WOW! 2021 is finally here. What a year we have all had. The most wonderful thing is we get to have sports. Limited, YES, but on the courts in uniform.
Looking back and thinking about sports when I was growing up, makes me think of what sports really meant to me. Besides the fact that we got to miss a bit of school, it was also a pride thing. When my team entered a gym, we felt the need to represent our school the best we could and of course beat our opponent. But…was that all it was?
The word sport means: an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment.
Yes, sports is a physical exertion of a certain skill. And yes, sports is against another individual or team, but is it for entertainment? I guess since we do sports for fun, it is an entertainment. But for me, sports was a way of life. It motivated me to do better in school, perfect my skills, and test my limits.
Sports also became the center of attention in my small town of Belt. I know I’m not the only one to say that “basketball” ran the town. It was something to be a player, a starter, or just part of a team. My friends that lived on the reservation said that that’s all there was to live for. AND if you have ever been to a class C tournament, you would see that that is an understatement. When sports is all you have to look forward to, especially basketball, you tend to give it all you’ve got.
Coaches, please remember that sports is a religion to most. The athletes will be tougher on themselves than you could ever be. Be the motivator! Help them learn instead of dictate. They have been dying to play since this whole pandemic broke out. Just let them play. Yes, it’s great to hear a crowd cheer for you, but the heart and soul of the sport is in the kid and on the court.
I will leave with these two inspirational thoughts. They really hit home.
#1 “I want you to understand something. To me, being perfect is not about that scoreboard out there. It’s not about winning… Being perfect is about being able to look your friends in the eye and know that you didn’t let them down, because … you did everything that you could. There wasn’t one more thing that you could’ve done.”
#2 “Whatever legacy you gonna leave, leave your legacy! And it’s found through effort! Wins and losses comes dime a dozen. But effort — nobody can judge effort! ‘Cause effort is between you, and you!”
Good luck to you and your athletes in whatever sport you coach. May 2021 continue and finish strong.
Kimberly Sorkness-DeCock
MCA President-elect
Head track coach (Broadview / Lavina)
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