Scoring Points As Decent Human Beings

Last night, I did not take in the Oscars.  (And I let my DVR capture my guilty pleasure - Big Love.)  As for the pre-show red carpet?  Nah.  I was in my own closet putting together an outfit for the evening.  No fancy dinner out, or gala, however. 

Last evening, wearing my go-to outfit of black pants, black tank, and a beige blazer, I took four girls from Carson's select soccer team to a special event honoring other kids in their club.

It was a big deal.  And not just because the four of them (who live in cleats, shorts, ponytails, and dirt) were in dresses with their hair down.  (Loved the triple take Carson got from one of the trainers who know her only as a great kid and a serious tomboy.)  His mouth dropped, but he recovered quickly to tell her and her team mates how lovely they looked.  (Nice recovery, James.)

The evening was to recognize the senior students of the club who, through determination, discipline, dedication, blood, sweat, and tears, have signed letters of intent to play at colleges across the United States.  All told, by the end of March, Lonestar will be proudly sending 100+ players off to pursue their education and love of the game.

This was hugely important for the younger kids to see, and I wish more of them had attended.  Not only for the inspiration of seeing the big kids, but because the speakers were honest, encouraging, and at times, blunt as a spoon about what it takes.

Throughout the evening, I glanced at Carson as she took it all in, and so much of what was being said resounded with this child of 12 years.

A year ago, she made the decision that if she really wanted this, she had to get better.  Period.  And there is no secret, no magic wand, no pill you can pop to make it happen.  It takes everything that was talked about last night.

It takes drive.  It takes mental toughness.  It takes sacrifice.  It takes a Herculian effort and understanding of the word teamwork, even when you'd rather eat a handful of glass and worms than play with certain people.

And it takes heart.  My God, does it take heart.

I watch Carson.  I attend every training session - and not just the two with her club team.  I watch her sweat and push herself twice a week in extra speed and agility sessions.  I marvel at her focus as she does a separate session each week to improve her ball skills - something that only is achieved through mind numbing repetition.  I'm there with her in the backyard on weekends as she abuses the back of the house.

Since she made her decision a year ago, her strides have been tremendous - speed, strength, confidence, understanding of the game, leadership on the field.

And last night, as I looked at the young men and women - 17 and 18 years old - I could easily see her standing up there, five years from now - but only if she does what those kids have done.  Which is five more years of the same efforts she has put in for the past one year.

It will be a juggling act - and I don't mean the ball.  It involves not only physical strength, but mental stamina as well.  GRADES MATTER.  Time management is huge.  And while confidence is absolutely necessary, its wicked cousin, Ego, must be left at the door.

Those nearly 100 players last night - they are good people.  I know this because their parents and trainers would have nothing less.  They know right from wrong.  They are friendly.  They are helpful.  They are smart.  They are respectful.

There was a story in the sporting news, sent to me last week by Mary Lou.  It was about Johntel Franklin, the captain of his MIlwaukee high school basketball team.  On the day of a huge match up between his school and DeKalb, instead of warming up, carbing up - Johntel was at his dying mother's bedside. 

On that day, she lost her battle with cancer.

Johntel did not plan to play that night, and no one could fault him for giving in to grief over free throws, but he changed his mind, and showed up in the second quarter. 

Now, word had spread, not just to his team, but to the opposing team as well, about what had happened earlier that day.

As Johntel was not listed on the official roster for the game, his late inclusion granted the other team two free throws.

Darius McNeal, taking the shots for DeKalb, intentionally missed both.  As he told people later, "I did it for the guy who lost his mom ... it was the right thing to do."

Johntel went on to score ten points and his school won the game.

And then the players - both teams - went out for pizza.

You see, there are young people in this world who step up and do the right thing.  Who remember that winning may be preached as "everything", but their hearts hold open the loophole of "not at the expense of another human being."

Those are the type of players I was on hand to honor last evening.  And those are the kind I am honored to interact with each week.

Players who leave it all on the field each time they play.  Well, all but their hearts.  They keep those with them at all times.

And for that, they will always score points with me.

