The Rudy in You: A Guide to Building Teamwork, Fair Play And Good Sportsmanship for Young Athletes, Parents And Coaches

“The Rudy in You will help young athletes, their parents, and coaches learn how to become more Rudy-like. Since we all need a little more Rudy in us, these pages are an outstanding guide for everyone involved in youth sports and everyone interested in elevating the role of sportsmanship in our communities.”—Greg Aiello, Vice President of Public Relations, National Football League

“This book contains many of the lessons and values taught to me by my parents and coaches when I was growing up. They made a difference in my life, and I believe they’ll make a difference in the lives of countless of kids all across America…. It’s timeless.”—Greg Maddux, Pitcher, Four-time winner of the Cy Young Award, Chicago Cubs

Known to millions as “the little guy with the big dream” who inspired the unforgettable motion picture Rudy, Rudy Ruettiger is the most famous football player in the history of the University of Notre Dame. Together with Donald T. Phillips and Peter M. Leddy, Rudy delivers seasoned advice, timeless principles, and practical tools for young athletes, parents, and coaches in three sections:

• In the young athletes’ section, children of all ages are encouraged to dream big, stay committed, create opportunities, and to value respect, graciousness, and sportsmanship. There’s even advice on building lasting friendships and on just plain having fun.
• The parents’ section offers vital insights into what motivates young competitors as well as simple tips and techniques for nurturing their natural tendencies and laying a solid foundation for a positive self-image.
• The coaches’ section gives specific coaching strategies for building trust and caring fostering the strengths and capabilities of a team, balancing discipline and comfort, and teaching players to be humble in victory and upright in defeat.

The intense pressure to excel, the competition-crazed environment, the emphasis on winning above all else—these are signs that society has lost its focus on the real goals and benefits of youth sports. The Rudy in You delivers a solution and shows the tremendous value of quality sports for finding and nurturing the winning spirit in each child.