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Off-Field Violence and Prevention with Guests Vivian Clecak and Coach Bill Cunerty

Off-Field Violence
A Very Real Risk for Athletes
December 20, 2008

When headlines are negative and evoke feelings of anger, sadness, and anxiety it is refreshing to read about a program that is making a difference in your community. In fact, the group I recently learned about can allow an athlete, a family, or a coach to get back a sense of control. I spoke with several leaders in Orange County who are making a big difference to prevent off-field violence, Human Options and Coach Bill Cunerty.

Off-Field violence is a complex combination of learning to use your body in sports aggressively, desensitizing to your own pain and the pain of others, using your body to accomplish success, high levels of testosterone, and social exposure to risky situations.

Here is what I learned from Human Options:
1. Men care about the issue of Domestic Violence and creating a safe environment for women and children. The Men’s Task Force for Human Options, an exceptional group out of Irvine, CA began focusing on community several years ago and hasn’t looked back.

2. Prevention is the key and they are connecting with young, male athletes through a real-life narrative called Jason’s Story.

3. The CIF should REQUIRE preventative programming because we know that men in sports are at risk for making off-field mistakes and this type of programming is a step to keeping our community safe.

4. Scheduling Jason’s Story, a 1-Hour Interactive workshop is currently FREE! You can email the presenter at rdiaz@humanoptions.org to get in the schedule.

I also had a chat with the Legendary, Coach Bill Cunerty, or Coach Q if live in Southern California. I have had the pleasure to meet with Coach Q on a few occasions and it only takes a few minutes to realize that he is a man of character who cares about the athletes he coaches. His caring is only matched by his success at the college level. As a football coach and expert, Coach Q offered some perspective on this topic of off-field violence.

1. 30-35% of his athletes needed support to learn the skill of turning off the aggression and becoming a socially aware person when they left the field.

2. Athletes are used to being penalized in a game and returning to play. They do not realize that if you break the law outside of sports, it is not a corrective moment; it is the ultimate, sometimes life changing penalty.

3. The CIF should truly consider utilizing reputable non-profits and other experts to deliver teachable programming to look out for the long-term development of their athletes.

Here are Coach Q’s Answers to Dr. Casey’s Time to Get Off the Bench and On the Couch:
1. What is your Pregame Ritual? Hug a Gaucho! During his first game as
the head coach for Saddleback College, Coach Cunerty gave his players 15 seconds to hug a teammate. The new ritual stuck and took them to a National Championship.

2. Favorite Sport to Watch as a Fan? H.S. and College Football & Tiger Woods.

3. Words of Advice for Sports Parents: Parents Cheer!

4. Favorite Pre Game Meal? Burger & Fries

5. Best Words of Advice a Parent or Coach Ever Gave: Be authentic as a coach, don’t try to be someone else. Advice from Coach John McKay

Until we speak again, this is Dr. Casey, and make all your performances and life its most excellent.