Penguins and Panthers and Raiders! Oh my!

As I sit at my desk entering the various sports schedules into my Google Calendar Application, I can’t help but get a little excited for the scholastic sports year.

One thing I’m excited for is the fact that on various occasions Phillips County teams will meet each other in competition.

While I’m excited to see our athletes give it their all against each other, it stinks as well. Instead of cheering for one team at a time, I will likely find myself not cheering at all. I always want our local kids to win, but not everyone can win, so it bums me out that someone has to lose.

Another thing I am stoked about is the new cooperative between Whitewater, Saco and Hinsdale schools. Because of the agreement, those schools that have low numbers can play for another season.

Going to school in an overpopulated area, I didn’t have that issue growing up. However there are some times I wish we did. While my school was large and in some cases talented, we weren’t very good for our division. We lost in volleyball, football, basketball, etc.

A co-op not only allows schools to keep sports programs alive, I believe it brings out the best in the athletes willing to participate.

For kids and parents not willing to cooperate… I say shame on you. Sure the co-op may not have been what you envisioned growing up, but it gives you a chance to play a game that you grew up loving. Don’t let the dream die because life threw you a curve-ball. Get in the game.