Posts Tagged ‘International Sports Professionals Association-ISPA’

The Loss of Chicago Bear Gaines Adams

Tuesday, January 19th, 2010

With the news of Chicago Bear Gaines Adams’ passing this week, there has been a wide array of speculation as to what caused him to go into cardiac arrest. Yesterday, however, some of those rumors generated were put to rest by an autopsy report which discovered Adams had an enlarged heart. As ESPN reported earlier today,  an enlarged heart is not abnormal for athletes, nor is it the sure reason why Adams went into cardiac arrest. However, it has raised other issues in regard to medical exams on professional athletes. An enlarged heart is not a condition that directly causes a person to go into cardiac arrest, but it can be a sign or symptom of other very serious heart/health conditions.

This raises some interesting questions: If the NFL is so concerned about player health and insists on extensive annual medical examinations, how was Adams’ condition not found sooner? If it was found sooner, could it have saved his life? Did the NFL somehow miss performing an EKG on Adams upon entering the NFL (standard procedure)? If so, are they at fault to some extent in this situation for not finding this condition sooner? Should athlete examinations undergo a reform to make sure such conditions are not overlooked in the future?

Gaines Adams’ full autopsy and toxicology report will be made available within the next couple of months. Until then, we can only continue to speculate as outsiders.

Our hearts go out to Gaines Adams and his loved ones in this time of sorrow. He was a gifted athlete whose potential had not yet peaked, and a dedicated family-man that will truly be missed.

- Andrew Teunis, Director of Business Development – ISPA

Seize the Day!

Friday, January 15th, 2010

~Carpe Deim~

We have all heard that phrase extolling us to grab the opportunity to realize our destiny. Well, I’ve been energized. I have just returned from the national sales conference of a large international business that I was invited to attend. Of course in the meetings the topic of the poor economy hung over the crowd like a black cloud. BUT, what was inspiring in this industry which is hit particularly hard by the downturn was that this company not only remained strong but it has taken the opportunity to plan and grow for the future during this down time. It is using the global gloom to prosper. I say, ‘Here, Here!’

I think the inspiration of this company is a particularly poignant lessen for professionals who serve sports. I see so many of my colleagues hiding under rocks during this bad economy when they should be thriving. How unsportsmanlike. Do athletes cower in the face of tough opposition? Do they stop working out because, it’s not the right time? NO, they prepare themselves in down times to face the toughest competition because that will make them better at their sport.

I say take these lessens from both the athletes we serve AND from companies like the one I just witnessed and ‘Seize the Day.’ Now is the time to groom yourself to be outstanding in the field. Being a credentialed professional through ISPA marks that you have that courage to face the stiffest competition. Seize your day today. Apply for your credentials and realize your destiny.

Only the Strong Survive!

Dr. John Mayer, President

Leach, Leavitt, Pitino, and Han – Lowering the Ethical Standard

Friday, January 8th, 2010

Coaches have been receiving quite a bit of publicity lately regarding their own actions on and off the job. For example: Texas Tech football coach Mike Leach and the accusations that he locked player Adam James in an electrical closet for three hours because of his inability to play due to a concussion; University of South Florida football coach Jim Leavitt and the accusations that he grabbed player Joel Miller by the throat and hit him in the face during halftime of a game; Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino’s alleged sexual relations with Karen Sypher in a Kentucky restaurant and later funding her abortion; San Gabriel High School girl’s basketball coach Jannie Han, whom suited up for a JV exhibition game. What kind of examples are these coaches setting for the athletes and prospective players that look up to them as role models and leaders? The message they are sending is “it’s OK as long as I don’t get caught”. No wonder young professional athletes today get into as much legal trouble as they do. Their role models throughout their athletic careers (whether they be direct or indirect) have imposed this attitude of being “untouchable” and that they can do whatever they want…as long as they don’t get caught – a dangerous attitude indeed.

These are exactly the kind of attitudes and actions that ISPA looks to eliminate in the world of sports today. We are looking to dignified,  ethical coaches across the globe to step up and establish a new ethical standard for coaches today. Speaking as a coach myself, I feel a reform is in order and long, long overdue.

Andrew A. Teunis – Director of Business Development, ISPA

Calling All Dignified Coaches and Personal Trainers!

