Western Pennsylvania Intramural Therapeutic League

1. Western Pennsylvania Intramural Therapeutic League Positive Athlete & Role ModelsCurriculum

2. Mission Statement The focus of the league is not about winning and losing, but rather to promote participation and to teach our student athletes fair play and teamwork.

3. Positive Meaning “In the simplest sense, positive means good or the opposite of negative.”

4. Athlete Meaning “An athlete is someone who trains for and competes in sporting events, as a professional or just for fun.”

5. Positive Athlete An athlete who shows a positive attitude on and off the field.

6. Seven Definitions of a Positive Athlete

7. 1. Optimistic Attitude Most coaches will tell you that an athlete who believes positive things will happen and has a greater chance for success.

8. 2. Encouraging Teammate In every sport, teammates are going to experience some kind of failure. Positive Athletes are the first ones to encourage them.

9. 3. Team Leader Positive Athletes do not think about being the “stars of the team.” They lead through serving others first and by setting an example.

10. 4. Heart for Others Many athletes are blessed with gifts that many others are not.The Positive Athlete seeks to help the less gifted or fortunate.

11. 5. Admits Imperfections This is Positive Athlete…not Perfect Athlete. Athletes willing to admit they make mistakes gain the respect of teammates.

12. 6. Always Gives 100% Not every athletic competition goes as planned, but a Positive Athlete always gives 100% no matter what.

13. 7. Puts Team First There are times when personal achievement may hurt the team’s goal. Positive Athletes choose their team.

14. Role Model ?

15. Role Model A role model is a person whose behavior, example, or success is or can be emulated by others, especially by younger people. 

16. Role Models Athletes who have a strong sense of integrity with strong values are great role models for children. They help children understand the importance of values and the reasons that motivate others to become advocates for social change and innovation.

17. Role Models People admire athletes who are selfless and have a commitment to community. Most athletes are active in their communities and spend some of their free time benefiting others by serving on local boards, reaching out to those in need and participating in charities and community organizations.

18. Five Qualities of a Good Role Models 1 A good role model has high moral values. 2 Most people admire those who project confidence. Good role models have a healthy appreciation of their accomplishments.3 Role models demonstrate their commitment to a desired goal and are willing to invest the necessary time and effort to achieve success through hard work. 4 In order for role models to be influential, they must show respect for others. Young people appreciate being treated with respect and admire those who treat them and others that way. 5 Role models tend to see the bright side in difficult situations and can find creative solutions to their problems.

19. What is a positive role model? A good role model is someone who is always positive, calm, and confident in themselves. You don't want someone who is down or tries to bring you down. Everyone likes a person who is happy with how far they have come, but continues to strive for bigger and better objectives.

20. Name positive role models in sports today ?

23. Are Athletes Good Role Models?

24. Tim Tebow • American professional baseball outfielder in the New York Mets organization and a former professional American footballplayer who played three seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of Florida, winning the Heisman Trophy in 2007. • He has gone to Africa countless times as a missionary, and has helped countless children through his “Tim Tebow Foundation”. He isn’t just a great athlete to look up to, Tebow is a great person to aspire to be.

25. Serena Williams • Her total of 23 Grand Slam singles titles marks the record for the most Major wins by a tennis player in the Open Era. • Williams has had numerous brand endorsements, her own clothing line, has started her own foundation and built a school in Africa for the underprivileged. • Perhaps, most importantly, she has dealt with criticism of her race, body type and remaining confident and successful.

26. John Cena • He’s now a Wish Ambassador, won awards from Make-A-Wish Foundation and recently can add that he has granted over 500 wishes! • Currently, John Cena is the most requested athlete and celebrity for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. With his motto “Never Give Up,” he gives kids all over the world hope and inspiration. Cena has shown he truly deserves everyone’s respect. • A fan was holding a sign that said “I’m beating cancer.” Cena pointed to the fan who was in Cena’s gear and told the fan to “keep fighting.” Later on, Cena would invite that same fan into the ring. • Cena Wrestled In Honor Of U.S Troops 10 Times. • In 2015 JOHN CENA WAS NAMED 2ND MOST CHARITABLE ATHLETE IN THE WORLD. • Cena has also preached to fans to “be who you want to be”, no matter how much you get criticized for doing so, and this is pretty much a reflection of his own character we see every week. 