Comments

[Kelly in PA]

That gave me goosebumps. I can't imagine the strength it took for that young man to play that night. I admire the courage and dedication of people like him and those you honored last night.

[Jamie in WI]

Wow - that story gave my goosebumps. Thanks for sharing!

And as for Carson - she is an amazing kid right now, I have no doubt she will be on that stage in 5 years!

[Veronica]

I shared in the goosebumps from that story. The dedication that those young people show is amazing, both Carsons' and the members of the teams involved in the basketball game. Our school district has said that students that are involved in 4 or more out of school activities are usually the high honor roll students...it amazes me that these young people take on the challenges of time management and the focus involved to learn the sports and play them well, on top of their every-day studies. Of course, many times it is the love and dedication of a parent or guardian that brings them to all of the practices and rearranges their own lives for the benefit of the child. Linda, and all those parents who make those sacrafices, season after season, should be commended as well for setting such a fine example.

[Nikki]

Society as a rule is quick to criticize and condemn young people. But there really are more good kids than bad kids out there. Maybe if the good kids got more press the bad would have less of an influence. But then the good kids aren't good for the press they can get.

I wish Carson well in her endeavor. Five years is a long time and it will take a lot of determination to keep going as she is doing. And not a little sacrifice from mom and dad. But I am envisioning the day that former collegiate soccer star Rudy is in the stands at a big time university game pointing to the field and telling his neighbor "See that one there? She's my kid. A chip off the old block!"

[ChickyChick (Kathy)]

Goosebumps here too. Carson is such a well-adjusted young lady, I can see why you and Rudy are so proud of her and her sisters.

[Linda S to Nikki]

If she wants it, it is a long road ahead. I really think she knows that. And she knows she has our support (ok, ok, it's mostly ME carting her caboose around since Rudy is away a lot), but that the rest is all her.

To her credit, she never complains about the pace of her life, the physical demands of all the training, she is a straight A student, and goes straight from soccer training to musical rehearsal with a smile on her face at night.

And yes, if she one day realizes her dream of taking this sport all the way to college? I do believe Rudy will need a box of Kleenex when she takes the field. (Oh hell. I'll need two.)

[Irish M]

GO CARSON! In this uncertain time, how fabulous that you have such wonderful daughters to cherish and cajole. It also says a lot about you as well, Linda, making the sacrifices to ensure that if this is what she wants, this is what she gets. Yes, college is the next step, but can we also dream about the Olympics? :)

[Linda S to Irish M]

One dream at a time. :O)

[Shawn in Lakewood CA]

Tears here...Thanks for sharing that!

[Diane]

The memories this piece elicited...I went thru the same thing with my daughter's volleyball career...junior olympic teams, traveling, literally, all over the country for tournaments and championships...the money invested and the time spent driving to the practices (a fifty mile round trip, several times a week), the high school games, the state championship tourneys. Then, the excitement of being recruited by colleges. In the end, SHE decided that she didn't want to play in college, that her studies were more important and that is where her focus should be. She went on to graduate as valedictorian of the school of nursing at her universty...and we couldn't be prouder!!! To this day, her volleyball memories are some of her fondest.

May Carson continue to excel and play the game for the love of it. Enjoy the ride. I wish her (and you and Rudy) the very best!!!

[Mary Lou in FL]

I STILL love to read this story. I wish the main stream media would start to concentrate on the GOOD in this country, instead of the negative. That would go a long way in restoring the hope we need in this country.

[Liz in CT]

Thanks for sharing that story. Athletes like these are such a breath of fresh air, especially when some players, and parents, lose sight of the "big picture". Carson and kids like her keep sports fresh and fun. Kudos to the parents who started them off right to begin with.
Looking forward to following her career - on the field or on the stage or in the classroom (most likely all three)!

[Another Lori in TX]

I got teary eyed from that story - aren't kids amazing?! Thanks for sharing.

[Toni in Dallas]

Inspiration comes in all sizes! Thanks for sharing Linda.

[Michel]

What do you think of this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVL30LAVMdI

[Lindsay in VA]

Yeah, I got a little teary, too! Thank you for sharing it!! :)