Violence in sports expert avaibable to comment on Junta hockey manslaughter case
(1-10-02) Boston -- As the Junta Hockey Dad Manslaughter Trial winds to a close, Northeastern University's Center for the Study of Sport in Society is once again at the forefront of issues relating to the effects of sport on society.
More often than not, sports can play a positive role in society through its quality of teamwork and power of bringing people together from various racial, ethnic, religious, and socio-economic backgrounds. One cannot deny the disturbing trend of increased violence in our athletic arenas today. However, Sport in Society believes that violence in sports is a reflection of the violence in our society.
"This tragic incident serves as a huge wake up call for everyone involved in youth sports -- coaches, officials, and parents in particular -- that verbal and physical abuse by adults is unacceptable behavior and needs to be addressed in a proactive manner," said Stephen Burke, Sport in Society's official spokesperson on the Junta case.
Speaking on the Junta case, Burke has been featured on CNN and Fox News (national), among other local and national media outlets. Burke's Urban Youth Sports Health Connection is an innovative program designed to improve the lives of Boston's urban youth by linking improved sports and recreational opportunities with better access to health care.
A graduate of Holy Cross College (where he played ice hockey) and New England School of Law, Burke parlayed his athletic, management and legal skills into a career in sports event management, marketing and grassroots athletic development. He helped attract and manage a series of high profile events in Boston, including the NHL All-Star Game, the U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Trials, and NCAA basketball and hockey championships.
He is a founder, director and coach of S.C.O.R.E. Boston, an NHL/USA Hockey Diversity Task Force youth hockey program that teaches the values of sportsmanship, character, respect, and life skills to hundreds of inner-city boys and girls. He also is a director and coach in the Dedham Youth Hockey Association.
Burke is a member of the Massachusetts Governor's Committee on Physical Fitness and Sports, where he formed and chairs the Disabled Fitness Subcommittee. He is a board member of numerous youth sports programs, and consults on marketing and legal matters with statewide and national sports organizations such as the Bay State Games, Massachusetts Hockey and USA Hockey.
A native of Dartmouth, MA, Burke and his wife Sandra now live in Dedham, MA with their children Ashley, Amanda and Jon.
About the Center for the Study of Sport in Society
The Center for the Study of Sport in Society at Northeastern University is one of the world�s leading social justice organizations that use sport to create social change both nationally and internationally. The flagship organization located in the heart of Boston, Mass. was founded in 1984 by Dr. Richard Lapchick and touts branches in Baltimore, Md. and Phoenix, Ariz. Through research, education, and advocacy the center promotes physical activity, health, violence prevention, and diversity among young people and college and professional athletes. Sport in Society�s innovative programs are all staffed by former college or professional athletes and have been awarded America�s most successful violence prevention program by Lou Harris, the Peter F. Ducker Award as the most innovative non-profit program in the social sector, and have been cited as the National Crime Prevention Council�s 50 Best Strategies to Prevent Violent Domestic Crimes. For more information please visit http://www.sportinsociety.org.
