"Maybe it's you who've moved away by standing still.' ITW
Jun 12, 2020 12:13:45 GMT -8
Credo likes this
Post by Luca on Jun 12, 2020 12:13:45 GMT -8
That's one of my favorite quotes. It's from "Inherit the Wind."
I started writing on high school sports boards in 1999 when my son started playing at Santa Margarita, though my fascination dates back to early childhood. Loyola was still having its run, as was Long Beach Poly, Mater Dei, Los Alamitos, and a few others. In the off-season the talk would be about the returning starters, the upcoming JV players, coaching changes and off-season development. Posters would project the fortunes of their favored program and bicker about past games. The trash talking was epic and pretty damned funny at times. Some of the best lines I've ever read, actually.
Loyalty was assumed and violations of the sport’s integrity and written/unwritten rules - which were relatively rare - were vehemently castigated. There was an honor system.
And as I got older I came to realize that the real enjoyment and value in the game was not vicariously reveling in victories attained by 16 to 18 year-olds. We all want to win, obviously. But the real significance was in seeing the kids develop their skills and values, their sacrifice, their efforts (whether in vain or not) and the camaraderie of the kids, the families, the former players, alumni, etc. There was community. It instilled values and virtues and made mature men out of adolescents. They – and you - would learn that there was something more important than yourself and your personal gratification.
Even now I can see why, if you have a son playing on one of the Trinity type club teams (including the public school varieties) or teach/coach at the school, you would still follow the current circus with interest or even passion.
Which brings me to my question. If you are not one of the above, why do you guys still care? All the discussion now is which 16-year-old is going to transfer to which program, where are we going to find our next quarterback, has Bobby Umali`ga now in his third school or fourth, etc. etc. The contrast between the current "transfers" thread and the content from 20 years ago could not be more stark, or appalling
The games are rarely competitive and are won in the off season by whoever recruits best. We already know who is going to be in the D1 semi-finals for the next several years. No traditional, no integrity, limited sportsmanship. A diminution if not loss of values.
These are club teams that affiliate with high schools. They're really no different than local JC teams and the quality of play is less. Why do you still care?.....................................Luca
I started writing on high school sports boards in 1999 when my son started playing at Santa Margarita, though my fascination dates back to early childhood. Loyola was still having its run, as was Long Beach Poly, Mater Dei, Los Alamitos, and a few others. In the off-season the talk would be about the returning starters, the upcoming JV players, coaching changes and off-season development. Posters would project the fortunes of their favored program and bicker about past games. The trash talking was epic and pretty damned funny at times. Some of the best lines I've ever read, actually.
Loyalty was assumed and violations of the sport’s integrity and written/unwritten rules - which were relatively rare - were vehemently castigated. There was an honor system.
And as I got older I came to realize that the real enjoyment and value in the game was not vicariously reveling in victories attained by 16 to 18 year-olds. We all want to win, obviously. But the real significance was in seeing the kids develop their skills and values, their sacrifice, their efforts (whether in vain or not) and the camaraderie of the kids, the families, the former players, alumni, etc. There was community. It instilled values and virtues and made mature men out of adolescents. They – and you - would learn that there was something more important than yourself and your personal gratification.
Even now I can see why, if you have a son playing on one of the Trinity type club teams (including the public school varieties) or teach/coach at the school, you would still follow the current circus with interest or even passion.
Which brings me to my question. If you are not one of the above, why do you guys still care? All the discussion now is which 16-year-old is going to transfer to which program, where are we going to find our next quarterback, has Bobby Umali`ga now in his third school or fourth, etc. etc. The contrast between the current "transfers" thread and the content from 20 years ago could not be more stark, or appalling
The games are rarely competitive and are won in the off season by whoever recruits best. We already know who is going to be in the D1 semi-finals for the next several years. No traditional, no integrity, limited sportsmanship. A diminution if not loss of values.
These are club teams that affiliate with high schools. They're really no different than local JC teams and the quality of play is less. Why do you still care?.....................................Luca
