You could almost feel the electricity and anticipation in the air (or was it hormones?) as the local high school football team returned to school for early morning practice. As I walked around the track, I missed the quiet mornings of my earlier walks this summer, but I recognize the rhythms and patterns that accompany a new school year. Dreams were being born right on that field this very morning.
As I walked, I admired the energy and ability of these young players. I love the beauty of a spiraling pass, a straight kick, and a long run. I’ve even been known to get a lump in my throat when witnessing the effort and athleticism of a player who has worked hard to build his or her body for that one moment in that one game.
The varsity, junior varsity, and freshman teams occupied both ends of the football field and the hockey field adjacent. They huddled, drilled, shouted, and sweat their way through the morning practice. Coaches blew whistles, gave commands, evaluated performance, and watched over this field of boys and a few girls dressed in red and black. On some faces, you could see the happiness of being back with teammates. On other faces you could see fear; on others, you could see toughness, even cockiness, which probably also masked some fear. My heart went out to these young men who are expected to memorize and run plays, expected to be in the right place on the field at just the right second, expected to show no weakness even in the surety they will feel pain.
Sadly, this morning, I heard the head coach humiliate a player with a sneer that has left me angry. I get that coaches need to establish their authority, but why do we continue to support coaches who belittle, swear, and manipulate young people for their own gain? Admittedly, I’m not the most enthusiastic fan of football; some might think I’m too soft. But these are still young people, young players, who are forming their identities, their dreams, and goals. Why the need to crush one so that others step up? I worry about that one who was publicly shamed.
I continued my walk even though I really wanted to voice my concern. Here, I’m voicing my concern.
pelicansandprose 
You paint such a serene picture that gets wiped out with the word “sneer”. Very effective! Thank you for sharing this!
That was the only word I could think of that held the right tone.
Now, I coach girls, and while coaching them is different, the idea of humiliation is universal. Sometimes, I believe the coaching profession is beyond that, but when we see it celebrated in the media, it trickles down.
I’ve never understood that kind of mentality, but then again, I’m not the teacher doing that in class either.
I understand your frustration, both for having your quiet space taken AND seeing that happen.
I can tell through writing, your were able to dump your anger at what you overheard. I wonder if your wise words could be shared with the school’s administration? You capture the setting so well and you see the athletes and their personalities so well. And because of this, that one coach’s remarks pushed you to write this. I’m reminded of “See something, say something” – it might get these adults to see more and say the appropriate words to the children in their care. Just a thought. Thanks for sharing! I’d love to come walk with you. When and where?!