Exemplary Character (10-17-11)

We should be proud of our character.  Maybe not all the time, but in the last two weeks I have come across a few positive stories that I would like to share with you.
 
The first involves our Hill City Junior High 8th Grade Volleyball Team. Part of my responsibilities is to supervise the junior high ball games, a by-and-large enjoyable part of the job.
 
A couple of Saturdays ago, at the league tournament, I was both proud and thrilled to watch our 8th grade girls in action.
 
First, I was impressed by their play.  The girls truly peaked at the right time and played some of their best and most inspired ball at just the right time to advance into the championship game against Phillipsburg.
 
That game was intense. We stormed out of the gate to win the first set, fought through exhaustion in losing the second set, and rebounded for a thrilling third set.  
 
Our team ended up losing that third set 16-14.  I was heartbroken for the girls, who had worked so hard and come so close. The final point was decided by a ref’s call of a “carry,” a call that is often subjective.  It was a lousy way to decide a league champion. It was just one of those games that you hated to see either team lose.
 
A few days later, I learned of something amazing.  A referee from that tournament had sent our coaches a letter praising our girls for their sportsmanship and ability to separate character from competition. After that game, one decided by a ref’s whistle, many of our girls took time to thank the refs for their participation.  This is something our coaches ask them to do.  Considering the circumstances of the painful loss, it would have been more than understandable if our girls had simply walked away. Instead, our girls took the time to thank the refs – win, lose, or draw.
 
The gesture so touched the official that she sent a letter of appreciation.  That letter was shared with the team and used to reinforce that idea that acts of character do make a difference. It starts with our positive coaches, who both model good character and set high expectations for behavior.  
 
Another example of our coaches modeling good character was on display at the Junior High Football Game versus Quinter. We jumped out to an early and commanding lead, running the score to 30-0 by the middle of the second quarter.
 
At that point our coaches began to put in the reserve players.  With these less experienced players, Quinter was able to move the ball and eventually score.  The final of 50-20 doesn’t tell the entire story.
 
I heard after the game that Quinter had not scored a single point throughout the season.  In game after game, other teams kept their starters in the entire game and steamrolled the inferior team, reaching that 45 point spread as fast as possible. (NOTE:  This is what I heard from one of our fans.  I didn’t confirm this with Quinter.)
 
But on a beautiful fall evening, our coaches thought it more important that everyone play rather than win by the largest possible margin. The Bulldogs were thrilled to have scored three times, and every member of the Ringnecks got significant playing time.
 
It was a true win/win, but more than that, it displayed a lot of character - just another reason to be proud of where we live.
 
Finally, this Saturday, I witnessed the collective character of all the parents and relatives who traveled to Stockton to watch our Junior Ringneck Football players and the Junior Ringneck Cheerleaders.
 
Stockton has a large visitor section, with seven sets of bleachers.  Our fans were present in large numbers on all seven sets.
 
Conversely, there was only a smattering of fans of the other side.  Now, I understand that their team is small and they didn’t have any cheerleaders.  To be fair, the home team fans who were present did cheer.  The concession stand was well run, and someone even brought the “Tiger” truck, to blast “Eye of the Tiger” at halftime.
 
But seeing all that red, all those fans, all that support for our boys and girls, really made me proud to live in Hill City and proud to support the Ringnecks.
 
No one is perfect, and I know we have our character issues like anyone else.  But sometimes, we rise above.  Way above.  And when that happens, we should all be very proud of our exemplary character.