The Place Of Sports In America

Wednesday, August 9, 2017

If you are a parent, a teacher, a coach, or an athletic director; or if you are interested in sports, building good character, or instilling discipline into life, then the following thoughts are for you.

Last week I wrote of Tom Nelson, the senior pastor at Denton Bible Church in Denton, Texas, and I cite him as a resource again this week, as we talk about how sports--when properly utilized--can be a very positive influence for America's young people.

I listened to a message on the internet that Nelson delivered on Sunday, April 2, called The Art of Raising an Athlete and it was filled with helpful information. It was so helpful, in fact, that I feel it should be heard by parents and coaches everywhere and should be required listening for those involved in every Little League, every youth soccer program, every elementary school parent night, every PTA or PTO effort, and every high school athletic program."

Yes, the message was that good. And that relevant. You can view it in its entirety or listen to an audio version of it at dbcmedia.org if you wish.

It isn't a typical sermon you would hear in church. And because Nelson usually has messages that are rich in biblical insights, this particular sermon isn't even one that is typical for him.

But it is one that is needed.

Nelson reminds us that when America was mostly agrarian, hard work and discipline were commonplace because both were required from everyone who grew up on a farm.

But as people moved in to cities and took different jobs, the American family evolved, and there was no longer a built-in apparatus in place to instill a disciplined work ethic in the lives of young people.

But discipline and character were still needed, and competitive sports emerged in part to meet that need.

Even to this day, Nelson said, there are only a few ways a person can learn about discipline. One is to work hard (such as on a farm); one is to compete in athletics; and another is to train in the military. All three of those examples are used as biblical analogies in 2 Timothy 2.

Like many of us, Nelson got to play sports as he grew up, and he eventually got to play college football as a quarterback at North Texas State (now the University of North Texas). His two sons both played sports too, and one of them, John Clark Nelson, was good enough in baseball to get called up to the St. Louis Cardinals to play briefly in 2006.

These family connections with sports served to greatly enrich Nelson's message on athletics, and the following paragraphs include some of the ideas he shared.

He said no parent should force a child to participate. Sports are not for everyone, and each child should be allowed to choose activities that are best suited for him or her. Some young people prefer music or acting or club activities instead of sports and that's okay. The important thing is for the parent to be there and be supportive.

Nelson also said that parents have an obligation to help each child become disciplined and responsible in life, and that athletic involvement is one way to help. If he or she does not compete in sports, however, parents should find another way to instill the appropriate character traits in their children.

Before a child begins to compete in a sport, the parents should make sure it is something the child really wants to do. It needs to be fun but it also requires a commitment. In addition, everyone must realize that sports can help teach the lessons of doing the job right, getting along with teammates, submitting to authority, and making sacrifices. All of these are needed for success in life.

Furthermore, parents should not be overly protective about their children's participation. In life people have to struggle through some things on their own, and children need to be able to work through difficulties in athletics without a parent running interference. Children do not need their parents running onto the field, berating umpires or referees, or confronting their coaches. They just need to know that their family is behind them all the way.

Nelson also said that parents need to make sure that their children don't quit when things get tough. Quitting is not a matter of sports but a matter of character. Young people need to know that they should finish what they start.

Parents, Nelson explained, must make sure that their children put forth their very best effort and play to win. But he made it clear that winning isn't everything. Excellence is what is important. Just as in life, excellence is the expectation. Excellence is the standard.

At the end of a young person's playing days, after that last game, parents can help with the transition into the real game of life by reminding them of the lessons they have learned in sports, lessons about planning, persevering, working with others, being punctual, and giving it everything they have.

"You have to take your kid with those attributes," Nelson said, "and usher him into the big game."

Today we've only hit some highlights of what Nelson had to say. As a parent or grandparent or coach, you would benefit from going online to hear the entire presentation.

Trust me on this. You'll be glad you did.

DAVID WILSON, EdD, OF SPRINGDALE, IS A WRITER, CONSULTANT AND PRESENTER, WHO GREW UP IN ARKANSAS BUT WORKED 27 YEARS IN EDUCATION IN MISSOURI. YOU MAY E-MAIL HIM AT [email protected]. THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED ARE THOSE OF THE AUTHOR.

Editorial on 08/09/2017