It is often said that when a team wins the coach gets too much of the credit and when a team loses – the coach gets way too much of the blame. But on the sidelines there is always a common denominator come win or loss, rain or shine. It is the fans…. and more importantly – the parents. While fans are there to cheer their favorite team on and can be fair-weathered – the parents are always there. Before the game, during the game and after the game.
On Friday, I was honored to be able to witness Nazareth H.S. history when the Lady Lasers won their first ever Section V championship in soccer. It was an exciting game, and one that had everyone on the edge of their seats for nearly 3 hours. When the game was over, the girls charged the field. I couldn’t have been prouder of my cousin and the rest of the gang. A year of hard work and sacrifice had been validated with the ultimate goal. But then I got to witness history in a different perspective. As the players celebrated, I watched as the parents hugged each and watched with tears in their eyes as their children celebrated. Then I realized – in sports we always talk about the players, we talk about the coaches, but rarely do we talk about the parents.
I believe that often in sports and with athletes, we are quick to throw the word “sacrifice” around like it is a 2 for 1 deal on a McDonald’s Special Value Menu. We are quick to often praise players for their work ethic and the sacrifices they made to get them to where they are. But where does it start ? In most cases, it starts the parents. We often forget to remember that it starts with a Mom or Dad that rushes out of work to get their child to practice. Or a parent who sits in the rain/snow during a game that more often than not is the Ice Bowl. We forget about the parents who get up at 5 am to get their child to the hockey rink, then run home to race their other child to another practice. Or the parent that sets aside money in their budget to help pay for equipment. Sometimes it isn’t that they get their child to the field or the gym. Sometimes it is the parent that works 2 jobs, so they can put food on the table and provide a home in a neighborhood that is free of trouble.
Sure there are parents that are exceptions to the rule. And when kids make a name for themselves in those situations – it should be applauded. But there are millions of parents that make the sacrifice on a daily basis, and they do it often for kids that will never play a professional game. And those parents should be commended and applauded.
So fellow members of the Clipboard, join me in applauding every parent that has made that sacrifice. When they have sacrificed their plans to get their kids to practice or a game. For the parents whose idea of a vacation is spending a long weekend at a tournament. Who brave inclement weather to make sure their child is there for practice or a game. For those that instill their work ethic within their kids. It is often overlooked when it shouldn’t be. So if you can’t see me, know that I am standing in my living room – applauding you.
And for the parents on Friday night. It was an honor cheering with you and getting to witness history. Congratulations to you – as Friday was your night as well. I know you will be humble and say it was all about the girls – but you in some many ways are their rock and their inspiration. They just don’t realize it.
On to other news – the Mailbag cotinues to live!!
Q. Yo Dawg, Love your column. How big do you think the lawsuit will be after last night’s CFA game between Houston and Marshall? Did you see the play where the receiver ran into some construction apparatus and his leg flopped around like a fish out of water. Where do you rate that play with LT’s hit on Theisman and Greg Louganis playing smack my head on the diving platform? Actually who do you think will get sued – the school for leaving the equipment less than five yards from the field (Man, it was like the buildings and grounds department didn’t get the memo that a nationally televised game was taking place), or should it be the QB who led his teammate so far off the field? Keep up the great work – Opey
A. Opey, I have to admit it is within the Top 3 of nasty injuries. The nastiest of injuries all-time is the Joe Theisman injury. Has to be. An injury that can make Lawrence Taylor queasy has to be ranked #1. That is like a shark being turned off by the sight of blood. Only the Ted Krumrie’s leg flapping in the wind like a salmon swimming up stream can actually give it a run for its money. And what is with the band cart doing at the end of the end zone? Tell me Marshall is investigating this. Tell me Marshall officials aren’t holding their breath for the next 3 years and cringe at the wordings “pending lawsuit”.
