For Immediate Release
Wednesday, March 8, 2006

Contact:
Ed Barks
(540) 955-0600
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March Madness Means Silly Season for Athletes

It’s time for March madness. No, not the basketball tournament—the silly season for sports quotes.

The NCAA hoops tourneys and baseball’s spring training take center stage during March. As a result, “It’s time to cover your ears and prepare for your eyes to glaze over,” cautions communications coach and author Ed Barks. “March ushers in high season for trite quotes from athletes.”

“If I hear phrases like, ‘It’s time to step up,’ ‘He took his game to the next level tonight,’ or ‘We win as a team and lose as a team,’ one more time,” Barks vowed, “I’m reaching for the remote control.”

He advises sports figures to reject the one-size-fits-all message often foisted upon them. Instead, he suggests they allow their personalities to shine through.

“This is not to say you should slam your teammates if they blow a key play,” Barks said. “Terrell Owens demonstrated that such a negative approach is more offensive than the lame, boilerplate quote.”

Rather, he counsels, athletes should decide in advance what two or three things they really want to get across during an interview. “It is crucial that athletes work out potential ideas ahead of time,” he said. “A post-game interview with sweat pouring from you and emotions running high is not exactly the definition of a good time to think on your feet.”

Barks’ book, The Truth About Public Speaking: The Three Keys to Great Presentations, is targeted toward business leaders, athletes, and professionals who are often confronted by the media. It unlocks the secrets of Barks’ easy to remember Three Keys to Great Presentations™. The book is available from the publisher, Ogmios Publishing, at www.TruthAboutPublicSpeaking.com, and at amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, booksamillion.com, walmart.com, and at bookstores everywhere.

Ed Barks is a trainer, author, and lecturer who teaches today’s leaders how to deliver dynamic, message-packed presentations and how to work with the media. He has served as President of Barks Communications since its inception in 1997, guiding more than 2700 business leaders, government officials, non-profit leaders, physicians, athletes, association executives, entertainers, and public relations staff toward a sharper message and enhanced communications skills.