Founding Fathers

In almost everything we do, we are guided along the way. Athletes are no exception. No athlete picks up a sport and just runs with it. Sports would essentially be non-existent if it were not for the ones who teach the younger generations. The passion for sports is generally taught to you, usually by a father. Dads all over the world, everyday, are teaching their kids how to play sports. One may think Tiger Woods teed of one day and was a natural golfer, however, it was the enforcement of his father who coached him to the pros. The William's sisters are a similar case, spending countless hours on the tennis court with their father. Even Ken Griffey Jr., who was not only coached by his father, but had the opportunity to play with him. Although the likeliness of a child becoming a professional athlete is extremely unlikely, the relationship between child and father, or child and mother is an important part of sports to all kids. 

In some cases, amateur athletes are given the opportunity to not only be taught by their parent, but coached by them as well. For all my life I have had the benefit of having my dad as my coach. As a child himself, he developed a passion for the game of soccer. It was only natural that he would teach me to love the game as he did. Since I was four, he attended every practice and game, primarily as a coach. Now in high school, I am fortunate enough to have him on the sidelines as the head coach of the high school team. I'm not going lie, it's interesting. He's harder on me than everyone else, and watching tape at home isn't exactly fun. But I wouldn't want it any other way. To hold my hand and to tell me I'm always doing a good job would never get me anywhere on the soccer in life. My friends often ask what's it like having my dad as a coach. It's really simple, on the soccer field he's dad and coach, and at home he's just dad. 

This past fall, my dad received the Northeast Conference Coach of the Year Award. The fact that he is humble about the honor often surprises me; to know that you are the best at what you do in comparison to your opponents and colleagues is something, in my opinion worth sharing from time to time. The fact that he received the award doesn't exactly surprise me; he's my "coach of the year" every year. 

Long Road Ahead

Everyone knows that sports are more than just games with bats, balls, and goal posts. For athletes everywhere, sports provides a "private sanctum" a "happy place" if you will, for those that take advantage of them. It also serves as something to strive for. Jeff Allison began his journey in Major League Baseball in 2003 when he was drafted by the Florida Marlins. As an 18-year-old prodigy, Allison was one of the top pitchers in the country, throwing a 95 mile per hour fastball as a senior in high school. Entering a world consumed by nothing but baseball, Allison would peruse a lifelong dream of playing Major League Baseball. However, along with his "fast" ball, came fast living, and drugs. Allison's baseball career seemingly halted when in July of 2004, he overdosed on heroin. It seldom occurs in professional sports for one's career to plummet almost instantly. The talented boy, who was once proclaimed a superstar and propelled for professional sports, has been consumed by a world of drugs and substance. 

Indeed nothing short of "sticky situation", Allison's career in baseball appears to be somewhat a fantasy rather than reality following his overdose. Indeed inactive, and certainly not throwing 95 miles per hour, Allison's career will presumably diminish over time following his drug overdose. However, precisely on December 4, 2006, Jeff Allison would turn away from a life of drugs. Alison has been sober for four years and four months and is currently active in the Marlin's minor league organization but is on the rise once more. Today, Allison was called up from the minor league camp to supply depth in the Marlin's bullpen. 

Living so close to Allison's hometown of Peabody, I would sporadically read the occasional story in he newspaper, whether it was his current involvement in baseball or activity in the Marlin's organization. However, after hearing this story, you can't help but cheer him on and assume he has shed his "tough guy" image. In his successful attempts to stay sober, he claims that his want and desire to live a drug free life was fueled by his strive to play baseball once more. It seems awfully funny to think that a game is what keeps Alison from using drugs. The game of baseball has dug Allison out of a hole, as he puts it "a deep, deep, deep hole."

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/2011032217063286/

J Mac

Recently I entered the Will Macdonough writing contest. Topics included anything sports, I immediately thought of the Jason McElwain story. Here's the paper I submitted

As an athlete, sports enthusiast, and aspiring sports journalist, one might say I’m always looking for a “good story”. Throughout middle school I would graze various newspaper articles, read ESPN.com and occasionally catch a sports documentary on TV. However in the eighth grade I stopped searching. Instead of searching for stories, I began to praise and obsess over the miraculous story of Jason McElwain. Never have I seen such sheer determination and courage at one time. To this day, I will still find myself watching the video on YouTube over and over again. McElwain, Born with autism, has forever changed my opinion of, the way I play, and watch sports, knowing determination is an integral part to any team, player, or coach’s success in any aspect of the sports world.

