The Gift Of Sport

This year’s state wrestling tournament showed a lot right with the world today, and a lot wrong with the world today. First, the bad. Talking with other media members the fans were a little more mean spirited this year than in previous years. Fans mocked opposing coaches with some really hurtful comments. A coach had a team point docked for a comment made to an official. A photographer for a larger newspaper cussed out a worker because they didn’t want their bags checked and the parking situation didn’t meet their approval. Then, there were the athletes. After winning, several looked to the crowd, or to the television camera and put their finger to their lips to quiet the crowd. Another repeatedly made a yawning motion (I can do this in my sleep is how I took the gesture). Some coaches were not pleased. One wrestler was immediately escorted off the mat by his coach for a talking to after the championship win. Now for the good. Coaches Derek Garfield and Dom Cherry. After posting a video of Garfield celebrating a win for Kazz Hyson FJN had several comments like, “Best. Coach. Ever,” and “That energy has me pumped for the day! Love it!” and “I don’t know that coach, but I’m impressed!” When his kids win, he’s excited, boisterous and joyful. When his kids lose, he’s quiet, thoughtful and encouraging. Exactly what a coach should be today. Coach Dom isn’t as expressive as Garfield, but there is a quiet assurance and faith in his demeanor and, again, win or lose, he is there for the athlete first, not to tear them down on what went wrong, or how they can dominate. After each of Fairbury’s athletes lost for the last time, the very first thing each coach did was hug their athlete. This was demonstrated by all of our coaches in the area. No loud antics, misbehavior and goofing off after a win wasn’t an issue, I never saw an athlete attempt such a thing. If you hear things about how unruly things have gotten in Omaha for state, have solace that in this coverage area, the coaches and athletes are champions in exemplifying what sport is all about.So thank you to those athletes, coaches and fans for being examples of what sport should be in this world.

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