Good examples of what athletics is really all about

Sports. When we talk about them, discussion typically involves statistics, win-loss records, championships, etc., etc., etc. And while all of that may be the reasons WHY athletic competitions exist, it only scratches the surface when considering WHAT is being accomplished.

Allow me to explain…

This past week, I witnessed two great examples of what sports is really all about. The first came late last week after the announcement of the passing of University of the Cumberlands Hall of Famer, Coach Terry Stigall.

In just under two decades at the helm of the university’s baseball program, Stigall led the Indians and Patriots to over 500 wins, including multiple conference championship titles.

More important than all of that, however, was the fact that Stigall was a well-liked and widely respected member of the local community who helped literally thousands of young people during his time as a coach and educator.

When the news of Coach Stigall’s passing broke, it didn’t take long for people to take to social media and post their tributes to him. Every one of these tributes that I saw used words such as mentor, leader, friend and father.

True, Stigall enjoyed much success on the baseball diamond during his career, and he will always be remembered for those accomplishments, but the positive impact that he had on people’s lives clearly went far, far beyond his teaching them how to play the game.

Please take the time to read the complete obituary for Coach Stigall elsewhere in this week’s edition.

The other moment that made me realize what sports are all about came over the weekend, at this year’s cross country regionals in Monticello.

This particular event featured an added level of emotion for many of our local programs, as Whitley County junior Josh Grubb nearly lost his life in a severe car accident recently.

Grubb, who should have been out on the course with his Colonel teammates this past Saturday, instead finds himself undergoing surgical procedures and beginning the long, difficult process of rehabbing his many serious injuries at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville.

After the completion of the 2A regional championship races, runners from several different programs all came together to deliver a brief “get well” wish to Grubb via a video clip that was posted to the News Journal’s Facebook page.

Just minutes beforehand, many of these young athletes were fiercely competing against each other on what was an absolutely perfect day for racing. Once it was all said and done, however, they all understood that there were developments taking place hundreds of miles away that were far more important in the grand scheme of life than who managed to beat whom to the finish line that afternoon.

Now, in no way am I attempting to trivialize anyone’s athletic accomplishments. I am simply taking this opportunity to point out that, while important, winning titles and defeating your opponents is just one part of what is going on when you step out onto a court or field. Or, for that matter, when you jump into a pool, climb on a horse, step onto a mat or approach a lane.

It’s all the same. Competitors want to do their best to win whatever competition they are in, sure, but stop to think about all of the personal development that is taking place, regardless of any statistical outcome. Think about the relationships that are being forged, and the lives that are being touched. Consider all of the memories made, and how one person’s actions might inspire others.

Hoisting a trophy or putting a medal around our necks feels really good, but those things are ultimately temporary. The impact that is made behind the scenes is what will last forever, and that, to me, is what athletics is really all about.