"This is part of your life — it's the second tier," Deford says about sports. "The first tier is eating, drinking and procreation. The second tier is religion, the spirit, music, art and the physical. Sports. It deserves to have as much attention paid to it, seriously."
This is a quote by famous sports commentator Frank Deford who retired from NPR. What do you think about it? After listening to this interview, what do you think his legacy is? And what say you about sports at Elk County Catholic High School.
http://www.npr.org/2017/05/05/526879714/frank-deford-a-career-spent-bringing-something-new-to-sports
Frank Deford's quote, for some unknown circumstance, can be a sensitive topic. He firmly believes in the importance of sports and how they are equally as important as things such as religion and music and the arts. However, I personally feel he has his ideas twisted, in a sense. From what I see, religion and sports already receive equal recognition above the other things he mentioned. Deford's legacy seemed to be generating controversy around his passion for sports. Everything he seemed to say was just in support of the game, and this quote is no exception. Deford's seems to think sports don't get much recognition, when in fact they clearly do. American society is seemingly based on the foundation that sports and religion are above everything else. This issue of sports having too much attention paid to it is very prevalent in the athletics program at Elk County Catholic. As a member of the more fine arts programs at school, I can really see how much of a god sports is to most students. This perspective isn't as obvious to people who don't participate in band, chorus, art, colorguard, drumline, or other similar activities. When they see the games and meets advertised by students and staff, nobody truly thinks to ask "what about the band?" The attendance at a football game or basketball game is always relatively large. The same thing cannot be said about the attendance at band concerts or drumline competitions. The musicians at the school pour their heart and soul into every performance, and sometimes we work harder than certain sports teams. Yes, sometimes we use more physical strength. Do people know about this? Of course not, because they typically don't bother to pay attention to us because all they see is "band nerds." We have garnered a little more appreciation recently, with the mingling of the performers in the musical coming from different backgrounds and we seem seem to get loud applauses when the band performs generic pop songs. Recently, for the first time since I started high school band I was actually complimented on my playing by a student who wasn't a part of the fine arts programs. It took that long but it's a sign the school is getting somewhere. In relation to this, a good majority of the students can tell you every little detail of the last football game that ECC played but they can't tell you one song the band played in recent years. In order for Deford to get his wish and have sports and music and art on the same level, sports need to be brought down, not up. They're above everything when it comes to a high school level, and it's infuriating for people from other programs in fine arts to see this while they get no recognition. And recognition isn't the only issue when it comes to sports' dominance in the school. For example, the football team can receive brand new jerseys every year, but the band has had to reuse the same raincoats for about 25 years and only got new ones in 2016. They see both groups at football, games, but for some reason, it's almost as if the school would rather have them look more presentable than us. Essentially, my thoughts on the athletics program is that it needs to be brought down and the students should learn to pay attention more closely to the fine arts performers. We're just as dedicated as they are and, like Deford said, music and art the second tier and deserves just as much attention.
ReplyDeleteNick, I took your blog very seriously and acknowledged your feelings as a fine arts member. However, sports are not as poisonous and lazy as you may think. I hate using stereotypes such as band people and sports people, but those of sports simply can't comment on the dedication, physical adversity, and performance stress the band has. People of sports applaud at the "generic pop song" because that's what all people know. Many indivuals, not only sports people, don't take the time to physically put forth the effort into recognizing every significantly popular composer in music just like others don't do it for sports. If ECCHS took a survey on the band at football games, I highly believe the majority of the student body is in favor of the band at every game. Just because they can't recall the song your playing doesn't make them band haters, or at most, unappreciative of the bands work. It's like saying to a band person, "oh my gosh did you see that play? or how did you think he made that catch without getting a flag called on him?" and the band person have no idea what your talking about. I agree that the band at ECC needs to get more recognition for their amazing talents and performances, but I do not agree that you should wish that the sports program be brought down, not up. It is simply that attitude that gets us know where. Just because "one side" isn't getting the recognition it fully deserves, shouldn't mean there is bad wished upon the other. Bottom line, we say we hate stereotypes but we continue to do it.
