Blowout Sparks Fight And Controversy

How much is too much? A recent rivalry game in Texas has caused much controversy...where what are your thoughts?

The margin of victory sparked a fiery controversy as pundits from across Texas and the rest of the country weighed in. Yates High School set a single-game state scoring record in the win, and led 100-12 at halftime.

Click here to read the article.

Janet Nemann Memorial

On Saturday, January 23rd the Swimming program will be sponsoring the Janet Nemann Memorial Relay Swim. The event will run from 2-4 pm in the Turpin Swimming Pool. All proceeds will benefit the Neurosurgical Research Fund at UC Neuroscience Institute.

Swimming is encouraged by ALL, but not necessary. There will be fun relays and food. Everyone is welcome.

All donations will are tax deductible...if so moved, make checks to UCF/NEUROSURGERY FUND and either bring them to the event or mail them to:

Janet Nemann Relay
c/o Abby Snook
7175 Treeridge Drive
Cincinnati, OH 45244

"Janet Nemann was a wonderful teacher and person who passed last May to a cerebral aneurysm and resulting stroke. Some of you may also know her husband Ed as he was a teacher in FHSD for many years. Ed and Janet both attended the University of Cincinnati for their degrees and their daughter, Katie (Turpin Senior) will be attending UC this fall and swimming for the Bearcats."

Boys Basketball Is

ON against AMELIA as scheduled for tonight. Freshman at 4:30, JV at 6 and Varsity at 7:30.

The GIRLS BASKETBALL team will be playing WILMINGTON tomorrow at home...game times are 11:30 / 1:00 and 2:30...

Go Spartans!

White Out!

All PRACTICES, GAMES, MATCHES, MEETS and CONTESTS have been CANCELED for today.

Enjoy the day off....better luck tomorrow!

Turpin Time Television!

We did it! We have produced the first ever Turpin Television show that will air on ANDERSON COMMUNITY CABLE TELEVISION beginning this week! Our plan is to air a new episode every 2 weeks for the entire school year and then to start again next August.

This first episode features over 80 students....we are doing our best to get footage of all of the teams and will certainly try to "spread the wealth" as much as possible.

If you have any programming ideas, please send an email to me. If your son or daughter would like to get involved ON AIR or in a production capacity, have them see me in the athletic office.

Here's the schedule:

It will run on Channel 18 of the Time Warner Cable System (either a cable box or cable-ready TV):

Friday, January 8 at 1 p.m.
Friday, January 8 at 10 p.m.
Saturday, January 9 at 11:30 a.m.
Sunday, January 10 at 12:30 p.m.
Monday, January 11 at 9 p.m.
Tuesday, January 12 at 12noon

This should be the schedule each and every week....with new shows hitting the airwaves every 2 weeks.

Go Spartans!

The Benefits of Competitive Athletic Sports Participation in Today's Sports Climate

by Kirk Mango,

According to the National Council of Youth Sports (NCYS) there were over 40 million boys and girls participating in organized sports in 2008. Considering the continual growth of youth sports participation each year, it would certainly be of benefit to highlight the positives behind these numbers. This becomes especially important with the seemingly heavy media concentration on the opposing side of the fence, where the negative tends to make a better news story.

As a current physical educator, former coach, national champion and parent of two Division I athletes, the positive aspects of athletic sports participation is a focus of deep meaning to me. Yes, there is always the possibility, maybe even probability, of too much too soon and a misplaced emphasis on the “wrong” things like winning at all costs. However, these risks do not negate all the positives that can and do occur. And when athletes are exposed to the proper environment, and put forth proper amounts of effort and make good choices, you would be hard pressed to find anything that gives them the opportunity for holistic benefits that participating in competitive sports does.

These benefits, at least from my perspective, fall into all 3 of the following categories:

I. Physical

As a physical educator it is impossible to cover the benefits gained from sports participation without mentioning the fitness improvements achieved through training for and participating in athletic activities. In a society where obesity has become a major health issue the physical fitness advantages simply cannot be denied.

II. Mental/Conceptual

It is the mental and conceptual area that many use to support the importance of participation in competitive sports, something I wholeheartedly agree with. It is also the same area that some point to when behavior exhibited by some athletes does not seem to support what we believe they should be learning. As with anything, however, one can only get out of something what one puts in.

Additionally, with good coaches and good programs a positive code of ethical standards (PCES) is of major focus. It is something they most certainly support and work toward instilling in athletes under their direction.