Thursday, January 7th, 2010

The International Sports Professionals Association has just launched an initiative to reach out to all dignified, stand-up professionals in the Coaching and Personal Training fields! We are calling on all Coaches and Personal Trainers to apply for membership in ISPA and join a respected and recognized group of certified professionals looking to improve the world of sports today! We invite YOU to investigate what ISPA has to offer and discover for yourself why ISPA is the largest international professional credentialing association in the world. Below, we have listed some of the benefits to joining ISPA:

  • Career building – we help build YOUR career
  • ISPA brings publicity to your career
  • This certification allows one to command a higher premium for services
  • Membership will help expand your client base
  • Listing on the International Register
  • Publishing opportunities
  • Exclusive CEU training opportunities
  • ISPA is a member of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence
  • Cross-training opportunities
  • Monthly newsletter
  • Interactive blog
  • Access to our comprehensive website and tools
  • Innovative and passionate staff and members looking to improve the world of sports as we know it

At ISPA, we are looking to make a difference by raising the bar in regard to the ethical and moral standards that professionals are held to today. We encourage you to apply today, and we look forward to having YOU as a member of our distinguished association.

Athlete of the Decade

Tuesday, December 29th, 2009

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SPORTS PROFESSIONALS ~ ISPA

The Largest Accreditation Body Credentialing Sports Professionals in all Fields

News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact:     Dr. John E. Mayer, President                                                                                                                                                             312-917-1240

JMayer2@aol.com



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Chicago, IL—Dec. 18, 2009—The International Sports Professionals Association (ISPA) announced today that it has named Lance Armstrong as its Athlete of the Decade. Although Armstrong would have been named regardless of Tiger Woods recent problems Woods recent problems pushed him out of consideration.

“It was a fairly close race prior to the revelations that arose about Mr. Woods, but Mr. Armstrong was still our organization’s pick. When the stories broke about Tiger Woods’ infidelity and now the suspicion of his use of performance enhancing drugs that didn’t even make it close. Lance Armstrong is our pick for athlete of the decade.” Said Justin Mayer, Executive Director of ISPA.

“Our international organization’s mission is to assist in the safe and healthy participation in sports at all levels by credentialing those professionals who service sports and athletes. To accomplish this, our professionals uphold the highest standards and adhere to a code of ethics. Tiger Woods’ behavior took him out of the running for Athlete of the Decade.” Added Dr. John Mayer, President of ISPA.

The International Sports Professionals Association (ISPA) is the world’s largest credentialing service for professionals in sports. The ISPA sets standards for its membership by providing professional services to the sports world spanning children’s sports to professional athletes. The ISPA includes a wide variety of professional occupations from coaches, sport psychologists, physicians, accountants, agents, physical therapists, chiropractors, nutritionists, sport physiologists, trainers, and more. ISPA designates that member professionals adhere to a strict code of ethics and have met the highest standards in their fields to provide professional services to athletes and to sports. ISPA maintains a National Register of sports professionals; professionals listed in the register are the top professionals serving all domestic sports at all levels.  www.TheSportsProfessionals.com

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Judging Athletes?

Monday, December 28th, 2009

It was brought to my attention that when judging an athlete we should only focus on their athletic performance and leave out their personal life (which goes a long way in judging character). Which leads me to think, is it possible to judge an athlete solely on their athletic prowess? Is it fair to judge an athlete not only on their athletic performances but also on their character?

Certainly we know a lot more about the personal life of Barry Bonds then Babe Ruth; we can thank modern media for this fact! Every day we are bombarded with the latest sports scandals. These scandals are seared into our memories like the alphabet. Associating a scandal with an athlete has become second nature. When it comes time to judge an athlete for greatness in their respective sport is it possible to remove ourselves from including their character into the equation? Do we want our greatest athletes to not only be great at their sport but also decent human beings? I know I would like to be able to tell my children that the athletes I followed were not only great at their sport but also great individuals. Maybe I am asking too much. However, it is nice to have a dream particularly as the New Year is so close.

Justin Mayer- Executive Director-ISPA

Tiger Woods Loses International Award

Friday, December 18th, 2009


News Release



Tiger Woods stripped of decade award

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Chicago, IL—Dec. 18, 2009—The International Sports Professionals Association (ISPA) announced today that it has named Lance Armstrong as its Athlete of the Decade. Although Armstrong would have been named regardless of Tiger Woods recent problems Woods recent problems pushed him out of consideration.

