There are many things we can choose to be disenchanted with in today’s world. Conversely, there are many things we can be positive about or choose to let them engage your interest.
Over 20 years ago, we lived in Columbus, NE. My job led our family there. During that time (five years of living there), I came to find something that absorbed me in a good way, something I’d never considered previously. I’m finding the same thing occurring with me today.
Nebraska is a small state. There are two reasonable-sized cities in Omaha and Lincoln, but after that you’re looking at a number of hubs with populations ranging from about 20,000 to 50,000. Those living in the country surrounding those small cities drove there for their doctors, food, jobs, places of worship. Most of the state was wide open with low population density. There were and are no professional sports teams in Nebraska.
That led to a certain insane support of the University of Nebraska football team, with the stadium itself becoming the third largest city in the state during game day. Given the spread-out nature of the state’s population (and lack of pro sports), high school athletics received a lot of attention in the newspaper. You could follow the local kid from their early high school games, watching how that community finished in their conference or moved through the state playoffs.
The ability to read about and follow local athletes as they developed through high school was something that I found, and still find, extremely enjoyable. You recognized the names. You got to know a bit about the community when the Omaha or Lincoln papers would do the occasional story on the success of a sophomore soccer player. You rooted for that individual.
There’s a certain purity to that – appreciating the talents of an evolving athlete who plays for no other reason than the love of the sport. The kids worked hard, they developed, the teams coalesced.
It wasn’t like a professional environment, tainted through money or publicity. Or, even like the current college Division I scene with its business-like atmosphere. Instead, it was about the kid(s) playing a game they loved, doing their best, and wanting to win for their teammates and communities.
I found that feeling again recently, having watched a local high school basketball player take his team on a deep run his senior year, then heading off to Wright State, where the team just made the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament. I remembered the incredible high school run, and then there he was on television leading his team in the NCAA tourney, and it warmed my heart. I felt a pride that he’d helped his college team accomplish a bigger goal.
There is far too much commercializing in big-time college and professional sports. We all lose something in that environment, including the athletes. The pressure and publicity surrounding contracts and raising profiles dilutes the desire to root for teams and individuals.
MANY years ago, my personal support of specific pro teams took a nosedive as contracts accelerated, prices went up, and free agency spiraled. I lost the ability to track the people I liked watching.
The high school world in a smaller town atmosphere brings back your desire. I’m invigorated watching high school sports. The talent and intensity might surprise those of you who haven’t been to a contest lately. But, I would urge you to give it a shot. It might enchant you.
Over 20 years ago, we lived in Columbus, NE. My job led our family there. During that time (five years of living there), I came to find something that absorbed me in a good way, something I’d never considered previously. I’m finding the same thing occurring with me today.
Nebraska is a small state. There are two reasonable-sized cities in Omaha and Lincoln, but after that you’re looking at a number of hubs with populations ranging from about 20,000 to 50,000. Those living in the country surrounding those small cities drove there for their doctors, food, jobs, places of worship. Most of the state was wide open with low population density. There were and are no professional sports teams in Nebraska.
That led to a certain insane support of the University of Nebraska football team, with the stadium itself becoming the third largest city in the state during game day. Given the spread-out nature of the state’s population (and lack of pro sports), high school athletics received a lot of attention in the newspaper. You could follow the local kid from their early high school games, watching how that community finished in their conference or moved through the state playoffs.
The ability to read about and follow local athletes as they developed through high school was something that I found, and still find, extremely enjoyable. You recognized the names. You got to know a bit about the community when the Omaha or Lincoln papers would do the occasional story on the success of a sophomore soccer player. You rooted for that individual.
There’s a certain purity to that – appreciating the talents of an evolving athlete who plays for no other reason than the love of the sport. The kids worked hard, they developed, the teams coalesced.
It wasn’t like a professional environment, tainted through money or publicity. Or, even like the current college Division I scene with its business-like atmosphere. Instead, it was about the kid(s) playing a game they loved, doing their best, and wanting to win for their teammates and communities.
I found that feeling again recently, having watched a local high school basketball player take his team on a deep run his senior year, then heading off to Wright State, where the team just made the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament. I remembered the incredible high school run, and then there he was on television leading his team in the NCAA tourney, and it warmed my heart. I felt a pride that he’d helped his college team accomplish a bigger goal.
There is far too much commercializing in big-time college and professional sports. We all lose something in that environment, including the athletes. The pressure and publicity surrounding contracts and raising profiles dilutes the desire to root for teams and individuals.
MANY years ago, my personal support of specific pro teams took a nosedive as contracts accelerated, prices went up, and free agency spiraled. I lost the ability to track the people I liked watching.
The high school world in a smaller town atmosphere brings back your desire. I’m invigorated watching high school sports. The talent and intensity might surprise those of you who haven’t been to a contest lately. But, I would urge you to give it a shot. It might enchant you.