DeleteP.s. I agree about the sports uniforms, that is outrageous and unacceptable. I too agree on that standpoint. Some sports receive too much praise and THAT is what I feel needs to be adjusted. Not bringing down of one side to the other
Nick, I don't think that sports are getting to much attention (depending on the people and place) but I do have to agree that band members do not get the attention that they should get. I also wrote about the lack of acknowledgements towards band members as well as competition cheerleaders because they work just as hard as anyone in a sport. During your performance on Arts day I was very impressed the way you could play the guitar! So I am actually agreeing with you for once on that!
DeleteI understand your view as a fine arts performer but I can't agree with everything you said. In some to most of your blog you acted like athletes and fine arts performers are completely segregated and I can say for a fact that's not true. Athletes do in fact appreciate the fine arts. Maybe the athletes don't do band, because that would be a lot to keep up with, but that doesn't mean they don't care. I can say first hand me and another friend of mine loved the colorguard performance a lot and we wanted to go see it at the St. Marys Area performance the week after our fine arts day. But we initially had a game scheduled an hour away and were bummed when we couldn't go to it. There are also a lot of students at football games that move around to the band music, just as the cheerleaders do with certain songs. Students do care about the fine arts program. But other than that great work on your blog.
DeleteI know some of what I said is easily dismissible, I had to write this quickly as I had a very busy day today. My intent is to not shit down the sports programs and put myself and the fine arts kids up. I can't do that, it was destroy the meaning. I participated in sports until Band took over my schedule, I know what it's like. Nichole, I'm glad we could finally agree. The competition cheerleaders do have it rough too. It's hard to overshadow sports like football and basketball, and those were my primary target audience as well as the administration. I feel the staff is circulating the issue by not promoting the band as much. I don't like to put the students at fault, but there are a handful that continue to voice their discontent for "being forced to watch us" on fine arts day.
DeleteI think Frank Defords quote is true and one that everyone can relate to. He says the most important things in life are eating, drinking, and procreation. This is true because without eating and drinking, a person could not live. Without procreation, the world would eventually "run out" of people and there would be no humans left on earth. He says the next most important things are religion, spirit, music, art, and sports. The only thing i don't agree with is that family isn't in there, it should be. But the rest of it is true because religion helps with a lot of things in your life. Like praying, if you pray often, eventually good things will happen to you. It's true with spirit too because it's important to have a good spirit because that will raise other people's spirits up. Like in a competition, if your team is losing and they get down, if you're high spirited and don't give up, that will change their spirits. It's true about music and art because those are both a part of our everyday lives. Without music, we would be bored, we would have nothing to listen to besides something like a tv. Without art, the world wouldn't be as colorful. For example, everyday at lunch we walk in and see all the artwork that students have done, if we didn't have that the cafeteria would be a plain white and boring. It's true for sports because sports keep you active and social. Sports are a part of a lot of people's lives and it's what keeps them active and from sitting around doing nothing all day. It affects the social aspect because you're with the same people 5-6 days a week interacting with everyone, which you have to do in order to be a successful team that works together.
ReplyDeleteI think Frank's legacy is that he was confident in what he was saying and didn't change his perspective no matter what people think or say. He was always pro sports no matter who said what. He voices his opinion and if someone disagreed, he didn't care, he continued to say what he wanted to say.
Sports at ECC are an important role in a lot of the students' lives. I know it's an important part of mine, I'm in a sport all year long. Sports help to break people out of their shells, I know it has for me. If I didn't play any sports, when I transferred here I would've kept to myself and only talked to the handful of people I knew well, but since I was involved in sports and I was with the same people everyday, I talked to a lot of people and made friendships I wouldn't have made otherwise. But it's not even just the athletes it helps, it also helps the students that go to the events. For example, basketball, boys especially, we have an entire student section that all talks to each other, the students in there probably talk to people they wouldn't have normally talked to. Sports at ECC are an important part of a lot of the students' lives but we're starting to also involve ourselves in other activities as well. For example, the play, every year more student athletes are stepping up and getting involved in the play, whereas athletes and people who did the play were separated and it was almost like a discrimination. Especially at SMAHS it's very separated, the people who do the play are the "band geeks" and the people who aren't "popular". But at ECC, students are intermingled with the play and everyone talks to everyone so there really isn't a popular aspect to it at our school.
