One Sad Observation

My 11-year old is not into sports. She claims if she has to sweat, that isn't good. So, our definite "girly-girl" has become a cheerleader. (Between you and I, I won't tell her that you sweat twice as much and work twice as hard doing this!). Because of her decision, my wife and I get to see her cheering at weekly basketball games and we get to see the games from a very different perspective. We get to see how some parents really can be an encouraging force in a young child's life and how some can be a definite negative influence, too. It's the latter that makes me write this today. Last night, we had the "misfortune" of sitting next to a man who thought he was Dean Smith and John Wooden all rolled into one. (For those who don't know, they are Hall of Fame, retired college basketball coaches.) This man had two 11-year olds playing in this game and, throughout the game, he persisted in chastising each of the boys for not "going to to ball" or "hustling down the court". At one point, when one of the boys had an open shot as the ref blew his whistle for a foul on the other side of the court, he turned and said. "He wouldn't have made it anyhow". We withstood his frustrating grunts and groans throughout the game and I watched as the boys would look over at him on the court with both fear and embarrassment. I watched two other sets of parents constantly encourage their children whether it be for something good or for some on court mistake. It didn't matter to them. They were just happy to see their sons having fun playing a game. The man next to us, though, was treating this game as if it were the NCAA Championship. Little did I know that the worst was yet to come. After the game had ended and everyone was filing out to their respective transportation, here was this man berating the two boys for their play on the court. The boys were tired, frustrated and, you can tell, once again, embarrassed by his display. As they walked away, I could hear him say that this was "constructive criticism". I did all I could to stay away. All I could do was leave with a sad feeling as to how this night will affect those boys in future games and in the future, in general.
Let this be a lesson to all of us who are parents. Let's remember to allow our children to make mistakes and learn from them. Let's allow our children to be what they are, children. Let 'em have some fun before they really grow up.

HOW PROMINENT WAS THIS STORY?

Okay, so we hear, day in and day out, about this athlete or that athlete blatantly breaking the law or doing something else that sheds a negative light on them. Of course, those stories are PLASTERED all over the paper and our TV screens. Well, here's a story that merited 3 paragraphs in the paper and not ONE mention on ESPN News this morning.
Did you see what Hampton Roads' native (and former NBA Star) Alonzo Mourning has done to help the Haitians? He and current NBA star Dewayne Wade established The Haitian Earthquake Relief Fund and, with the help of a number of athletes, raised $800,000 in a matter of a weekend. NBA stars Lebron James, Chris Paul and Wade all donated $100,000 or more. They, along with Alonzo are known for their philanthropy, but now check out the other names on the list: Gilbert Arenas of the NBA's Washington Wizards (for those who don't know, he's the NBA player who brought unloaded guns into his team's locker room recently); Donte Stallworth (Remember him? The NFL suspended him for the year for a DUI accident that killed a pedestrian); Michael Vick (Need I say more here!); Patriots' Receiver Randy Moss (Never considered a saint by anyone), Buffalo Bills' receiver Terrell Owens (he's the one who has a habit of wearing out his welcome everywhere he plays)and many more from both the NBA and the NFL. Okay, so some of the athletes, I have mentioned, are not angels BUT here's living proof that they are actual human beings who believe in improving the human condition but, since it wasn't negative news, we'll have to search to find it and that, to me, speaks volumes. So, let's cut these athletes a break and give them SOME credit for having a heart. This is one media guy who wants the world to know.

IS THIS REALLY A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME?

Texas and Alabama tonight for the BCS Division 1 college football championship. Strart time? 8:37pm! 8:37PM!!!!!!!!!!! You and I both know that , by the time they kick off, it'll be close to 9 so you're talking a game that won't end until around Midnight. Last I checked most of us have school or work tomorrow. Heck, even the NFL takes our workday into consideration, at least, for the Super Bowl with a 6:20pm start. This is THE college football version of the Super Bowl. What are they thinking? Or is this just me? Well, I guess I'll see the highlights tomorrow morning because there is NO way I'm up for the end of this one....not to mention any youngsters who just might be football fans. Nice to see that college football has followed the lead of Major League Baseball's World Series.