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With the promise of every new year comes the buzz of anticipation, expectation and hope. The season of relevance and success is the unspoken dreams of coaches, student-athletes, parents, schools and communities throughout the state.

We all realize, as things materialize throughout the year, the hopes and endless possibilities associated with a fresh new start may change. But for now, everything is possible. Before the year begins, everyone is undefeated. Across all programs and across all sports, only a handful will experience the euphoria that comes with embracing the State Championship trophy at the end of a season.

For the many other programs that have committed weeks of practice and training, and for the individuals that have trained in the off-season for months and even years, seasons end without the spoils and social recognition reserved for champions. But, this shouldn’t suggest that anything other than a State title is a lost season. No, each and every season can have a positive impact on the lives of so many. 

As poet Ralph Waldo Emerson penned many years ago. “Life is a journey, not a destination.” Generations have interpreted that to inspire. It’s about the experiences along the journey and not the ultimate destination that is most relevant. While the State championship is a worthy destination, it’s what can be learned and experienced along the way that may be the most valuable component of interscholastic athletics. And, that’s not just reserved for the fortunate few that end their season in a victory. Given an environment of nurturing and proper perspective, participating in high school sports can benefit all, regardless of the amount of games won or lost.

The most fortunate students, schools and communities have programs led by coaches that understand some of the most important life lessons can be learned, not just through triumph, but also through adversity and failure. With the right perspective, the path to life-long success can be taught not only in the classroom, but also on the courts, fields and courses as well. Former NFL Head Coach Tony Dungy referred to Emerson’s wisdom in his experience with the “journey.”

“It's about the journey--mine and yours--and the lives we can touch, the legacy we can leave, and the world we can change for the better.” – Tony Dungy

School teams and education-based athletics have the opportunity to get it right. We need not self impose the high-priced pressures of professional sports or the scholarship and need-to-win expectations of collegiate sports. Likewise, school programs need not yield to the petty parent and coaching issues of local, recreational club activities. Void of these elements, school sports can be a lot of fun for kids, parents and communities.

Coaches and school administrators can–and must–help to build self-confidence and self-esteem in young student-athletes, regardless of the socio-economic backgrounds, cliques, or ethnicity by providing a safe environment to teach skills, instill discipline and foster the growth of individuals. Research has repeatedly revealed the numerous benefits of participating in high school sports, both in the short and long terms. To actualize these benefits to their fullest, school programs must embrace a philosophy of inclusion with students being involved in as many different sports as manageable. 

Some may believe the best route to take is to reduce squad sizes and identify the potentially gifted athletes earlier and earlier in a child’s development. However, if the focus is genuinely on the teaching, preparing and wellness of kids, why are specialization, smaller squad sizes and early development segregation of the best talent appearing to be more of the trend? Is the assumption that it all stems from the societal pressures to win? As educators, we must ask how is subscribing to these influences in the best interests of kids?  

School administrators must determine the desired objectives and expectations of their programs. With appropriate leadership, direction and quality coaches, success can be measured, not only by trophies, but by the quality and character of the young people interscholastic programs help to produce. So, as we enter the new year with anticipation and expectations, everything is possible.