“Parents say personal, family sacrifices worth giving their kids competitive edge in sports” plus 1 more

Parents say personal, family sacrifices worth giving their kids competitive edge in sports

Posted: 21 Sep 2010 04:30 AM PDT

Published: Tuesday, September 21, 2010, 7:00 AM Updated: Tuesday, September 21, 2010, 7:30 AM

GRAND RAPIDS -- In celebration of her recent 40th birthday, Nathalie Hautala received a $50 gift card from her husband, David. She used it to buy personal items she needed.

Wendy Mielock, sitting recently on a frigid aluminum bleacher in an ice rink, turned to her husband, Jim, raised an imaginary glass and jokingly asked: "Don't these margaritas taste good?"

On weekends between October and March, Kerry and Dave Clay rarely see each other, but they see a combined 100 hockey games.

The Hautalas, Mielocks and Clays are among countless parents who sacrifice their own needs, family vacations, time and money so their children can receive specialized instruction in sports.

From gymnastics to tennis, local businesses that offer such instruction say despite a challenging economy, parents who see talent and desire in their young kids will pay the price to give them a competitive edge.

For instance, three local gyms have opened in the Grand Rapids area in the past six months: Radiant Sportz in Grand Rapids, Flights Gymnastics in Allendale and R-Athletics in Cascade Township.

R-Athletics owner Rachel Reedbuck acknowledged the economy forced her to have second thoughts about opening her gym in March. However, she said, "parents may not be able to do all of the extra things for their kids, but parents still will put money into the things the kids want to do."

Meanwhile, the Grand Rapids Amateur Hockey Association, the Courthouse, Diamonds Sports Training Academy and the junior tennis programs at Michigan Athletic Club, East Hills and Orchard Hills Swim and Sports Club report their participation numbers have remained consistent or increased in recent months.

"It doesn't matter how tough things are, parents make sacrifices for their kids," said Stacey Ballinger, co-owner and head coach at Radiant Sportz. "Typically, parents will sacrifice for their kids first. Parents will do whatever it takes to help their kids be successful."

Gyms usually offer programs for recreational gymnasts, cheerleaders and USA Gymnastics competitive teams. While the cost of a recreational program can be as low as $15 per week, the cost of competitive team gymnastics can reach $300 per month in gym fees and another $300 per month in team fees per athlete, as well as travel expenses to meets throughout the Midwest and occasionally around the country.

Gyms usually have many more young athletes involved in the recreational programs than the competitive team.

Nathalie Hautala, a nurse at DeVos Children's Hospital, and Jim Hautala, who was unemployed for a year but now works as a carpenter for Tradesman International, estimates her family pays more than $8,000 per year, plus travel expenses, for their gymnast and three hockey players.

"I sacrifice a lot," Nathalie Hautala said. "We don't take vacations. When we travel for hockey or gymnastics, that's our vacation.

"It's hard to justify when you're behind on your mortgage and you still pay the gym, but this is what my kids love to do. When you see them out there doing what they love, you realize that the sacrifices are worth it."

Because Ben Clay plays 40 games per season and Nicolas Clay plays 60, the Clay family pays an estimated $8,000 per year in hockey-related expenses.

"We sacrifice our time together, but we truly believe this is important," Kerry Clay said. "My kids love it."

Expensive or not, GRAHA has seen no decrease in participation.

"Our numbers have remained very consistent," GRAHA general manager Jean Laxton said. "USA Hockey's American Development Model is a program designed to make the sport more affordable and allows kids to get into it at different times. That has helped us because the reduced cost gets more kids into it. That has helped grow our numbers."

The same story plays out at the Courthouse, where the number of basketball and volleyball players has remained unchanged.

"Parents may not buy new cars or new furniture, but they are going to do things for their kids," Courthouse assistant manager Derek Marlowe said.

Diamonds, which fields 42 travel baseball and softball teams for ages 8 to 18 "just came off the best year we've ever had," owner Bill Peterson said.

David Brouwer, director of tennis at the MAC, East Hills and Orchard Hills, said the numbers in those clubs' junior tennis programs are good.

"Actually, our most expensive program, private lessons, which range from $60 to $70 per hour, are way up," Brouwer said. "The whole attitude is one of trying to stay out in front, because athletics have gotten so competitive.

"Some people are starting to believe that their kids may not be able to play a sport in high school unless they start playing it at an early age."

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Sports Digest: Vick to start for Eagles

Posted: 21 Sep 2010 08:17 PM PDT

Major League Baseball

WHITE SOX LOSE EIGHTH STRAIGHT; TWINS CLINCH DIVISION: Trevor Cahill pitched eight solid innings for his team-leading 17th win and the Oakland Athletics beat Chicago 7-2 on Tuesday night, sending the White Sox to their eighth consecutive loss and handing the AL Central title to the Minnesota Twins.

