Nothing brings a community closer than a sporting event, in my opinion. The last two days I have had the wonderful experience of attending the Illinois state high school basketball 3A Final Four games. Unfortunately my team finished in fourth, suffering only the 4th and 5th loses of our 30+ game season. Still, the support from city of Washington for our Panther basketball team has been incredible all season and even more so in the finals. It seemed like practically half the town showed up to Carver Arena to support our team. Our student section filled up three sections alone which forced us to be put up in the upper bowl. Our team has thanked us for our support continually and in return we have cheered loud and proud.
It's amazing what sports can do for people and teach them. The atmosphere and energy is incredible. Perfect strangers are brough together in support of the same cause. It's an experience that is unparralled. I was locked arms with someone I had never met before in the final minutes of one game as the rest of our student section did the same. Does anyone else feel the same way? I live for that rush of watching my team play their hearts out. And our Panthers genuinely appreciate our support. It was said last year that "the hardest team to play is the Washington fans." I take pride in that. Our town supports each other--win or lose. We may have lost our games, but we still cheered as loud as we could (drowing out the winning teams fans) to let our basketball team know we appreciate them.
Watching sports is a rush. It's exciting. It crosses boundaries. It creates friendships and bonds between strangers. I have been lucky enough to experience this both as an athlete and a fan on countless occasions. I was lucky enough to experience it this weekend. It's an environment that cannot be duplicated. I hope no one misses out on the opportunity to experience that emotion one way or another.
Oh, and all you college basketball fans. I'm telling you now to watch out for Matt Roth in the next four years. Remember that name Matt Roth. An incredible athlete and a great guy. He's heading to Indiana University next year to play basketball, but he will always be a Washington Panther. 100 consecutive games with a 3-point shot--State Record. 462 career 3's--State Record and 6th in the Nation. Thanks Matt Roth for four great years of high school basketball. He will be a force to be reckoned with.
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I would definitely agree with you that things like that bring everyone closer together..in my opinion that's what the adolescent experience should be about...it's like after that big game or the big loss you can find yourself celebrating or comforting someone you would've never even given the time of day to...but now you have something in common...I love those experiences...
congrats to your team...I wish our school activities were what they were five years ago...we used to win everything...but not anymore
sports brings everyone together. it is the one language that everyone can speak