Gentle Giants

Sports confound me. I am not an athlete and I don't really "get" sports and physical competition--give me math team and physics olympics any day, but I just don't understand fan behavior and mentality... However, since I live in a sports town with three boys, I have learned to appreciate them as best I can. While I will never understand the offsides rule, the strategy behind a good batting lineup, or instantly recognize a zone defense, I have definitely come to appreciate the human side of sports.

In large part, thanks to Tommie, I have especially come to appreciate the dedication it takes to be an athlete at the collegiate level. I admit I was one of those people that thought "seriously, athletes have tutors, and that is fair why?" And of course you get the occasional Ricky Clemons who completed, what was it, 40 credits in one summer and bragged that he NEVER read a book in his life (Fortunately our new basketball coach would never stand for such nonsense!)... But Tommie taught me how much REAL athletes, who are dedicated to their sport, sacrifice. They spend hours on the road, missing class and homework time, to travel to events. They practice, often four or more hours a day, have team meetings and doctor and rehab appointments to fix ailments that would render most of us bedridden, and do their own fair share of recruiting and community service work on behalf of the university. They need tutors like most of us need help with laundry or cleaning or maintaining our cars. There just isn't enough time in a day to get it all done.

And we were recently the beneficiaries of some of that community service. Thanks to Gary Pinkel and the strength coaches, Bo was able to attend a training session for the MU football team. I stayed home with Pierce who would rather sleep late than do just about anything, but Bo had such an awesome time, I wish I could have been there. He was able to witness at least one athlete accomplish a new personal best, received posters with autographs of most of the team, and have what amounts to one of the best days of his life. Follow that up with a day at the field with the 11-12 Daniel Boone All Stars that adopted him, and he was in y chromosome heaven.

So, while I will never know a Hail Mary pass or an end-run when I see one, I appreciate Coaches Pinkel and Ivie and all the others like them who bring honor and dignity to their sports and help grow wise and honorable young men who will shine even more brightly off the field as they ever do on it. And, I appreciate the student athletes who work harder than most of us can ever really know to be the best that they can be in heart, mind and body. Life is full of heroes, gentle giants and brazen children who enrich our lives every day and we appreciate each and every one of you for all you give to those who seek hope. Thanks a million, Lisa