Cheer for kids in the stadium of life, too
As the "heat" of the upcoming season begins to rise, and the expectations do the same, I wanted to take this opportunity to address some issues facing athletes, coaches, and most importantly, parents.
This is a crucial time in the lives of young men and women in our schools and life in general. In a society that rewards those who score the most touchdowns, spike the winning point, or who run the fastest time, as parents or coaches, we have the opportunity and responsibility to do more than just push kids to succeed in sports.
Talking with Marion head coach Grant Thierolf some time ago, I learned a few things about the focus and philosophy of Marion football. While I've covered Marion football for the past three years, I don't think I've ever come to fully understand Thierolf's hopes for his athletes — until now.
Sure, he wants to win, but more importantly, he wants his kids (and I'm sure his students) to excel beyond the halls of MHS. He wants them to succeed in life, a feat that can be challenge more lethal than a head-to-head collision with a 250-pound linebacker.
Thierolf may have said it best:
"It gives you a great deal of pride when kids go off and are successful in other avenues of life outside football. You take a great deal of pride when they succeed and you feel bad when they don't."
I hope every coach feels that way, but in the heat of battle it's not always that easy.
Too often we get caught in the fury of possible success or failure, and think little of the significance of such a ridiculous concept — a game. It takes less than three hours to complete the average high school football game. Three hours of a 24-hour day. It's time to make the other 21 count.
It's been said time and time again. "It's only a game." The question you have to ask yourself, "is it really just a game?"
Make it a priority to think about that question when you head out to watch your child, one of your players, or your favorite team compete. Your appreciation for the event will be affected dramatically, and the young men and women playing the sport will likely be affected too.