Brandi, your blog was very personal and I enjoyed your comparison of ECC to Dutch by means of stereotypes in sports. It gave concrete evidence to your experience with sports throughout your years in both schools. I agreed with most, if not all, of the aspects you spoke of in your blog. Nice effort!! 👍🏼
DeleteI agree with Emily! I also really enjoyed the comparison of ECC and Dutch sports! That was very interesting to me! Good work Brandi!
DeleteI love that you included family into your paper and how that it is also very important! I can tell by your tone that sports interest you a lot because your usual blog is very tightly followed by the guidelines but you used a more personal level which you should really do more often! This blood was very well done
DeleteFrank Deford, a man I hadn't known even existed, is an individual of impeccable views on sports. While listening to the interview, I began to like this man. He had many ideas opposite of the norm of broadcastings, sports networks, and sports officials. One valid perspective he had that I thought was odd others had not, was the same ideas, same coverage, and same perspective of sports events such as the Super Bowl. Many listeners enjoyed his style by means of covering different angles of the same event five other newscasters had already done. If he was saying the same information that the world already knew, then what was the point. Although this was not easy, Deford found his way and used a Shakespeare perspective to attract listeners hunger ears for sports news. He believed sports was so important he referred to them to the "second tier." "This is part of your life — it's the second tier. The first tier is eating, drinking and procreation. The second tier is religion, the spirit, music, art and the physical. Sports. It deserves to have as much attention paid to it, seriously." Many listeners enjoyed Frank Deford's dedication to NPR and his famous broadcasted views. His legacy will truly be remembered has the man who stood up to the sports world and gave new eyes to the public, new perspectives that were greatly appreciated by sports.
ReplyDeleteThroughout my years growing up, sports was an important factor in my life. In middle school, I played junior high basketball and volleyball, but in high school, I filtered out of these two sports and just played softball. The senior class always had a small amount of girls throughout middle and high school, and in my close friend group, I was the only individual who did sports at the time, so I was able to play with the other girls of my grade I was not necessarily best friends with, but we were able to get to know each other on the court. Playing sports in junior high enabled me to branch out and get to know the girls in my grade more if I hadn't of played those sports; I probably would still be confined to my group of friends. While junior high helped my friendships in my grade, high school sports brought out a new side of myself. As a freshmen, I was the only freshman on the softball team. I was terrified of the seniors and juniors, but with time, they took me in and made me feel like the apart of the team, not the lone freshman. My freshmen year set up sophomore year, and so on. It as helped me grow as an athlete, and a leader now as a senior. Sports have created so many friendships with upperclassmen, and now, underclassmen. Without sports, I would not be called "Ev" numerous times in the hall throughout the day nor acknowledge the friends I have now that are apart of the team. Sports have brought many of us together and broken down many social barriers in which allows all of us to connect together without the social standings high school entails. Sports have made me the person I am, and I've grown more in four years by stepping onto the field than I would have if I never played sports. Sports have many arranged opinions, but they have personally changed my life for the better and I couldn't thank them enough.
I enjoyed the last part of your blog! I really liked our you summed it all up and ended it. It was very personal and I know sometimes that is hard to write about but I think you did a great job! Good work Em!
DeleteEmily, the way you personalize your blog was great! You provided an example that suited your writing well and it incorporated Frank and his passion as well!
DeleteGreat blog! Sports ARE great, and you are a true testimony of the positive outcome sports can have on our lives. You explained your ideas beautifully and was well written. Keep up the good work!
