Passions, Rights & Responsibilities

Part 2.. .

Passions abound in all quarters of sport. The athlete is by nature an intense competitor.; such passion is both expected and desirable. The coach's occupational choice strongly suggests a passion.  I would suggest that every parent passionately wishes for their children four 'things:' (1) Health, (2) happiness, (3) success and (4) love. The reality, however is that no parent can actually deliver these 'joyful-anchors' for a child. By the Grace of God or 'luck,' we have sustaining health. All other desirable wishes (happiness-success-love) must be found and/or achieved by the individual; no parent can give those desires to the child. That said, I have nevertheless witnessed some parents embark on 'missions-for-hell' when they believe that their child has been short-changed or perhaps, in their opinion, not treated fairly by the coach, teacher, friends; you name it...many mommies and daddies are completely blinded by distorted perceptions. They cannot help themselves; they are incapable of objectivity...love misdirected; behavior sad and pathetic.

Over six million teenagers will participate this year in American high school sports' programs and millions more will engage middle school athletics. Some of these youngsters will have good experiences while others will have bad experiences. The kind of experience will be dictated by three major factors: (1) The quality of coaching, (2) insightful parenting and (3) the level of the athlete's commitment to responsibilities. Prior to any school athletic season, the coach should meet with all players and parents. At that meeting all program expectations should be clearly outlined. Athletes, parents and coaches should walk away from this meeting completely understanding 'WHAT' they CAN expect and WHAT IS expected of them! Finally, there should be a clear model described to resolve any 'conflict.' Note: This process is ONLY engaged once per year by any family. Parents have the 'Right' to ask questions and coaches have the obligation to resolve the questions... ONCE.

The following statement should be read to parents and athletes at the beginning of the season:

We can best understand what something IS by establishing what it IS NOT... Sport is not an equal opportunity program...some make the team, some play more than others...some score more than others...and some will be injured playing sport; some parents have one hellava time grasping those sport realities. (Note: The parents will likely NOT remember any thing stated but if it is said in an 'open meeting' and documented then the moral coaching responsibility is met).

The sport dictionary is filled with many cliche's...sport is a microcosm...sport is a mirror or sport builds character. I believe that sport CAN build character but more obvious is how sport reveals character.

Part 3 Tomorrow...How sport reveals character and Understanding the Relationship Dynamics of School Sports.