Adversity faced by athletes both physically and psychologically
44 Years. 41 Allegations.
Now the Past Is Catching up
Conrad Montgomery Avondale Mainwaring, a track coach at UCLA has a long history of molesting former athletes and children. The first alleged tip about Mainwaring’s actions started in the 1970s and had continued to the present day.
Mainwaring would sexually abuse certain athletes as young as twelve years old. Mainwaring had a decorated background as an athlete which became the start of his legacy as both player and coach.
If a player didn’t like what Mainwaring was doing, he would threaten them and told the athletes he wouldn’t be their coach. The fear instilled in these athletes caused long-term trauma and some contemplated suicide and struggled with alcohol.
Relation to society- It is rare to see this kind of behavior from coaches today however, Mainwaring was able to keep this hidden for over four decades.
Theme- Athletes have an immense amount of respect and trust in coaches that are built over the course of months and even years. The psychological effect this had on athletes has ruined lives for some, and for all their mental health was never the same.
Multimedia aspect- The story and the person that this centers around are too big to be in a magazine. While this story is very sad this could play out as a documentary with former athletes being interviewed, and family and friends of Mainwaring speaking out would make this more interesting.
The Exiled and the Devil’s Sideshow
The Angola prison rodeo is one of the most dangerous prisons in the world. It’s advertised as “The Wildest Show in the South”. Bronco riding is more than an event at this prison it gives prisoners a chance to win money they would never receive working on the inside.
However, the risk can take a physical toll and can lead to nerve injuries and even death.
There is also a game called “Convict Poker”, four prisoners sit at a table in the ring, pretending to play cards, while a bull is set loose and taunted until it bowls through them the chairs and the table. Last man sitting wins.
These are some of the events that take place with certain prisoners collecting tickets and money.
Multimedia aspect- A documentary about this prison and what happens day today is something that may intrigue a massive audience.
Theme- Some prisoners believe it’s safe to stay quiet and to themselves. At this prison, it’s almost impossible to do that.
Relation to society- This prison is not like others, the officers aren’t trained and the prisoners are willing to die in order to make money.
Olympic Cyclist Catlin was Driven to the End
Mark Catlin had to bury his daughter Kelly after she had committed suicide, arguably the biggest fear any parent has when bringing a child into this world.
Kelly was a silver medalist in the 2016 Olympics and built herself into a three-time world champion in the four-rider group race known as the team pursuit.
Unfortunately, young women and girls are killing themselves at a rate the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention consider a national health crisis. Between 2007 and 2015, according to a CDC study the suicide rate doubled among females aged fifteen to nineteen and reached a forty-year high.
Major depressive episodes and suicide attempts have dramatically increased among women under thirty-five according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
Theme- Unfortunately we live in a generation where young people are ignoring emotional alarms- insomnia, anxiety, and depression- all to work toward the next goal.
Relation to society- These pressures can come from friends and family which can become good and bad over time, but they also have the ability to exacerbate our best and worst tendencies.
Multimedia platform- This topic goes beyond the death of Kelly Catlin, this is a bigger issue regarding mental health and the psychological effects athletes go through that have gone unnoticed.
What It’s Like to Die from Heatstroke
Emerald Cove is on an island off the coast of South America. One of the hottest islands in the world.
“Heat-related illnesses in the U.S. claim more lives annually than hurricanes, lightning, earthquakes, tornadoes, and floods; there were over 9,000 heat-related deaths between 1979 and 2014.”(Ragsdale, Stark).
In relation to society people don’t think of heatstroke as a way that can consistently cause death however, it is an issue depending on where you are living.
Theme- The dangers of Heatstroke can result in life or death if the proper precautions are not met. Staying hydrated and avoid exercising in high temperatures can lower the risk of heatstroke.
Multimedia platform- Pictures and video would make this story come to life. Showing the planet's hottest islands with a video of what the climate is like throughout the year may engage an audience.
The Champion Who Picked a Date to Die
Marieke Vervoot had obtained the necessary paperwork to undergo doctor-assisted euthanasia. Since Vervoot was a teenager she had been battling a degenerative muscle disease that has taken her ability to use her legs.
Under Belgian law, Vervoot had the choice to end her life at any time. Instead, she faced adversity head-on and changed the trajectory of her life, and became an elite wheelchair sprinter. Vervoot was immensely talented earning a winning gold medal at the Paralympics.
While her success was a way she could triumph the pain it wasn’t enough. As a decade went by the consistent pain was too much, and Vervoot had made an appointment to die and went through with it.
Relation to society- Death is inevitable but Vervoot lived her life to the fullest and achieved greatness. This is something as a society everyone tries to live by.
Theme- When adversity strikes it’s easy to back down and fold but with only one life to live, people might as well live it to the fullest.
Multimedia aspect- This has the makings of a documentary or a short series. Vervoot’s life is unbelievable and should be shared with the world on a larger platform.
Whatever Happened to Villanova Basketball Star Shelly Pennefather? “So I Made This Deal with God.”
Pennefather went 70–0 in her first three years of high school at Bishop Machebeuf in Denver and won three state championships. Pennefather wasn’t enamored by the attention she had received in fact, she hated it.
Growing up in a catholic household in the 1970’s Pennefather originally wanted to be a Nun. Those plans had to be put on hold as she scored 2,408 points breaking Villanova’s all-time record for women’s and men.
The WNBA was not around when Pennefather graduated from Villanova and signed with the Nippon Express in Japan where her life would immediately change.
Scheduling was a lot slower, the team was not talented starting off 0–5 and she became homesick.
Once she came back home she turned to her immediate passion which was being a Nun, also known as Sister Rose Marie.
Relation to society- Even if you are talented if you don’t have a passion for what you’re doing it is tough to wake up daily and continue to enjoy life.
Theme- Follow whatever your passion is and go for it.
Multimedia- This story would flourish if there were pictures and some video involved.
