Sports As Character-Builder

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The most important thing is for an athlete to look back and be able to say, “I gave it all I had. I never let my teammates down.”


Courtesy: How Stuff Works

Sports date back to ancient times, 776 BC, with the Olympics. Individuals learned how to become athletes. It was also a means to better themselves through running, throwing, lifting, and developing eye-and-hand coordination, among other skills.

Throughout the centuries, competitive leagues have formed–opportunities for athletes to match skill levels with other athletes. And a coach’s job is to prepare athletes to be successful in those athletic confrontations.

Part of that job is to help athletes deal with defeat. Coaches know that how athletes handle defeat says more about players than how they act after winning.

And when a season is over–especially when it’s the very last season…ever…the most important thing is for an athlete to look back and be able to say, “I gave it all I had. I never let my teammates down.

Then it’s the departing athlete’s job to pass down that philosophy to the next generation of players. That way, sports will do for people and society what it’s meant to do — build character.

About Matthew Paris

I grew up an avid Houston sports fan. After graduating from Texas Tech University in Theater and English Literature I worked as a marketing rep and coach for I9 Sports, coaching baseball, flag football, soccer, and basketball. I’m currently with Austin Sports Academy as a marketing coordinator, baseball and football coach, and coordinator of middle school and high school open play nights. I’ve written three short films for Looknow Productions and have also written articles on film marketing, producing, and directing. I really enjoy writing about sports and being an active contributor to The Sports Column.



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Comments (Sports As Character-Builder)

    Ravi Mandapaka wrote (11/04/18 - 1:07:10AM)

    Decent one, Matthew. Keep ’em coming along.