Bob Kowalski

Bob Kowalski is an Executive Editor at MultiView who has written for media throughout the United States. He and his family live in Mansfield, Texas, where he stays active in volunteering, community events and sports.

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Articles by Bob Kowalski

• Parks and green spaces: A health resource for all

  Friday, October 27, 2023

  Parks and green spaces are easy to take for granted, but they're a vital part of our world and act as great locations for physical and mental health.

• Quiet leadership: How to lead without the fanfare

  Thursday, August 24, 2023

  You don't need to be loud to lead. True leadership is often quiet and action-driven. Explore ways to lead by example in this article.

• A sound plan gives strength to New Year’s resolutions

  Tuesday, January 03, 2023

  Ringing in the year with some New Year's resolutions? Set yourself up for success by planning your resolution roadmap for the year ahead.

• Link between health, school start times is eye-opening

  Monday, August 23, 2021

  Studies have shown that students tend to perform better in school with more sleep. Because of at-home learning during the pandemic, the nation's children invariably caught extra sleep in the morning without having to catch the bus or needing to be ready for school so Mom or Dad could drop them off on the way to work. With so many facets of education changed in the recent past, start time deserves a look.

• Healthy lifestyle a natural choice if you’re outdoors

  Wednesday, July 14, 2021

  A year of limited activity and indoor isolation left us yearning to get away from technology, and in many cases to get fit – again. One answer can solve both of those issues: outdoor workouts.

• Believe it or not, 2020 had its good points

  Friday, December 11, 2020

  We can all agree that 2020 will go down as one of the worst years of our lives. Or, at least we’re hoping that’s the case. Many people can herald personal accomplishments, such as marriages, babies, career advancement, or even something like buying a new car or adding a pet to the family. But collectively and in the grand scope, 2020 has plenty of pitfalls. I come here not to bury 2020, but to praise it. Believe it or not, we can find some good points about a forgettable year that we won’t easily forget.

• Dig this: Get in the garden for a long, healthy life

  Tuesday, September 01, 2020

  Getting to work in the garden can bring homegrown nutrition, but it also can improve your physical fitness and maybe extend your life. In this era of work-from-home and Zoom meetings, a garden provides a hobby that will get you up and moving, and give you a place to take a break from the keyboard. Cornell researchers recently reported that 10 minutes in a natural setting can act as stress relief. The study focused on college students, but the results translate to all walks of life.

• Don’t allow email burnout to push your buttons

  Friday, May 08, 2020

  We've used email so long that it’s become second nature, and it's hard to remember when we didn't have an inbox to check. It's gone from a secondary function on our desktops to a constant source of information, connection and maybe distraction, from our desktops to our tablets and our phones. Now that so many people work remotely, email has proven its value as much as it ever has. Even the notifications for the rapidly growing number of video conferences come via email. But there's no need for you to suffer email burnout.

• New Orleans serves up unique options beyond Bourbon Street

  Wednesday, January 29, 2020

  New Orleans has a well-earned reputation as a party city, but entertaining options are plentiful beyond Bourbon Street. An easy walk or a ride on the reliable trolley system can bring adventures unique to this riverfront location where varied cultures coexist in an eye-opening historic setting. Food is always a great starting point when discussing New Orleans. You can go beyond the eating, though, by taking a cooking class in one of America’s great culinary cities. You don’t need to be intimidated — classes work for any skill level. Some even teach the use of kitchen utensils.

• Year of the Rat opens possibilities to publicize a rodent

  Tuesday, January 21, 2020

  Rats are not exactly an honored species in America, but they're about to get some attention this year. 2020 is the Year of the Rat, according to the Chinese zodiac. The Lunar New Year, also called the Chinese New Year, begins on Jan. 25, and smart marketers have figured out how to take advantage of a unique branding opportunity. The New Year kicks off 15 days of celebrations to welcome in the Year of the Rat, which last occurred in 2008. The Chinese zodiac contains 12 animals, each getting its own year in rotation.

