Top 10 things every Lansing Student
Athlete needs to remember this season…
10. As a coach, I have made a commitment to you and
your parents to do everything I can to keep you safe and
healthy this season. This includes monitoring your
activities and behaviors off the field, and talking to you
about alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use.
Top 10 things every Lansing Student
Athlete needs to remember this season…
9. I will enforce the rules regarding alcohol, tobacco,
and other drug use this season. I do not expect you
to use any of these substances while you are a part of
this team. And I expect you to behave as a team, and
hold each other accountable on these issues.
Top 10 things every Lansing Student
Athlete needs to remember this season…
8. According to the NCAA, 23% of athletes who did not
drink during the season suffered some kind of on-thefield injury. 54% of those who drank got hurt on the field.
I need all of you to be healthy, so don’t let your off-thefield partying get you hurt while you are on the field.
Top 10 things every Lansing Student
Athlete needs to remember this season…
7. I expect you to talk to your parents about this talk
we are having right now. Ask them what they thought
about the presentation that they got. Ask them what
surprised them about the information I gave them. I
want you to talk to your parents about this subject.
Top 10 things every Lansing Student
Athlete needs to remember this season…
6. Most of you know an adult who has a drinking or other drug
problem. Research has shown that the earlier you start using
alcohol, the higher the chance is that you will become an
alcoholic later in life. And if one or both of your parents are
alcoholics, it increases your risk even more. I don’t want any of
you to have to deal with that later in your life.
Top 10 things every Lansing Student
Athlete needs to remember this season…
5. There are hormones and chemicals running through your
brain and body that are as important as your helmet, mouth
guard, shin guards, or shoulder pads. When you add alcohol,
tobacco, and other drugs to your body, you mess up those
chemical and hormonal balances. If I know you have done that
and let you play, it would be like me letting you play without the
proper protective gear. I won’t take that chance.
Top 10 things every Lansing Student
Athlete needs to remember this season…
4. Your parents found it easy to believe that there are parts of
your teen brain that are still developing. Most importantly are
the frontal lobe and the white matter that sends messages back
and fourth to your body. Because of this, adding alcohol to your
system makes things really dangerous really fast. Your brain
really is different than mine and most other adults.
Top 10 things every Lansing Student
Athlete needs to remember this season…
3. As much as you like to think so, energy drinks are no
substitute for sleep. Some of the hormones and
chemicals in your brain and body only work when you are
asleep. So energy drinks might give you a short burst of
energy and alertness, they are no substitute for getting
enough sleep.
Top 10 things every Lansing Student
Athlete needs to remember this season…
2. As good as I think we can be this season, we already know
that only about 2% of you will go on to college sports. And
.0001% (1 out of every 10,000) will go on to the pros or world
class competition. So if I discipline you this season, I am not
trying to rob you of your chances of getting a college
scholarship. I am fulfilling my commitment to you and your
parents to get you through this season safe and healthy.
Top 10 things every Lansing Student
Athlete needs to remember this season…
1. I am committed to you having a safe and healthy
season. But I need you, as a team, to make that happen.
I have asked your parents for their partnership and
agreement on these issues. I am asking the same from
you. We will need to work together as a team to do our
best at getting everyone through this