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An Interview with Derek Jeter

Honorary Chair of Alcohol Awareness Month, April 2000

Turn 2 Foundation

Alcohol Awareness Home Page  

Derek Jeter, one of baseball's rising young stars, is honorary chair of this year's Alcohol Awareness Month in April. The 25-year-old shortstop joined the New York Yankees in 1995 and has played on its World Series championship teams for the past two years. In 1996, he established the Turn 2 Foundation.

Q Playing team sports seems to go hand in hand with drinking among high school and college students, as well as professional athletes. Why do you think alcohol use is so pervasive? What are your attitudes about drinking as an adult?

A I believe that drinking and using drugs was as pervasive among non athletes as among athletes while I was in high school and college. I think alcohol usage is so pervasive among high school and college students because a lot of young people try to be "cool" and going against the norms of society by drinking before it is legal and accepted is considered "cool." "Cool" is considered by young people in this case as doing "grown up" or "adult" activities. Unfortunately, some of the "grown up" activities are not healthy for a lot of high school and college age students.

My attitude about drinking as an adult is that if you are 21 or older, you should be mature enough to drink "responsibly." At the age of 21 you are seen by society as old enough to make your own choices. However, there are adults who are not mature enough to make their own choices and do not drink responsibly. As we know, there are adults for whom drinking always causes problems and they should not drink under any circumstances because of alcoholism.

Q How did you first learn about alcohol and other drugs? At home? In school? From your friends?

A I first learned about alcohol and drugs at home from my parents. They made me aware at an early age about the negative effects of alcohol and drugs. I was able to get the facts first hand from people who knew and cared about me and my future. In high school, I participated in a student assistance program that promoted non-alcohol and non-drug usage.

Q Did you ever feel pressured to drink when you were a teenager? How did you handle it?

A Yes, I did feel pressured to drink when I was a teenager. I handled it by removing myself from situations where drinking was occurring. Also, there were times that I knew attending some parties or putting myself in some situations would increase that pressure to drink, so I tried to stay out of those situations.

Q Do you have any advice for teenagers who think they have to drink to be accepted by the "in crowd"?

A The advice I have for teens who think they have to drink to be accepted by the "in crowd" is that, what you may think is the "in crowd" now will not be the "in crowd" ten years later. In school, you must prepare for the future. Using alcohol and drugs will prevent you from reaching your goals. I had friends in high school who thought it was more important to be accepted by the "in crowd" than making good decisions for themselves. Unfortunately, some of those friends eight years after graduation from high school are still struggling in their lives. I believe that teens should search for that group of students who have goals and make good decisions.

Q Why did you decide to establish the Turn 2 Foundation? What does it do?

A I was a big Dave Winfield fan. He was known as an all-around athlete and great baseball player. I had pictures of Dave Winfield on my bedroom wall while I was growing up. Also, Dave was known as an athlete who gave back to the community. He started his foundation to achieve his goal of giving back to the community. I decided that if and when I made it into the major leagues as a baseball player, I would do the same as Winfield. During my rookie year with the Yankees in 1996, I sat down with my father in a hotel in Detroit and we worked out a plan to start my foundation. My foundation, through awarding grants, supports programs and activities that promote healthy lifestyles among young people. We promote the message of staying away from alcohol and drugs as a way for them to realize their dreams.

Q How does your "Jeter's Leaders" program work?

A "Jeter's Leaders" is one of the many programs we sponsor in the New York and West Michigan areas. The program identifies (through an interview process) young children in high school who are doing exceptionally well in regards to non alcoholic/drug usage, community involvement and academic achievement. The "Leaders" are selected based on accomplishments that are sometimes not looked on as being "cool" by some of their peers. The young people are involved in the program for three or four years. The "Leaders" own high school years are enhanced by their involvement in numerous program activities. Also, the "Leaders" act as role models for their own peers and young children. The co-sponsors for the program are the Christopher D. Smithers Foundation and the Kellogg Foundation.

Personally, I get to meet with the young people and their families and discuss issues that affect them and that affected me while I was in high school. These are exceptional students who want to be role models.