Delete"This is part of your life-it's the second tier," Deford says about sports. "The first tier is eating, drinking and procreation. The second tier is religion, the spirit, music, art and the physical. Sports. It deserves to have as much attention paid to it, seriously." This is a great quote by Frank Deford. After listening to the interview it seemed like he was one of the big reasons why sports are what they are today. Many people who didn't enjoy watching sports just listened to any sport just because of him. He made the sports world come alive. I agree with this quote. Sports is something that has always been a big part of my life. Without sports I don't know where I would be today. They are a way to open yourself up, meet new people, and even can be a way to relieve stress. I have always had a deep love for sports. I've been playing them since elementary school when I was a little 4th grade girl getting to play on the 5th grade girls basketball team. Basketball, volleyball, and softball was something that I was always involved in throughout my life. Until I got to 8th grade. When I was just begging my 8th fade year I decided to join the track and field team. I began by being a runner and I thrower, and I actually did hurdles also (you are probably laugh because yes I still laugh about it today) until the hurdles coach told me I should focus on my throwing. Joining the track team was one of the greatest decisions I've ever made, I became close with so many people, although it's not my favorite it is just something that I enjoy doing in my free time.
ReplyDeleteFrank was also a very versatile and successful American writer. He was a big influence on the way sports announcers are today. Sports are definitely a huge part of ECCHS. Although academics do always come first. Some sports at Elk County Catholic are favorited more than others, for example boys basketball. When someone talks about ECC I'm sure that the first thing they talk or think about is how successful the Ecc's boys basketball program is. Without being able to play the sports that my school is lucky enough to provide to all the students my life would not be the same at all. Many people are blessed with a great athletic ability, and for some that is the only way they can get an education because they get to go to school on a scholarship.
I really liked your post. It went well with the topic of discussion. I liked how you showed how it effected your later life. Being close to people. Good job.
DeleteI agree on your statement how there are favored sports programs at ECC and for Some people sports are their ticket to college if they cannot fully pay for their college tuition, sports help a lot of people achieve a higher education. I really liked how you mentioned that aspect of sports.
DeleteI enjoyed your blog and how you added a personal aspect to it and you said how important sports are to you. I like how you also mentioned about scholarships, I never even thought about that. Great work.
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ReplyDeleteFrank Deford is the type of man that most people, including me, might think of as being the person we should all strive to be. From listening to the interview, Deford seems like the man who really thinks about his actions, his words, and how he uses them both. He likes to think outside the box, rather than think inside it. Just as he said in the interview, "If I come on three days after the Super Bowl and say pretty much what everybody else has said, what's the point? That was the tricky thing ... coming up with a new angle every time — or most times, because you couldn't bat a thousand." He wants to be different than everyone else. If we all stay the same, we will never be noticed, but if we are different, we stand out. I also believe that in his relation to sports, he shows that we can all find something to be different about by using sports to show it.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was young, I joined track and field in seventh grade. Track was, what some people may call, my happy place. Turned out it was more than just that. I realized how good at something I was. I could run faster than anyone on the team. I also figured out I could jump and throw. Now, just because I was in a sport didn't make me different than everyone else, it was how I did my sports. My coach noticed that I, before each event, made the sign of the cross. He asked me why I did it, and I know he did it just to see what my answer was, not because he found it offensive or anything. I always did it to let myself know that no matter how bad or how good I do in an event, God was helping me to do my best, and then I would always finish a race with the best spirit I could have. I still do it today. People always ask me how I'm always so happy and I just say that it's who I am. So, whether we are in sports, writing books, working a job, or just walking around, I believe that Deford thinks that we should always be our best.
Jake
Delete, I liked the quote you picked out to express the originality of Frank. You did a great job detailing her personal ways of being himself.
I really loved how you gave a very personal example in your blog and mentioned how sports helped you find a good place for you, it was very inspiring!
DeleteFrank Deford's opinion on sports can greatly be blamed for his works as a sports commentator. In some cases, yes, Deford's quote can be relatable true as sports are indeed a strong part of society, but not everybody revolves their life around the physical environment that sports bring. Frank used his career wisely to spread his passion for his viewers in hopes of bringing a new look into society's original take on sports. Frank speaks of sports being on a shared level with religion, spirit, music, and so on. Which this made me realize that it's not only about just sports, but really we all deep down have a passion for particular subjects and events. Although a great majority of society is actively involved in the sports rein, not everyone shares the same interest and devotion. Sports are just an extra complement to life, but so is "religion, the spirit, music, art". I don't necessarily think that Frank was singling out sports to be the greatest and most appreciated piece of attention, but rather he is speaking in our passions and how gloriously we should admire them.
