Let's reward athletes' participation with our presence

According to a recent report by the National Federation of High Schools, participation in high school sports is at an all-time high for both boys and girls. The same report also reveals that participation in Washington state is mirroring those national trends.

That’s good news, news that should be celebrated. Despite negative press that has sometimes accompanied high school sports, abuse of athletes, coaches who work some too hard and parents who can’t stay in the stands, it would seem more of our young people are finding and staying with athletic competition.

It’s good news for a number of reasons. Sports, along with other school-sponsored activities, keep our young people busy, and hopefully out of trouble.

These activities engage the body as well as the mind, strengthening both. They’re to be celebrated.

I didn’t hear from officials at Cheney or Medical Lake on their take on the NFHS study or what local numbers for athletic participation might be. But anecdotally, judging from what myself and my other reporters see, I’d say they’re pretty good for most sports.

There are a lot of factors in whether or not kids want to take part in sports. It’s a commitment, not only on the field but off as grades must be maintained, classes attended and homework turned in.

For instance, when I was a freshman, our football team went 0-8 and was pounded in every game but one and a half. That last one is not a typo; we trailed Freeman 34-0 at the half, at which point our head coach put us lowly freshmen in.

We ended up losing 34-32. Sad.

Consequently, nobody wanted to turn out. But we stuck with it, those of us who played, and two years later as a junior we started off 4-0 and were ranked fourth in the state B classification.

Everybody wanted to turn out.

Whether or not a team is winning or losing, one of the factors I think that will encourage continued good participation is participation of another form — that of the fans. Parents are always going to be at their kids games or meets, at least for the most part.

What really matters are members of communities who either no longer have kids in sports, or never did. From my personal experience, when you can look up from the sidelines or out on the field at the stands and see faces you know have no vested interest in being there other than to root you on, it’s a big deal.

It means a lot, and makes one perform just a bit harder. You’re not as tired late in a game or at a meet. Aches and pains don’t last as long.

So, that said, the school year is here, and with it sports. As community members, let’s get out there and support our student-athletes, middle school, high school or college.

It takes a lot of work, on and off the field. Their willingness to participate should be rewarded by our willingness to be there to cheer them on.

John McCallum can be reached at [email protected].