The Sunset Is Upon Us
Bobby Leach, SW Sports Nest
Published 10/18/2011
- 12:12 p.m. CST
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This weekend will be big for area football teams as the regular season officially meets its conclusion and for some, playoff seeding commences. Still for many other teams, the weekend marks the end of many football careers for athletes leaving their playing days behind them and facing a new future with the memory of their experiences in tow. As each season winds down and the clock on the scoreboard reaches 0:00, there is always an outpouring of emotions from both players and parents as they suddenly realize that this is it and that is that.
As a coach, the final speech to the players is perhaps the toughest speech given in the world of sports and while many shrug it off as part of the job it doesn't make in any less important to choose the right words. I suppose the over riding theme would circle around giving thanks to each of the seniors who poured so much of themselves into the program. Athletes spend between 6 and 8 months preparing themselves for a season and while many enjoy summer vacations, if your a prep athlete, you are spending a great deal more of your summer working out and practicing than laying by the pool or fishing on the lake.
For those athletes who will not be playing in the post season, this weekends games represent one final chance to leave it on the field. These are the games that will likely be remembered for a lifetime regardless of how they turn out and while the cheering crowds may fade with the final buzzer, the memory of that moment will continue to haunt our thoughts moving forward. Still for many there will be at least one more game to play in the post season as they realize one goal and begin their quest for what ever team sets out to do, win the state championship. In either case, the emotions will be vibrant this week.
I read that 95% of all students participate in an after school activity which clearly demonstrates the majority of kids want to contribute to something greater than themselves. The most important lesson learned from a sport or activity in my mind has nothing to do with playing time or score boards. It's a lesson of teamwork and a willingness to sacrifice self for it. I cannot think of a better lesson taught to our youth in preparation of a future that will require self sacrifices for the benefit of all.
As the final seconds tick away this weekend, take time to applaud the commitment of the players, participants and coaches who sacrificed self for the benefits that we all enjoyed this season. From the marching band to the cheering fan and everything in between, thank you for entertaining all of us this season with your talents and may you continue to set and reach the goals set for yourselves moving forward.
As a coach, the final speech to the players is perhaps the toughest speech given in the world of sports and while many shrug it off as part of the job it doesn't make in any less important to choose the right words. I suppose the over riding theme would circle around giving thanks to each of the seniors who poured so much of themselves into the program. Athletes spend between 6 and 8 months preparing themselves for a season and while many enjoy summer vacations, if your a prep athlete, you are spending a great deal more of your summer working out and practicing than laying by the pool or fishing on the lake.
For those athletes who will not be playing in the post season, this weekends games represent one final chance to leave it on the field. These are the games that will likely be remembered for a lifetime regardless of how they turn out and while the cheering crowds may fade with the final buzzer, the memory of that moment will continue to haunt our thoughts moving forward. Still for many there will be at least one more game to play in the post season as they realize one goal and begin their quest for what ever team sets out to do, win the state championship. In either case, the emotions will be vibrant this week.
I read that 95% of all students participate in an after school activity which clearly demonstrates the majority of kids want to contribute to something greater than themselves. The most important lesson learned from a sport or activity in my mind has nothing to do with playing time or score boards. It's a lesson of teamwork and a willingness to sacrifice self for it. I cannot think of a better lesson taught to our youth in preparation of a future that will require self sacrifices for the benefit of all.
As the final seconds tick away this weekend, take time to applaud the commitment of the players, participants and coaches who sacrificed self for the benefits that we all enjoyed this season. From the marching band to the cheering fan and everything in between, thank you for entertaining all of us this season with your talents and may you continue to set and reach the goals set for yourselves moving forward.
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