Way of Champions Podcast

#431 Dionne Koller, Professor of Sport Law, on How Law, Policy, and Politics Shape the American Youth Sports System, and How we Can Fix it

May 30, 2025
Dionne Koller, a Professor of Law and Director of the Center for Sport and the Law at the University of Baltimore, sheds light on the intricate relationship between law, policy, and youth sports. She discusses the pressing need for safety regulations and the pressure parents place on young athletes. Koller critiques the outdated Ted Stevens Act and its adverse effects on grassroots sports. Advocating for comprehensive change, she emphasizes the role of engaged parents and the importance of informed dialogue for a healthier sports environment.
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INSIGHT

Youth Sports Model Lacks Research Support

  • The prevailing youth sports model emphasizing specialization and competition lacks research support for being universally beneficial to kids.
  • Overemphasis on exercise alone doesn't justify youth sports' widely claimed life benefits and positive character development.
INSIGHT

Youth Sports Models Conflict

  • U.S. youth sports predominantly follow a skills and excellence model focusing on competition and talent development.
  • This model contrasts with other approaches like physical literacy and personal growth, yet claims from those models are often misapplied to justify current practices.
ANECDOTE

Parents' Social Stakes Affect Kids

  • Dionne shared how her son’s hockey tryouts became about his parents’ social life and travel plans.
  • This exemplifies the heavy social and financial burdens kids carry in youth sports beyond performance.
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