Linda Flanagan traveled to the University of Florida to meet with the chair of the Department of Sport Management at UF, George Cunningham. Flanagan holds a degree in International Relations from Lehigh University, a Master of Studies in Modern History from the University of Oxford, and a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy from Tufts University.
Flanagan is currently a freelance author and Journalist, with published work in news outlets such as The Atlantic, the Wall Street Journal, and Newsweek. She has also done work for various governmental departments including the Department of Defense and U.S. State Department, as well as working as a national Security Analyst for Harvard University from 1989-1992.
She spent 17 years as a cross country and track and field coach at Kent Place School in Summit, New Jersey. She was a track runner herself in college, starting the women’s track program at the school. She has several accomplishments that are mentioned in the podcast, such as impressively fast mile and marathon times.
Growing up as an athlete and seeing the differences in youth sport today compared to her past experiences was one reason that prompted her to write her book. The book, “Take Back the Game: How Money and Mania are Ruining Kids’ Sports – and Why It Matters” talks about many of the current issues in youth sport, such as how pressure and money have a negative impact on a child’s desire to continue participating in sports.
Flanagan also speaks of her time volunteering for different organizations including the Positive Coaching Alliance and the ASPEN Institute. She explains in depth what the Positive Coaching Alliance does and the impacts that it has had on youth sports across the country.
She concludes the podcast by providing advice for children and parents in youth sports and the importance of remembering the life changing potential that participating in youth sports can have on a child’s life.
More about Linda Flanagan can be found on her LinkedIn.
