If you were the kid who was always embarrassed by your Dad's screaming in the stands, or spent every weekend at a different sporting event, chances are you grew up in a sports family. Although we often dreaded those early mornings, or never-ending practices on school nights, your family had your back through it all. They coached us, filmed us, and took you out for ice cream after a bad game. Looking back on it all, we can't say thank you enough for the sacrificed hours and countless carpool trips to and from practice.
1. Sundays never meant sleeping in
If you weren’t at a tournament, practice, or little league game, you best believe you still had to get up and go to church with your family that morning. Sleep was a foreign concept that you often heard of, but never experienced. You got up, pulled yourself together, and attempted to make it through the day without dozing off.
2. Dinner never started until the last person made it home from practice
The most frustrating thing in the world was being called to the table when dinner was ready, and not being able to eat. Your favorite meal could be inches away, but an eternity from actually going into your mouth. It didn’t matter how much you pled, everyone ate together as a family regardless of if swim practice went late that night.
3. Spring Break and Summer Vacation were your busiest times
Unlike all the other kids who travelled to some sunny beach or went skiing, your breaks consisted of camps, clinics, tournaments, practice… and some more practice. You may have been lucky and had some time off, but that free time was filled with getting dragged to some baseball tournament in the World’s Most Boring Town. On the rare occurrence that a tournament was held near a beach or amusement park, you were able to squeeze in some rides and spend the day sunbathing in the sand. For a few hours, you became a normal family and got to relax. Those exciting destinations made up for the not-so-glamourous weekends spent in the Holiday Inn.
4. Most of your homework was done in the bleachers, or in the backseat of the SUV
Balancing schoolwork and sports led to getting your reading assignments done in the car on the way to practice, and writing papers during your Brother’s baseball games. Circumstances were less than ideal, but you knew your time spent on the court was dependent on how well you did in the classroom. You could be the star player, but if you failed that math test, it was pretty much guaranteed you could kiss that next game goodbye.
5. Coach wasn't just coach, but actually your Dad
Your father wouldn’t miss the chance to become head coach of the baseball, softball, volleyball, and basketball team. He wanted to be there every step of the way, for your successes, and more importantly to pick you up from your failures. Sometimes a little league game could've been mistaken as the World Series, but you never once doubted his dedication to the team.
6. Having your Mom as "Team Mom" was actually the coolest
Not only was your Dad the Coach, but your Mom was the team favorite after the game. This meant you got to tag along on grocery trips, and pick your favorite post-game snack. Capri-Sun and Rainbow Goldfish practically made you a celebrity among your teammates and you loved every minute of it.
7. There was a distinct shift in the mood of the house on "Game Day"
When Game Day arrived, you could see the nerves kick in in your parent’s eyes. Everything that day had to go perfect in order for a good game that night. You could catch your parents pacing back in forth before the next pitch, serve, or race. Sometimes it even seemed as if they were more into the game than you were. You didn't dare try to speak to your parents during the game for fear that your head would actually be bitten off. So hopefully you got some cash before the game, because Mom and Dad certainly weren't leaving to get you that Snickers.
8. Family movie night was actually just watching film
Everyone gathered-round the big screen to view the latest game and discuss each and every play. “Your release was a little late, there was too many breathes with that last stroke, or follow through on your serve.” As a family and as a team we wanted to see everyone succeed, so we took the time to praise the good plays, and give constructive criticism when necessary. Still to this day we all go back to those rec basketball games to laugh at how competitive we got over Upward Basketball.
9. Family was your first real team
It didn’t matter how bad you played, they were always the loudest ones in the crowd chanting your name. They taught us what it meant to be a team player, and that means you are always there for one another, unconditionally. Your relationship with your team often mirrored your family, and went deeper than friendship. Family pushed you to overcome obstacles, and were the ones who forced you to go to practice when it was the last thing you wanted.
10. Sports last a lifetime
Whether you end up making it to the big leagues, becoming a coach, or no longer play sports, the lessons carry on forever. Sports led me to follow a career in sports broadcasting which I never would have done without the support of my family. The love for the game they modeled for me at an early age was something I never wanted to drift away from. Family will always be your craziest fans, and most loyal teammates. I look forward to the day I can place my children in sports, and instil the lessons I learned from being in a sports family.