“It was a fairly close race prior to the revelations that arose about Mr. Woods, but Mr. Armstrong was still our organization’s pick. When the stories broke about Tiger Woods’ infidelity and now the suspicion of his use of performance enhancing drugs that didn’t even make it close. Lance Armstrong is our pick for athlete of the decade.” Said Justin Mayer, Executive Director of ISPA.

“Our international organization’s mission is to assist in the safe and healthy participation in sports at all levels by credentialing those professionals who service sports and athletes. To accomplish this, our professionals uphold the highest standards and adhere to a code of ethics. Tiger Woods’ behavior took him out of the running for Athlete of the Decade.” Added Dr. John Mayer, President of ISPA.

The International Sports Professionals Association (ISPA) is the world’s largest credentialing service for professionals in sports. The ISPA sets standards for its membership by providing professional services to the sports world spanning children’s sports to professional athletes. The ISPA includes a wide variety of professional occupations from coaches, sport psychologists, physicians, accountants, agents, physical therapists, chiropractors, nutritionists, sport physiologists, trainers, and more. ISPA designates that member professionals adhere to a strict code of ethics and have met the highest standards in their fields to provide professional services to athletes and to sports. ISPA maintains a National Register of sports professionals; professionals listed in the register are the top professionals serving all domestic sports at all levels.  www.TheSportsProfessionals.com

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The Tiger’s Handlers & Charles Barkley

Thursday, December 17th, 2009

ISPA likes Charles Barkley! In fact I have always liked Charles Barkley. I met him once casually when he was still playing. I was in a hotel and Charles ambled down to a lounge area next to a sports themed bar in the hotel lobby. There were no seats in or near the bar, so he waddled over and sat where I was sitting. I have used words like amble and waddle because he had just played that night and he walked as if he had a hundred pound lead weight on his back. He introduced himself politely (Remember he was at the height of being tagged as the original bad boy of the NBA.) and stated he just wanted to get one beer and relax. Well, he was soon spotted by the sports bar knuckleheads who immediately began taunting him and even throwing crushed up bar napkins and straws in our direction. Throughout this entire ordeal Charles didn’t even flinch and he conducted a pleasant conversation. He was gentle, polite and intellectual. I was as impressed with him as a man, not just an athlete, as anyone I have met in my career.

I just read some comments Charles Barkley made on the Tiger Woods situation and they echo what I mentioned yesterday in this blog space. He said, “I think any celebrity who pays these ‘crises management’ people to speak for them is an idiot. Say your thing, say you screwed up, my bad, move on.”  Vintage Charles Barkley. Common sense, practical, candid and smart.

Charles will be on a new special this Sunday on the HLN channel called, “With all due Respect.” He will co-host with CNN host Robin Meade. I’m going to tune in just to support this man who appears to mirror the same values and voice of ISPA and a man I am very impressed with.

Dr. John E. Mayer, President-ISPA

Tiger Woods’ and his Handlers

Wednesday, December 16th, 2009

Well Tiger Woods was in fact named Sportsman of the Decade by one prestigious publication. This announcement, of course, brought my attention back to his woeful situation. I glanced at a newspaper story that gave the facts of how one woman got involved with Tiger. It seems as though one of Tiger’s “people” approached the woman and said that Tiger would like to meet you. Ok, so here’s my problem. Where are the ethics of this Tiger staffer? How can a person who has his best interests, his needs as a priority do this hook-up for him. How come we are not screaming for these people’s heads?

Of course, assuming anyone who would do such a thing is a Neanderthal, and Neanderthal’s consider the procurement of women a sport, maybe these Tiger Handlers should be nominated by the THE ONION as Sportsmen of the Decade. They sure have made an enormous impact on the world of sport by their actions.

Dr. John E. Mayer, President-ISPA

General Mills Applauded by ISPA

Thursday, December 10th, 2009

General Mills, a leading maker of breakfast cereal, has announced that it is cutting the amount of sugar in 10 of its cereals geared toward children. They will strive for single digit grams of sugar per serving. This is fantastic news for families. The children’s obesity crises is out of control in the United States and now families have an added champion—-General MIlls. Congratulations General Mills! For other ways to help your family eat better and lead a healthy lifestyle, see my new book, FAMILY FIT. It is available now through the ISPA bookstore or at Amazon.com. In January, 2010 it hits the bookstores.

Please support General Mills and buy their products to keep them moving in the right direction.

Dr. John E. Mayer, President, ISPA