100 - 0

I read the story a couple months ago about the girls basketball team from a Dallas Christian high school who beat their opponent 100 - 0. I immediately thought that the coach had run up the score and was deserving of being fired as he was.

Yesterday, I saw the above report on ESPN. My mind was changed immediately. I now feel totally different.

A couple of days ago I was talking with a friend of mine who was talking about the concept that "everyone gets a trophy" and how that is impacting our society. I agree with him. When I was growing up, we had to try out to make the baseball and basketball team in grade school. Today, everyone must play and must play in equal amounts.

I am all for people being allowed to try new things and this has provided opportunity for many to experience things they otherwise would not have. I simply wonder if this is right. Are we teaching these kids about life? Are we teaching them how to handle disappointment?

I believe that the national outcry against this coach is a product of this mentality. Society says that we should never allow another team to get beat so badly. Good sportsmanship would tell us the same thing.

The thing I like about the interview with this coach is that he admitted he would do things differently. He would have held the ball or asked to have the score turned off. I like his willingness to admit that he may not have handled things appropriately. However, I wonder what that would have done to the other team. Would that have robbed them of more of their dignity?

Just some random thoughts. What do you think?

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
John 16:33

Passion

I didn't watch any of it but the American League defeated the National League for the 11th straight year in baseball's All Star Game. The game was the longest in major league history as it took 15 innings to decide the winner.

The American League champion will once again have home field advantage in the World Series at the end of the season. On SportsCenter on ESPN this morning, I was struck by how passionate the sportscasters were discussing this game. They were up in arms because they don't think the All Star game should determine home field advantage--they think it should simply be an exhibition game.

Their argument was that because it actually means something, managers will do things not normally done during an exhibition game because they want to win. This, they contend puts players' health at risk.

The way they were discussing this was if world peace depended on a solution to this "problem." I thought about how truly unimportant this was in the greater scheme of life. Yet, I watched intently.

I think I was interested in what they had to say because of one word: Passion. These guys had passion about what they were talking about. You could tell they believed in what they were saying.

We are instructed to do things with passion--to the best of our abilities. So what will you be passionate about?

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.

Colossians 3:23

Playing To An Audience Of One

I have to admit, one of the things I am most disappointed about in Ohio State's second consecutive title game loss is the perception they have nationally. I am sick and tired of hearing how inferior Ohio State and the rest of the Big Ten Conference is based on two games.

Pat Forde of ESPN actually wrote that should Ohio State qualify for the game next year, they should be banned (read article here).

I am also hearing criticism of Coach Jim Tressel, even from some Buckeye fans. This is a guy who is 30-3 in has last 33 games. That is remarkable. In addition, his top ranked team last year faced 3 #2 ranked teams in the same season (never done before in college football) and won two of those games. Coach Tressel definitely has this team in the right position.

In fact, this years team was picked by most "experts" to finish fourth in the Big Ten! They lose very few seniors so the future is very bright. Leadership is key and that is what Coach Tressel has brought, Christ-centered leadership--and the Buckeye nation is better for it.

As for the nay-sayers. Let 'em keep yapping. If you are doing the right things and pleasing God (and I believe Coach Tressel is), you can't worry about what others say.

Pride Before The Fall

On Saturday I was a very interested observer of some of the college football games. Even though my team, the Ohio State Buckeyes weren't playing, their fate lied int he balance. If Missouri lost to Oklahoma or if West Virginia lost to Pittsburgh, then the Buckeyes would play for the BCS National Title.

As I watched ESPN's College Gameday that morning, the announcers all said the same thing regarding the chances of West Virginia losing. They all said it was impossible. They were debating how big they would win--by 5 or 6 touchdowns.

Kirk Herbstreit even went on to say something like this, "Congratulations West Virginia, you are headed to New Orleans to play for the National Championship!"

Later that evening, West Virginia (and Missouri) found themselves on the short end of the score.

While I was thrilled with the outcomes of these games, I was reminded of the times when my pride has preceded a fall for me. Pretty painful stuff. But a good reminder to us all.

Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

We'll Miss Ya Dan

On August 17, Dan Patrick will broadcast for the last time on ESPN. This will be a sad day for many, me included as I love his subtle humor.

When asked in Sports Illustrated why he is leaving this is how he responded:

It's (ESPN) a protective cocoon I've been in for a long time. I had started to take it for granted. I don't think I challenged myself, and I don't think I was doing great work.

There is a lot we can pull from and learn from those few sentences but the primary thing that hits me is that he has realized that he has been in his comfort zone.

That is where we all naturally want to be - our comfort zones.

However, if we want to grow, the only way this will happen is if we get outside of our comfort zones. We must break through our fear.

So what are you putting off doing out fear?