• 3 easy-as-pie steps help you to a healthy year

  Monday, January 06, 2020

  We all can agree that we want to be healthier. We don't need a New Year’s resolution to decide that. The sticking point is the amount of effort required, the time needed to make a commitment last, or a variety of other factors that get in our way. But it doesn't have to be that hard. You can negate those holiday cookies and cakes with easy-as-pie changes to your everyday routine.

• What’s trending this time of year? In a word, words

  Friday, January 03, 2020

  As a new year starts, you’ve heard about plenty "of-the-years." They must be important. They get so much airtime and are shared ceaselessly on social media, a lot of times by the very brands that are being honored. Besides the newsmakers of the year, a few other off-the-beaten-path declarations make the media rounds. We apparently talk a lot, so much so that we have more than one Word of the Year. Or should that be "words" of the year? At least three dominant sources provide us the Word of the Year, but they don't agree on what it is. For one of them, the Word of the Year is actually "words."

• Has your business explored new ‘channels’ the way Hallmark has?

  Thursday, November 15, 2018

  At this time of year, we’re likely to bump into someone who’s hooked on the Hallmark Channel’s Christmas movies. For many people, those annual holiday airings are the basis for their awareness of Hallmark. The greeting card company is a great example of extending its brand through multiple channels — literally, including TV, streaming channels and this year: a branded satellite radio channel. It shows how a business can grow by exploring unexplored — and seemingly unrelated — avenues. So where can you take your company following Hallmark’s example?

• Take the lead to sidestep herd mentality

  Tuesday, October 30, 2018

  When Merriam-Webster added 300 words to its Scrabble dictionary recently, the company that made its name in language played directly to the fans of the popular board game. A couple of the additions also pointed out a trend of follow-the-leader. Among the new words usable in the game were "sheeple" and "hivemind." Outside of Scrabble, though, those words can lead to a herd mentality among both leaders and teams. You might have experienced those terms in the workplace, if not verbally then visually.

• Coach-parent relationships hinge on communication, empathy

  Monday, March 12, 2018

  Clashes between parents and their children’s coaches might be publicized or dramatic, but they’re not the norm. The two sides have found ways to work together to benefit the athletes and the sports programs. For parents, the bottom line should be support. Coaches can help in that regard by being clear about ways that parents can provide that. The previous article in this series detailed some ways that conflicts between parents and coaches can escalate and damage the relationship, and weigh heavily on the student-athletes.

• Getting coaches, parents on the same team sometimes difficult

  Monday, March 05, 2018

  High school athletes have varied support systems, but coaches and parents are central to their efforts. Those two entities might not always see eye to eye in support of the student-athlete, and that sometimes can lead to difficulties for both the adults and the student-athletes.

• Female Olympians ride the crest of Title IX’s wave

  Monday, February 26, 2018

  ​The Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, put forth another crop of intriguing athletes from the United States, as the Games usually do. Behind the performances by those athletes and their marketable personas are ground-breaking achievements by the nation's female athletes.

• Rhabdo can take athletes from workout room to the hospital

  Monday, February 12, 2018

  Emerging terminology has crept into the workout lexicon for coaches, trainers and teachers with news of a dangerous condition that can affect athletes, from the untrained to the elite. Rhabdomyolysis, which causes damaged and possibly toxic muscle fibers to enter the bloodstream, got noticed recently when two Nebraska football players were hospitalized after an offseason weight-training session.

• Technology puts an inevitable spin on concussion research

  Monday, January 22, 2018

  ​Technology is inescapable, and sports injuries have been with us since people first started playing games. It was inevitable that the two would come together. It seems that advances happen nearly every week in injury detection, analysis and prevention. The latest leap takes on concussions and brings in Bluetooth capability. Will this one be a game-changer? We can't say right now, but we've consistently moved forward in the field in recent years.

• Skip the resolutions and have a better new year

  Tuesday, January 02, 2018

  When the new year brings a chance for a fresh start, you might be inclined to join the crowd and make a list of resolutions. That's a noble idea, but you don't need to commit to an overwhelming or overly ambitious program in order to give yourself forward momentum.

• Seize the benefits of after-work functions

  Wednesday, August 30, 2017

  The department has just announced an after-work outing, but you're reluctant to join your co-workers — and your supervisors — outside the office. That decision can be tough, but there are benefits to being there.

