Sports Doing Good Newsletter, #66

June 30 – July 6, 2013

Welcome to week sixty-six of the Sports Doing Good newsletter.

Part of the lure of sports is that it has history. Great plays, teams, players, games, etc. can provide a timeline for our own lives. We screamed with joy when the New York Mets’ Mookie Wilson got his single past Bill Buckner in the 1986 World Series. We were uplifted when we saw Muhammad Ali light the cauldron at the Summer Games in 1996 in Atlanta. We marveled at Michael Phelps as he set record after record in the Olympics, especially in 2008 in Beijing. And we couldn’t help but debate LeBron James v. Michael Jordan after the former’s most recent NBA championship.

History provides perspective, as long as we pay attention to that history. It seems that we often find ourselves hearing about the unworthy in sports – not at Sports Doing Good, of course – and fail to appreciate those whose impact on sports and society is unfortunately inversely proportional to the attention they have gotten over the years. This week we are thrilled that we have stories featuring worthy historical figures, some known, but more of them unknown to the general public. We hope that the recognition they receive this week will help to change that.

So please take some time to read about Larry Doby, Phil Shinnick, Aggie Kurtz, Venus Williams, and Inbee Park. And in light of its 25th anniversary, reflect on what you thought about when you first heard that phrase, “Just Do It.”

Please continue to send along your stories. You are both our audience and our best source of stories. Our Twitter handle is @sportsdoinggood, and you can find us at www.facebook.com/sportsdoinggood.

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So enjoy. Have a good week. And Happy Birthday Dad!

Anniversary of Larry Doby’s breaking of AL color barrier deserves more recognition
Doby endured the same virulent racism that Robinson faced — the segregation, bench-jockeying from opponents and cool receptions from certain teammates — and yet he thrived at the major league level, earning All-Star honors for seven straight years from 1949 through 1955.
http://mlb.si.com/2013/07/05/larry-doby-anniversary-breaking-al-color-barrier/?sct=hp_bf5_a4&eref=sihp

This 1948 picture of Steve Gromek and Larry Doby was prized by Doby for the rest of his life. (Corbis)

American military reunions – a new sports highlight
Sports teams around the country have helped these men and women surprise their families with incredibly emotional reunions. Today we celebrate the Fourth of July by honoring the men and women of the armed forces who have served and currently serve this country.
http://sports.yahoo.com/photos/military-family-reunions-slideshow/

Sgt. Wilson Caro of the US Army is reunited with his daughter Ciara Luna Caro prior to the start of the game between the New York Mets and the Miami Marlins at Citi Field on June 8, 2013 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Sgt. Caro is presently serving in Afghanistan and was flown in by the New York Mets for the reunion.

Wayback Machine: Dr. Phil’s Quest For Justice
Phil Shinnick set a world record of 27-4 in the long jump May 25, 1963, then spent 40 years attempting to prove the truth of what happened that day. His extraordinary story.
http://sportspressnw.com/2154213/2013/wayback-machine-dr-phils-qwest-for-justice

Shinnick not only jumped 27 feet, 4 inches in Modesto, he became a seven-foot high jumper and national-caliber hurdler. He also made the U.S. National Team in the decathlon. / University of Washington

Undaunted Courage: Aggie Kurtz launched women’s sports at Dartmouth more than 40 years ago with a budget of $500.
In characterizing Gillibrand’s college days, the reporter described how she and her teammates revered their charismatic coach, and how by instilling in her players the importance of discipline and teamwork, Kurtz had shaped a collection of non-squash recruits into one of the country’s best squads. “She was a strong woman,” the senator said, “who understood the importance of athletics in developing women.”
http://dartmouthalumnimagazine.com/undaunted-courage/

ESPN’s Nine for IX series: Venus VS.
The topic at hand wasn’t a secret. But women’s tennis chief Larry Scott had no idea what Venus Williams planned to say when they walked into the boardroom at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club the day before the 2005 Wimbledon final. Neither did any of the other members of the Grand Slam Committee, comprised of executives from all four events, who were gathered for their customary meeting.
http://espn.go.com/espnw/w-in-action/nine-for-ix/article/9441441/espnw-venus-williams-right-player-right-time-lead-pay-equality-charge

Venus Williams, left, and Roger Federer won respective Wimbledon singles titles in 2005 and 2007, but Venus didn’t receive equal prize money until ’07. Clive Brunskill/Getty Images.

