Stories behind the stories make it all worthwhile

The month of May brings a conclusion to another school year, another year of sports, and a final round of senior nights for well-wishers to show their appreciation for graduating seniors. Graduates will receive words of wisdom from all kinds of different sources about the future that lay ahead. But with so many different and unique take-a-ways available for the graduates to reflect on, it’s easy to overlook what those of us around them might have gained at the same time. In my case, it’s not one of a proud parent, family member, or friend, but that of casual spectator, much like those that attend the local sporting events we bring you coverage of each week.

Sometimes it comes as a surprise to people that a business school graduate and real estate manager by day can be caught moonlighting as a sports reporter and columnist for the local newspaper in the evenings and on weekends. I even find myself having trouble sometimes explaining how it came to be, but the blessing in disguise that presented itself as an opportunity to expand The Citizen’s community and sports coverage two years ago has been something truly rewarding.

One thing I’ve learned is there’s never enough time in the day or ink available to print that would allow for every story worth mentioning to be covered. Part of that can simply be attributed to the difficulty in describing things which can only truly be appreciated when witnessing them in person. It can apply to stories on local government, business, charity and social events, and yes, even high school sports. There are some extraordinary stories out there to be told whether it be the career-high game that came on the heels of a personal off-the-field setback or the coaches behind the athletes who promote them first and foremost despite the interesting personal journey they’ve traveled themselves. In fact, covering the preps scene has allowed me to witness first-hand more than the touchdown runs, buzzer-beaters, and game winning scores, but some of the intangible things that contribute to the quality of the schools in our community and make up a small representation of Platte County as a whole; one being the development of young people through athletics.

While keeping up on your favorite college or professional team usually doesn’t take anymore than a regular browse through the newspaper, glance at the television, or turn of the radio dial on your drive to work, grasping some of the better story lines in high school sports takes a little more. Not because of the game itself, but because of the human side to the games and athletes that stats don’t do justice to in most cases compared to other levels of competition. The constant media coverage, fancy highlight reels, and publicity stunts may be missing, but the potential of the athletes and the pureness in the way they play makes up for it. Whether it’s a junior second-stringer progressing into a senior captain or a player failing to grab a rebound before coming down the floor the next time determined to block an opposing player out, it’s about kids growing up, being coached towards improvement, and reaching to achieve their goals no matter what it may be.

They’re learning all the lessons that we’ve heard time and time again in memorable quotes and sports analogies. The difference is kids take them to heart and allow themselves to be inspired. Even though many of the same famous sayings still apply as we get older, it seems we’re less likely to use them as motivation. Perhaps that’s why some take an interest in preps sports. While we watch the young live out those inspirations, it can also serve as a reminder in our own driven lives to continue reaching for our own milestones. They might not be the same goals and likely pale in comparison to what seems are the increasingly complex lives we now live, but the same optimism and energy most evident in high school athletics can always be a welcomed and positive addition whatever age you are.