• Team effort can help reduce youth sports injuries

  Tuesday, August 15, 2017

  Young athletes for generations have emulated the pros. The similarities appear to be extending to devastating sports injuries.

• Sleep might be the next performance‑enhancer

  Monday, July 24, 2017

  Athletes constantly try to find any edge — using technology, nutrition, training and sometimes chemistry to get a step ahead of their competition. The newest performance-enhancer might be the oldest: sleep. Researchers in the United Kingdom studied elite athletes and their sleep patterns, determining that as many as half of them suffered from insomnia or insufficient sleep, Reuters reported. Athletic performance can be affected, and anxiety over lost sleep further inhibits the athletes, the researchers found.

• Clean hands can clear the mind

  Monday, July 10, 2017

  Getting a clean start might be more than a figure of speech. Washing your hands could help clear your mind and bring a fresh perspective. That's according to a University of Toronto study published recently in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, which stated that the act of cleansing one's hands can alter the pursuit of goals, reduce the importance of previous goals and emphasize future targets.

• Would families be more active without homework?

  Thursday, June 15, 2017

  A movement is afoot to remove homework from schools, and — believe it or not — it's not being led by a group of defiant fifth-graders. Parents and teachers across the country are questioning the value of the extra work and the strain on the schedules of students and their families. In some cases, teachers are leading the troops in what you might call a different type of "class" warfare.

• Zika puts US on guard as summer approaches

  Monday, May 08, 2017

  As the weather heats up across the United States, the threat of mosquitoes — and the Zika virus they carry — increases. If good things come in small packages, this potentially costly insect is an exception. While Zika does not harm most who are infected, it can be damaging to some, particularly to infants, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Among the risks are birth defects, including vision and hearing deficiencies and microcephaly, or an abnormal-sized head.

• Backlash over ‘Brad’s wife’ puts restaurant chain over a barrel

  Tuesday, March 28, 2017

  The Internet has fallen in love with Brad's wife. Well, maybe it's more like an infatuation. Either way, it has left Cracker Barrel Old Country Store in a tough spot. According to Internet reports, the restaurant chain fired Nanette Byrd from the Corydon, Indiana, location after 11 loyal and hard-working years. Her husband, Brad, later asked for an explanation on the company's Facebook page, with no response. Once comedian Amiri King posted about the situation on Twitter, memes and hashtags flourished — especially #JusticeForBradsWife.

• America’s sleep deficiency: Resolving the nightmare

  Tuesday, March 14, 2017

  Realizing that Americans are suffering from a lack of sleep is no eye-opener. Just look around classrooms, offices, the car next to you in traffic — the yawns and bleary eyes give it away. In a previous article, we discussed the issues that result from sleep deficiency and the research into the problem plaguing America. The path to our long national nightmare has been complicated, but solutions may be available.

• America’s sleep deficiency: When you can’t snooze, you lose

  Friday, March 03, 2017

  ​Americans seem to be closing their eyes to a problem that's growing, despite exhaustive research into the ramifications. It's time to wake up and smell the coffee: We don't get enough sleep. Insufficient sleep has been declared a "public health problem" by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which attributed an increased risk of chronic conditions such as diabetes, depression, cancer and reduced productivity to a shortage of shut-eye.

• Fitness and physical form unite dancers, athletes

  Friday, February 17, 2017

  Strength, agility and muscle control are attributes of successful dancers, but those elements refer to athletes as well. The two pursuits have much in common, although sometimes that is not immediately obvious to the uninitiated. To those trained in dance, the similarities can be profound. In the previous article in this series, MultiBriefs explored the common ground between the two disciplines.

• Dancing, sports share common ground

  Thursday, February 09, 2017

  Footwork, tempo, rhythm, pivot, crossover. That terminology turns up regularly in sports practice. Or was it dance rehearsal? The disciplines of sports and dancing share more than language, experts say. Each activity can benefit participants in the other field, according to Maria Royals, the Dance Department Chair at George Washington Carver Center for the Arts and Technology.

