As youth sports grow more intense, some coaches and officials struggle with parent behavior
Update: 2025-08-07
Description
Youth sports can’t happen without coaches and officials. But some are hanging up their whistles — not because of the players, but because of the parents.
The sidelines have become a source of frequent criticism, confrontations and stress — driving some coaches and officials to walk away from the game entirely.
MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with two coaches about how they set expectations for parents, players, and fellow coaches — and what it takes to cool down when behavior off the field gets too heated.
Guests:
- Hisham Sorour is the director of coaching and player development for Mankato United Soccer Club, which has teams for players who are 5 to 18 years old.
- Russ Turner is the director of The Training Institute at People Incorporated Mental Health Services. He is the head coach for boys’ soccer at Cretin Durham-Hall High School, and a boys and girls coach at St. Paul Blackhawks Soccer Club.
A caller recommended the book, “My Mom Thinks She's My Volleyball Coach… But She's Not!” by Julia Cook.
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