A really cool thing happened after my son's basketball game last night. As he was walking up to us as we waited to leave, a little guy with a small basketball approached him and asked him for his autograph. I'm sure this took him by surprise and he did give a big grin afterwards. As we followed this little guy around he was finding as many of our players as he could to get their autographs on his ball. While this was an episode of cuteness for our group, it confirmed to me what I have been telling student-athletes for a long time.
As a school leader, I try really hard to help student-athletes understand why they need to behave and always be the best versions of themselves. No matter what, somebody wants to be what they are. To a 13 or 15-year-old kid, this doesn't make sense. They don't feel famous enough to be asked for an autograph, but to a 6 or 7-year-old kid, they are everything they want to be. This kid can't wait to be old enough to wear that uniform and take their shots on the floor of the great Max Morris Gym. For this reason, it is important for our student-athletes to be great role models. They help grow the next group of kids that can't wait to be them.
It happens that middle and high school kids have to be disciplined or removed from teams. They lose playing time because they break team rules. Sure these rules exist for management of the team and to ensure fairness, but I say it is more than that. It makes sure the kids have guardrails to help them be the best version of themselves. Our little guys need to see this. They might watch the pros on TV, but our student-athletes are what they get to see in person and have access to. They may dream of being in the NBA, but today they want to be a high school basketball player just like our sons and daughters. We have to help our kids see that they are vital to this mission and even just their presence means the world to some little kid.
Adults, we are not off the hook. The next time we catch ourselves complaining about our work or burdens, there are some people who wish they had our burdens instead of theirs. We have to be good role models too and understand our blessings.
Who knows, maybe someday my son will be asked for his autograph because he's rich and famous. Today, some little kid asked because he gets to wear our school colors and play on the floor he hopes to play on. He and his teammates are important to this kid and that is famous enough for now.