McElwain, although born with a disability, did not let his disability deter him away from sports but towards them. Having a love for sports and specifically basketball, as a child and teenager, he did only what he felt was natural, play. Overcome by adversity, McElwain never thought he was at all “different”, merely a kid that liked to play basketball. As a sophomore, McElwain did not make the basketball team. However, due to a developed love for the game of basketball and for the Greece Athena High School basketball team, coach Jim Johnson welcomed McElwain as the team’s manager. In his three seasons as team manager, Jason had missed only one game. After being cut from the team as a sophomore, to continue his career as the team’s manager, McElwain possesses a trait not common in any athlete, a selfless attitude. With this selfless attitude, McElwain’s focus is wrapped solely around the success of the team, rather than himself. As an athlete, self-determination is seemingly achieved over time. However, McElwain remarkably is determined to support his team and his school, through his raw love of the game of basketball, all while dismissing the fact that he has a disability.

            As a direct definition from Webster’s Dictionary, courage is the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, and pain. If the story of Jason is a familiar one, then you would know that courage plays no factor in Jason’s story, to him at least. In McElwain’s story, any first time viewer will see nothing short of righteous acts of courage exerted in only the three short minutes that Jason played in the final game of the season in his senior year. Coach Johnson had placed McElwain on the roster, but promised no playing time. However with three minutes remaining, Jason was given the opportunity to play. Looking up into the stands, the entire student body was holding cardboard cutout faces of Jason, a scene that seemed only present in a March Madness tournament game. To a fan, spectator, or anyone who knows this story cannot help but be astonished as to what actually happened. After missing his first two shots, McElwain caught fire. Hitting three pointer, after three pointer, after three pointer. McElwain hit six three point shots plus one other two point shot for a total of twenty points. As the buzzer sounded, naturally, the fans rushed the court. Although seemingly nothing short of courageous, McElwain feels otherwise. He sees it as doing what he loves, playing basketball.  The thrill of being carried off the court by his team and classmates appears to be a small incentive for Jason.

            Jason’s story is one that not only touches the hearts of those who hear and watch his remarkable journey, but one that inspires rather than teaches. His attitude and outlook not only on sports but also on life, is one that I try to have in all aspects of my life. As a high school athlete, I find myself becoming more passionate about the sports I play.  As a pre-game ritual, I dedicate my performance to someone who has inspired me or has shown how proud he or she is of me. However, whom ever I chose is included with Jason McElwain. For every race and game I dedicate my performance to Jason. His story has inspired me to find a passion for sports rather than to simply play them.             

Dream Big

I always said I wouldn't lose sight of my blog, I promised I would maintain a consistency of posts from week to week, and for the past few months I have lost the purpose of my original goal. Weeks pass, and although I mean to blog at some point, I have no determination to. However, today in school through a school assembly was I able to pick up the pieces of my neglected writing.

As part of a service learning project done by two students, a speaker from the organization, Rachel's Challenge visited Salem High School. For those that don't know, Rachel's challenge is a nation wide program that tells of the remarkable story of Columbine victim Rachel Scott. Not only do students learn about Rachel's foundation for compassion and kindness, but truly learn how to make a difference in their high school as well as instills the want in students to have a positive influence.

Throughout the presentation, the speaker would occasionally tell a story or two about people who have approached him following various assemblies. When talking about the importance of setting goals as Rachel did, he recalled the time when Michael Jordan had spoken with him following his presentation. From his back pocket, Jordan revealed a journal. In the journal was an endless list of goals he wished to accomplish. The ones that had been accomplished were highlighted in yellow, and the ones that were not yet obtained remained in black ink. Jordan started the journal the day after he was cut from his high school basketball team. The speaker gives a statement Jordan used during their conversation, "We can't lose sight of our goals. We have to teach these kids to dream big again." As part of the program, the importance of setting goals for oneself is taught. Although not the message of the program, there can be no success without an initial goal.

I guess under the circumstances, I'm dreaming big again.





For more information on Rachel's Challenge please visit their website:

http://www.rachelschallenge.org/

What's That Strange Smell?

As I have not found time recently burdened by my busy schedule, something happened last Friday night that struck me, and immediately I knew I would have to blog about it. 


