Final Project

Athletes in Service (Final JUA Project)

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Personalizing Our Experience

Original stadium seating at the Garden.

If you were a professional athlete what cause would you support and why?

Bruins Community Relations March 10th

Bob Sweeny, the Director of the Bruins Foundation, talked to us about the importance of service.

Today we went to the TD Banknorth Garden and interviewed people in North Station, which was a real interesting experience. It really introduced us into the promoting and business aspects of the world. We were shown around the Boston Sports Museum and saw everything that goes on in the main level, where the ice and court are with the most action that takes place there. Next we were shown the museum that the Garden had, which was really a representation of all the sports activities that were participated in or affiliated with the Garden. The museum of course represented mostly the main Boston professional sports, but also reflected on others such as boxing, Special Olympics, high school teams, local teams, women sports ect. really almost anything that touched upon sports and had connections through the Boston Garden. It was really nice to see Boston sports reflect on the other athletic programs that they had supported. Once we were done with the tour we went into the offices of where the community relations was introduced to us about the Boston Bruins hockey team. The team really takes pride in there work that they do for the Bruins program. The Bruin's foundation is a young foundation, and has only existed for six years. The Bruins community relations program really tries to emphasize that even a little here and there helps. The Bruins team is very young with ages that range from 18 all the way to 40, from all over the world. When it comes for mandatory fundraisers and such for the team they are only required to attend four main events, but many players go out and help out with there own foundations, or even just doing little things that the they had an interest in doing for community service. The other thing is the players need to feel comfortable doing the service that they are being asked to do, they never have to do service if it makes them feel uncomfortable. Another thing that really stands out about the Bruins and really makes them true leaders in the athletic world is that the leaders of the team will get the rookies to do good things, and it is all contagious so that all the players are real true leaders and are good role models for the kids that are watching them.

We also got the opportunity to meet with Bob Sweeny who was a former player of the Bruins, and is now working with the community relations program. He said that he had wished he had the opportunities that we have today. He really promotes us to take the opportunities given to us seriously and hope that we go out and make a difference in the world. Even if it isn't through athletics, which is also really good because in life you need more than just athletics to get by in the real world. He enjoys his job because he really wants to be able to make those less fortunate, and truly make a difference throughout kids lives. The Bruins organization seemed as though it was a very strong organization but at the same time young. It also showed a lot of good leadership and promotion of making a difference, which is what this nation really needs in these tough times of the economy and world differences. - Vanessa Campbell

Garden Interviews March 10th

Kids interviewed for their view on todays athletes.

Today our group visited the Boston Garden.  We took street interviews of sports fans in the station.  Interviews lead to general conclusions about sports fans in Boston.  We asked essential questions about how athletes in service and their effect on the community.  

1.  Has your opinion about a professional athlete changed after they made a poor decision?

2.  How do you feel about the team after a single player makes a bad decision?

3. Do/Should players get special treatment?

4. Are Athletes role models?

Most people who answered the first question changed their opinion of an athlete once they made a bad decision.  However, their opinion of the player's franchise did not change.  They also did not hold the franchise responsible for one athlete's choices.  Most people thought that athletes should not get special treatment, even though they are considered to receive more leeway from the law and community.  Almost every person we spoke with believed that athletes are role models.  Many people told us that the children of Boston and the greater New England area treat professional athletes as heroes.  About half of those we talked with admitted that although athletes are role models, they don't always setting a good example for the children that idolize them.  through our interviews we learned how the Boston sports fans regard famous athletes, and how athletes appear to everyday people.  

Leanne

Patriots Visit March 9th

Jesse Freeman, community outreach associate with the Patriots speaks about athletes and their service to the community.

Today we met with the community outreach leader of the New England Patriots, Jesse Freeman. She gave us an overview of the Players roles is the Boston community, and answered our questions about athletes in service.

Players serve community through non profit organizations.  Service is important to the players because they truly enjoy helping the community, and it enhances their appearance as a role model.  We discovered that many players take initiative in the community, they approach community outreach leaders about how they can help the Boston and New England areas.  Ms. Freeman says that every player is an extremely good leader, from the starting line up to the second and third strings.  Most of the players see the importance of service and go out of their way to participate in the Patriots foundation.  The foundation was the first initiative after the Kraft's bought the team.  Currently the Patriots have the second most endowed foundation in the National Football League.  This endowment allows the players to participate in many events in throughout New England.  

Although most players enjoy service and participate willingly, there are mandatory events that players must attend.  In every contract there is a mandatory number of events that a player must attend.  The Foundation Fund Raisers are the only events that players must attend.  Every rookie that joins the New England Patriots must participate in a Rookie Training Program which teaches them how to conduct themselves under their new stardom.  They learn how to deal with press, how to stay out trouble, and how they can effect the community around them.

