We live in a society that encourages and thrives on competition. For some, competing is a source of personal growth that often results in accomplishing noble feats. On the other hand, for others competition can cause them to be delusional and unprincipled in their unrelenting quest to win.
A recent example occurred at a youth sporting event when a middle-aged parent's competitive spirit ran amok at the expense of those around him.
It started as a typical Friday night kids' basketball game at the Jefferson Community Center. The players were happy, the coaches and parents were supportive and there were no incidents before, during or after the game. At the contest's conclusion, the participants exchanged handshakes, the coaches and some parents thanked the referees and, except for a few malcontent players, everyone left satisfied.
In contrast, the evening's second game was like watching a humorless "Bad News Bears" movie. One team arrived early with 10 players and was organized, disciplined, and skilled. The second team arrived late, with only five players and was comparably unorganized, undisciplined and unskilled.
Not surprisingly, the latter team was out-matched.
To " save face" and account for the score disparity, the losing team's coach and a few fans resorted to blaming the referees. After receiving a technical foul for excessively disputing the ref's judgment, the coach toned down his complaining.
However, as the game went on and the point differential widened, one fan's carping escalated and finally crossed the ethical boundary when he spewed obscenities at the referee. As a result, the officials stopped the contest and summoned the recreational staff to intervene.
The losing team's coach volunteered to tell the culprit to leave the gym or the game would be forfeited. Prior to exiting, this man held center court for five minutes ranting how unfairly the refs officiated the game.
He even attempted to accost the referees, but was deterred by the recreation staff. Before departing, he bellowed to his son, "get your stuff and let's go," and the two left the gym.
Even though play resumed and no further incidents occurred, a pall had settled over the gym. As a precaution, when the game ended the officials remained in the gym. Later, the rec staff escorted the referees to the parking lot.
This parent exercised his right to free speech, but neglected to take responsibility for his actions. His antics delayed the game and caused his son's team to be undermanned.
Since most kids are taught to respect authority figures, observing a loud and angry adult can instill confusion and fear. Other spectators were likely mortified by his boorish behavior and perturbed that his tirade impeded their right to observe an incident-free basketball game.
The options of writing or speaking to the recreation staff to file a complaint against the refs were at this fan's disposal. Instead, he chose a selfish and intrusive remedy at the expense of the fans, staff, officials and, most sadly, the players.
His impassioned denunciation was not about such pressing issues as war or global warming, but a recreational basketball game between 8-and 9-year olds! Consequently, his zany side-show was a pathetic, self-absorbed act in futility.
Unfortunately, adults engaging in inappropriate behavior occurs far too often in youth sports. Some of today's young athletes who observe loud and aggressive adult spectators will become the next generation's over-bearing and hyper-competitive parents.
To curtail this vicious cycle we must exemplify a balance between striving to achieve and our duty to play fairly. Ultimately, the highest form of competition is the drive within ourselves to do our best.[[In-content Ad]]
