Clint Kinnamon thought hypnosis might help his team. 

kansascity.com

Two years after winning a Kansas state championship and one year after losing in the title game, the hoops team at St. John-Hudson High is struggling through a rebuilding season. 

Looking for ways to improve the team's focus and concentration, coach Clint Kinnamon embraced an unorthodox solution: hypnotism.

Almost every member of the team underwent a pair of 45-minute sessions last week after Kinnamon obtained permission from "about 90 percent" of the parents, according to Wichita Eagle reporter Beccy Tanner, who spoke on NPR's All Things Considered yesterday about the unusual story.

But the school board voted to stop the sessions Monday, saying the practice was "not appropriate."

"It won't be going on anymore at school," superintendent James Kenworthy said. "If parents want their child to do that, they can contact the licensed therapist on their own."

Hypnotizing students perhaps sends the wrong message to students and surrounding schools, said Kenworthy, who has requested a transcript of the sessions.

"At the high school level, it's not appropriate. We are trying to get kids to understand who they are and what they are. It may give kids a mixed message if you can't do it on your own."

Do you think a high school team could benefit from hypnotism? Would you give your permission if your child's coach proposed hypnosis sessions for the entire team?

St. John abuzz over teammates' hypnosis [Wichita Eagle]
LISTEN: Kansas Hoops Coach Told To Stop Hypnotizing Team [NPR.org]