The players participate in a large number of different services.  The Patriots franchise feels that their service in the community benefits both themselves and the community.  The players work to help better the community, while the community turns those players into local heroes.  Ms. Freeman said, "doors are open to allow the community to reach out to us just as we reach out to the community."  The Patriots are involved in a variety of different non profit organizations, from building college scholarships, to the kids café services.  The players from truly want to make a difference in this community.  Their image is secondary to their will to aid people in need.  

Here are some of the Questions we had about the Patriots Foundation and the players services:

What the majority of players that participate in optional service?

Some players enjoy service rather than others, some have their own foundations. Many of the players don't always feel comfortable doing service. Usually the players will come when they are available and also able to come. It's also a good opportunity for the player who is not a starter, to get his name out and known through community service. 

What kind of service does a player like Randy Moss participate in? Does he think that serving has changed him for the better?

Randy Moss does not like the events or the dressing up for them, although he has shown an interest in the foundation "Make A Wish" and he gets very involved with it. 

What does "damage control" consist of and are players given community service as a punishment?

Damage control comes directly from public relations and is taken very seriously. Players are not invincible and will have consequences for their actions.

How does service effect Boston's sport culture?

Service is a big positive for Boston's sports culture. Fortunately the Patriots are well endowed, so it helps them do more throughout and community and foundations.

Do players partake in individual service?

Some players have their own foundations, that the Patriots support, but do not endorse.  

Is there a minimum of service that players must participate in?
The players must make a certain number of appearances as stated in their contracts.

Leanne and Vanessa

Athletics and Service 2009

Greetings!

While a similar group existed last year, this year's Athletics and Service group will explore the relationship between professional athletes and the community service they engage in. Our primary consideration will be, "what motivates sports franchises to have community service departments or maintain relationships with charitable organizations?" 

Our perspectives are as follows:

1. Professional athletes are committed to community service. They dedicate time to service because it is an integral part of their career. They also consider service to be a return to their roots and they feel obligated to give back.   

2. Professional athletes make really poor decisions both within and outside of their sport. As a result, franchises maintain community service departments and relationships with charitable organizations in order to preserve the reputations of their athletes.

3. Service to one's community is essential to being a meaningful participant in society. Athletes are motivated and contribute to society for the same reasons that we all do. Their status as athletes is irrelevant.

In order to investigate these perspectives we will visit with the Director of Community Outreach for the New England Patriots, the Foundation Coordinator for the Boston Bruins and we will conduct street interviews. 

Does charitable work mask the violent behavior that is so prevalent during hockey games?

Does reforming someone like Randy Moss contribute to the integrity of the Patriots?

Final Group Project

Here is the final group project from the group, "When they score, who wins?" To find out more about the Junior Urban Adventure please visit the portal blog for the project.

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BU--Center for Athletic Enhancement

We spent several hours at Boston University today: first taking part in a "learn-by-doing" workout (which they sweat through and was fairly entertaining for me to watch and take pictures of) and then discussing the psychological aspect of sports. All of the students enjoyed discussing the "mental preparation" phase of sports. All of Mr. Naylor's presentation was geared directly towards the students--asking them questions about their sports and the psychology behind everything. I was very proud of my students for their great participation.

Murphy's Law

Anything that can go wrong will....
but we'll keep our chins up!

Several of our planned appointments cancelled on us at the last minute--so, Ms. McCormack was fairly frustrated but the 8 students in her group kept her laughing. We spent much of the first day in Boston conducting on the street interviews (although it was very cold so people were not overly thrilled about sharing their thoughts). Students asked what people's thoughts on sports in Boston were--what would happen if the Red Sox moved? Are the sports in Boston a major source of income for the city? etc...

We spent much of the day walking around the city exploring and having a great (cold) time.

DRIVING QUESTIONS

Kyle: Why is it so important to keep a good mental game during a real game?
Pat B: How do sports in cities bring people together?
Craig: Boston is a major city for professional and college sports, does that inspire youth to take part in athletics? Does that effect the economy?
Jason: How do youth sports effect the rate of violence in young people?
Rob: How do student athletes help the community?
Sean: How does playing sport improve the health of Boston?

Metrolacrosse

MetroLacrosse is a not-for-profit organization that provides sports-based character education programs to approximately 500 youth in eight of Boston's urban communities -- Allston/Brighton, Chelsea, East Boston, East Cambridge, Dorchester, Hyde Park, Mattapan and Roxbury.
Through its character education curriculum that builds upon the lessons learned while participating in team sports, MetroLacrosse highlights the importance of a healthy lifestyle, focuses on developing strong teamwork and communication skills, and aims to teach participants lessons that are transferable to their daily lives.

http://www.metrolacrosse.com/index.php

ITINERARY

Monday 2pm: Metrolacrosse

Tuesday 9am: Northeastern University Center for Sports and Society

Tuesday 1pm: Boston University: Center for Sports Enhancement