Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012

Wow, how times have changed!  Or have they…?  Used to be that school sports events, the latest ones, were football games.  Not so any longer.  Last night, I had to pick up my high school son at midnight from where the bus dropped him off at school, following his cross-country event.  Midnight?  Really?  Midnight?  Yes. 

Speaking with a girlfriend earlier in the evening who was astounded by the late hour the bus would be returning, I had to agree that it was, indeed, a super late hour.  In addition, the athletes then had homework for heavy class loads to finish the next day.  My friend wondered aloud how in the heck the students were able to keep up.  I then added how with practices, the kids begin school at just before seven in the morning and don’t finish until after 5 in the evening!  Then…they have to come home and slug their way through homework. 

Again, my girlfriend was astounded that the students could make it all work.  I explained how the kids on our cross-country team—one of the top ranked—are all exceptional students.  That the disciplines they learn with workout schedules help them be as dedicated to their studies.  As a result, only the cream-of-the crop makes it onto the cross-country team despite many more who try out. 

Having been a serious athlete myself who had to balance studying and time-consuming workout routines in high school, I applaud my son’s coaches who are committed to teaching this generation, our kids, a solid work ethic.  One that will serve them well not only on the courses they run, but also in life.  So…although the buses may now be getting the kids home later following meets, the morals, ethics and work standards the kids are being taught mirror those of yesteryear, about which I’m thrilled.