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The Best And Worst

Tim Kerbs shares career advice on managing parents, educating coaches, building programs, and finding satisfaction in community youth sports.

3 min read

Photo Credit: Courtesy of NAYS

In speaking with recreation professionals over the years, I found it interesting--and alarming--that there is an almost universal agreement that parents pose the most challenges.

I asked Tim Kerbs, the long-time recreation-program supervisor at the Salina Parks and Recreation Department in Kansas, that if he were to be made czar of youth sports nationwide for a day, what would be the first thing he would change?

He said: “I would have the parents watch youth games from closed-circuit TVs away from the field or gym. No parents would be in the stands, and no scores would be recorded. They would just play for fun!”