shooting at a high school basketball game in Oklahoma. What the hell is wrong with people?...Here’s an interesting column calling on youth sports to eliminate high-stakes playoff games…Girl’s wrestling is on the rise in Ohio…Oh, and make sure to check out my youth sports pet peeves if you haven’t already.

As always, my sincere thanks to you, the brilliant subscribers. Really appreciate all of you supporting independent journalism, and would be extra grateful if you could share this post with anyone you believe could benefit from being part of the Good Game community.