Enjoying each season
Now that another high school sports season is in full swing, I would like to mention how special each one is. As participants, coaches, parents, loyal fans or casual observers — enjoy the action, the camaraderie and the anticipation, but don’t expect too much.
Goals are great and striving to succeed is a must. But, remember, the other team is striving, too. Success is certainly not measured only by winning or losing. Effort and dedication to a task are important concepts created by the opportunities provided by high school athletics. Each participant, each team and each season is unique and special.
I had the wonderful opportunity to coach an assortment of high school sports’ teams over a span of 43 years, beginning in 1975. During those years, I was blessed with mixed results, a variety of experiences and a treasure of memories. My mind is filled with lots of “stories” to recall.
One of those experiences came after a cross country season when a disappointed parent was quite unhappy with me when his daughter did not qualify to run in the state meet. He had pushed her hard all summer long and his expectations were great. When “making it to state” did not come to “fruition,” he dubbed those months of August, September and October as a “wasted season.”
That’s too bad. There are so many things which go into a season other than “making it to state.”
If “making it to state” is the only criteria of a good season, then there has been a lot of “wasted seasons” — most of them. I don’t think that’s true.
Sure, striving to win and get all the way to the state tournament or state meet is rewarding and fun. So is preparing for each season and the next event on the schedule. It’s a special process. That’s why there is pre-season practice and a full regular-season schedule. The whole season counts and is important — not just the tournaments at the end.
Do your best and work with your teammates. Enjoy the anticipation of each upcoming event, but don’t get your expectations out of line. Each season is a series of special moments and opportunities.
If mindsets are kept in the proper prospective, there are no “wasted seasons.”
