Last night, the Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) hosted their annual National Youth Sports Awards Dinner at Stanford University. Three Bay Area celebrities were part of the third annual event: Earthquakes president and general manager, Alexi Lalas, ex-Stanford All-America basketball player, Jennifer Azzi and Hall of Famer and former 49er and Raider Ronnie Lott.
In addition, it was announced that Earthquakes GM, Alexi Lalas has been named to the prestigious advisory board of PCA. Lalas joins Ronnie Lott on the esteemed advisory board, as well as, Oakland A's Cy Young Award winner Barry Zito, former North Carolina head basketball coach Dean Smith, Detroit Pistons head coach Larry Brown, former NBA star and senator Bill Bradley, Olympic Gold Medallist Summer Sanders and New York Jets head coach Herm Edwards. Los Angeles Lakers head coach Phil Jackson serves as PCA's national spokesman.
Rolling Stone wrote about Lalas:
A native of Detroit, Lalas played college soccer at Rutgers University before being selected for the 1992 Olympic team. Two years later, during the 1994 World Cup, Lalas became a national figure with his red hair, billy goat beard and no-holds-barred attitude. Off the field, Lalas is often seen guitar in hand. He recorded two albums as a member of the band the Gypsies. In 1998 Lalas went solo, releasing his debut, Ginger, on CMC International."
New York Jets head coach Herm Edwards spoke last night and inspired people to think about the importance of leaving a legacy behind.
Those working toward leaving a legacy were honored by Positive Coaching Alliance as part of the celebration. Numerous coaches and organizations were recognized for having made a difference in the lives of young athletes. Among those honored were Basketball and Volleyball coach at Phillips Brooks School, Tony Casino of San Jose, coach of the Eclipse 14 Black girls volleyball team, and the Pleasanton Foothill Little League.
Phil Jackson, Los Angeles Lakers' Head Coach and PCA National Spokesperson talks about Positive Coaching Alliance this way: "Coaching is really about the heart one gives to his or her team. We need coaches today who want to impart more than just the fundamentals of the game, and who want to teach about character. This year's award winners are instructing athletes to honor the game, and to respect each other. I applaud their efforts, and hope that coaches and organizations around the country will model the example they've set. Positive players actually win more games."
Positive Coaching Alliance was founded by Jim Thompson at Stanford University in 1998. Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) provides live, research-based training workshops and practical tools for coaches, parents and leaders who operate youth sports programs to get them on the same page about what it means to Honor the Game. Positive Coaching Alliance educates adults who shape the youth sports experience by offering partnership programs with YSO's, schools, cities and national sports governing bodies. PCA also provides corporations with the opportunity to offer sports parent workshops to their employees.
PCA Founder and author Jim Thompson is available to deliver keynote speeches on topics suitable for a variety of audiences, settings and time frames. Appropriate settings include: sports conferences and conventions, pre-season dinners, end-of-season awards ceremonies, hall-of-fame banquets, state or regional athletic director meetings, corporate award ceremonies, corporate staff development events, and leadership forums.
For more information about the PCA, call 650.736.1365 or please go to:
PositiveCoach.org
Inspire & Be Inspired (tm)
~Jennifer King, Trustee, Thrive Foundation for Youth
Related Articles:
OurSports Central, Alexi Lalas Joins PCA Advisory Board, 3/17/04
San Jose Earthquakes, Alexi Lalas Named San Jose Earthquakes GM, 1/27/04
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