In addition to some general resources found on my resources page, below are various books and resources pertaining to the intersection of faith and sport that you might find engaging and thought provoking. This is an initial list that can benefit Coaches, Parents of players, or Players. As with all resources suggested on my site, I have read them all for the most part, the exception being I know the author and have read other things published by that author of consistent quality and integrity. While many of the resources mentioned may lean toward a Judeo-Christian perspective the principles are widespread. You can click on the title or the image if you wish to purchase it.
Joe Ehrmann—In Side Out Coaching: How sports can transform lives
John Wooden—They call me coach.
Tom Osborne—Faith in the game: Lessons on football, work and life.
Lincoln Harvey—A brief theology of sport.
Shirl Hoffman: Good Game, Christianity and the culture of sports.
Watson and Parker—Sports and Christianity: Historical and contemporary perspectives.
Chap Clark—Daughters and Dads: Building a Lasting Relationship
This is a tremendous book that will give dads (and moms) ideas and insight to building relationships with their daughters. I recently pulled this out again and read through it as my daughters have gone through different phases in life. The connection to my website here is parenting and mentoring/coaching and clearly sports (though not centrally discussed in the book) is a large part of parenting and coaching our young girls.
James Dobson has influenced millions of parents, parent/coaches, teachers, and those that are involved with youth and families. He has great insight and humor in his writing and this too is a book a occasionally pull back off the shelf.
Larry Fowler—Raising a Modern Day Joseph
An awesome book that I read in one sitting not because of its ease but because I could not put it down. Larry is a good friend and this is a top 10 book in this area (I have multiple top 10 lists). The book provides clear “life threads” or areas of development in your children: respect, wisdom, grace, destiny and perspective.
Ken Canfield—They Call me dad: the practical art of effective fathering
Ken Canfield is on of the foremost experts on fathering issues even such the US Government has used his services and expertise in policies regarding children, parental issues etc. He has influenced much of the research done on particularly fathering but generally parenting.
Ken Canfield—The 7 Secrets of Effective Fathers: Becoming the father your children need
Carey Casey—Championship Fathering: How to win at being a dad.
Carey has done an amazing work in carrying on the Fathering Institute (founded by Ken Canfield) and equipping parents, specifically fathers, in being leaders, mentors, and providers for their families an others.
David Blankenhorn–Fatherless America: Confronting Our Most Urgent Social Problem.
Mortimer Adler–How to Read a book.
I have had most of my collegiate students in philosophy, ethics, education, psychoneuroimunology, etc., read the first few chapters or at least review my notes on this classic. The skill set of reading books at different levels, being able to efficiently review a book in a matter of fifteen minutes to a half-hour, and know what its key points are, is invaluable. Many have said they wish they had learned this in high school. It would have saved them a lot of time. Well worth parents, teachers, coaches and young players investment.
A few published works of mine:
Below are other pdfs of articles I have authored in journals, an encyclopedia, etc. that pertain to our parenting, coaching, mentoring youth in their development. If you want to scan hundreds of books, articles, and research articles regarding parenting, fathering, child development for some thing that might further interest you, Chapter 2 of the below dissertation is available.
Steve Clark PhD Dissertation Intentional fathering
This PDF version of my dissertation deals primarily with paternal influence on their children among many correlations of parental and maternal influences as well. Germain to this section of the website, sports (in addition to other areas) are noted in this quantitative research. An extensive literature review is quite helpful for those wanting to look at further study. The research addresses numerous variables and areas such as intentionality, social, spiritual, theological, relational attachment theory, and other facets of fathers’ involvement in the their children’s lives. As a coach, father, mentor etc., this work and that of many others has influenced a myriad of fathers. See the pages on links as well for organizations along these lines as well. This is the first time, aside from its publishing, that I have made this public, prior only giving it to those for personal use or further research around the country.
Steve Clark PhD JRCE review of Sports and ChristianityApril 2015 This is a review article I wrote on Watson and Parker’s book (Sports and Christianity) listed above
Steve Clark Theology of Fathering Encylopedia article. In the Encylopedia of Christian Education, (2015), Rowan & Littlefield. This is one of several articles I wrote for the encyclopedia but dealt with intentional fathering, mentoring etc.