ReplyDeleteFrank Deford created a legacy for himself that expressed who he was and what he had loved. He was out there to grant his creative thought and contribute original taste. Frank definitely contributed to making a strong influence on his viewers and other commentators. I think that living in Elk County has brought upon a bright passion for sports. We are also a small area with the add of strong religious knowledge and views. With really nothing else (entertainment wise) around us I find it respectable that we cherish our sporting activities so much. At Elk County Catholic I believe we know our limits when it comes down to what our priorities are. We worship God above all else before we meet our next tiers. Our schooling did a fabulous job raising us to know our values and to use them well with our practiced knowledge and talents.
I totally agree! You definitely brought out the best in our school in this blog and I admire that. I know that sports have greatly touched your life, and I can sense your passion for sports in this blog. Great job!
DeleteI really enjoyed the view of your blog! I completely agree when you said sports are just another component of life.
DeleteA sport is defined as, “A human activity capable of achieving a result requiring physical exertion and/or physical skill, which, by its nature and organization, is competitive and is generally accepted as being a sport.” (Australian Sports Commission, ASC) As an Elk County Catholic High School athlete and through my "athletic" career, I have found an new appropriation for sports. Since joining XC and through the coaching of WeeJ Fernan, I look at sports through a new lens. Sports are a human activity "capable" of achieving a result. Capable... Capable... Capable... When I read this definition I kept saying this word in my head. As I pondered on this word for a little bit, I realized that this is the word I would describe my athletic experience. Capable... I never thought that I would ever join XC. I never thought I was capable to achieve any kind of result through running. Although, I was inspired when I saw my older brother "running" after his goals through the pain, disappointment, discipline, early morning runs, sweat, sore muscles, tired eyes, but he never gave up until he reached his results that he was looking for. He was able to achieve his goals because he believed he was capable, and through this, I realized that I was also capable to achieve my own results. Although I set goals for myself in the art fields, there is something about the physical achievements that are unlike any other.
ReplyDeleteSports have toughened me up, and they have helped me realize that I am stronger than what I think. Long distance running is grueling. There have been days when I would wake up in the morning and I felt like I was not capable to move because of the tightness in my muscles. There have been days when I thought I was not capable of running the last four more miles on long run day. There have been days when I thought I was not capable of sprinting the final 100 meters in the race, but I can say that these were the moments that taught me more about myself than any other moments in my life. As Frank Deford implied about sports, "This is part of your life." Sports have been a large part of my life and are large parts of all lives even if one does not consider themselves athletic. Deford compared sports in ways that no other humans would think about compare them with. As a sports commentator, he had extremely strong opinions on sports. Many loved him and many hated him. I on the other hand have a great respect for this man. Although many may not agree with this quote from Deford, I fully agree. He argued, "Sports. It deserves to have as much attention paid to it, seriously." I am by no means saying that sports need any more TV coverage, or publicity than it already has, but I believe people need to look at sports as divine. Sports are such a gifts and deserve to be treated in such a way. WeeJ has taught me the gift of sports and that we are all capable to achieve results if we believe that we are capable do so. Deford is also one who has taught myself and many people to realize the value of sports. For example, Deford stated, "The number of letters I've gotten through the years, saying, 'y'know, I never really cared for sports, but I like listening to you because you bring something new to it,' " he says. "I'm sort of proud of that. I am proud of that." I was never someone who valued sports, but through my life I have come to have a deep appreciation for sports and in general an appreciation for people with passions and drive. Although Deford is now retired, he has taught many the value sports, and and I am proud to say that I have found that value as well.
