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I’ve been thinking about whether or not to share my own story of the impact sports has had on my life but with the brutal blow from WPS vote to cancel fall sports tonight, I can find no better time. Thread mode..engage....I moved around a lot within Salina as a young kid. 1/17
and maintained some close friends but never really felt a communal bond with my classmates. As I began high school, I was a pain and didn’t feel any connection to my school. I set myself on a path to graduate but at the bare minimum. Started doing summer weights before my 2/17
sophomore year and it was tough and that lack of bond with my classmates made it tougher. I didn’t really take to football my first year as a sophomore either. Probably that lack of bonding I had missed out on as a freshman. I committed myself as a junior and even got into 3/17
a strength class. Football started to be great for me. That sweat I dripped with my classmates in the weight room and on the field made classmates brothers. I started to feel that I would sacrifice anything for our success as a team. I had built that missing communal bond. 4/17
I was still on that d’s for degrees (c’s more accurately) but I was no longer a pain in school. I had built a respect for authority. I had found my reason to model the right actions. I started to desire higher grades to compete with some of my boys. 5/17
Falling short our Junior year lit a fire that I’ll never forget. We grinded and COMMITTED! My reasons weren’t to go play division 1 football, or even any division football because I didn’t think I was going to college. I just never wanted to feel like I let my brothers down 6/17
Ever again. Senior year came and it was one I’ll never forget! State champs on one of the best teams this historic school has ever seen. The brotherhood, grind, and our commitment to each other made this feat possible! The letters started coming in. 7/17
The visits got scheduled. I committed to play football at THE Ft. Hays State University. I got my undergrad paid for. I was able to go be an ambassador of this great sport in Europe and play two more seasons of football in Germany. I served my communities for several years 8/17
with that undergrad degree. I became hooked on coaching overseas and made the huge leap of faith to change careers. 2 masters degrees later, I’m in a position to serve my community, mentor young men and women, and be a support for kids like me. Who need that push 9/17
to find their passion, build that communal bond, and to reach heights they have never thought possible. I don’t know where I would be in life without football, but I firmly believe my life was SAVED by it. Thanks to the love for and commitment to those brothers. 10/17
So...to that freshman who doesn’t feel they are going to get that chance to build that bond this year on that field or court and discover those great things about yourself. Your journey has a great start and you will make it! I’m heartbroken for you but I have faith in you! 11/17
To that sophomore who was ready to take the scariest leap of their life to start something so big you can hardly fathom it...you were prepared to do it once and I know you can do it again! I’m heartbroken for you but I have faith in you! 12/17
To the Junior whose heart is swelling not only because of your pride in the way you have grown physically and mentally, but they way you have grown with your team... you now have the opportunity to cement that bond! I’m heartbroken for you but I have faith in you! 13/17
To the seniors....Dangit does my heart ache for you. That opportunity to see your work come to fruition...To change your path from industry work to COLLEGE STUDENT ATHLETE!...To see your journey as a HS athlete to the very end...Know this...You have helped a freshman know 14/17
what it means to commit to their brothers and sisters. You have helped that sophomore realize they made a great decision to take a leap of faith and join your family. You have helped a junior see what it looks like to LEAD. You have made your family proud. You deserve better15/17
than what you are getting. My heart BREAKS for you, but boy do I ever have faith in you. Your journey is far from over and if you want to reap the rewards of your relentless efforts, go forth and use the tools that your sport or activity has given you. 16/17
This is about more than just sports. They change paths, save lives, and build GREAT PEOPLE! If you disagree, I just don’t care so save your finger strength on that reply. #WPS #KCK #KCMETRO @ksdehq @WichitaUSD259
