Bear Necessities Volume 18

 As we usher in a new year, I hope everyone found time to reflect and recharge with friends and family over the break. These pauses in our schedules provide a natural opportunity for reflection, and I feel it is important to remind our community of something essential in athletics: the importance of joy.

The main driver of participation in sports should be that we are having fun. Not because it looks good on a college application, and not because we feel obligated but because athletics should be a positive and meaningful experience. Julie Foudy said it best, "Whether you are a parent, coach, or young athlete, let joy be your guiding compass because good things happen in sports when we're having fun and loving it" 

For many of our students, participation in high school athletics may be the last time they compete in an organized sports setting. While I hope that isn't the case for all, the reality is that it may be for some. That makes these experiences even more impactful.

I hope that we all continue to find joy in the journey and appreciate the moments that make high school athletics so special.