Ana Cate: How Soccer Without Borders (SWB) changed me
I feel pride not only for these future leaders of the Nicaraguan soccer movement, but the members of SWB who have dedicated weeks, months, and years to make it possible. I have seen fire in the eyes of each person as they talk about their program, or their team, or their students, or their teammates, and I can’t help but be certain that they are the future.
http://espn.go.com/espnw/w-in-action/article/9441876/espnw-soccer-borders-changed-my-perception

Soccer Without Borders coaches (left to right) Helen Ramirez, Veronica Balladares and Cesar Morales.

The Power to Change the World? The Role of Sport in Development
“Sport,” Mandela proclaimed, “has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire, it has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. . . . It is more powerful than governments in breaking down racial barriers.”  Over the past thirteen years, Mandela’s declaration has become a rallying cry for the burgeoning “sport and development” sector.
http://harvardkennedyschoolreview.com/the-power-to-change-the-world-the-role-of-sport-in-development/

Minnesota Vikings’ Jared Allen teams up with pro bull riders to help wounded soldiers find homes
He is teaming up with the PBR to help benefit his Homes for Wounded Warriors foundation, a charity founded in 2009 that builds handicap-accessible homes and remodels for veterans of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. For Allen, it was a chance to bring two of his biggest passions off the field together.
http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikings/213551901.html

US Presswire

Broke Olympic speedskating hopeful Emily Scott raises more than $17,000
The hard truth of training to be an Olympian doesn’t just involve the sacrifice of time, blood, sweat and tears. Most Olympic hopefuls also sacrifice financially. Outside of the marquee athletes in top sports, many struggle to pay the bills.
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/olympics-fourth-place-medal/broke-olympic-speedskating-hopeful-raises-more-17-000-230506012.html

(USA Today Sports Images)

Inbee Park Eyes History At The Home Of Golf
It is only fitting that Inbee Park will pursue a Grand Slam at St. Andrews, the home of golf, in the same year the men will play the Open Championship at Muirfield…Park will head to St. Andrews and the Old Course later this month with a chance to add another major title to her 2013 résumé after wins at the Kraft Nabisco, LPGA Championship and U.S. Women’s Open.
http://espn.go.com/golf/notebook/_/page/birdiesandbogeys130703/more-history-home-golf-golf

THE NEXT 10 STORIES

Facing brain surgery, young Arizona Cardinals fan gets home visit, gifts from team members
The next day — which was just a day before his June 21 surgery — Izaiah opened the door at his Surprise home and found mascot Big Red and other members of the Cardinals organization waiting. They brought gift bags and spent time with the family. “Major props to the Cardinals,” she said. “I’ve always liked the Cardinals and Larry Fitzgerald, but they gained a lot of respect.”
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/cardinals/articles/20130629facing-brain-surgery-young-cardinals-fan-gets-home-visit-gifts-from-team-members.html?nclick_check=1

Izaiah Morales, 6, of Surprise, had a visit from members of the Arizona Cardinals organization a day before his June 21 brain surgery.

The beauty of the Oakland Raiders’ Chris Kluwe
“When I’m on the football field, my focus is 100 percent on football,” Kluwe said in a phone interview from the Los Angeles area this week. “Away from football, it’s my life to live. I’m a citizen of the United States of America. … It’s important to be engaged. To me, there are more important things than selling sneakers. Or having a mindset where you’re only working for the company’s quarterly earning share.”
http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/9452133/the-beauty-chris-kluwe

Chris Kluwe, left, spoke up for Brendon Ayanbadejo’s right to speak. D Dipasupil/Getty Images

Jerzy Janowicz and Lukasz Kubot exchange an incredible moment of sportsmanship at Wimbledon
On Wednesday at Wimbledon, two Polish men were playing each other to become the first from their country to make it to the semifinals of this famed tournament. Jerzy Janowicz, 22, ended up beating Lukasz Kubot, 31, in straight sets, but it was what happened afterwards that was the most impressive.
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/tennis-busted-racquet/jerzy-janowicz-lukasz-kubot-exchange-incredible-moment-sportsmanship-201751583.html
Video – http://youtu.be/oqyk1_fMD0s

