Making It the Best Year

Mark DeJonge - Athletic Director – Bellevue Christian School

Welcome to the start of the 2011 – 2012 School Year.  The Emerald City League along with our league schools, are looking forward to a great year of competition!  The Emerald City League prides itself on competing on the field but also in the classroom.  The 2010-11 school year was no exception.  Multiple state championships were won in athletic competition, but also academic championships.  All our league schools are looking to make this their best year to date. Are you ready to make it the best for your school for your student /athlete? Have you thought about your role and how that plays out?

Here are some suggestions from one Athletic Director who has had many conversations with other Athletic Directors to make this the best year for your student /athlete:

1.  Understand your role.  Before the season starts you need to pick your role.  For most of you it will be the role of parent/fan.  It will not be one of coach, official, or player.  It does not work to try and play more than one role.  Pick one and do it well.  Knowing this going into a season will be helpful to all.
2. Cheer on the whole team.  Too often it is easy to only watch your son or daughter.  Make it a point to get to know the names of the entire team and their parents.  Cheer on everyone!  This is what makes a great atmosphere.  Having a group of parents that supports the entire team means everyone wins.
3. Lay off the refs.  In almost every sport there are officials of some kind.  Our schools need them to participate.  Let them do their jobs and you focus on being a fan.  I have never seen a fan yell at an official and the official then changes their call.  Officials have a thankless job; let’s cut them some slack.  If you feel you can do a better job, give it a try.  I know that all official associations are looking for good people.
4. After the game, be there for your kids.  Sometimes the best thing is to just be there. Maybe for a hug, a smile, a word of encouragement, or just to listen.  The car ride home should not be telling them about all the opportunities missed, or how they should have done something differently, or how they should have played more, or how the coach lost the game for the team, etc.   Just be there for your child!
5. Enjoy the journey!  Too much of each season is measured in wins and losses.  How was the journey?  Remember the practices, team meals, bus rides, and all of the other stuff that makes up the entire season.  Enjoy the ride!  Enjoy the journey, not just the highs of wins and the lows of the defeats.

These are a few ideas to make the 2011-12 school year a great year.  If you are intentional and think about how and what you want to do before the season begins, you might be surprised how the season, and the year, turn out.