New York, NY – December 18, 2012 – Pediatric and sports medicine experts from NYU Langone Medical Center joined colleagues from the NYU School of Continuing and Professional Studies’ Preston Robert Tisch Center for Hospitality, Tourism, and Sports Management to explore the potential risks to young athletes in the pursuit of athletic glory, sports scholarship, and professional fortune. The panel discussion was held last month at the NYU Kimmel Center for University Life in Manhattan and was attended by several hundred medical, law, and sports management students, local coaches, and parents.
In addition to tens of thousands of professional and amateur athletes, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates there are more than 38 million boys and girls participating in organized youth sports in the U.S. During the recent discussion, panelists agreed that parents, teachers, and administrators must understand that sports are big business – and the lure of scholarships and professional fame and fortune can negatively influence a child’s development.
The event featured top athletes, sports media professionals, as well as sports medicine and management experts who identified key points of the issue, including:
- Sports can provide excellent opportunities to build friendships and healthy lifestyles and teach important life lessons about teamwork
- The health and well being of young athletes pressured to achieve athletic success can be at risk
- Medical professionals, educators, parents, coaches, and business and community leaders must collaborate to protect the future of young athletes
Moderated by Arthur Miller, NYU University Professor and Director of Public Dialogues at the NYU School of Continuing and Professional Studies (NYU-SCPS), the 2nd Annual Sports in America Series: The Arthur Miller Dialogues was entitled “Young Athletes: The Costs, Sacrifices, and Consequences.” The panelists included:
- Jessica Abramovich, executive director, American Youth Football
- Arthur L. Caplan, Ph.D., bioethicist and director, Division of Medical Ethics, Department of Population Health, NYU Langone Medical Center
- Dennis A. Cardone, D.O., associate professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, NYU Langone Medical Center; medical director, New York City Public School Athletic League
- Mary Carillo, correspondent, HBO Real Sports and NBC Sports; former French Open Mixed Doubles champion, and Wimbledon and U.S. Open Doubles finalist; former world-ranked professional tennis player
- Harry Carson, former Captain and linebacker, New York Football Giants; member, Professional Football Hall of Fame; author and broadcaster
- Brian W. Hainline, M.D., chief medical officer, United States Tennis Association; chief medical officer, National Collegiate Athletics Association (as of January, 2013); co-author, Positioning Youth Tennis for Success; and clinical associate professor, Department of Neurology, NYU Langone Medical Center
- Lee Igel, Ph.D., organizational psychologist; associate professor of sports management, NYU-SCPS Preston Robert Tisch Center
- Claudette Lajam, M.D., assistant professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, NYU Langone Medical Center
- Patricia Poitevien, M.D., clinical assistant professor, Departments of Pediatrics and Orthopaedic Surgery
- Jonathan Vaughters, former pro-racing cyclist; manager, Garmin-Sharp Professional Cycling Team
- Rick Wolff, author; sports psychology and sports parenting expert; host, WFAN Sports Radio, The Sports Edge
- Warren K. Young, M.D., assistant professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, NYU Langone Medical Center
Hosted by the NYU Sports & Society Program, the discussion was followed by questions from the audience. A replay of the discussion is available at on the NYU-SCPS Youtube Channel.
About NYU Langone Medical Center
NYU Langone Medical Center, a world-class, patient-centered, integrated, academic medical center, is one of the nation’s premier centers for excellence in clinical care, biomedical research and medical education. Located in the heart of Manhattan, NYU Langone is composed of four hospitals – Tisch Hospital, its flagship acute care facility; the Hospital for Joint Diseases, recognized as one of the nation’s leading hospitals dedicated to orthopaedics and rheumatology; Hassenfeld Pediatric Center, a comprehensive pediatric hospital supporting a full array of children’s health services; and Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, the world’s first university-affiliated facility devoted entirely to rehabilitation medicine – plus NYU School of Medicine, which since 1841 has trained thousands of physicians and scientists who have helped to shape the course of medical history. The medical center’s tri-fold mission to serve, teach and discover is achieved 365 days a year through the seamless integration of a culture devoted to excellence in patient care, education and research. For more information, go to www.NYULMC.org.