• Super Bowl advertisers crowd the field in hopes for big returns

  Friday, January 27, 2017

  As the Super Bowl has grown in its significance as a sporting event, it has emerged even more as a national and cultural attraction. Where you draw a crowd, you can draw business. The NFL has learned this lesson well, as have its television partners. But they're not the only parties making money off what has become America's biggest undeclared national holiday. The return on investment might not always add up, but that doesn't prevent firms from attaching themselves to the big game.

• The ‘real world’ can take lessons from sports wisdom

  Monday, December 12, 2016

  With the NFL and college football an American passion, and pro and college basketball seasons underway, millions of Americans spend time watching games or following up on the internet. Fans have heard dozens of sports slogans flow from coaches, athletes, commentators, team owners and fans.

• Does military hold the solution to a shortage of game officials?

  Tuesday, November 15, 2016

  When they're doing their job well, you shouldn't notice them. Recently, though, game officials are barely visible because they're in short supply. High school sporting events across the country are suffering from a dwindling corps of game officials across nearly all sports and seasons. In some areas, subvarsity schedules are being shortened or canceled. In many places, varsity games are spread to other nights in order to allow for enough officials.

• Champion Cubs illustrate the value of mentoring leadership

  Friday, November 04, 2016

  Now that the Chicago Cubs have ended their 108-year World Series drought, we can take lessons from the team formerly known as America's lovable losers. Perseverance is not the only trait individuals and companies can draw from the Cubs' success. Veteran catcher David Ross, known among his teammates as "Grandpa Rossy," was widely credited with providing mentorship to the young club, something that holds value for organizations beyond sports.

• From the top: Baseball caps convey messages from simple to profound

  Thursday, October 27, 2016

  They're ubiquitous and part of every uniform for the Cubs and Indians players in this year's World Series. But they're far from uniform even though they're atop the heads of millions of sports fans — and nonfans, for that matter. Baseball caps have a rare and universal way of getting a message across, as simple as showing support for a sports team and as pronounced as indicating favor in a race for our nation's next president.

• Parks offering health benefits that span generations

  Tuesday, October 18, 2016

  ​Childhood obesity is a cause that has attracted concern all the way to the White House. Senior mobility has been proven to improve overall health, especially mental health. And studies have shown that being active in middle age pays health dividends later in life. If only there were a way to provide health benefits to all three age groups at the same time.

• It’s not just football: Concussions are happening all over sports

  Wednesday, October 12, 2016

  With participation in high school and youth sports at an all-time high, injuries are certain to rise as well. Among the more notable injuries are concussions, which affect a wide spectrum of student-athletes in addition to professionals. While football-related concussions draw many of the headlines, head injuries also happen frequently in many other sports.

• Athletes raise their voices in activism off the field

  Tuesday, July 19, 2016

  Professional athletes are among the most recognized individuals in America. They're on TV, either playing games that we're engrossed in or pitching products in commercials shown throughout those contests.

• Bike share programs gaining traction across the country

  Tuesday, May 31, 2016

  Bike share programs are growing in popularity and availability across the country. That’s not surprising, considering that the efforts combine exercise, eco-friendliness and sharing while reducing traffic congestion — all laudable qualities. On the surface, bike share seems like a no-brainer. Compared to other forms of public transit, it puts destination in the control of the users, who can travel when and where they want. It requires no additional infrastructure as would a new rail system. Who in good conscience could be against all of that?

• Travel sports a growing draw for families, municipalities

  Tuesday, May 17, 2016

  From exercise to teamwork, the benefits of sports for children are plentiful. But behind the new uniforms and post-game juice boxes is a burgeoning industry. The games have induced a growth spurt in facilities across the country as communities race toward the money that teams spend traveling to and staying for tournaments. With economic impact sometimes reaching the millions and facilities that cost in the tens of millions of dollars, this is not child's play for host cities.

• School nutrition can get a kick‑start with breakfast

  Thursday, April 21, 2016

  The school nutrition focus has long been on school lunches, but children's breakfast is gaining some attention lately. The results in participation and performance are encouraging. When the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) implemented national school lunch standards in 2012, the aim was to reduce childhood obesity. The move targeted saturated fats, trans fats and sodium, and mandated that fruits and vegetables be available to students every day at school.

