Why Johnny Hates Sports

Rating:
Summary: Why Johnny Hates Sports
Review: Every adult who has anything to do with coaching sports should be made to read this book. Every parent who puts their child into sports should be made to read this book. It is that important a book and the issue of violence in children's sporting events is growing even in light of recent violent episodes that have left a man dead. Far too many adults are pushing their children to succeed so much that the word "fun" has no connection whatsoever to do with playing sports.

Rating:
Summary: A must read for all parents with children in youth sports
Review: Fred Engh has hit the nail on the head with his book,"Why Johnny Hates Sports". Our children today are in the hands of Adminstrators,Coaches and parents that have only one goal,win at any cost. Mr. Engh points out in page after page that we are hurting the ones we most love, our kids. I'm going to buy a copy for every board member in my little league.Thank you Mr. Engh, I felt I was the only parent on my team that thought winning was less important that instruction and learning. Before you put your children at risk of a underskilled,overreacting coach read this book.

Rating:
Summary: A must read for all parents with children in youth sports
Review: Fred Engh has hit the nail on the head with his book,"Why Johnny Hates Sports". Our children today are in the hands of Adminstrators,Coaches and parents that have only one goal,win at any cost. Mr. Engh points out in page after page that we are hurting the ones we most love, our kids. I'm going to buy a copy for every board member in my little league.Thank you Mr. Engh, I felt I was the only parent on my team that thought winning was less important that instruction and learning. Before you put your children at risk of a underskilled,overreacting coach read this book.

Rating:
Summary: To the point
Review: Sports is an important topic in many families and schools in the USA and abroad. Engh takes a courageous position and that is to say, we, as parents and amateur coaches have twisted the idea of organized sports competition and made it into a grueling exercise for its innocent victims: our children. Engh rightly points out that parents and ignorant coaches who use their amateur leadership position to wrongly influence our children as to what fair sportsmanship is all about. Engh points out that "winning" has unfortunately become the Holy Grail of youth competition. I'd rather prefer what I heard one Chinese table tennis champion say a few years back, "Winning is temporary, friendship is permanent." You only have to attend a local sports event or pick up a newspaper to hear about the tragic ways children are exposed to bickering parents, foul-mouthed opponents, loud mouth fans, unrewarded referees. Engh places himself in a vulnerable position to put the spotlighht on the very people he is asking to support his organization nationwide: the coaches, schools, youth organizations and parents. In youth sports, the child is supposed to come first, like it was in sandlot baseball and other sports in the past. But now "the organization" comes first, and corporate sponsors. children in youth sports have become a commodity. I wouldn't be surpised if some youth organizations try to ban his book because it exposes some of the politics, in-fighting and complete insensitivity that exists in youth sports today. There are many good, sensitive parents and single persons who are engaged in helping youth sports. I hope everyone of them buys a couple dozen of Engh's book and distributes them to their local libraries. Good luck, Mr. Engh ! We hope your book enlightenens the next person who comes along planning to use an amateur coach position or parent-fan to fullfill his or her unrealized dreams of athletic greatness. H T White

Rating:
Summary: Excellent viewpoint on sports
Review: This book did not disappoint me. Professional sports are indeed a black eye on this country and a threat to the future of our young people.