The Future of Sports in America

What you see here, gentle bloggers and other readers/viewers, is the future of sports--both as athlete and fan--in America: Our young people.
This particular one happens to be my 19.5 year old daughter. She dances, plays basketball, and plans to be an athletic trainer/physical therapist when she finishes her education. Her dream is to be the first female trainer for the Mariners. (Why they most likely won't let her is another post altogether).
Like her next oldest sister (out of three), she played rec league basketball from the time she was about 8, played varsity in junior high, and would have played in high school if she had not transferred to a charter school (her sister played in high school, as well). I coached both of their rec league teams at one time or another (both while they were coed and after they switched to an all female league), and helped the coach with her junior high team. Their oldest sister, now 25.5, was never into participatory sports, but has always been an avid spectator/fan (which is too bad, because she is 6'2" tall (the tallest of the three) and might have made a heck of a center).
I felt that it was important that they get involved in sports in some way, both for the health of their bodies and to learn teamwork at a relatively early age. Being a health care professional, I occasionally lectured my teams about drugs of all sorts, and why an athlete wouldn't want to put those into their body, and these kids listened and responded.
Now, they see the steroid controversy in MLB, see Congress getting involved, and the occasional commercial about the effects of performance enhancing drugs (which, BTW, are not graphic enough in my opinion but, again, that is a topic for another posting), and they see the bad sportsmanship of some individuals in the NFL, NBA and MLB, and they begin to get somewhat disillusioned with sports in general, and participating/spectating in particular.
What is our responsibility as parents, coaches and fans, so that our young people can learn the values of teamwork, sportsmanship, and enjoyment of sports even if they don't participate?
Number one, even if you do not play (either now or ever), take the time to watch your favorite sport with your kid(s). Explain the rules to them, tell them what is going on on the field, and how each of the players interact with each other. If they are interested, keep teaching them. If they are interested in playing and you think it is safe for them to do so, encourage them (girls as well as boys).
If they start playing, talk to their coaches. Encourage them to teach teamwork, not just the "me, me, me" attitude. Encourage them to talk frankly with the team about all kinds of drugs and performance enhancers, or find someone who will (local doctor, pharmacist, or whomever is appropriate). Encourage them to teach injury prevention techniques (or, again, find someone who can/will), so that they can play as long as they like with less fear of a long term injury. And, most of all, go out to their games and support them, win or lose.
And, of course, as parents, we all just KNOW that our kid has the talent to make it all the way to the pros. If they do, encourage them, but don't become a "stage parent" or "sports mom/dad". If they don't, still encourage them, don't disparage. Physical activity and sports are good for children and young adults. Most of all, encourage them and continue to teach them lessons about teamwork and "playing well with others"--these will carry with them throughout their lives and make them better coworkers and people in general.
If you take them to spectate at sports competitions, teach them to be passionate fans. But also teach them the difference between passion and being an "ugly fan." Don't demonstrate beverage throwing technique, non-family friendly language, or physical violence toward other fans or athletes.
By doing this, you will be ensuring the future of sports in America.