AAHPERD EDA Convention Debrief

Fresh off a presentation at AAHPERD’s EDA 2013 Convention, I’m thankful for the opportunity to speak, share experiences, and interact with such dedicated physical education professionals. Those in attendance were a mix of physical education teachers, university students, and adapted physical education teachers. When posing the big question, “are these trauma-sensitive best practices useful for mainstream youth?” the answer was a resounding “yes!”

The Sandy Hook tragedy was heavy on the minds of those present as they view themselves as mentors to their students in addition to physical education teachers. Audience members voiced that they seek out as much mental health training as possible but don’t feel well prepared to manage the majority of situations, especially the unknown.    

Behavioral and emotional difficulties with students, despite their best efforts, were at the forefront of discussions. Providing teachers, and future teachers, with concrete skills and curriculum to help them feel safe, confident, and effective in these situations is empowering.  

2:45-4:00 gs 6/7 Adapted The Use of a Therapeutic Curriculum in Physical Education

This session includes training on the use of a therapeutic sports curriculum. Learn how to embed the teaching of life skills and emotional skills within Physical Education classes. Expand knowledge of adapted sports, games and activities for differently abled youth.
Rebekah Conway Roulier, Doc Wayne Athletic League, Inc., MA

Presider: Sheldon Sucre, Adelphi University, NY

Muhammad Ali Center Athletes and Social Change Forum

On March 29th, I'll have the pleasure of presenting for Doc Wayne (www.docwayne.org) A Bio-Psycho-Social Assessment of an Adjunctive Intervention for Youth in Residential Treatment at the Muhammad Ali Center Athletes and Social Change Forum. The Forum will be held at the Muhammad Ali Center (http://alicenter.org) in Louisville, Kentucky on March 29th and 30th. 

The Forum seeks to "advance education, advocacy and research on the role and contribution of athletes toward and within social change, human rights and development. What does it mean for athletes to engage in social change, philanthropy and work within the community? The Forum aims to examine and provide diverse perspectives in the intersection of athletes and social change and represents a partnership between the Muhammad Ali Center, the University of Louisville and Brown University."

"The Muhammad Ali Center Athletes and Social Change Forum is an amazing opportunity to convene practitioners, scholars, athletes and activists working at the intersection of social change, human rights and development. The vision and values of the Muhammad Ali Center represent a perfect home and platform for this engaged community." 

- Eli Wolff, Brown University

"The Muhammad Ali Center Athletes and Social Change Forum will help us see sport through a different lens. The outcomes on the field of play are not nearly as meaningful as the impact people in sport can have on communities in need. There could be no better place than the birthplace of Muhammad Ali to host this forum on using sport to promote social change." 

- Mary Hums, University of Louisville

This Forum will focus on the following considerations:

1. The roles and responsibilities athletes have beyond the playing field.

2. The ways athletes can serve as educators and advocates to address social problems within and outside of sports.

3. How the global sporting community encourages or discourages athletes working in the realm of social change.

4. The roles educational institutions play in providing grounding for athletes to make the connections between athletics, academics and the community.

I'm honored to be presenting with such great company. Please see the schedule below and consider attending. 

Schedule: 

Thursday March 28

7 PM - 9 PM Informal reception 

Friday March 29

9 AM - 9:45 AM: Welcome & Introductions

10 AM- 10:45 AM

Room A

Ms. Kasia Muoto, We Play to Win, Today’s Athletes – On the Continuum Towards Meaningful Social Change

Mr. Mike Geddes, streetfootballworld, Engaging Athletes to Utilize Soccer for Social Change

Room B

Ms. Soolmaz Abooali, George Mason University, The Power of Sport and Educational Institutions 

Mr. Matt Huml and Mr. Per Svensson, University of Louisville, Exploring the Role of Educational Institutions in Student-Athlete Community Engagement

11 AM - 11:45 AM

Room A

Dr. Jennifer Bruening, UConn, Dr. Brianna Clark, Temple, & Dr. John Borland, Springfield College, Female Student-Athletes Reflect on Mentors, Mentoring and Community Involvement

Dr. Ashleigh Huffman, Dr. Sarah Hillyer & Mr. Hal Wilson, University of Tennessee, From Apathy to Advocacy: Student-athletes & Social Change

Room B

Mr. Sidney Kushner, CCChampion/Brown University, CCChampions: Power that Athletes Have on the Lives of Children in Need

Ms. Abbi Hill, Brock University, An Examination of Athletes in Sport for Development Stakeholder Relationships 

11:45 AM - 1 PM Lunch 

1 PM - 1:45 PM 

Room A

Ms. Micki King & Mr. Gary Hall, World Fit, World Fit Walk 

Ms. Jill Royster GlideSlope, GlideSlope-Citi Every Step of the Way Program

Room B

Ms. Chelsea Hartigan, Brown University, Luta Pela Paz: The Power of Boxing for Community and Social Change 

Mr. Rene Jon-Sandy Hip Hop Loves & Ms. Vanessa Chakour, Sacred Warrior, Lord of the Rings

2 PM - 2:45 PM

Room A

Dr. Darlene Kluka Barry University, Athletes as Leaders: How can they Contribute to Social Change Glocally?

Dr. Emese Ivan, St. John's University, Hungarian Sport Community in Transition : Is there a Role for Athletes in Social Change? 

Room B

Ms. Vicky Grygar, Brock University, Reclaiming the Rights of Youth: Lived Experiences of Canadian Hockey League 

Ms. Rebekah Roulier, Doc Wayne, A Bio-Psycho-Social Assessment of an Adjunctive Intervention for Youth in Residential Treatment

3 PM - 3:45 PM Open Forum 

4 PM - 5 PM Tour

Saturday March 30 

9 AM - 9:45 AM Athlete Speaker/ Panel 

10 AM - 10:45 AM 

Room A

Dr. Ted Peetz & Ms. Kelley Cash, Belmont University, Creating a LEGACY: Promoting a Socially Conscious Athlete 

Mr. Marcus Amos, University of Tennessee, How an Athletes Plight affects Voice with Social Problems

Room B

Dr. Emmett Gill, SAHP, Sovereignty, Activism, and the Student-Athletes Human Rights Project 

Dr. Susan Rayl, SUNY-Cortland, Student-Athletes as Agents of Social Change 

11 AM - 11:45 AM

Room A

Dr. Josh Pate, James Madison, & Dr. Rob Hardin, University of Tennessee, Paralympic Athletes use of Twitter to Promote Social Change 

Mr. Sab Singh, SUNY-Farmingdale State, How New Media Gives Athletes the Forum to Engage and Persuade

Room B

Ms. Natasha Everheart, USC, Celebrity Athletes as Ambassadors for the Global Good: Public Diplomacy and the NBA & Mr. Jonathan Jensen, Ms. Kristy McCray 

Dr. Brian Turner, Ohio State University, Factors Influencing the Propensity of Athletes to Contribute to Social Change

11:45 AM - 1 PM Lunch 

1 PM - 1:45 PM

Room A

Mr. Michael James Brown, Other Awareness Project, Athletes: Instruments of Change 

Mr. Duke Biber, Mr. Jay Stewart & Ms. Lauren Easton, Georgia Southern, Growth Mindset: Educating Athletes on a Method for Healthy Behavior Change in Society 

Room B

Dr. Mary Hums, University of Louisville, & Mr. Eli Wolff, Brown University, Athletes for Human Rights: A Case for the Scholar-Athlete-Activist 

Dr. Bryon Martin, Chicago State University, Academics, Athletics & the Diverse Community

2 PM - 2:45 PM Open Forum 

3 PM - 3:30 PM Closing