Someone asked recently why I still do high school sports. It’s a fair question since I’m not as young as I used to be, my children have all graduated and it’s a bit of a hike walking around some of these campuses.
The short answer is the same thing I hear from some “veteran” coaches: It keeps me young.
As we dig deeper there is more to it.
I’m starting another year with capeandislandsports.com. Friends have asked if I couldn’t find a job closer than the Cape but I don’t even look. I joined up with this group the fall after I was fired by the local radio station. Sandy Beach and his company welcomed me and invited me back after my stroke if I was up to it. That loyalty means the world to me. Loyalty has become very important to me over the last five years. It is extremely rare in broadcasting.
This year I did have to ask if I could be taken off the Martha’s Vineyard crew. It’s not that I didn’t enjoy broadcasting those games because I find the whole concept of island life and the teams, coaches and referees having to ferry to and from the games interesting. The length of the day and all the activity before and after the game were becoming more and more difficult on this arthritic body. Hats off to my partner Ron Lancaster who has been making that trip for 20 years or more! I’ll miss working with Ron. This year I will split my time covering Barnstable, Falmouth and Dennis Yarmouth.
I also enjoy the work I do for New Bedford Cable Network with sports previews, some games and my Classroom Chronicle Show.
What I like is the energy and enthusiasm the kids have. They’re young, healthy and filled with hope. I’m sure they all have their share of problems at home but for the most part, life hasn’t dealt them too many struggles yet. I’m sure some have but for the most part they are still dreaming of their future and the road ahead is just waiting for them.
For some it’s senior year! They have their sports, prom and graduation to look forward too.
Soon enough they will face the challenges we’ve all been through: relationships that change; changing majors in college; not enough money for everything you want; jobs that don’t work out; health that fails you; friends that leave you; or boyfriends that cheat on you.
Life can wear you down as some of you know oh so well, but we carry on.
That’s why I stay involved and cover these games and talk with these young adults. For just a few hours I get to watch them and describe the action during one of the best times of their life.
They may not realize it, because we sure didn’t, but it flies by so fast. I’m thankful that I get to go along for the ride even it’s just for a little bit.
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