Q. I watched as Pat Burrell led off the 8th with a bomb. I watched as Burrell stood and admired his hit only to end up on 2nd when he should have been on third. I watched then I waited. I waited to hear and read everybody chime in and bash Burrell for not respecting the game. Waited for all you bloggers to make Burrell your pinata in hater nation. I waited, but it never happened. What’s up with that? Como se habla? – Manny Ramirez
A. Manny! What is up big guy?? I am sorry but didn’t you see the piano AND the stove on Burrell’s back? Seriously I am surprised that no one brought that up. If it had been you, Tim McCarver would have been all over you like Isaiah Thomas on a bottle of sleeping pills. But then again – we KNOW that Pat Burrell is slow. But when we see you score from first on a double – well it brings a certain level of attention.. Hey!! you brought it up. By the way… since the price of gas is done, are you??? Sorry… Sorry, I couldn’t resist…. Ah that was funny…
Q. Smitty, Can you help me get a date with Brooke Shields? Those Volkswagen commercials are killing me. Is it just me or has Brooke gone from nearly being the uni-brow queen of the world to the sexiest middle-aged woman on the face of this planet? Geez! It is like VW is doing her a favor by giving her legs a disproportionate size on the screen. As if to say – Hey Andre! How’s life with your tennis champ? – Sleepless in Seattle
A. Sorry, one of the small perks of writing for the Clipboard is that I get first shot. Glad I am not the only one though , that thinks Brooke Shields looks awesome!! I wonder if she is interested in acquiring some German automotive engineering.. I am beginning to digress – Gotta go take a cold shower..
Remember to vote!!
Nice testimony to the role of parents in youth/HS sports. Well-stated!
Yes Smitty, nice shout-out to the good parents. Unfortunately, it’s the stories of the bad ones that seem to get more attention, but I guess that’s just the way that it is in our society. Congrats to Casey on being one of those proud parents.
One “under the radar” nasty injury has to be the play where Robin Ventura broke his leg sliding into home plate during a spring training game. The reaction of the umpire (Eric Cooper) backs this one up. He gives him the punch-out, then whips his entire body around to look away. Viewers didn’t get to see exactly what he saw, but we can just imagine.
Aaron, great write-up on the Lasers and the parents. The parents are needed by the individual players, the team and the coach. I have consistently reminded parents that when given the opportunity to sit back and watch their child it can be extremely rewarding for both the child and the parent. A parent can get a different perspective on their Child’s development by sitting in the stands. And to help the parent remember, the occasional camcorder footage helps in those later years. Go Lasers!!!!!!!! You rock!!!!!!!!!!!
Smitty
Great piece. I wanted to respond yesterday, but couldn’t find the time until after returning from last night’s ot loss.
There are so many ways I could respond. For whatever reason – Shirley Green is probably the best way for me to encompass my feelings about Nazareth and what I have learned about sports. Shirley’s daughter, Courtney, started playing soccer with Ab and Ceil over seven years ago on a team that I coached. We played in the local inter-town league during the summer months. That fall Ab, Ceil, and Courtney were part of the first middle school team at Naz. All the teams we played against were comprised of mostly 7th and 8th grade girls. Ab and Courtney were in 7th grade. Ceil was in 6th. I’ll have to dust off the team photo, but I think we only had 4 eighth graders on that team. None of them had played soccer before. Most of our team consisted of 6th and 7th grade kids. We went 0-9-1. The next year we went 9-1.
We knew we had something special way back then.
Courtney and Ab have both graduated from Naz. Courtney plays soccer at Clarkson, yet Shirley and her husband, Thomas, have attended several Naz games this season. Friday night as the celebration took place on the field, I turned and there was Shirley standing in the bleachers. We looked at each other through tears and put out our arms as if to acknowledge that all the sacrifices have been worth it. It was worth it for her to watch Naz win even though Courtney was not on the field.
Funny, I couldn’t list any of those sacrifices, but the joys I have experienced need little prodding to come flooding out.
And last night there was Shirley, wearing her bright yellow Clarkson hoodie, in the stands. Doesn’t matter that she is an elementary school principal with an overbooked schedule, Shirley made the 45 minute commute to watch Naz last night.
Why? Because we have become a family.
When the final horn sounded last night, I heard two sounds – the York team celebrating and Ceil sobbing uncontrollably. Eventually, I heard nothing but my daughter. Those were not the tears of a kid who didn’t get her way. She was crying because of how much Naz and the Naz community mean to her.
I was simultaneously filled with pride and anguish. Pride because when it comes down to it Ceill learned that old lesson (excuse the cliche) – it is better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all. Ceil invested so much into that team and although we will never find out, she probably would have cried just as hard after winning the State title. She absolutely loves that team. I was filled with anguish knowing there was nothing I could do to change the inevitable.
So we’ll move on – insert Fitzgerald’s line (“So we beat on, boats against the current…”
Last night, I was commiserating with Frank – one of the other fathers. We ended the conversation making plans to go and see the volleyball team’s next match. That’s what Naz is all about.
20 years ago I started coaching. I really had no understanding of what it is all about. I still don’t. But hopefully I’m getting a clue.
I am thankful to have been an assistant coach with this team (this year I took a diminished role but was there pretty much every day at practice). I love practices.