When these two things come together, putting in high levels of effort and solid programs/coaches that encourage PCES, amazing things can happen. These amazing things all center on the abstract concepts revered by those without them and necessary for anyone wanting to become successful in sports, and, for that matter, in life. They include:

a. The CDSPH Principle:

A “coined” term from my book Becoming a True Champion (seeking publication), it covers the essentials of commitment, discipline, sacrifice, priorities, and heart, all of which are necessary for success in competitive athletics.

b. Goals:

Creating and setting goals is an integral part of being an athlete. They give direction and represent a place in the future where one wants to be. Without them one is just going through the motions.

c. Desire & Inner Will:

These attributes are essential in accomplishing the goals one sets. They become most evident when athletes are put in tough situations that require the actions of perseverance and determination. How bad one wants to accomplish one’s goals will be directly proportional to the amount of desire they have to accomplish them.

d. Perseverance & Determination:

Competitive athletes are consistently involved in situations where they are challenged. This not only occurs on the competitive field of play but in the practice gym as well. When this happens, their level of perseverance and determination will be tested. The hope here is that they become stronger within over time.

e. Coping Skills:

No matter how good an athlete becomes there will always be times when they “fail.” It is what one does after a failure, how they cope, that will determine future positive outcomes. Personally, I believe that a competitive athlete will learn more from their failures then they do from their successes, at least if they push forward using the positive coping skills that should come out of this process.

f. Character & Integrity:

These two attributes have long been associated with competitive sports, however, this has come under scrutiny in recent times. It is not that good character and integrity are automatically developed by participating in sports but rather are revealed through circumstances that normally arise in the competitive arena.

The hope is that through making the “right” choices the athlete develops a solid code of ethical standards they learn to follow, thus, supporting and developing strong character and integrity within.

g. Mindset for Success:

This particular attribute encompasses a host of different concepts. As a competitive athlete one will need to:

1. Develop good time management skills
2. Create strategies for improving their skill set
3. Build a strong sense of focus and concentration
4. Develop internal skills for handling pressure
5. Learn how to take calculated risks, and when not to
6. Take responsibility for one’s success or failure.

The category of mental/conceptual components are not meant to be complete or comprehensive but rather a list of many of the positive intrinsic (internal) benefits athletes can receive when the right environment is offered and the right choices are made.

They are certainly not automatic by any stretch of imagination just because one is an athlete and plays sports. It is, simply, the nature of competitive sports which gives athletes the opportunity to choose to develop strength in any or all of these areas.

III. Social

There are some definite and, most assuredly, positive social benefits to sports participation that are easily overlooked by many. This holds true for all athletes whether they compete in individual and/or team sports and activities. These benefits center on concepts such as

a. Cooperation:

Gaining a solid understanding of group dynamics and its role in the success and/or failure of a team is a common experience to all sports participants. Learning how to cooperate in a manner that is best for all and that enhances ones chances of accomplishment is of great value that goes way beyond the athletic field.

b. Teamwork:

Working toward a common goal is an integral part of the sports experience for athletes. It is through this experience that some grow into leaders and others into strong supporters, both of which a team will need to be successful. Finding their role on a team is a similar experience to finding ones niche in life, a definite life experience for participants.

c. Friendships:

Participating in sports gives athletes the ability to develop tight and lasting friendships with others who have common interests. This is a valuable experience that usually leaves them with lasting life long memories.

When one takes a good look at the variety of benefits available to those who participate competitively in sports, one cannot help but see how comprehensive they are in the development of a well rounded individual. The application to attributes in one's life outside of sports is something few can argue with.

I know of nowhere else that a person has the opportunity to gain so much, both on the inside and out, all from one place.

Kirk is the author of "Becoming a True Champion: A Handbook for Young Athletes Aiming for Greatness" (currently seeking publication), and the blog "The Athlete's Sports Experience: Making a Difference." Both his book and blog are written for the purpose of making a difference in the loss of perspective common in youth, high school and collegiate levels of sports.

Girls Hoops On A Roll

Congrats to the Girls Basketball program for winning their second game of the break, defeating Roger Bacon by the score of 82-52! The Spartans used a 25 point second quarter to catapult themselves to a 44-26 half time score and never looked back.

Sam Perkinson and Kelsey Fender led the balanced scoring attack with 14 a piece...while Tara Jones and Ashley Long also hit double figures scoring 13 and 11 respectively.

Great Job Spartans!

Lets Give A Shout Out To...

The Turpin High School Dance Team! What a talented group.

