Exposing Unruly Parents with Little League President Don Bozzuffi
06/21/23 • 48 min
What if you could change the culture of youth sports for the better? Join us as we talk to Don Bozzuffi, a man who has done just that by taking on the issue of parental behavior at Little League Baseball Games. With nearly 50 years of experience in youth sports and serving as the president of Deptford Little League since 2010, Don shares his journey of tackling this pervasive issue and how his efforts are creating a positive environment for young athletes.
In our conversation, we dive into the reasons behind the drastic shift in parental behavior over the years, from entitlement to misunderstanding the importance of being a positive influence.
Don also sheds light on the impact of inappropriate language and actions on children, emphasizing the necessity of teaching situational plays and the skillset of baseball. Furthermore, we explore the implementation and benefits of a code of conduct policy to protect volunteers and ensure a more structured and disciplined atmosphere at games.
Our insightful and thought-provoking discussion with Don Bozzuffi offers hope for a better future in youth sports. By addressing the issue of sportsmanship head-on and implementing a code of conduct policy, Don's efforts have garnered national attention and inspired others to follow suit. Listen in to learn how we can all work together to create a more positive culture in youth sports and raise the next generation of champions.
https://www.facebook.com/RACPodcast1/
https://twitter.com/rac_podcast1
https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnboruk/
What if you could change the culture of youth sports for the better? Join us as we talk to Don Bozzuffi, a man who has done just that by taking on the issue of parental behavior at Little League Baseball Games. With nearly 50 years of experience in youth sports and serving as the president of Deptford Little League since 2010, Don shares his journey of tackling this pervasive issue and how his efforts are creating a positive environment for young athletes.
In our conversation, we dive into the reasons behind the drastic shift in parental behavior over the years, from entitlement to misunderstanding the importance of being a positive influence.
Don also sheds light on the impact of inappropriate language and actions on children, emphasizing the necessity of teaching situational plays and the skillset of baseball. Furthermore, we explore the implementation and benefits of a code of conduct policy to protect volunteers and ensure a more structured and disciplined atmosphere at games.
Our insightful and thought-provoking discussion with Don Bozzuffi offers hope for a better future in youth sports. By addressing the issue of sportsmanship head-on and implementing a code of conduct policy, Don's efforts have garnered national attention and inspired others to follow suit. Listen in to learn how we can all work together to create a more positive culture in youth sports and raise the next generation of champions.
https://www.facebook.com/RACPodcast1/
https://twitter.com/rac_podcast1
https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnboruk/
Previous Episode
So You Want to Develop a College Hockey Player with Jim & Andrea McMenamin
In this episode, Jim and Andrea MacMenamin discuss the process to raise and develop two collegiate hockey players.
Eldest son, Colton, attended and played hockey for Division-III Stevenson University in Maryland, while their youngest son, Connor, just completed four years at Penn State University and has committed to play for Minnesota-Duluth for the 2023-24 season.
Both parents have a history of military service in their family and much of the discipline and regimen has been utilized in their parenting styles.
The McMenamins talk about sending Connor away to Shattuck-St. Mary's - a Minnesota boarding school - at the age of 14 before moving on to the USHL and college hockey.
They also explain the maturity of hockey players and why playing collegiately as a teenager is so difficult. Andrea details how the PeeWee Quebec Invitational was the start of grabbing the eye of regional and international scouts.
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Next Episode
Training a Young Athlete's Mind: Insights from Kate Allgood
As we welcomed Kate Allgood, mental performance coach and CEO, onto our latest podcast, we couldn't help but be astounded by her fascinating journey from ice hockey player to a specialized mental trainer for athletes. Her insights into the inner workings of an athlete's mind proved to be thought-provoking and enlightening - a must-listen for any parent, coach, or aspiring athlete. She taught us that the heart of an athlete's performance indeed lies in their mindset – focus, internal confidence and psychological wellness are the game-changers.
This episode took a deep dive into the all-important topic of goal-setting in youth sports. Who should carry the mantle? The athlete or the parent? Kate shared that the answer isn’t black or white and how the responsibility shifts as the athlete grows older. We learned that goals should always be within the athlete's control and regular check-ins are crucial to ensure they remain committed. We also confronted the mental hurdles young athletes face and shared strategies to help them navigate, manage their mental state during competitions, and foster a healthier approach to performance evaluation.
In the final stretch of our conversation, we explored a critical issue – an athlete's identity. Far too often, athletes lose themselves to the sport, forgetting their identity outside the field. The role of parents proves pivotal here, setting healthy examples and supporting their children to develop a sense of self. We confronted the concept of ownership in athletics, underscoring the impact of taking charge of even the minute details on overall performance. The power of visualization and mental preparation was also at the center stage. This episode is packed with invaluable insights into the psychological aspect of sports performance. Join us in this enlightening conversation with Kate Allgood!
https://www.facebook.com/RACPodcast1/
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Raising a Champion - Exposing Unruly Parents with Little League President Don Bozzuffi
Transcript
Hello again . Glad you're back with us here on Raising a Champion . It's the podcast that covers every angle of youth sports and how to make it a little bit better for everyone , Wherever you listen , however you listen , you can catch us on Spotify , Apple Podcast , Amazon Music and Google . By subscribing to us , you'll be alerted every time We have a new episode that is posted
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