Jones Distinguished Lecture announced
ESU Media Relations
Thursday, February 19, 2009
“The word philosophy used to turn me off. ... I have learned ... nothing is as practical as a well-developed philosophy about life and about coaching.”
— Ranier Martens
A world-renowned expert in the science and psychology of coaching, Rainer Martens will be the Jones Distinguished Lecturer this spring at Emporia State University.
In an address for coaches, parents and youth sports administrators, Martens will address “Joy and Sadness in Children’s Sports.” Martens should know a thing or two about the topic, as he has more than 30 years of experience in the field and is the founder and president of the world’s largest publisher of information about the sport sciences, physical education, sports, and fitness.
Martens is best known as the author of “Successful Coaching,” the best-selling coaching text ever published, with more than one million copies sold.
The lecture will be at 7 p.m. March 10 in Kanza Room of ESU’s Memorial Union. The event is free and open to the public. No reservations are required.
“We are very pleased to bring Rainer Martens to ESU for this event,” said Jones Institute special projects director Lucie Eusey. “He understands the issues parents and coaches need to address when children start to expand their world through activities with other children.”
During his lecture he will focus on aspects and expectations placed on children from the earliest ages of participation to about 14 years of age, including:
F What are the benefits and the risks of participation?
F At what age should children begin playing sports?
F Is intense competition psychologically healthy?
F Do sports develop character in our youth or create “characters”?
F Are coaches prepared?
In addition to the evening lecture, during the day Martens will be speaking during a coaching education workshop to be held at ESU. More information about that workshop can be found at www.emporia.edu/jones/conferences/09spring-coaching.htm or by calling the Jones Institute at 1-877-378-5433.
Martens is an ESU graduate and a distinguished alumni. He is a former professor of kinesiology at the University of Illinois and a former sports psychologist for numerous U.S. Olympic athletes. He is also an avid athlete, having earned All-American status as a member of 15 National Senior Slow-Pitch Softball Championship teams.
This will be the 21st Annual Jones Distinguished Lecture. It is sponsored by The Teachers College and Jones Institute for Educational Excellence. More information about the lecture can be found at www.emporia.edu/jones/lecture/09spring-martens.htm or by calling the Jones Institute at 341-5372 or by e-mailing Lucie Eusey at leusey@emporia.edu.