Administrative Brief
COMMISSION INFORMATION MEMORANDUM
VOL. 29 NO. 02 January 18, 2007
ADMINISTRATIVE BRIEF FROM STEVE SNYDER
Written by Mike Gleason, SAYSI Coordinator
The Salina Area Youth Sportsmanship Initiative (SAYSI) program for 2006 had three important
objectives to accomplish; more awareness by the public about good sportsmanship, increasing
the number of educational clinics for parents, and establishing a sound financial base.
The definition of good sportsmanship is establishing respect and good character. In bringing more
awareness to the public we work to bring this philosophy to the most important people in the
All For The Kids!
community through our motto: A good example of this was our Sportsmanship
Awards Night. We held two of these during the year, one in March for Fall/Winter youth sports and
one in August for the Spring/Summer youth sports. Over 500 parents, coaches and kids were in
attendance at each of these events. We had guest speakers and the kids look forward to the fun
and excitement of the evening. Fun is what these kids should be having in all their youth sports.
To help emphasize that fun should go along with learning we have an event in the spring called
“Take me out to the Ballpark”. This event signals the start of the Spring/Summer youth sports. At
this event we provide inflatable games, free hot dogs, drinks & free t-shirts for skill game
participants. Also there are team participation prizes and random drawings for prizes. As for the
learning aspect we had a K.C. Royals Alumni’ baseball clinic and a softball clinic given by a State
winner coach. The average attendance at this event was approximately 1200.
To signal the start of Fall/Winter youth sports we co-sponsored with the YMCA in presenting a
Healthy Kids Fitness Day. Skill games in soccer & football were directed by KWU student
athletes. Prizes & free healthy treats were provided for the kids while they learned more about
these sports and had fun. Approximately 1200 were in attendance. The very nature of the SAYSI
program lends itself to talking about healthy habits.
Besides the local awareness of our program we received regional and national recognition. The
SAYSI program was used as the blue-print for the Kansas Recreation & Park Association
program, initiated in 2006, called “Our Promise to Kids”. The SAYSI program was reviewed and
published in the July 2006 issue of the Kansas Government Journal. The “Athletic Business”
magazine, a highly rated national publication, interviewed me about our SAYSI program. The
article appeared in their March, 2006, issue. Not only did we receive calls and inquiries from our
own state but other states such as Idaho, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Missouri, New York, Utah,
and Iowa. The most important aspect of all this proves that the community of Salina is a leader in
teaching good sportsmanship according to our “Mission Statement”.
Today we find that most youth fail to understand good sportsmanship because it is not
emphasized in youth sports and is not a part of their school curriculum. This occurs in large part
because too many kids, parents and coaches have reversed the guiding principle of sports. Now
it’s not how you play the game, it’s whether you win or lose.
SAYSI is designed to educate parents, coaches and kids that the guiding principle of youth sports
is learning the proper way to play the game.Winning is not the ultimate goal. Learning is the
ultimate goal.
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To accomplish this SAYSI holds educational clinics for parents, coaches & officials in all sports for
all agencies including the YMCA, Salina Parks & Recreation Department, Salvation Army, Knights
of Columbus and USD #305. To change a way of thinking you must educate. In 2006, 156
coaches were certified by the National Youth Sports Coaches Association (NYSCA).
Obviously the parents as a group are the largest part of the youth sports scenario. Even though
our parent educational clinics have been growing in numbers we are still missing a lot of parents.
In October, 2006 we met, discussed and formed a partnership with Matt Williams, A.D. and KWU
to research surveys and any other ideas we might use to reach all our parents. Working on these
problems and being proactive within our community is the primary goal of SAYSI. Through the
Parents Association for Youth Sports (PAYS) training, 204 parents were certified.
We have initiated a Start Smart program for youth ages 4-6 and their parents to begin learning
about youth sports. Parents need to be at each session working with the kids. We have had a
great deal of success with this program and it continues to grow. At this age we have mandated at
least one parent participate with the child. T hey learn right along with the child about good
sportsmanship behavior and what the game is all about. In 2006, which was our fourth year of
offering the Start Smart program we had 88 kids and 91 parents complete the program.
Compared to 2003, our first year, we had 25 kids and 25 parents complete the program.
Financially, our goal was to finish in the black-and we did! Through various foundations and
grants, a summer ball tournament, ongoing bingo fundraiser, corporate donations both cash and
in kind and the allocation from the City of Salina the goal was accomplished. SAYSI reimbursed
the City of Salina $29,000.
Our primary goal for 2007 will be getting more parents to our sportsmanship clinics. The best
possible way to get these parents to these clinics would be a policy that says before their child
can register and play youth sports they must attend a clinic (minimum of one parent).
Another project we are planning is to sponsor a community local sports hero’s event with the
appearance of a celebrity guest, giving them proper recognition and to find out how good
sportsmanship influenced their lives. In addition, we want to expand activities involving our
Sportsmanship Awards Night, The “Take me out to the Ballpark” event, and the Fall Sports Event.
We are also planning to co-sponsor another Healthy Fitness for Kids Day.
From all of us at SAYSI we want to thank the City Administration for helping us get our programs
started and helping as we continue to grow.
MONDAY'S MEETING
1. Enclosed are other items on the agenda. If any Commissioner has questions or cannot attend
the meeting, please contact me.
2. The study session will begin at 3:45 p.m. with a Citizens Forum only. An agenda is attached.
Jason A. Gage, City Manager