• Bikes are picking up steam as method of transportation, fitness

  Thursday, April 07, 2016

  ​Even as cities have expanded and suburban sprawl has reduced the utility of bicycles, the two-wheeled vehicles are surging back into use. The reasons for the renewed attention to bicycles are many.

• Female athletes face competition on and off the field

  Monday, April 04, 2016

  They practice, work out, manage their nutrition, sweat, struggle, compete hard and win — often on a global field. They're among the best athletes on the planet. Their accomplishments have earned them the adulation, prizes, medals, Sports Illustrated covers and rewards — financial and otherwise — that our sports-minded society has become accustomed to laying at the feet of our sports heroes.

• Green spaces can have positive effects on gray matter

  Thursday, March 10, 2016

  On beautiful sunny days, schoolchildren and working adults share a common thought: wishing they could play hooky and head to the park. Research shows that would be a smart move. Nature and green spaces boost brainpower.

• Entitlement creeps into sports, but coaches can hold the line

  Friday, March 04, 2016

  The recent news that SMU women's basketball coach Rhonda Rompola decided to retire wasn't as startling as one of the reasons the 25-season head coach cited for her departure. "Kids are not as coachable as they were years ago," Rompola told The Associated Press.

• For team-building and workplace benefits, follow the bouncing ball

  Tuesday, March 01, 2016

  The pingpong table long ago moved from the rec room to the office. The question that followed is this: Is it a recruiting tool, team-building element, fitness equipment or a waste of time and productivity? It's not hard to see why pingpong tables have found their way into companies — they're cheap. Used tables can be bought for less than $100. Coworkers easily can pitch in to buy a table if the company doesn't provide one. That means an ownership stake by the employees.

• Head injury research widespread, but solutions remain elusive

  Thursday, February 25, 2016

  ​Concussions are prevalent at all levels of sports, often stalling or ending the athletic careers of professional athletes and school-age children alike. The injuries are widespread in the military, too, causing the branches to lose the services of valuable trained recruits.

• Military, sports leagues turn eyes toward concussions

  Thursday, February 18, 2016

  Now that football season is finished, a prime storyline going forward is player safety, particularly in regard to concussions. The NFL doesn't hold a monopoly on that topic, though. It ranges from the highest level of sports to the youngest players, covering activities on a variety of athletic fields.

• Zika virus now threatens Summer Olympics

  Wednesday, February 10, 2016

  The world-class athletes that will descend on Rio de Janeiro for the Summer Olympics in August understandably make a point of keeping themselves healthy. After all, more than Olympic glory is riding on their fitness.

• Why volunteer? Because it’s good for your health

  Wednesday, February 10, 2016

  If you've ever volunteered your time to a charity or other worthy cause, you know you feel good about it at the end of the day. That effort also boosts your health, according to researchers. That's just the start; the benefits of that generosity reach a long way, even to your employers' bottom line.

• Advancing tech scoring big on sports fields

  Tuesday, January 26, 2016

  Technology is imprinted in all facets of our daily lives, so advances are naturally expected in sports. Those expectations reach beyond those who make the money from the games, as fans and weekend athletes look for connections to take them beyond simply playing or watching.

• Tips to start the new year at work — at and away from your desk

  Monday, January 04, 2016

  Getting started at work after the holidays presents unique challenges, even though the scenario plays out every January. With creative approaches, you can make the transition into the new year smoother than it's ever been.

• Can schools keep students focused with reductions to PE and recess?

  Thursday, December 10, 2015

  Reductions in recess and cuts in physical education classes have effects that go beyond children's fitness. The lack of physical activity has a bearing on learning ability as well. That leaves educators in a quandary about how to increase movement while sticking to the lesson plan. Some are putting creativity to use in combining physical and mental health to get the most out of classroom time.

• Paris attacks highlight the crucial role of event security

  Friday, November 20, 2015

  With the recent terrorist attacks in Paris, we were reminded that disaster reaches beyond crime scenes and into daily lives. That touches home whether people are attending conferences at large gathering sites or fans heading to the arena or stadium for a game.