Kurt Suzuki and Cliff Pennington drove in two runs apiece for the A's, who pounded out 13 hits against Mark Buehrle and one reliever.

Omar Vizquel had two hits for the White Sox, who have lost 12 of 14 overall. Minnesota rallied to beat Cleveland 6-4 and became the first team to clinch a postseason spot when it secured the division with Chicago's loss.

Pro football

VICK TO START FOR EAGLES | Michael Vick earned himself a starting job by being -- of all things -- a pocket passer.

Vick will take over as the Philadelphia Eagles' No. 1 quarterback, coach Andy Reid said Tuesday, a day after he announced he would go back to Kevin Kolb.

"When someone is playing at the level Michael Vick is playing, you have to give him an opportunity," Reid said. "This isn't about Kevin Kolb's play. You're talking about Michael Vick as one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL right now."

Auto racing

CRASHFEST NIGHT SATURDAY AT ILLIANA | The Illiana Motor Speedway will present Crashfest Night of Destruction on Saturday. The event features school bus figure eight races and a trailer demolition figure eight race. Gates will open at 4 p.m., with first race starting at 7 p.m. Cost is $20 for those 10 and older, $10 for children 9 and under. For details, call (219) 322-5311, or go to www.illianaspeedway.com.

Women's golf

VU EIGHTH AT COUGAR CLASSIC | Valparaiso turned in the best 36-hole tournament score in program history with a 651 and finished in a tie for eighth at the Chicago State Cougar Classic on Tuesday at Lost Marsh Golf Course in Hammond.

The Crusaders bettered their tournament score from last week at Green Bay by six shots. Michelle Kleckner led the Crusaders with a two-day total of 156 to finish ninth. Her score bettered the school record by a shot set last week by Annie Nolan (Valparaiso High School). Crusader Brianna Davy (Lake Central) turned in a total of 167, while Nolan finished at 168.

Butler won the team title with a score of 622.

Women's basketball

VU TICKETS ON SALE: Season and individual tickets are available for Valparaiso games. Season tickets are $75. The Crusader Plan mini package, which includes tickets to games against Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Notre Dame, Green Bay and Butler, are $40. Individual tickets are $10 for adults. Children 10 and under are admitted free. For details, call (219) 464-5233, or visit either www.valpoathletics.com or www.etix.com.

Men's soccer

VU HOLDS TOCO FUNDRAISER FRIDAY: For the second straight season, Valparaiso's men's soccer team is raising money for They Often Cry Outreach. The standard admission charge for Friday's game with Milwaukee at Brown Field will be waived, and monetary donations will be taken for TOCO instead. TOCO is dedicated to improving the lives of underprivileged, at-risk or orphaned children in the Caribbean through sport, enrichment, educational and wellness programs.

College football

SPARTANS' DANTONO RELEASED FROM HOSPITAL | Michigan State's Mark Dantonio was released from the hospital Tuesday, two days after suffering a mild heart attack following a daring overtime win against Notre Dame.

Don Treadwell, the offensive coordinator for the 25th-ranked Spartans, is leading the team in the coach's absence.

"I'm anxious and excited to be home with my family," Dantonio said in a statement released Tuesday night. "I haven't established a timeline for my return, but I have the utmost confidence in Coach Treadwell and the rest of the coaching staff to carry on with business as usual in my absence. I know that I must gradually work my way back onto the sidelines."

Boys soccer

PORTAGE YOUTH SOCCER NIGHT TODAY | It will be Portage Youth Soccer night when Portage High School plays host to Chesterton at 6:30 p.m. today. All Portage Youth Soccer players wearing their jersey will receive free admission, a free hot dog, chips and a drink, as well as the opportunity to meet the players following the match, a chance to play on the field and a raffle ticket for a chance to win a T-shirt. Admission is $5 for adults accompanying the youth soccer players.

Around the horn

The Purdue Calumet women's volleyball team fell to defending Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference champion Olivet Nazarene University by a count of 25-17, 25-12, 25-15. Junior Ashley Eaves set career-highs with nine kills and a .412 attack percentage for the Peregrines (0-7, 0-4 CCAC). ... The Prairie State College men's soccer team defeated McHenry 2-1 ... The Valparaiso gymnastics team will be honored before Friday night's football game at Viking Field. The state champions will be presented their medals and rings after winning their third consecutive title and a state-record eighth title overall last spring. ... Former players who were a part of Valparaiso's football program in 1970, 1971 and 1972 are invited to a reunion and recognition ceremony at halftime of Friday's home game against Crown Point. The reunion is for players who graduated from 1971-73 to honor those who were part of the Vikings' 26-game winning streak. For details, call Jeff Butterfield at (219) 548-3805.

Gymnastics Sports

Tuesday, September 21, 2010