No different than any other Friday night, my friends and I piled into one of my friend's cars and headed to the stadium for the football game. As always the trunk is piled to the roof with baseball equipment. As we settled into the car one of my friends remarks: "What's that strange smell?" I personally noticed nothing peculiar about the scenario and hadn't a clue what he was talking about. My other friend responded instantly: "Oh that smell? That's baseball". As I quickly noticed the smell myself, I had realized my friend was right. The car had acquired the smell of baseball. 


Although baseball does not literally have its own scent. It is a scent that is keen in the mind of anyone who has ever walked out onto a baseball diamond. The smell of grass, freshly turned dirt, and sweaty uniforms all concoct together to make that distinct smell of baseball. The smell itself stays with you forever, and at every field, stadium or dome, the smell is exactly the same. 


In addition to the clangs of bats, movement on the base paths, and the occasional snap of gum and punch of a glove, this baseball smell is essentially part of the game. It's almost a rule of the game itself or something that "just is", its not intentionally put there and we don't question it other than in this case. Before every Little League game right before the first pitch I would inhale a long deep breath in through my nose. The scent would be picked from my brain knowing almost instantly what that smell is, baseball. And at this moment, I knew I was in the right place. Whether you may be a fan, player, coach, or merely just a "passer byer" of the game, we all know that distinct smell that continuously calls us back to the sport we love. 


"People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball.  I'll tell you what I do.  I stare out the window and wait for spring."  ~Rogers Hornsby

A Matter Of Life and Death.. and If You Don't Win It's Death!

With the leaves changing color, and as children go back to school, every high school student knows that means one thing; the beginning of high school sports. Although a matter of opinion, it is pretty inevitable that football reigns king during in the fall. In every city, and in every state around the nation, people from small towns to big cities flock to their local high school stadiums to support the team.

I've always marveled how a simple yet entertaining sport to some is transformed into a religion to others. In small towns all along the Southern United States, high school football is THE only thing that matters to these small southern towns. At meager ages of seventeen and eighteen years old, kids in these beyond serious football programs are put on the same level as professional athletes by those that watch them on the field on Friday nights. In today's sports world, high school athletics, especially football is being viewed more and more. The hit T.V. show Two A Days was a series on MTV that went inside a high school football team from Hoover High School in Alabama. It was truly stunning to see a city devoted entirely to a high school football team. The practices and program as a whole from other schools do not compare with the programs constructed at these high schools. The athletes seemingly don't stop training, practices are run all year long and during the season players are expected to practice twice a day, before and after school. 

High school football is literally a way of life for these towns. And, with a win comes praise for players and coaches until the next Friday, but with a loss brings a burden of questions and harsh remarks from fans. The only problem is, the fans and the city are all in the same. It is almost a no brainer that in these football programs if a team does not produce results, a new coaching staff can be expected the following season. It seems a silly concept that a football team and politics are almost identical. The towns containing these programs are almost in their own little world, electing a quarterback or coach is almost like electing a mayor or senator for anywhere else. High school football is closely watched all over the nation. To some a social event and to others a way of life. Some of us just watch, while others eat, sleep, and breathe high school football. 

ABDE.. Wait? Wheres the C

In all sports, there is always one, if not several members of any team are given the responsibility to lead his or her team throughout a season.  The dictionary defines "captain" simply: "the person in command of the ship" and in this case the team on and sometimes off the field. Personally, in order to be a captain one must portray not only skill and a desire for the sport but must be disciplined and have a remarkable character as well. Keeping in mind however, a captain is not always the most skilled player, but should be a player that possesses outstanding leadership qualities. Regardless of who the captain on any particular team may be, the coach or other players have nominated this person for a reason, and for this reason alone should that player(s) be captain.

At Lincoln Sudbury High School (LSHS), the role of captain will no longer be present in any part of the athletic program at the school. You must be wondering, that this decision is for a good reason. However the cause of this action is in fact unbelievable and childish. In order to "not hurt other players' feelings", captainship will not be aloud at LSHS. According to local newspapers and athletic director, it was a complaint made by a number of parents, who felt as though those who have received captainship have done it in an unfair and in an unsystematic way. In stead of captains, the decision has been made by the AD to allow a board of students willing to volunteer, as part of a sports leadership committee, students of any age are aloud to join.

It seems as high school sports grow more and more popular we see parents getting more and more involved and often times in ways that are more negative than positive. As part of a recurring issue in sports programs, negatively involved parents wish to control everything from playing time of their child all the way to who gets hired as coach. In this particular case, we have seen that parents have pushed their "issue" so far that a change was made. Whether or not the change was for the better, or for the right reason is debatable.