Can Quality Leadership and Apathy coexist?

Southern Sports & Travel

We hear frequently that kids just emulate what they see around them whether it be at home, school or through the ever growing cultural dependence on social media which in some cases can be positive.

In the arena of high school athletics coaches and their assistants are charged with the momentous task of providing guidance to young athletes who spend a large volume of time on the practice fields and in the weight rooms and whether parents choose to accept it or not those coaches have a huge impact on that young athlete’s life.

In a perfect world there is no void in quality leadership, a quality leadership that embeds character through hard work and a never ending allegiance to team.

Unfortunately we aren’t in a perfect world and while giving recognition to those who teach life lessons through gifted coaching skills is imperative, those who lack those skills and, in many cases, desires should be held accountable.

In the MAIS fraternity of coaches many have provided positive life changing experiences, some we hear about and some we learn about years later.

These pillars of the MAIS go about their business and passion quietly and their work is on full display each and every time their team suits up for competition. The team is and should be a representation of what and who the coach is in the areas of leadership and character, two characteristics fading quickly in high school athletics.

On the Saturday just before the Class A state championship game between Trinity and Marshall got underway a ritual that has become fashionable took place in the southeast corner of the end-zone probably no more than thirty yards from the MAIS hospitality suite where officials and administrators were conversing and staying warm and dry.

The ritual is one similar to what Drew Brees does each Sunday before taking the field in which he is in the middle of a large contingent of teammates and pumps his squad up with a particular chant.

Unlike the Brees ritual this one was led by an assistant coach filling the air with obscenities at the top of his lungs and while those enjoying the comfort of the hospitality suite could not hear, the many children and families close by in the stands must have.

Ironically ten minutes later the entire stadium was led in the customary pre-game prayer.

There may be some who accept this type of behavior and pass it off as what it takes to be competitive and to prepare a team before an athletic event.

Human emotions are expected in the heat of battle, I’ve witnessed it each Friday night for the past six years on the sidelines covering football games but if the unacceptable continues to be accepted what have we achieved?

Some school administrators share equally in the blame, allowing an “anything goes” environment as long as winning continues. Those are the same administrators charged with ensuring a stated code of conduct is strictly adhered to.

Some coaches and assistant coaches lack the leadership qualities worthy of working with and leading kids. Turning a blind eye, whether it be from school officials or the MAIS, should be admonished from within the MAIS community of parents and supporters.

The MAIS has a committee structure in place that administers discipline to member schools when they deem warranted and as recent trends suggest, those committees are sometimes very busy.

Included in Athletics & Activities Commission (AAC) handbook on page 34 is the following sportsmanship creed which by mandate is to be read before every MAIS athletic event.

“The MAIS recognizes that the spirit of the game of football lives in skilled offense, effective defense, and a well-planned strategy. The spirit of this game cannot be maintained unless sportsmanship, ethics and integrity are our number one priority. Good sportsmanship will be expected from all groups associated with MAIS activities.”

It seems as though apathy has unearthed its’ ugly head and this language has transitioned into nothing but mockery.

I have reached out to the MAIS requesting clarification on another particular ritual that seems to be frequently in the news as of late but to date no response has been offered.

That and more on the MAIS’ current disciplinary structure which doled out punishment in a recent occurrence will be examined further and will be posted in part two of a three part series in a few days.

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Comments are welcomed and encouraged, email aafandaman@yahoo.com