NEWS AND EVENTS

The U.S. Putting the US in TR US T 

Gianna Allentuck

January 2024

The U.S. Putting the US in TR US T 

The United States is a country of sports lovers. From Little Leagues and PeeWees to Big Leagues and Pros. The picture of Americana is Friday night lights. Hot dog and popcorn concession stands. Gymnasts wearing gold. Hockey players giving sticks to young fans. Race cars revving their engines. Boxers squaring off. Volleyball players parallel diving. Bowlers throwing strikes. Badminton. Cheerleading. Swimming. Running. Pickleball. Soccer. Football. Fantasy Football. Martial Arts. Tennis. Duck Calling. Sharpshooting. Wrestling. And more… 

There is a sport for everyone.  

And our teams. We love our teams. From Cheeseheads to Patriots Nation. From Flying Gold Unicorns to Team USA. From Redwings to Bruins. To Boomers and Sooners and Buckeyes. Hurricanes. Mountaineers. Gators. Team Busch. Team Wallace. Team Gibbs. Red Sox. Padres. Eagles. Cowboys. Huskies. Aces. Liberty. Storm. Fire. Galaxy. United.  

There is a team for everyone. 

At heart, America is a nation of play. 

But what happens when that heart breaks…? 

Our Country is in a Crisis of Play.  

· Elementary children arguing and tantrumming playing tag on the school playground. 

· Middle school youth on the sideline tripping an opponent sprinting on the track. 

· High school youth in full gear blind-siding a referee during a stopped play in a Football game. 

· College young adults punching an opponent in the face in the handshake line. 

· Adults threatening and perpetrating violence to the point of concussion, broken bones, and, in some cases, death. 

And the incidences keep growing. 

There is an emotional dysregulation that leads to tantrumming, verbal aggression, and or physical violence. 

And the infection of this dysregulation keeps spreading. 

Direct and indirect victims are players, parents, families, fans, coaches, officials, sponsors, and community members. 

You. And yours.

Your children. Your families. Your players. Your colleagues. Your coaches. Your schools. Your officials. Your sponsors. Your communities.

While millions of people of every age are able to safely and successfully play everyday, many others are not. 

And those numbers keep rising. 

Every day. Whether chatting in the office break room, watching a video, reading the news, witnessing in person, or hearing from a family member, friend, coach, colleague, neighbor, or community member, there is evidence of this crisis of play.

Every. Day. 

And the incidences keep growing. 

From elementary school playgrounds to middle school PE classes to youth ball fields to college stadiums to professional sports arenas, you might see and feel evidence of this crisis.  

And the pins on the map keep multiplying. 

This crisis appears to be our new normal. 

Stalking and threatening the spirit of loyal and respectful fans of the game, who positively engage in good old fashioned trash talk, and uphold the traditions of team and hometown rivalries. 

While millions of people are able to positively share in the often magical experience of sports, many others are not. 

And the “took it too far” scenarios keep accumulating.  

While many towns and groups are taking steps to alleviate this crisis, many others are not. It’s just what happens in sports nowadays. 

And the complacency keeps increasing. 

So what do we do? 

Together. 

The U.S. 

All of US.

Must TRUST. 

TRUST is… 

A clear, unified, pervasive, and sustainable message of Trust, Respect, Unity, Support, and 

Teaching through sports. 

Trust in each other to do what is responsible and right. 

Respect and appreciate our differences. 

Unite in our commonalities – especially our love for the game. 

Support and hold each other accountable in and out of the arena. 

Teach and instill in each other strength of character and peacefulness. 

TRUST is necessary for everyone. By everyone. 

Now. 

Everywhere. 

We all have sports heroes.

Now it’s time to be heroes for sports. 

To save the day. 

Save sports. 

Save communities. 

Save each other. 

Through TRUST. 

We need you.

Author’s Note: If you are interested in learning more about TRUST, please visit www.TRUSTinSports.com. While there, please take the TRUST Survey. Email TRUST at Contact@TrustinSports.com. We need you. Aside: TRUST recognizes and appreciates that there are many groups and individuals with efforts to increase positivity in sports. TRUST wants to celebrate, highlight, raise awareness for, and expand those efforts by centering them in a foundation of TRUST.