27. Cristiano Ronaldo • Cristiano Ronaldo is arguably the best soccer players in the world; he is incredible on and off the field. • If children idolize Ronaldo and work as hard as he does, and give back as much as he does, then they're going to go far. • Ronaldo is one of the most giving athletes in the world, building schools on the Gaza Strip, rebuilding after earthquakes, donating entire wings to hospitals, and paying for patients to test experimental drugs for cancer. • In fact Ronaldo was asked by a family to donate a jersey and shoes, so that they could auction it to pay for their child’s surgery. Ronaldo did send the jersey and shoes…and also a check to pay for the entire operation. • The guy even refuses to get tattoos, because he wants to donate blood without fear of cross contamination.

28. Jennifer Ennis-Hill • She won her gold in the heptathlon at the 2012 Olympics, a category made up of seven events: 100m hurdles; high jump; shot put; 200m; long jump; javelin; and the 800m. • As a competitor in heptathlon, she is the 2012 Olympic champion, a three-time world champion (2009, 2011, 2015) • “I wasn't the kind of kid who would get A's without even trying. I had to work to get good grades.” • Ennis-Hill is an ambassador for the Jaguar Academy of Sport and a patron of both the Sheffield Children's Hospitalcharity and Barrie Wells' sports foundation.

29. Larry Fitzgerald • Fitzgerald has been recorded as repeatedly being the first player on the field, and the last to leave. • I want to make sure I set a good example for young people. I want to let them know it’s not all about football — you have to be a good citizen and give back to people less fortunate.” • Larry and The Larry Fitzgerald First Down Fund give significant gifts – in time, money and resources - to numerous organizations across the country. • The Larry Fitzgerald First Down Fund was established by Larry Fitzgerald Jr. to help kids and their families by funding positive activities for kids during the summer and throughout the year, supporting kids and families in crisis, and supporting health-related organizations that work with families.  

30. Mia Hamm • American retired professional soccer player, two-time Olympic gold medalist and FIFA Women's World Cup winner.  • After retiring she was one of the few female stars to stay relevant, and she used this to start The Mia Hamm Foundation in honor of her brother who passed away from bone marrow disease.

31. Derek Jeter • New York Yankee baseball player • 5 World Series Championships • 14 time MLB All- Star • The game never ends for Jeter and his Turn 2 Foundation. The foundation uses all money raised from its dinners and auctions to promote healthy lifestyles, academic achievement, leadership initiatives, and social activism for America’s youth, including college tour trips. • The foundation has raised over $20 million dollars to date. • Invested in an Anti-bullying app for children in school.

32. Pat Tillman • Tillman gave his life for his country when he died in Afghanistan in 2004. • The Arizona Cardinals defensive back walked away from a three-year, $3.6 million contract offer to join the Army, following the attacks on the United States on Sept. 11, 2001. • In college, Tillman was the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year at Arizona State University.  • He was also an excellent student, graduating in three-and-a-half years with a 3.85 grade point average.

33. Craig Biggio • Biggiois one of the members of the elite 3,000 hit club. • He received the Roberto Clemente Award in 2007, which is also given to a player for great work on and off the field. • Biggio is the spokesperson for the Sunshine Kids Foundation, which raises money for children with cancer. • He is now a high school baseball coach in Texas.

34. Tim Duncan • The longtime San Antonio Spurs star is slam dunk for basketball's Hall of Fame. • The low-key Duncan has been a model citizen and a great person off the court. • He has his own foundation, donating thousands to help with health education, and other charitable endeavors. 

35. Roger Federer • Roger Federer is the best player ever in the eyes of most tennis experts.  • He has 16 Grand Slam titles, but has done lots of work off the court that puts him on this list. • He helped aid the victims of Hurricane Katrina, and those hurt by the 2010 Haiti earthquake.

36. Grant Hill • Hill is a three-time winner of the NBA's Sportsmanship Award. • Hill was the vice chairman of the board of directors for the Special Olympics World Games in 1999. • He is also involved with a number of charities and has created scholarships for many.

37. Mike Krzyzewski • He has won more games than any coach in NCAA Division I college basketball history. • He has won four national championships, led 11 teams into the Final Four and taken home gold in the 2008 Olympics. • But perhaps Mike Krzyzewski should be credited for graduating a very high percentage of his players and for sticking with Duke University. • Krzyzewski has had opportunities in the past to coach the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers, but has turned down the more lucrative offers to stay loyal to the Blue Devils.

