Organized sports the key to helping my role model grow…

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I have several role models in my life. One of them just celebrated a birthday not too long ago. This person is one of my role models because even though they don’t talk as well as others, or meld as well with others in groups of people, it doesn’t get them down and they have grown so much in spite of it.

A friend and I were marveling at how far they have come in life and we were wondering the cause of this might be. I do know her late grandfather was a profound influence in that he taught her to always be proud of who she was. And her mother is a huge influence in teaching her that no matter what there are people who understand her and love her.

But I really think another huge thing which has helped her come this far is organized sports. She has grown up watching her older brother play countless baseball, basketball, soccer and football games and now has participated in several of those sports herself.

We all have a different focus in regards to youth sports. For some folks it’s about winning and losing only, for some like her brother it’s about being better than you were the day before and honing the skills you hope will take you to the next level, the level above that and perhaps even the level above that as well. And still for others it’s about being around people, being active and having fun. This is where I think my role model who just turned a year older is.

Regardless of your motivation as to why you do sports, team sports teaches you how to cultivate interpersonal relationships, how to set goals and the appropriate way to celebrate when you achieve them or the proper approach when you don’t. They also teach the concept of “team” where you learn your actions affect others that are trying to achieve the same thing you are.

Where it has meant the most to my role model is sports has allowed her to be around kids her age and use practices and games as a forum to “break the ice” and meet people and cultivate friendships. That’s one of the areas where she struggles the most and where I sit from the cheap seats sports has helped my daughter, errrr, my role model, so much there which is a win no matter what.

PAUL’S PREDICTIONS, WEEK 5

I had a feeling last week would be an easy week, but not only did I go 3-0 but nearly nailed the exact score on the Oregon State/SD State game (I said 35-31 it was actually 34-30). Pac-12 play gets going this week in earnest so things will be a bit tougher. To the picks!!!

WASHINGTON 32, Arizona 28

OREGON 50, Cal 15

Stanford 20, Washington State 14 (neutral site game in Seattle…wish this was in Pullman I might have predicted a Coug win if it was)

OREGON STATE 38, Colorado 20

Last week: 3-0   Overall: 12-2