Thursday, November 19, 2009

Recent News

I want to take moment to recap some news about some of our athletes here at Arkansas Sports Performance Center / Athletic Republic.

1. Jae Tucker (basketball, Little Rock Christian Academy) signed her letter of intent to play at Arkansas Tech University! Click here for more news & video on this!

2. Davis Ward (baseball, Little Rock Christian Academy) signed his letter of intent to play at Ouachita Baptist University (NCAA d-II)!

3. Tanner Bailey (baseball, Little Rock Christian Academy/Texarkana Community College) signed his letter of intent to play at the University of Mississippi!

4. There are over 25 athletes on the rosters of the four division one football schools in Arkansas (ASU, UCA, UAPB, & UA)

5. 2nd round of the playoffs in Arkansas high school football (1st round for class 3a)reveals over 50 ASPC athletes leading the top teams to the next round!

6. Michael Dyer (football, Little Rock Christian Academy) became the all-time leading rusher in the state this fall! He has over 7,400 yards in his high school career!

7. Looking at our college basketball rosters, we have 8 of our athletes represented!

8. Tyrell Johnson (Rison, Ark. State--Minnesota Vikings) is the starting strong safety for the first-place Vikings, and currently has 40 tackles!

9. Darren McFadden (Oak Grove, UA---Oakland Raiders) has been battling some injuries but is still a major part of the Raiders' offense!

10. College World Series participant Arkansas Razorbacks had a lot of contributions from ASPC athlete Drew Smyly!

11. Worked with Jennie Finch Softball Camp this fall!

12. Reggie Arnold (LR McClellan, Arkansas State) is bidding to become just the 8th player in NCAA Division One to rush for over 1000 yards in 4 straight seasons!

13. Young triathlete Logan Gartin has had an impressive year! Read this!

14. Tennis Recap: ASPC athletes Mario Martinez & Julio Olaya battled each other for the state overall tennis finals! Mario was in his second straight finals...Julio won this year, as a freshman! Also, in the girls' division, our own Rebecca Bailey won the Girls' Title!

We are very proud of these young people, and are blessed to be able to serve them!

bj

Play For Hope!

We are happy to announce a drive for used sports equipment for the kids of Rwanda! Play For Hope, a sports-based organization that ministers to kids in Rwanda will be the recipient of what we collect here at ASPC. Just bring in your "gently used" sports equipment to us here at Arkansas Sports Performance Center. (map)

Play For Hope's vision is for long term, sustainable sports growth that brings holistic ministry to the youth of Rwanda and provides children with professional level coaching.

More info about Play For Hope.

Due to what sports Play For Hope targets, we request that you limit your donations to the following equipment list:

Basketballs
Soccer balls
Jerseys (preferably matching)
Turf shoes, basketball/athletic shoes, cleats (especially turf shoes)
Cones
Ball pumps


If you have equipment for other sports (like football & baseball/softball) bring it to me & I will get it to a local needy organization.


If You Bring In Some Equipment .....


.......then we want to say THANKS!!!

If you bring in some equipment before Dec. 17, and sign up for a training program, you get 20% off!

Ask us about details!

Thursday, November 12, 2009

"Man, I Gotta Do Something..."

In my line of work, I hear this phrase a lot. It usually is preceded by a few sentences describing this person's current physical condition, or an athlete's lack of speed or strength. The conversation goes something like this:

"I haven't done any exercise in months, and it's really starting to show around my waist."

OR

"I was fast 2 years ago but now I have lost a step or two."


For both of these instances the very next phrase out of their mouth is: "I have to do something to change this." Well, congrats....you have taken the first step. It's sort of like a person with an addiction problem; it is extremely important to come to the realization that you have to make a change in your life. So, for these examples, they have already taken the first step....that is, to make both a mental & verbal decision to take some action.

In response to their phrase "I gotta do something", I like to encourage them that, in fact, they already have done something---they have gone to someone to help them start addressing their issues. So, step one is out of the way. Now it becomes my job to help them along in the next progression of steps.

I encourage anyone---be it the soccer player who needs more speed, the baseball player who needs to throw harder, the weekend runner who needs to get in better shape----to make the first effort to "do something." Let's take the average person who is just wanting to improve their physical condition. Do some simple things like:

* Take the stairs instead of the elevator
* Park farther away in the parking lot
* Eat smaller portions & eat more frequently
* Take an evening walk---even for 10 minutes

Now, let's look at athletes training for a particular sport:

* Do extra sprints
* Every night do 1-3 rounds of 10 no-weight squats, 10 push-ups, 5-10 pull-ups, and 20 sit-ups.
* Stretch your muscles whenever you can

These examples are the most basic, simple steps one can take. If you do these already & want to go to the next level, get in touch with someone who is qualified to help you. I would recommend someone certified by the NATA or the NSCA. Find someone who can help you go to the next level.

Remember, when you get to the point of realizing that you need to do something, anything is better than nothing. Get moving people. Inaction is what hinders people, not action.

Monday, November 2, 2009

November 2, 2009 WORLD SERIES--ARKANSAS

Tonight is a big deal for the state of Arkansas. Let's all think about the biggest moments in sports for the Natural State---in no particular order. (and I welcome any omissions you suggest):

1. National Championships for college sports (Razorback football, basketball, etc.)

2. Jermain Taylor as world boxing champ

3. John Daly's golfing championships

4. Cliff Lee winning Cy Young last year


So let's examine the magnitude of tonight's World Series Game 5. Arkansas boys AJ Burnett (NLR/CAC) & Cliff Lee (Benton) are squaring off. Both have had great major league careers: last year Cliff (link to his bio) won the American League Cy Young Award as the best pitcher in the American League...AJ Burnett (link to his bio) is part of a formidable Yankees rotation, and has a no-hitter under his belt.

With a great performance tonight by Burnett, the Yankees could clinch their 27th World Series title. But, Lee, as the Phillies ace, could be the spark to get the Phillies back into the Series. Both had dominating performances in their last outing.

Tonight, this is the biggest stage in baseball. It is rather amazing that they are both from the central Arkansas area---growing up about 30 minutes apart. It is also amazing that they have the same agent, Darek Braunecker!

Having known both of these pitchers, I am very proud of what they have accomplished over their careers. This is a big night!