Student-athlete workshop to help children resolve conflict

By DAN HIRSCH
Collegian Sports Writer

Men's gymnastics captain Dave Riordan, baseball players Carl Albrecht and Derek Ryder and football players Brian King and Stephen Pitts will be conducting a conflict resolution workshop today at Park Forest Junior High.

"I think they can relate to us better than they can relate to their teachers or even their parents," Pitts (senior-broadcast-cable) said. "They'll listen to someone who is around their age."

The purpose of this workshop is to provide children with alternative ways to solve their problems, Pitts added. Riordan (senior-industrial engineering) said he will relate personal experiences in order to describe how he resolved his conflicts peacefully.

"Kids look up to student-athletes," he added. "And it's good to provide a positive role model."

This workshop is part of several activities in conjuction with the eighth annual National Student-Athlete Day on April 6, which honors students who excel in both the classroom and on the playing field.

These activities have been designed so that colleges and universities across the country can join together and express their commitment to the student-athlete.

"This is a day to celebrate the student part of student-athlete," Penn State sports psychologist Dave Yukelson said. "We're trying to erase the perception that athletes are dumb jocks and highlight the student-athlete as a positive role model."

There are more than 700 student-athletes at Penn State competing in 29 varsity sports. Thus far in 1994-95, 86 of these athletes have earned Academic All-Big Ten honors.

Riordan said he is pleased that a day has been established to honor the efforts of the student-athlete.

"It's nice that there's recognition from faculty and others of what a student-athlete has to go through," he added.

Other student-athletes will also be participating in activities. Men's basketball player Nate Althouse and several members of the women's volleyball team will participate in the second annual Community Forum on Underage Drinking in York on Saturday.

On National Student-Athlete Day, the Academic Support Center for Student-Athletes is planning a HUB lawn challenge. This will consist of games and activities in which students can challenge athletes.