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Our View
About winning
In recent years it would appear that America has lost
sight of the true reason for high school sports. No
longer is it merely students running down the court, living out their passion in a small town while dreaming dreams of bigger days, and loving their game. Instead it is about victory.
Luckily many coaches at Rappahannock County High School see the value of player improvement and have not set victory as their only goal. But parents and community members need to remember the value of play as well.
The passion our society has for winning over playing is evident in a survey from the National Association of Sports Officials which said that schools around the nation have found it difficult to retain umpires and other officials.
What was the reasoning? Seventy-six percent of those surveyed listed poor sportsmanship by spectators as one reason for the retention problem. Seventy-eight percent also cited poor sportsmanship by players and their coaches.
There is no question that high school sports have changed and a drive to win is understandable in light of major endorsements received by basketball players even at the high school level, as well as the watchful eye of the omnipresent college scout which athletes of all sports now endure. It is still necessary to remember that victory is not everything.
"The Complete Book of Running for Women," by Claire Kowalchik advises women to "run like a kid," reminding them how joyous children are when playing.
"Ever notice how the children in your neighborhood love to run?" she asks. They love it because they are not pressured to perform, and are simply reveling in the joy of their sport.
Kowalchik reminds readers, "You were like that once. Remember?" Will future generations be able to remember the same, however, if we pressure them to win and forsake the joys of the game?
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