Participation in Perspective
March 4, 2016
In school sports, we promote playing more than winning.
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We know that kids would rather play on a losing team than only sit and watch on a winning team.
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We know that, more than winning, kids play for fun, friendships and fitness ... for the “Fs” more than the “Ws.”
But participation alone is not our goal in school sports. The goal is high participation with high standards.
Our mission is to increase participation and to raise standards, including standards of eligibility, conduct and care.
We know that as we raise such standards for participation, we tend to raise the value of participation for students, schools and society.
An Athlete’s Father
December 16, 2014
My father died two years ago today. His life was filled with extraordinary success as an athlete and coach and was complimented with countless accolades as an administrator. But what he was best at was being a father.
He was especially adept – instinctively, not by any book of instruction – at being an athlete’s father.
The only unsolicited advice I can ever remember him offering me was to “stay tense through the whistle” on the football field, believing a player was most at risk of injury when letting down in anticipation that the play was ending.
Dad never critiqued my play or criticized the coach’s play-calling. If there was ever a parent who had earned the privilege of hovering, it was he; but he never did.
Dad understood that most people need praise more than a push, and approval more than advice. As an athlete’s father, he was perfect.