Ugly Hedgehog - Photography Forum
Home Active Topics Newest Pictures Search Login Register
Sports Photography
Champions
May 16, 2022 14:35:27   #
Tex-s
 
The image at the bottom was shot by a High School volunteer photographer, and tells a great story, without the preamble. However, the photo means far more to me, and to my friends in coaching.

When one is a coach, at least in my state, it's possible to see particular athletes 12 hours per week in practice time, plus hours and hours of travel time, more hours of competition, still more hours in post-competition meals, and with enough success, even more hours in overnight stays at regional or state competitions. In my small school, this contact time is even greater, as some kids might have a coach for 3 academic classes daily and frequently coaches and kids also share a church. Because of all these factors, these students become de-facto family, and as such their successes and heartbreaks become indescribably personal for the coaches.

Thucydides described the brave as follows:

“The bravest are surely those who have the clearest vision of what is before them, glory and danger alike, and yet notwithstanding go out to meet it.”

I adapted the quote to athletics, and a copy of the following hangs in our girls' dressing room, and on my classroom door. It is a constant point of reference, a constant reminder of how one should dedicate and participate:

"Champions are surely those who have the clearest vision of the road before them, those who concede that great effort, sacrifice, and pain will be met along that road, and who, nevertheless, enthusiastically choose to travel upon it."

On Saturday our Track team defended their state 800m relay championship, their 1600m relay championship, and their team total state championship. Below is our 800m anchor leg 'looking back" to the others on her team and looking back at the official time (a new school record). In between those two track championships we also captured the basketball championship. As coaches, we have already seized the opportunity to look at the following photo with our athletes, reminding them that, win or lose, they will look back at what they have done, and will also have to decide for themselves whether they traveled along the road with enthusiasm or whether they just passed by.


(Download)

Reply
May 17, 2022 12:11:45   #
pnittoly Loc: Mountainside, New Jersey
 
Tex-s INSPIRING. Thanks. Paul

Reply
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.
Sports Photography
UglyHedgehog.com - Forum
Copyright 2011-2024 Ugly Hedgehog, Inc.