Africa on the Ball Launch Fundraising Campaign To Buy A Bus For Zambia
The organisation, founded in 2011, has created a development model/project centered around a semi-professional community owned club (called “Kalingalinga on the Ball”). The side are now competing in the 5th tier of Zambian football and have hopes to continue rising in the leagues following back to back promotions. The bus will be used as a source of income for the community and operated as a business whilst also becoming the mode of transport for the Lusaka club’s away fixtures.
http://africaontheball.org/877/

Baseball Great Albert Pujols Shares Revealing Personal Story; OFF-FIELD LIFE OF LOS ANGELES ANGELS FIRST BASEMAN TOLD IN LATEST SHORT FILM BY I AM SECOND
Baseball All-Star and Angels Baseball’s first baseman Albert Pujols shares the story of his personal journey from the Dominican Republic to the U.S. major leagues and what personal legacy he hopes to leave beyond baseball in a new short film premiering Tuesday, July 2nd, in partnership with I Am Second, a movement meant to inspire through stories of hope and transformation.
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/baseball-great-albert-pujols-shares-revealing-personal-story-213885131.html

Inspire Girls Nigeria: Using sports as a tool for the development of young girls
Over 150 school girls took part in a two hour long interactive session in Abuja, Nigeria. The girls were all excited, especially when they got onto the field of play. Issues like talent discovery, self-confidence, cleanliness, concentration in school and life lessons were discussed with the girls. They were especially excited during the question and answer session, after which the girls engaged in football, skipping and other sport activities.
http://www.sportanddev.org/en/newsnviews/news/?5829%2F1%2FInspire-Girls-Nigeria-Using-sports-as-a-tool-for-the-development-of-young-girls

Austin, Texas Trail Running Series Earns Certification From The Council For Responsible Sport
The 2012-13 Women on the Trails Race Series presented by Trailhead Running, held at locations in and around Austin, Texas, has achieved certification from the Council for Responsible Sport, which recognize endurance events that meet environmental and social responsibility standards. Women on the Trails is the first full series to be certified by the council.
http://www.runnersworld.com/races/trail-running-series-gets-environmental-certification

Dedication to improving the lives of young people pays off
Sir Bill Gammell, Founder of Winning Scotland Foundation, said: “Paul’s achievements embody the vision of Winning Scotland Foundation which is success through sustained effort. His successes in the field of golf and his dedication to improving the lives of young people through sport makes him an excellent role model for children in Scotland and a worthy winner of this award.”
http://www.sportanddev.org/en/newsnviews/news/?5840%2F1%2FDedication-to-improving-the-lives-of-young-people-pays-off

Paul Lawrie, recipient of the Winning Scotland Foundation award

New Skateistan Project in Mazar-e-Sharif
After many months of hard work, Skateistan has opened a new state-of-the-art skateboarding and education facility in Mazar-e-Sharif, a city of about 400,000 in northern Afghanistan. The project will be able to accommodate 1000 students a week.
http://www.beyondsportworld.org/member/discussion/index.php?Submit=View&Id=2605Happy 25th Birthday to Nike’s ‘Just Do It,’ the Last Great Advertising Slogan
“Just do it” was open to interpretation, and many folks adopted it as their private mantra. And not just in the realm of fitness and exercise. They just did all sorts of things as they strove toward personal goals.
http://www.adweek.com/adfreak/happy-25th-birthday-nikes-just-do-it-last-great-advertising-slogan-150947

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Our goal is to have Sports Doing Good be a portal housing original content and excerpts from and links to the increasing number of articles, websites, video, and other media that showcase the good in sports and society. We aim to celebrate those concepts, activities, events, and individuals by highlighting them for a wider audience. Much of the news today, whether sports- related or not, is incredibly negative and increasingly polarizing, biased, and quite annoying. We are trying to refocus some of the discussion on the good, with a focus on sports.Our mission is to have Sport Doing Good be a consistent, and significant, contributor to the areas of sports, social responsibility and development. We look forwarding to partnering with other stakeholders in producing content, in creating and/or sponsoring athletic and service events, knowledge sharing, and conferences/seminars, and even having a commercial arm that could be the source of innovative social businesses.We invite you to send in news, press releases, and guest pieces for possible publication, and email us with suggestions about the content and format of the newsletter and Sports Doing Good website.
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