As we all know I am an avid music lover and I will stand by the band when it is insulted and ridiculed by those select few students in our school. I am not blind to those who dislike the band but I do know there are people in our school that love the band and sports. There are people in marching band that play sports avidly all seasons and still find time to practice their instrument and be apart of something bigger than them. I don't hate sports, in fact I love playing them, just as much as I love band. This quote by Frank Deford can mean a lot to one person, it allows the individual to think of what they are doing with their resources and priorities. Sports in the quote is on the same tier as music and art, thus Deford made them seem equal. Music and the arts are often seen as the underdog in SOME circumstances where sports prevail however all these subjects are equal. They all allow for a person to find and express themselves and their talents that have been given to them. Often times I hear of the stereotypes of the band kid and the sports kid, even after just glancing at some other blogs and comments I noticed people talking about not conforming to the stereotypes of such. Yet some people do not realize that they have followed the stereotypes at least once in their life, it is inevitable to never conform to how society teaches us to act when we are in different spectrums of hobbies. I know many of us think, "how is it possible, I never once said anything bad about a band or sports performance!" That may be true, however we do not need to say anything to conform, staying silent while someone badmouths a sport or band group is something we've all done once. At ECC I noticed the sports gain a lot of recognition on announcements and rightfully so they deserve that recognition fully, and so does the marching band and I can distinctly remember the time where we won our first championship and the banner was hung in the foyer for a few days. During those days though we were told the marching band had no place to hang the banner there because we were bragging and rubbing our win in the faces of everyone else. Yet there is still pictures of the the awards from September in the foyer and nobody complains about such. I do not mind that the sports get acknowledged for their hard work and dedication through their season because sports are not easy and those people deserve every recognition. Yes there are those people who truly appreciate the band and I am very thankful for those people. Everyone is not going to fully understand the work that goes into band just as how the band kids are not going to fully understand the work that goes into a sport without playing it. ECC is changing slowly in regards to how sports and band clashes, I hope to see someday that band and sports can support each other fully and not have any fighting or feelings of feeling less than what the program is worth.
ReplyDeleteNichole, I really enjoyed how you acknowledged both sides of people's opinions in the beginning of your blog! It's important to be aware of both sides of an argument and you seemed to get that in the beginning.
DeleteI really liked how you looked at both sides, sports and the musical aspect, of our school. I agree there has always been a big division, at least for as long as I can remember. I think it's good to point this out and bring attention to it.
DeleteAfter listening to the Frank Defords interview I found it obvious that Frank thinks very highly of sports and people will always know him for a great sports commentator. The past few weeks in class, many different sports articles have been assigned for the class to read and many of the authors were against sports. High school sports are either praised higher than religion or are completely disregarded and bashed on because of stereotypes. Some stereotypes are that cheerleaders or band members don't work hard and they can't do anything compared to what a football jock can do, where as football or basketball players are all jerks and think they are always on cloud 9. In my opinion, each of these stereotypes is given to cheerleaders by football players and to football players by cheerleaders. I am in fact a cheerleader and I can say that the competition squad works just as hard as a basketball team to beat our competition. I can't speak for band members because I have never done band but hearing them play on performance of the arts day in school I could clearly tell that they work very hard. During a cheerleading competition, a team has 2 minutes and 30 seconds to prove that they are the ones to beat and in one season only about 6 competitions to prove they are unbeatable or close to it. Basketball teams have 4 quarters or a total of 48 minutes as well as 16 plus games in one season. Now, I think we can all agree that SOME sports involved people can be cocky and jerks but the stereotype is not at all true. Many players manage to keep what is more important above their sport. This stereotype also causes conflict between the very different extra curricular activities. Band members don't want to cheer on football players and football players don't want to acknowledge their talent. At Elk County Catholic these stereotypes do exist but not as much as they used to and not as much as they do in bigger schools. Everyone knows everyone at ECC and I believe that everyone will eventually get past this nonsense and come together to cheer each other on. So yes I do think that this is a part of life and that Frank was right when he emphasized, "This is part of your life — it's the second tier".
