Comments

• Theresa Rohr-Kirchgraber, Indianapolis, IN 09/25/08

  Thanks for the mention in the article, but I am now at Indiana University School of Medicine, Division of Adolescent Medicine. Still working on getting more girls physically fit! We are currently developing a girls ice hockey program in Indianapolis and the response has been very good. There are many more options now for teens to participate in activities. Whether it is sports, music, or clubs, teens need to be active! Theresa Rohr-Kirchgraber, MD trohrkir@iupui.edu

• Penny Hastings, CA 09/24/08

  I consult with athletic teens--boys and girls--on how to choose a college for academic and social reasons, and then to add the sports component if they really want to play at the college level. I also give workshops on college sports recruiting. It's interesting to watch kids, particularly girls, and their parents. Sometimes, it's very clear that the parent is more eager for their child to play at the college level than the student-athlete herself. I try to give them options--such as looking at colleges with less competitive programs or informing them about the abundance of intramural sports where the focus is on fitness and fun, rather than intercollegiate competition. With the economy faltering, parents have more of a vested interest in their kids getting sports scholarships to help with expenses. That's only natural. But, they have to weigh their child's desires when it comes to college athletics. Most college sports practice year round, which adds time and stress for an already busy college student. The decision to play competive sports should come from the student-athlete, not the parent.

• Annie Hynes 09/09/07

  After being in a car accident, my daughter was not able to play sports the way she used to. She loved tennis and volleyball and just can’t do those anymore. But luckily her school is offering yoga and it’s really great for her. I think a lot of people don’t realize that “sports” doesn’t have to involve teams and points and winning.

• Joan Forbes 09/07/07

  The girls’ teams at our school are probably more active than the boys. I have always insisted that my daughter be on a team, because it teaches all those good life skills you need in the workplace.