Sports and schools

[The Straight Story]

I didn't come from an area where people made a lot of money.

Was on the chess team ('A' Board - the 5 best players were on the A boards). My good friends from the hood were all on the football team.

My first X wife was a diver (high dive and such) and had 5 full ride scholarship offers.

Our chess team had no cheerleaders. We raised money for boards and trips by selling donuts and having things like insanity tournaments (where we played 24 hours straight) and myself and a few others held simul exhibitions (where I played up to 10 people at once).

In high school I got to play in professional tournaments, we had chess masters come to the school and play us, and I was able to play a grandmaster at a local club during an exhibition game (I missed a draw with him because I moved my rook one space to the right instead of the left - or vice versa, been a few years...he looked at me and shrugged and said 'you had a draw' - I knew that and in my excitement moved too quick).

We had kids in theater, football, volleyball, etc. All were able to develop their skills - some were more 'popular' than others. But to me and kids in many areas it was not about being popular, it was about finding what we loved and having a chance to develop our skills and meet other, like minded, people.

We in the chess club were not popular, but we won our games while the other teams at school (football and basketball) lost. No one came to see us play, and we understood that (chess to many is not a fun game to watch, unless you play it).

My friends were on those teams. They loved their game as much as I loved mine - and I am thankful I didn't have the pressures they did. I lost only one game in school tournaments, and it still bothers me in some way - even though we on the team all laughed about it and no one really cared. Should have won it, was a critical game in the state championship.

Point is - Some of my best memories were with my team and our games. The same is true for my friends on the football team - one of their good players was injured and could no longer play, so he spent his days while friends were at practice playing D&D with me. It killed him because he was a really good player and he loved being on the team.

Whether it be chess, or football, tennis, theater, etc - there are many activities that kids can relate to. I don't begrudge my friends their popularity at school because they played football, I had something I loved. I played chess, programmed computers, played D&D- and I loved it and the friendships I made.

I did not choose the more popular sports. But for those that did and it made them happy - well I am happy for them.

I found my niche and loved it, learned from it. They did too.

[proud2BlibKansan]

1. My dad was a coach

I spent my childhood on a basketball court. I learned to count by keeping score at practice scrimmages. My very earliest memories are of running in the gym with my sister while Dad had a team meeting in the locker room. To this day, I can't smell popcorn without being reminded of the concession stand in the lobby where the coach's kids got all the popcorn they wanted without having to pay for it.

I definitely understand the family feeling a team provides to its players. I also know that many high school kids only come to school in the morning because they have practice after school. I also can tell numerous stories of kids who only went to college because they earned an athletic scholarship.

There are so many good things about sports and what they do for kids.

I curse Joe Paterno for what he has done to a program with such a tradition of excellence. And for the damage he has done to the sports word. But I am so glad my dad is not alive to witness this. It would break his heart.

[Spazito]

2. Very well written OP, very reasonable....

I am not a sports fan, for the most part, although I do love to watch figure skating, gymnastics and the Olympics (prefer the winter one over the summer one). I don't watch college and university sports, just not my 'thing'. If sports were taken out of education entirely what would it solve? Sports are not the problem, imo, funding and the way it is raised and spent is.

I enjoyed reading your OP. Recommended.

[OhioBlue]

3. K&R - Sports was my savior in school

I attended a small rural school K-12. Quick back story - this was in the late 70's - 80's.. For the first few years I was the only kid with divorced parents... I love my parents dearly... and accept their shortcomings (we all have them) but add in the step-parents and my life wasn't great growing up. I never felt accepted at home (mostly due to step mother) I always felt like my life experiences were not real nor authentic for some reason... Grade school - I was one of the least popular and always picked last for everything... and I didn't have the self confidence nor home life to compensate..

I joined the co-ed basketball team in 5th grade... having classmates encourage or cheer for me made a difference.. a huge one... I went on to participate in Softball, Basketball, and Volleyball in Jr. High - things were different... I was feeling accepted and feeling the support of a team.

In HS I played some Volleyball and Basketball.. but Track.. a sport I never thought I would like.. turned out to be THE thing that changed my school experience. I was good... and it made me work hard to be better, I learned leadership skills... I gained self confidence. While at a young age I was chosen to be in gifted and talented.. I was still a mostly B student.. with the new confidence and competitiveness and recognition of rewards for effort... I became an A student and was inducted into the National Honor Society, graduated in the top 10% and did earn a small scholarship. Track was the highlight of my years in school... it made me a better person and student. I think it also saved me from an eating disorder and other self destructive behavior in HS.

Extra-curricular offerings are all important - be it athletics, chess, drama club, choir, band, etc. - it gives kids a chance to belong, to learn teamwork, humility, leadership, among other life lessons when they find something that sparks a passion and can share with peers.