My parents are not sports fans, plain and simple. To my dad, whatever sport it is, it's just a silly time waster. In that category he also includes playing board games, video games and going to the gym instead of doing "real man work" outside. My mom just wasn't really into sports, because to her it was boring. Plus, she never could play them as a kid because she was born with hip dysplasia. It wasn't fixed correctly, so she has never been really able to play sports or do any strenuous physical activity that requires use of her legs and hip.
Though I have wonderful parents who I love very much, I was not raised with a sports favorable upbringing. But, that changed when I started optimist basketball as a kid. I loved participating in the sport that brought adrenaline and determination. Plus, it was as fun as anything I had ever done.
However, my love of the game phased during eighth grade tryouts. The coach told me "You just aren't good enough. Yet." Instead of turning that to a positive and fighting through while training harder than ever, I did the easiest thing. I gave up. Still I watched March Madness and NBA ball all through high school whenever I got the chance. But, I didn't support my local team, except by playing in the pep band. (adjusting glasses like a nerd right now.)
But in 2003, the same year I was rejected from the team, I realized that sports was about more than just a silly child's game, contrary to my father's thoughts on the subject. I realized it when I watched the Kansas Jayhawks play Syracuse in the March Madness championship game. I watched the Jayhawks play their heart out the entire season, only to lose by three points. It was a heart breaker for sure, and I am not afraid to admit that I cried. I knew, by the look of the KU players, especially one particular photo of Nick Collison (who now plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder), that appeared in the paper the next day, that this was much more than a silly game.
To these players, sports meant a lot of things. It meant determination, hard work, years of athletic conditioning and a dream they had devoted their lives to that wouldn't be realized that year.
I don't watch March Madness very often anymore. I have a kid and husband to take care of, a newspaper and website to help maintain, church responsibilities and my own athletic ambitions to accomplish.
But, I get to live through the eyes of other athletes every year. That may sound depressing to some, but it's really not. In essence, I am doing the same thing each and every fan does. I cover sports on occasion. Almost every game I cover (unless it's a boring one), I get to see that same fight and ambition. It's even better though, because I get to see it in high school kids. It's fantastic to see ambition in the eyes of a 18-year-old kid. It's a testament to the fact, that no matter what their elders say, kids aren't getting lazier. In, fact, I think a lot of them are harder workers. Just, maybe in a different way.
I still get to enjoy a game, but now, I know a lot more about sports and I get to write about how great local student athletes are after the fact. (Yes, sometimes how bad they were too.)
So, thanks KU Jayhawks for making me realize sports is more than a game. I am not betting this year, but if I was, all my money would be on you. Rock Chalk!
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