Distinguised Researcher Thelma Horn and Youth Sport Pioneer Tim Richey Honored at Crystal Apple Awards

On Friday, November 11th, Dr. Dan Gould, the Director of the Institute for the Study of Youth Sports (ISYS), presented Crystal Apple awards to Dr. Thelma Horn of Miami University, and Timothy Richey interim CEO, and COO of the Think Detroit Police Athletic League, for their exemplary careers bettering the lives of those that participate in youth sport.

The Crystal Apple is awarded to individuals for outstanding contributions to youth sport. The ISYS has presented the award to worthy recipients since 2004, but this is the first time two recipients were awarded in the same year. Dr. Horn and Mr. Richey attended an awards ceremony at the MSU University Club, but earlier in the day took the time meet with Department of Kinesiology and ISYS staff and students. In this two hour seminar both Thelma and Tim used their passion for youth sport to inspire those present to not only research important aspects of youth sport, but also get involved with local youth sport and disseminate our research.

Thelma Horn Ph.D. - Miami University

Dr. Horn gradated with a doctoral degree from Michigan State University and is now an associate professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Health at Miami University. Dr. Horn presented on three decades worth of research on coaching effectiveness and gave a short look forward at where coaching behavior research can expand. The take away message was that coaching behaviors matter and importantly, how coaches are perceived, interpreted, and evaluated by athletes' matters even more. This can include what a coach does or doesn't say verbally, or what the body language of a coach suggests to the athlete, and then how an athlete interprets what the coach has done or said. Coach behaviors in one-off moments (e.g., important points in a match) matter just as much as their general demeanor and behaviors, and therefore coaches need to be aware of how what they do or say can be interpreted at all times.

To finish, Dr. Horn described a story from her past and how she chose to talk to an athlete who had been caught smoking (among other transgressions), instead of immediately reprimanding the athlete. While Dr. Horn insisted the athlete stop smoking, and talking to her about more appropriate behaviors, she demonstrated care and empathy by first listening to the athlete. It turned out to be a difficult time for the athlete; she had just found out a friend was seriously ill. Some 30 years later the athlete contacted Dr. Horn to let her know that by treating her like an individual during a difficult time it inspired her to turn around her studies around and pursue a career in counseling. This was the rationale for studying coach behaviors - they clearly do matter and when done right, coaches can influence youth in very positive ways.

Timothy Richey CEO., COO. - Think Detroit Police Athletic League (TDP)

Mr. Tim Richey is the interim chief executive officer and chief operating officer for Think Detroit PAL, one of the largest non-profit urban youth programs in the nation. TDP serves nearly 12,000 young people annually through athletic, academic, and leadership development programs.

Tim Richey gave a passionate presentation about how he went from being a MSU soccer player; to trying to make a difference in Detroit by starting a single soccer team for underserved youth and having that grow to serving metro Detroit, to becoming the interim CEO of TDP. Tim focused on the challenges and success he has had in that process. Early in the process he learned an important lesson in providing opportunities for youth sport in underserved youth; it is an experience he uses as his motivation to be a constant presence in the lives of youth in Detroit. During one program day a girl walked off from the field. Tim reminded her that you don't quit in sports, to which the girl replied "why does it matter? You'll be gone soon". This demonstrated that for this child it was normal for adults to disappear from her life, and this was not about to change. Tim committed himself to not be one of the adults that "come and go" in the lives of these underserved children.

Initially Tim was just trying to provide a safe, fun and reliable program where the youth he was able to reach could come and learn about soccer, themselves and the life lessons sport can teach them. None of this has changed since Tim was able to bring his program to Think Detroit (and eventually TDP). Most importantly TDP is keeping to key missions that will help youth develop character; specifically, clean and safe facilities, excellent programs, opportunities for girls, and trained volunteers.

Tim gave a number of examples of how TDP had met with challenges in keeping facilities safe, running such a large program with so few regular staff, and the benefits of being partnered with both the Detroit Police Department and ISYS. The lofty ideals of TDP and its excellent youth sport programming is something that everyone within the MSU Kinesiology department appreciates. Mr. Richey's presentation struck a particular chord with everyone there and left them wanting to learn more and apply the lessons learned to their own research.

About the Crystal Apple Award

In 1995, as one expression of public acknowledgement for dedicated service to education, Michigan State University's College of Education inaugurated a special award, the Crystal Apple Award, to honor educators personally selected by donors as being representative of excellence and commitment. Beginning in 2004 the Director of the Institute for the Study of Youth Sports, Dr. Daniel Gould, began honoring an educator who made major contributions to youth sports with a Crystal Apple Award.

Contact:

Dr. Larry Lauer, Media Contact, Institute for the Study of Youth Sports,
Michigan State University
lauerl@msu.edu
517-353-5395

Posted Dec 20, 2011

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