A Tale of Two Teams
This is a tale of two teams. For one, it was the best of times. For the other, it was the worst of times. But for both, it was a time to learn.
About two months ago, it was a watershed moment for many young athletes in Rhea County. There’s a good chance that you are a bit confused by that statement, because, if we are being honest, Rhea County is a football county. And it isn’t even football season. So you are probably trying to figure out what sporting events I’m talking about.
If you were one of the more than 500 fans that showed up at Eagle Stadium that night, then you know. Which, is record-breaking attendance for one of the sports I’m talking about. Or if you have kids or grandkids that are high school students, or a seven- or 8-year-old ball player, you probably know. Or if you have a Facebook page, you probably know. There’s a good chance that even if you live under a rock, you know at least one of the events I’m talking about.
One happened on the pitch, and the other on the diamond.
First, we will take a trip to Eagle Stadium. Our own Rhea County High School men’s soccer team found itself facing Cleveland in the Regionals. And with a tied game and a quick set up, Rhea County managed to place a solid shot in the net. Except, it didn’t count.
There was a hole in the net. And of all places for the ball to hit, it hit that spot. A spot, had the nets been checked prior to the game as is required, would have been repaired. So to the refs, they didn’t see the ball stop in the goal, which typically happens when the ball goes into the net. Instead, they saw the ball outside the goal. No goal. And everyone had a lot to say about that. Turns out that 500 people can cause quite a stir.
The video has made the rounds, and it is clearly a goal. In real time, it happens so fast, it isn’t a big stretch to see why it was called the way it was. From certain angles (or from half a field away), the net doesn’t stop the ball, so reason says the ball didn’t go into the net. But to see it slowed down, to see the still images which show the Cleveland goalie watching the ball as it squeaks by, makes the missed call so much more infuriating. And nothing can be done. It’s over. Finished.
But we will come back to that. Let’s talk about the other barnburner that night.
Let’s head to the Jim Barnes Sports Complex. It was the 7/8 championship for Dayton Youth Baseball. Another Eagles team faced their rivals, the Thunder. Each team had only lost to the other all season. One game. Six innings.
And it was a great game. Both teams played their hearts out. There were great hits and amazing plays. The growth that each player, on both teams, experienced during the season was beyond obvious. The Eagles walked away with a win on that field.
And this is where it becomes the best of times, and the worst of times. Some boys may have won a game, but lost more than the win is worth. And those boys that lost gained something priceless. Don’t worry, I’ll explain.
Back to the big Eagles with the soccer ball. They lost a game. But the Cleveland team lost so much more that night, though some may not realize just how much they lost, and what exactly they learned.
Those boys learned that winning is more important than doing the right thing. Those boys learned that in the face of stress, when you know the truth, and you know that it will affect a lot of people, the best thing to do is keep quiet. And on top of that, when you know the truth, not only is it best to keep quiet, but it’s best to let someone else take the fall.
I honestly can’t imagine what some of those players felt. I can only hope that some have realized that win isn’t worth anything. Regardless of the fact that the outcome can’t be changed, I would hope that some of the players know that kind of win doesn’t feel good.
As parents, I hope you teach your children that even when the outcome can’t be changed, the truth is still important. And standing for the truth, integrity, will get them much further in life than a regional win.
Now, back to the other Eagles. The ones that won.
After that game, a well-fought game mind you, there was such good sportsmanship. Even the Thunder, the team that had only lost one game all season, yet lost the championship to a team they beat three times, had words of congratulations. And after the celebration, and the pictures (but before the bags of junk food and candy the players consumed), the other coach came to speak to these boys. He told them he was proud of them. He told them they played well. He told them they deserved that win. And not only did that impact the team that won, but also the team that lost. They saw their coach, who was understandably disappointed at the end result, set his emotions aside and look each member of the other team in the eye and congratulate them. Each player knew that not only were their own coaches proud of the way they played, but so were the coaches of the other team. They knew they could hold their heads high for a reason other than a win.
And the winning soccer team? I imagine that with all the adrenaline, their heads were high when they left Bill Horton field that night. But in the quiet of their bedrooms, in that moment before sleep came, what was playing through their minds?
Actions are by far louder, and the memory lasts longer, than any score in a win or loss column. As parents, our job is to celebrate the wins and work through the losses. But it doesn’t stop there. It is so much more than that.
Rhea County soccer parents, when your kids say they would rather lose with integrity than win dishonestly, I think that’s worth celebrating.
Regardless of the score on the scoreboard, I want my children to know that I first want them to play with honesty, integrity and respect. Then, I want them to have fun. And if those two things are in place, then we can celebrate a win. But not before.
And when my kids lose, because they will, I want them to have the attitude of the losing coaches. I want them to look the other team in the eye as they congratulate them, and walk out with their heads held high.
And if, if they are ever in the position where the ball slips by their fingers into the net, I want them to bravely call it as it is. Because that means much more to me. That honesty and integrity is what is worth celebrating.
On the field, the court, the pitch or the diamond.