Is Venice High School football really Venice High football?
I hear the crowds cheer for the Green and White, but I wonder:
Do they understand that winning at all costs may actually be a losing situation?
Perhaps a more valid question is this:
Does our beloved hometown team really represent the students at Venice High School?
Some might say, “It doesn’t matter as long as we are winning.”
But I would say student-athletes sacrifice and work very hard to get noticed by their coaching staff.
Unfortunately, these characteristics are often overlooked and shoved aside for a brighter and seemingly shinier star.
Some might say, “Well, steel sharpens steel.”
But I would say, “At what cost?”
Here’s another valid question: How does this affect our school’s environment?
Perhaps we are teaching our student-athletes that commitment and self-sacrifice don’t really matter.
As educators shouldn’t we be rewarding these traits and acknowledging someone’s commitment?
I know these are old and outdated ideas.
But it sure seems that in these uncertain times, we shouldn’t be teaching our youth that the world is a cold and harsh place.
The last thing I would say is this:
When you go out to the Venice High football game this Friday, take a moment to listen to the coaching staff – and to the noises in the crowd.
Do they reflect the values of Venice?
Tracy Schafer, Englewood
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Venice High School football: Is winning at all costs worth it? | Letter
Reporting by Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
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