ReplyDeleteAll of my life I have been surrounded by sports in one way or another. My cousins on both sides of my family either played football, basketball, or were star wrestlers. So I learned at a young age how to cheer them on as loud as I could. When I reached junior high I also began to join teams as well. Through these years, I experienced both the good and bad sides of these sports. As we have seen in these blogs, everyone's going to have their own strong opinion, and Frank is no exception. Frank says that the second tier of life is religion, the spirit, music, art and the physical (sports). Many people would disagree that "the physical" should not be put on the same level as religion or the arts. I never understood why there was so much controversy about this quote between our class. Not everyone has the same amount of joy watching a baseball game praying for it to go into extra innings or to learn three instruments just for fun. People have strong opinions about what they enjoy doing and I don't know why we don't acknowledge that as the reason for the divide. People love their favorite professional baseball team as much as the next person loves their favorite musician's music.
ReplyDeleteAfter listening to this podcast, it it clear Frank will have a lasting legacy through history. I would say he taught the world how to have a humorous and lighter side about some of the most controversial topics one could name. I think he wanted to teach people to relax and have serious conversations about these controversial topics on sports. He was not afraid to bring something up and never seemed to be ashamed of that. I believe his legacy will encourage people to not be afraid to have conversations with one another and to influence people to look at all sides of an argument.
Sports at Elk County Catholic are extremely strong spirited. The people of St. Marys live for their high school sports, maybe a little to much at some points. I think most of the issue stems from the competitive parents who have the one goal of winning in mind. I don't think there is anyone to blame but the parents. They had a choice to have their kids play an instrument in the band or bounce a ball around on the basketball team. Not everyone enjoys sitting in a dark room listening to the sound of live music (I enjoy this so don't think I'm against it). More people seem to love the rowdy and suspenseful games in a crowded gym. High school sports have also been some of the most politically charged groups I have ever been a part of. If you don't have some personal connection to a coach or know a certain person, you are immediately at the bottom of the totem pole and there really is nothing you can do about it. There are many aspects that ECC could work on in their sports departments and they need to recognize them.
People of St. Marys do love their sports, that's for sure. I agree that's competitive parents do tend to be an issue sometimes and that's a shame because sometimes their kids feel pressured to do things they wouldn't do otherwise.
DeleteSports in the United States have become a central focus for many families and events. On the high school and college levels, sports are glorified and the members of each team are worshiped due to their amazing God-given gifts. Frank Deford, a beloved long-time sports commentator, referred to sports as the "second tier" of ones life. I would have to agree that this is a true statement as sports are so highly regarded by many people around the world. Sports have become the pinochle of holidays such as Thanksgiving. An entire moth has been dedicated to the sport of basketball (March Madness). Anyone to disagree of the Mia joe impact sports have had on the human race would have to be crazy.
ReplyDeleteFor Frank Deford, sports had become the highest priority to him. Being a sports commentator, he held great knowledge and had very strong opinions of all sports. I believe that his legacy was to keep the passion of sports living on forever. His love and devotion to sports was a humors and relatable reflection of the entire world. Although his opinions sometimes got him into shuffles with others, Deford's passion lead to him living and experiencing a wonderful life. Upon reflecting on his life and the quote he spoke, I would have to agree with Frank. I am not a fully fledged sports devoted person. Some sports I could honestly just care less about, but I do agree and love sports. Personally, cross country has taught me many things that I would have otherwise never learned. Sports in general teach people something that can not be learned any other way. Sports tap into the soul, the very core of a person. I think this is why Frank added sports to the "second tier" of ones life along with religion, music, and art. These activities Gave the ability to reach the deepest parts of the human race in ways that are just inexplainable.
Sports in Elk Country Catholic high school are definitely put on a pedestal, and I love it. I love the big hype we have before football games. I love the basketball's student section. I love watching the cheerleaders perform at half time of games. I love participating in the sports I'm in. I love learning and congratulation other sports on their achievements. ECC is known for its amazing sports program and I really believe that it is something we should all be very proud of. As a school, we have been gifted by God with the amazing abilities in sports and it's really a beautiful thing