Local youth and high school coaches enjoyed dinner, an impassioned keynote by renowned sports psychologist Charlie Maher, and a beautiful evening for baseball with the Akron RubberDucks at the PCA-Cleveland “Youth Sports Night at Canal Park” on July 24.

The event – sponsored by the Akron RubberDucks, FirstEnergy Corporation, West Akron Baseball League, and University Hospitals Sports Medicine – marked our Chapter’s first public event in the Akron area and celebrated our growing partnerships with schools and youth sports organizations in the Akron/Canton region.

PCA-Cleveland Executive Director Marty Mordarski with Dr. Charlie Maher and PCA-Cleveland Partnership Manager Nick Cipkus

Maher, a PCA National Advisory Board Member, discussed the importance of separating one’s performance as a player from one’s identity as a person, whether at the professional or youth level of sports.

“We were thrilled to provide such a unique and intimate setting for our local partners and supporters to learn from one of the best in his field, Dr. Maher, at one of the best minor league baseball facilities in the country, Canal Park,” said PCA-Cleveland Executive Director Marty Mordarski. “We can’t say enough about the hospitality and support provided by Ken Babby and his team at the RubberDucks.”

Said Babby, owner of the RubberDucks, a PCA-Cleveland Chapter Board Member, and Event Chair for Youth Sports Night: “As an organization committed to providing affordable family fun in our community, we’re so happy to help support the important work of PCA and to have provided this opportunity for local coaches to come together, learn from the best, and enjoy a great night at the ballpark.”

Akron RubberDucks Owner, Ken Babby, welcoming our guests.

In addition to Dr. Maher’s remarks, guests were treated to a wonderful dinner in the “Duck Club”and a chance to take pictures with the Eastern League Championship Trophy the team won last season. Guests also bid on incredible auction items donated by the Cleveland Indians, RubberDucks, and FOX Sports Ohio, such as an “Owner for the Day” package from Babby and the RubberDucks, as well as concert tickets, and autographed balls, bats, and pictures.

One of the many auction prizes that guests had the opportunity to win at Youth Sports Night.

The event and auction raised more than $7,000 to support the work of Positive Coaching Alliance, Mordarski said. “We’re extremely grateful for the generosity of our sponsors and guests and their collective commitment to ensuring we continue to build more youth sports programming that helps develop better athletes and better people in the Akron/Canton region and throughout Northeast Ohio.”