38. Cal Ripken Jr. • It is hard to argue against a guy that shows up to work every single day for 17 years without ever missing once. • Cal Ripken Jr. played in 2,632 consecutive games, and did many more things during his storied career with the Baltimore Orioles. • He has also worked to help allow underprivileged children attending camps, and started his own youth baseball leagues. 

39. Pete Sampras • A winner of 14 Grand Slam singles titles, Pete Sampras often didn't draw as much publicity as rival Andre Agassi during their storied rivalry.  • But Sampras stayed away from drugs, the changing hair styles and bizarre uniforms. • The soft-spoken Sampras has been involved in many charitable causes by donating to help in the fight against breast cancer.

40. Why is it important to be a role model? Role models are important because they help guide people in the right direction as they make life decisions, they provide inspiration and support when needed, and they provide examples of how to live a fulfilling, happy life.

41. Quiz 1. True or False: In every sport, teammates are going to experience some kind of failure. Positive Athletes are the first ones to encourage them. 2. True or False: Positive Athletes do not think about being the “stars of the team.” They lead through serving others first and by setting an example. 3. True or False: Not every athletic competition goes as planned, but a Positive Athlete always gives 100% no matter what. 4. What is a positive role model? 5. Why is it important for athletes to be a role model?

43. Teamwork Review • Teamwork is essential to a good performance from any sports team, professional or not, and is a great way to teach children certain life lessons, such as cooperating well with others and taking responsibility for actions. • Teamwork is important in sports because it requires the effort of every team member. • The concept of teamwork is extremely important to the success of any team. • If everyone does their job well, then it increases what the team can accomplish. • Working as part of a team will strengthen your social and emotional skills, help develop communication skills, and can improve confidence.

44. Review5 Steps To Being A Good Teammate • Cheer-Teammates cheer for each other. When someone makes a great play, encourage them – from the field, from the bench and from the stands. • Remain Positive & Maintain Control-good teammates are those people who remain positive. They remain positive about themselves, and positive about their teammates. They also maintain control, keeping their cool in difficult situations and not allowing their emotions to overtake the task at hand. • Talk! - When you see these players talking all game, they are not trash talking. They are communicating, sharing, directing and cooperating. Great teammates communicate throughout the game. • Be a good example-Good teammates lead by example. Leaders on teams don’t need to be designated as “Captain” to be an influential leader. • Take responsibility- Good teammates take responsibility for themselves and their actions – good and bad.

45. Review8 Guidelines For Sportsmanship Summary • Avoid Arguing • Everyone Should Have A Chance To Play • Play Fair • Follow Directions • Respect The Other Team • Encourage Teammates • Respect The Decisions Of Referees And Other Officials.  • End With A Handshake

46. Sportsmanship Review • Good sportsmanship is one of the life lessons that children can learn from sports. You can help your children understand and value good sportsmanship while making sure they have a safe and fun sports experience. • Good sportsmanship may seem hard to define, but its hallmarks include being able to win without gloating, respecting one's opponents, and being able to lose gracefully. Here are some important principles to instill in your children: • If you lose, don't make up excuses. • If you win, don't rub it in. • Learn from mistakes and get back in the game. • Always do your best. • If someone else makes a mistake, remain encouraging and avoid criticizing. • Show respect for yourself, your team, and the officials of the game.

47. Keeping Score • WPITL Kickball 2017 we will not be keeping score for any sporting event.

48. Kickball Rules 2017 Kicking Order- By height shortest to tallest or tallest to shortestGame Time: 10:30 AM One nine inning game or two seven inning games (Teams can decide before the game starts) • General Rules: (NO KEEPING SCORE) • No more than 11 players can take the field at one time. (Including the catcher) • Team members are not required to take the field in order to kick. • Fielders can be changed between innings. • All players must kick. • Teams are allowed to have first base and third base coaches. • One referee will be provided by the home team. • 3 outs an inning • No Sliding into any base (Automatic Out) • Head shots the runner is safe • No strikeouts • 5 foul balls is an out • Runners are not allowed to lead-off from a base or steal a base. • Runners cannot leave their base until the ball is kicked. • If a ball is caught in the air by a fielder, runners must return to their base and "tag-up" before advancing to the next base. If the ball beats a runner to the base they were on before they "tag-up", the runner is out.