There is something so great about sports--especially college sports. Sports, in general, are such great opportunities for character growth and maturation. Dad said it best after one of his games: "We play sports because they are a microcosm of life." And it's true. Sports grow us. Teamwork. Work ethic. Integrity. Loyalty. Perseverance. Character. Anybody who plays a sport has the opportunity to grow in these areas and more.
Watching Michigan basketball this season was one of my favorite sports moments ever. Ok, ok...pretty big "moment," but seeing those guys--some younger than me, some older--start out so strong, grow, and then finish strong was amazing. I truly believe sports are one of God's greatest gifts.
So in college sports, you'll see kids act like kids. They'll be selfish. They'll taunt, smack-talk, jerk-off. They'll make foolish choices and big mistakes. But in brief moments--ranging from a few seconds, a few minutes, maybe even a majority of the game--we catch glimmers of who the athlete is growing to be and what's to come.
That's why when Michigan lost in the National championship game on Monday, April the 8th, I cried, was upset, but was also prouder than ever of "my" boys, and probably couldn't be any prouder had they won. Sure, we lost by six, but building up to that final game, the national audience saw the guys work like a team. Play unselfishly. When Trey had an off game, Spike or Nik stepped-up. When we needed the charge, Jordan got it. When we needed someone to get us a couple points on the board, Karis stepped up. And when we needed that clutch three, Trey got it. Seeing the excitement and hard-work of the guys and coaching staff excited me. Seeing how the guys surpassed everyone's expectations thrilled and made proud. That's why, although sad and disappointed, I couldn't be prouder. And why I"m proud to be a Michigan Wolverine--win or lose.
Hail yeah!
(A great blog post by senior Wolverine Josh Bartlestein)
Watching Michigan basketball this season was one of my favorite sports moments ever. Ok, ok...pretty big "moment," but seeing those guys--some younger than me, some older--start out so strong, grow, and then finish strong was amazing. I truly believe sports are one of God's greatest gifts.
So in college sports, you'll see kids act like kids. They'll be selfish. They'll taunt, smack-talk, jerk-off. They'll make foolish choices and big mistakes. But in brief moments--ranging from a few seconds, a few minutes, maybe even a majority of the game--we catch glimmers of who the athlete is growing to be and what's to come.
That's why when Michigan lost in the National championship game on Monday, April the 8th, I cried, was upset, but was also prouder than ever of "my" boys, and probably couldn't be any prouder had they won. Sure, we lost by six, but building up to that final game, the national audience saw the guys work like a team. Play unselfishly. When Trey had an off game, Spike or Nik stepped-up. When we needed the charge, Jordan got it. When we needed someone to get us a couple points on the board, Karis stepped up. And when we needed that clutch three, Trey got it. Seeing the excitement and hard-work of the guys and coaching staff excited me. Seeing how the guys surpassed everyone's expectations thrilled and made proud. That's why, although sad and disappointed, I couldn't be prouder. And why I"m proud to be a Michigan Wolverine--win or lose.
Hail yeah!
(A great blog post by senior Wolverine Josh Bartlestein)
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