If you came to the basketball game tonight it was easy to see what season we are celebrating. Awesome choice of costumes, girls!

Representing the Spartans this year are Sarah Harrison, Emily Trauth, Alex Ragonesi, Gabby Ragonesi, Angela Albiez, Emily Frooman, Alexis Fehrenbach, Kelsea Zimmerman, Meghan Rewick, Christine Kappesser, Gracie Millette and Emily Carlton. They are coached by Stacie Hawley.

Great job Spartans!

Looking For Something To Do?

This holiday season is a GREAT time to go see "The Blind Side" about Michael Oher of the Baltimore Ravens.

If you'd like to read about his story first, click here.

Info On Eating Disorders

No link between todays topic and the fact that it's holiday eating time! Just happens to be the day I found the article.

Eating disorders are a serious problem with teenagers...and can be more easily disguised by athletes. Click here to read one persons story....and to learn how to recognize symptoms in someone you love.

Ouch!

It's a sad day for one Ohio High School. The OHSAA transfer rules are a tough nut to crack, and many don't always appreciate the "red tape" involved when dealing with us on this issue...

Don't know what I would do if we had to "give back" a state championship...

Click here to read the story.

Enquirer Names All City

The following Turpin students were recognized as All-City in this past weekend's edition of the Cincinnati Enquirer. Congratulations for your hard work and effort!

FOOTBALL

ERIC MARTIN, Turpin: The junior was Division II second team all-district and first-team all-FAVC Cardinal. He threw for 1,667 yards and 17 touchdowns. He rushed for 451 yards and eight touchdowns.

WAYNE DUNHAM, Turpin: The senior was Division II second-team all-district and was FAVC Cardinal Co-offensive player of the year. He rushed for 1,320 yards and 14 touchdowns.

CHRIS COOPER, Turpin: The senior was Division II first-team all-district and first-team all-FAVC Cardinal.

ALEC GATES, Turpin: The senior was first-team Division II all-district and first-team all-FAVC Cardinal.

MATT KELLY, Turpin: The senior was Division II first-team all-district. He was first-team all-FAVC Cardinal. He had 63 tackles and two sacks.

Honorable Mention

TURPIN – Jeff Groene, Ken Mason, Shade Whitfield, Ian Saylor

BOYS’ SOCCER

ALEC GATES, Turpin: The senior was second-team all state and first-team all-district.

GIRLS' SOCCER

NATALIE STARR, Turpin: The senior was first-team all district. She is committed to play at the University of Kentucky.

Honorable Mention

TURPIN – Lauren Drosick

BOYS’ CROSS COUNTRY

NICHOLAS EL-KHOURY, The senior was 32nd at the Division I state meet in 16:34.40.

BOYS' GOLF
Honorable Mention

TURPIN – Wheeler Renfro

Spartans Bounce Back

And defeat the Lions of New Richmond by a score of 66-51. Our record is now 3-3 heading into the holidays....

Coach Hopewell is pictured addressing the team during 4th quarter action.

Way to go Spartans!

Losing Is...

No question that teenagers are a creative group...and at most any athletic event this is confirmed by the wide variety of T-Shirts that are always on display. Some teams seem like they are wearing a new one a week.

During my recent trip to a swim meet I noticed the one pictured above and thought I would write about it. Now granted, the message is clearly intended for the swim crowd...but can it be applied to any sport or to YOU?

Most of us have been raised on the mantra of "do your best" but when met with a little adversity can find it very difficult to do just that. Imagine what it must be like for a teenager. When your child comes home and says he/she doesn't like the coach, do you say, "do your best?" When your child is complaining about playing time, do you say, "do your best?" When your child is displaying poor body language and a genuine spirit of not caring, do you demand, "do your best?!" When your child is doing his/her best but can't get through to their teammates do you say, "do your best?"

Reality is that there is a coach and there is a team. The coach decides who plays on that team and when they play. The only control that a player has is whether or not they do their best in every sense of the word. Doing their best gives them the best chance to be top of mind for the coach and to play when a situation arises that fits them. Doing their best puts them in position to stay in the game once they get there. Doing their best (and only they will really know) is the only way they can feel that the time they have invested is beneficial and worthwhile. And learning to overcome adversity while doing their best is the only way they can adequately be prepared for the biggest game of all....life.

Supplementally Thinking....

I know that the title word probably isn't a word at all...but hey, just having a little fun.

Click here to read a story about the rise of supplement use by teenagers, and the inherent list of potential problems associated with their use.