The Disadvantages of Sports Specialization and the Advantages of Sports Diversification

My name is Bryant Michaelson and I am currently the Athletic Director  at Meridian High School in Bellingham, Washington.

 

I first came up with the idea to make this website in my first year as an athletic administrator. I started to notice a shifting trend towards sports specialization and wondered why all of a sudden students wanted to play one sport year-round rather than play as many as they could. I would walk down the halls and ask students if they planned to play a spring sport and their answers would be "I can't--I have AAU basketball" or "I have select soccer" or "My club volleyball is my spring sport." I was shocked by these answers. 

 

After my first year as an Assistant Athletic Director, I decided to enroll in the Central Washington University Athletic Administration program. I was quickly prompted to select an area to study for my final project. I immediatly chose "The Dangers and Disadvantages of Sports Specialization," and this is my final project. 

 

The purpose of this website is to inform athletes, coaches and parents of the dangers of sports specialization using in-depth research and science.

 

Hopefully after using this website, you will feel educated enough to make a healthy decision for your athlete, child, or even self.