The headlines in Monday’s sports section said all one needs to know about the success our young athletes are having on the playing field this fall — “Title towns,” “Gridiron greats,” “Feeling 10 grand.” Similar headlines may still be in the offing as some of these teams compete for coveted state titles over the next few days.
While we all like to win, athletics provide much more than wins and losses for schools, communities and the students who participate. Sports are a big deal for many students. Here is an opportunity for those who are sports-oriented to play on a team, and if it works out, do their high school proud with a winning season and perhaps a championship.
Certainly, we have had local teams qualify for postseason play this fall and keep on going. Following victories in which they took home Western Massachusetts championships last weekend, both South Hadley’s girls soccer team and Belchertown boys soccer team played in the Division 3 state semifinals Tuesday night. Both won and are through to the state finals.
South Hadley was playing in its third straight semifinals, having lost in the championship last year and the semifinals in 2017. Belchertown was playing in its second straight state semifinal.
Meanwhile, Amherst Regional’s football team will put its perfect 10-0 season on the line Saturday against Northbridge. The Hurricanes program experienced a resurgence this year in winning its first significant football championship — Western Massachusetts Division 5 — since 1999.
And in Division 7 football, South Hadley won its own Western Massachusetts championship and is set for a semifinal date Saturday against Leicester.
Then there’s the Frontier Regional volleyball team, which last weekend won the MIAA Division 3 state championship. Remarkably, this is the 10th time the team has achieved that honor since 2005. This season’s final game, played Saturday at Worcester State, was a thriller, with the winning point scored on the fifth set against Rockland High School.
But many teams do not go that far despite the best efforts of the players and coaching staff. And that is one of the many lessons high school sports can offer. Not every team can win. But that shouldn’t stop players from doing their best.
Here are some others:
Teamwork: Yes, some athletes are more talented than others, but without everyone contributing and working toward a common goal, a team won’t likely go far.
Spirit: That means more than just being proud of one’s school, but being a good representative, including sportsmanlike behavior during a game or meet by keeping one’s emotions in check and using good judgment. Of course, that applies to behavior outside school.
Fairness: Inevitably, there will be bad calls. People will sit on the bench when they’d rather be on the field or court. A player will have an off game.
Hard work: Practice doesn’t make anyone perfect, but it makes for a better player and team. Who doesn’t admire an athlete, student or otherwise, who succeeds despite adversity?
Commitment: That means showing up at practice and doing one’s part.
Respect: Students need to recognize the authority of their coaches, officials and others. They need to be coachable.
Balance: Athletes are students first, and it takes commitment and time management to keep up with one’s studies as well — great preparation for the time demands of adulthood.
Emotion: Learn to win with humility and lose with pride.
And, above all, have fun. Go teams!