Check It Out

From the people that brought you Linked Up, Inside the CIAC and other CIACsports.com recurring features, we proudly introduce Check It Out. The premise is especially simple: every so often CIACsports.com will share information about a book, movie, television program or other production that we found particularly compelling or enjoyed. There will always be some connection to athletics, and will generally have a scholastic sports connection. Whatever the topic, these will be things we believe will be worth your time, and hope you will check them out. Where possible we will provide links to where you can find the content, either to purchase or view (doing so is obviously at the reader’s discretion).

The first item to feature is a recent HBO documentary titled “State of Play – Trophy Kids.” (please note that HBO is a subscription network, so there is the possibility of adult language and content in the piece, and costs connected to viewing it). This is the first in a series of “State of Play” documentaries for HBO, and it deals with the frequently discussed topic of parent behavior and involvement in the lives of their child’s athletic endeavors. The film originally aired on December 5, but can be viewed On Demand, or in many re-airings as cable networks are prone to do. This link provides more information on the piece, along with an interview with the series’ producer.

The film details several families and the relationship between parents and their children as they compete in athletics, and intersperses those stories with a discussion panel featuring Peter Berg, sports psychologist Dr. Larry Lauer and former NFL quarterback Todd Marinovich who offer comments on the stories being told about these families. Quite frankly, the material is very hard to watch at times as the behavior of the parents is so over-the-top and appalling as to be painful. Clearly these are extreme examples of inappropriate parent action in the world of youth and scholastic sport. But by showing these types of behaviors, and adding the discussion, the film hopefully makes parents and students think about how they handle athletics competition, and the expectations everyone takes into this realm. It is well worth the time for student-athletes and parents to check out, and hopefully provides people with a catalyst to do some self-reflection on their behavior and priorities when it comes to athletics competition.