ESPN's Tom Farrey to deliver keynote at International Youth Sports Congress

11/3/2008

Veteran ESPN reporter Tom Farrey will take attendees on an interesting and shocking journey across today’s ever-changing youth sports landscape during his keynote address to kick off this year’s International Youth Sports Congress. Author of “Game On: The All-American Race to Make Champions of Our Children,” Farrey discuss changing face of youth sports in America and around the world. 

Several hot-button issues, such as how young is too young to start a child in sports, how the lure of college scholarships shape parental behavior; and what role sports are playing in America’s losing battle with the ongoing obesity crisis will be discussed. He’ll also share behind-the-scenes stories of his visit to the world’s largest sperm bank where the seeds of college athletes are sold to those intent on having an athletic child, and he’ll share his trip to a top soccer academy in France that explains why the U.S. isn’t producing nearly as many great players. Despite all the problems plaguing organized sports there is plenty of good happening too that will be covered; and he’ll talk about a renewed sense of hope for the future of these games we love and a new model for thinking about them: youth sport as a human right.

 Tom Farrey is a veteran journalist whose work has been recognized among the nation’s best on television, in print and online. A regular correspondent with ESPN’s primetime newsmagazine E:60, he has been called a “brilliant investigative reporter” by the Boston Globe and in 2007 was one of seven journalists selected among the “100 Most Influential Sports Educators in America” by a panel of experts brought together by the Institute for International Sport at the University of Rhode Island. Farrey has also contributed reporting for Outside the Lines, SportsCenter, ESPN.com and in ESPN the Magazine, where he is a Senior Writer.

 His work has won two Emmy awards for Outstanding Sports Journalism. He joined ESPN in 1996 after eight years with The Seattle Times. His career has been devoted to telling the stories that connect the world of sports to the most relevant themes in the broader society—whether it be race, gender, politics, economics, technology, science, immigration, ethics, education or otherwise. His approach is to treat sports as a significant cultural force worthy of first-rate reporting. His stories have been a catalyst for change. Farrey has reported stories from Europe, Africa and Australia, as well as several countries in Latin America. For a provocative look into the world of genetic testing and talent identification, Farrey went to Australia with a cheek swab to get his one-year-old son screened for athletic traits. The story, which appeared in ESPN Magazine, served as the inspiration for his first book - Game On: The All-American Race to Make Champions of Our Children.

 This year’s Congress is being held in San Antonio, Texas from Dec. 3-6, in conjunction with the Athletic Business Conference & Expo.

The Congress is the preferred venue for all professionals involved in youth sports. Attendees gain valuable knowledge regarding all aspects of youth sports and have the opportunity to network with people from around the world.

The Congress allows administrators from around the globe to discuss issues that are pertinent to youth sports, and interact with other administrators to obtain practical information regarding their youth sports community.

The Congress is open to all Certified Youth Sports Administrators, park and recreation professionals, military youth sports directors, representatives from YMCA/YWCA, Boys and Girls Clubs, private league administrators, key officials of international sports and Olympic federations, and other significant administrators who are involved in youth sports.

For more information click on the Congress logo or call (800) 688-KIDS.

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