• Health worries about artificial turf gain footing

  Friday, November 06, 2015

  When it comes to athletic field surfaces, artificial turf has gained ground on natural grass. In recent years, synthetic turf has replaced grass on municipal and school fields that bear nearly year-round traffic of football, soccer, field hockey, lacrosse, baseball and softball games — not to mention the daily workouts for which those teams use the fields.

• Drones are a rapidly developing issue — on both sides of the law

  Wednesday, October 21, 2015

  We've heard plenty about drones recently, but even with all that information, we still can't figure out the answer to this question: Whose side are they on? There's little doubt drones are capable of providing beneficial services and performing tasks that cannot be accomplished by people or other devices. They also hold the potential to bring headaches to law enforcement agencies around the world — a situation that has already begun.

• Change in bank card technology envelops retailers, consumers

  Thursday, October 15, 2015

  Technology moves forward every day, but one of the latest advances carries big implications for banks, retailers and consumers. In this case, the technology involves purchases made with credit or debit cards via card readers. Encoded chips are being embedded in newly issued cards, which are designed to improve security by replacing the magnetic strip that was more susceptible to hacking.

• College sports offer an education in marketing, economics

  Tuesday, October 13, 2015

  At this time of year, college football captures the nation's attention. The cooler afternoons, the changing colors of the picturesque campuses and gatherings of alumni reconnecting on football Saturdays foster the romantic notion of the schoolboy game.

• There are 2 sides to the rivalry coin, at work and in sports

  Thursday, October 08, 2015

  ​A rivalry at work or in sports can bring out the best in individuals or a team. But it sometimes can come with drawbacks in both instances. A prime example of both sides of the workplace rivalry coin was illustrated in a widely read New York Times article about online sales giant Amazon, where employees openly and frequently critique their colleagues' performance, right up to hours logged in the office.

• From sports to law enforcement, drones flying into everyday life

  Wednesday, September 23, 2015

  They're turning up in some unusual places, and questions about them are all over the map. Yes, drones are working their way into our lives more and more every day, causing reactions that range from bemusement to terror to anger. In the wake of that, organizations as varied as sports leagues and law enforcement are developing procedures to address the flying devices.

• Sports specialization worries medical experts

  Wednesday, August 26, 2015

  Playing only one sport throughout the year can bring a level of expertise, but when it comes to youth sports, this specialization can also bring injury. Young athletes are increasingly suffering sports injuries that can be attributed to overuse. Some medical experts consider these injuries preventable, but the solution is not clear.

• The annual performance evaluation goes under review

  Tuesday, August 11, 2015

  It is the one workplace occurrence that employees and their supervisors approach with the same discomfort. Performance evaluations are intended to broaden communication between supervisors and subordinates, as well as provide direction and motivation for the worker. But we've all seen the real-life effects of the annual (or more frequent) reviews, resulting in dreadful anticipation, no matter on which level of the office hierarchy you sit.

• Sports participation helps athletes score points beyond the field

  Tuesday, August 04, 2015

  We've all been made aware of the benefits that participating in sports, or even simply exercising, can bring for our short- and long-term health. But does involvement in athletics result in success that extends beyond health? "Sports have the potential to develop many of the personality characteristics valued in life: determination, perseverance, strong work ethic, cooperation, teamwork, fair play, honesty, and much more," said SHAPE America President Steve Jefferies.

• Family fitness: Teaching kids a healthy lifestyle begins at home

  Thursday, July 09, 2015

  Numerous efforts have been made in the U.S. to improve children's health and fitness through schools in recent years. First lady Michelle Obama has made strides in her efforts to upgrade school lunch menus and improve children's physical activity through the Let's Move! initiative.

• Is sportsmanship a lost cause these days?

  Wednesday, July 01, 2015

  When it comes to sports, figuring out the winners and losers used to be as easy as looking at the scoreboard. But with recent occurrences like the New England Patriots' "Deflategate" controversy and Major League Baseball's and the FBI's investigation into the St. Louis Cardinals' hacking of a Houston Astros database, some plays in sports have gone out of bounds.