Rick Wolff

Nationally-recognized expert in the field of sports psychology and author of Coaching Kids for Dummies.

Travels From:  New York

BOOKS

SPEECH TOPICS

What Every Parent Should Know About Kids in Sports

Keeping It All in Perspective: Kids, Coaches, and Parents in Youth Sports

ABOUT Rick Wolff

A nationally-recognized expert in the field of sports psychology, Rick Wolff is often quoted by the media about the issues that face today's athletes. The chairman of the prestigious Center for Sports Parenting, the nation's leading resource on sports parenting issues, he has also written and lectured widely on the psychological pressures that accompany America's passion for sports.

Since 1995, Wolff's columns on sports parenting have appeared in Sports Illustrated, and since the fall of 2000, he has been a main contributor to that magazine's "Ask the Coach" column. His by-line has also appeared in GQ, The New York Times, The Harvard Business Review, Family Life, Psychology Today, Child, and USA Today. Wolff has also authored 17 books, including Coaching Kids for Dummies and Good Sports: The Concerned Parents Guide to Competitive Sports, both of which have received major attention from the media.

For the past four years, Wolff has hosted the weekly sports parenting program "The Sports Edge" on WFAN Radio in New York City. He's also been featured on "Oprah," ESPN, Madison Square Garden Network, SportsChannel, Lifetime, "The Today Show," "Good Morning America," "20/20," "CBS This Morning," and dozens of other media outlets. In 1997, he co-hosted an original videotape program, "Youth Sports," with Steve Young, the former All-Pro quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers.

Wolff, a former professional baseball player in the Detroit Tigers' organization, also served as the roving sports psychology coach in the Cleveland Indians organization from 1990-94. He's worked with dozens of top professional and collegiate athletics, including players from the National Football League, the National Hockey League, and Major League Baseball. He also served as head baseball coach at Mercy in New York from 1978-1985, when the Flyers were nationally ranked in the NCAA Division II.

A magna cum laude graduate in psychology from Harvard University, Wolff received his master's degree with high honors in psychology at Long Island University. He's a longtime member of the Association for the Advancement of Applied Sports Psychology, as well as the American Baseball Coaches Association.

TESTIMONIALS

"Thanks for helping us to spread a 'rational' message about kids and sports." — Chappaqua PTA, New York

"[Rick] spent much of the evening answering specific questions from parents and was able to prove his message in the process...an informative and enjoyable experience for those lucky enough to attend." — St. Mark's School, Dallas, Texas

"On behalf of the little league and myself, let me convey how extremely pleased we were with your presentation. Your words are logical and sensitive and should be followed by all." — Midboro Management, Inc.