Friday Night Loser

Friday night, I rushed on to the field in a crowd of Woodland fans to celebrate with our Bobcats, looking for my coach. But before I found him, I noticed another coach, Randolph County's. He was not in the line of players, coaches, and cheerleaders passing by their opponents, shaking hands. He stood purposely apart in a stubborn refusal to acknowledge or respect Woodland's team in any way. And, I've got to say - I have a problem with that.

(Thankful for the good coaches my sons have had)

Every year, the Alabama High School Athletic Association requires it's student-athletes to complete an online sportsmanship course. The purpose of this is to ensure that these young men and women don't lose sight of some of the important lessons that participating in sports teaches. Opposing teams line up and shake hands after games to demonstrate respect and good sportsmanship. From the time children begin playing organized sports, they are taught the importance of this part of the game.

Everyone wants to win, and there's nothing wrong with being competitive. However, the drive to win should never cause anyone to lose sight of the fact that those are people, just like you, on the other side of the field, court, etc. People that you may one day work with or for, might I add. Whether your teams wins the game or not, the players from the other team deserve to be respected and commended for their efforts. They are, after all, only still children. A grown man refusing to shake their hands because he's pouting over a loss is pathetic.

And, it's more than that. Coaches should be examples and leaders for their athletes. It is their job to teach them how to act, to be men, win or lose. If our coaches displayed the lack of sportsmanship I've seen from RC's head coach the past two years, I for one would be embarrassed. Of course, our coaching staff would never do that. Our coaches are teaching the lessons that last long after the game clock hits zero. It's so much more important than wins and losses, but it's so often overlooked and underappreciated.

What are RC's kids learning? There is no shame in defeat. Sometimes, you play hard and come up short. Is as much a part of sports as it is a part of life. It's not something to hang your head over. But, how you respond to it could be, when you behave like that coach did. You should conduct yourself with the same class and dignity regardless of the outcome of the game. Players, coaches, cheerleaders, etc. represent their schools and entire communities, and they should never lose sight of that. Play hard, fight hard, do everything you can to win on the field. But, in the end, remember that how you treat others matters. And, is speaks volumes about the kind of person you are.

The Randolph County team failed to win that game Friday night, but the way I see it, there was only one loser standing on that field.