Learning Life Lessons Through Sports[Podcast Series]
[:55] Dr. Bantham introduces her guest, Scott LaGrand
Scott LaGrand is a former professional hockey player and current Senior Director Corporate and Institutional Partnerships at the United States Tennis Association Foundation.
[1:12] Learning life lessons through sports
“And for me that, that just kind of drove me to, obviously drove me to sports, playing collegiately at Boston College and being drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers and spending nine years playing professional hockey. And that, I believe that sports really kind of is such a positive influence on our lives in so many different ways. How to interact within a team environment, being a team player, having a work ethic, and dealing with, dealing not only with winning, but dealing with losing. And those are all kind of life lessons that I think are critically important.”
[4:30] Providing access to safe spaces to play sports
“One of the main focuses of both of those organizations is infrastructure and helping build infrastructure in communities, particularly in under-resourced communities, to really provide those young people with safe play spaces to be active and move...”
[9:37] Role modeling as a professional athlete
“I don't think as a young person you realize that the impact that you can have on these youth and it's tough, because you're very focused on your career and being an elite athlete, and the time for giving back is limited. But those ones that do and recognize that, like Frances Tiafoe, like Steph Curry, they see this opportunity that they have, and it's just incredibly impactful.”
[12:38] Creating more opportunities for kids to play sports
“How can we create more of these opportunities for youth to participate and play without the pressure of, ‘I need to be, I need to be an elite athlete.’?”
[17:27] USTA Foundation efforts to improve the lives of American youth
“At the USTA foundation, I think the focus is really on bringing education and tennis together to help improve the lives of those young people, really improving their skills both on and off the court. We're not trying to find the next Frances Tiafoe or the next star American player. We're really trying to prepare these kids for life down the road, and so how they can be successful, both in the classroom and both from a health perspective.”
[21:07] Transitioning from a professional athlete to a healthy, active adult
“And I remember, I remember this vividly coming home that night, and I kind of looked in the mirror and I said to myself, you're at your peak physical condition. And I just said to myself, I'm going to stay this way the rest of my life. And obviously it's not realistic to stay at your peak physical condition of 31 at 55 but the bottom line is, I never stopped training.”
[27:21] Making an impact in your community
“And then depending on where you are in your own career and what level of expertise or connections that you might have, how can you make a difference with some of the organizations that are doing good work in your community? I think that time, talent, treasure, those are all areas where you have the opportunity to make an impact.”
