There is no "I" in "TEAM"

I'm becoming grumpy and opinionated in my midlife. 

We recently attended the annual fall sports dinner hosted by the fan club, followed by an introduction of students playing fall sports.  I think it's great that the kids are recognized.

But I want to blow the whistle on politics in school sports.

Back in my day, playing sports was very different than it is today. Athletes worked to earn their place on a team, and every one of them had equal opportunity. If you had an off day, you sat and someone else got a chance to play. Your teammates were supportive, not bullies.  And it didn’t matter who your parents were.

Today, many athletes are not required to earn their place.  They have a starting spot because they have the right name.  If you don’t have the right name, you’re never given an opportunity to show what you can do.  If these “star” athletes have an off day, they still play, while others who are perfectly capable of taking their place sit the bench.  Teammates are cocky and rude, putting others down more often than not.  But coaches do nothing.  It matters more who your parents are, and what they can do for the school – or for the coach. 

You see, too many parents are living vicariously through their athletes.  Too many parents believe their athlete is better than every other athlete out there, and that the rules should not apply to their child. They believe their child should never have to sit out – for any reason.   

There is no “I” in “TEAM”, people.

I’m caught between a rock and a hard place. I want to lead by example, and teach my kids to stand up for what they believe in, for what is right.  But if I speak out about this practice, my children will bear the brunt of the backlash. I’ve seen it happen to others.  My children have begged us not to say anything – they’d rather suffer through it than have us complain.  So what’s a parent to do?

This parent is counting the years until the youngest graduates...