High Quality Jobs: Sports and Spirituality from the President and Principal

In speaking about his role as the diretor of athletics at Notre Dame, Jack Swarbrick said, "the quality of the job is directly related to the distance to the athlete." He challenged those with similar roles to consider how close they are to the athletes they serve. However, I think his personal realization—now credo—extends far beyond sport. I believe his words are true for all involved in school leadership. Administrators, counselors, teachers and coaches can and should consider What is my distance to the students? How close am I to freshman and seniors, students and their parents?

Swarbrick's words remind me that I am lucky. As a classroom teacher and a varsity coach, I work directly with teenagers on a daily basis. However, I have often considered how school leaders and administrators find the time and space to close (and mind) the gap between the students' world and their own. A recent class offered a wonderful answer.

I teach one section of Sports and Spirituality, a new senior selective in the Religious Studies department at St Francis High School. I have 34 of the most spirited and athletic students on the campus in one room. If one was to seek the Lancer "Rage Cage" you would find them in this class. Every man and woman in there is the 12th man/woman! When I told them that I invited the principal and president to speak to our class, their response was incredible. One student remarked that "this is the best Religion class ever." Wow. School administrators please read that twice—students really do love you!

I offered a few guiding questions, but my primary goal was to get the principal and president to share their story. They both have been extensively involved in athletics in many ways—as athletes, coaches and parents; they are faith-filled Catholics. I truly believe Matthew Kelly has it right. He wrote, "we become the stories we listen to." My students discovered their stories are well worth hearing....and becoming!? 

Ms. Teekell, a member of the SFHS Class of 2000, played on a varsity girls' soccer team that won CCS ever year she was on it. She matriculated to Cal Berkeley, where she played for one year. Go Bears! She admitted that her decision to stop playing still hurts. Her truthfulness in that moment will stay with me, with us. That decision however is what led to an early start as a coach, a role that reignited her love for the game. Her affect is calm, near staid, which had to have been an asset as a goalie and is today as the leader of our school. I wouldn't want to try to score on her....

Mr. Curtis began by telling us he is most likely alive because of sport. His father, drafted during the Vietnam war with the Marine Corps was an outstanding tennis player. He and his doubles' partner, Stan Smith—the athlete behind the shoe—played competitively for the Marine Corps instead of going into combat. To hear this story affirms my belief that sport has power; it directly and indirectly saves life.

Mr. Curtis, who has coached volleyball—boys and girls, from youth to college, passed on what he believes makes a good team great. Having worked with top ranked teams in the state and in the country he knows what championship teams share in common: the individuals are willing and able to give up what matters most to them for the good of the group. His conviction was inspiring. I wonder how many students will move one step closer to doing what sounds easy, but I know is incredibly hard. 

Both school leaders are parents. A thoughtful student asked what they want their children to learn from sport. Others wanted to know about their vocations. Curtis and Teekell asked the students how they have applied the lessons of the class to their experience as athletes. We all agreed that some things need to change in the American youth sports culture—and Mr. Curtis stated "what better place than in Catholic schools?" And when we reflected upon the Catholic Church and living our faith and vocation, Mr. Curtis shared a challenge for all of us. How can we use our gifts and talents, in particular at our school to make changes for the good? I hope my students will let that question guide the stories that THEY become.

Both leaders said that they appreciated the opportunity to reflect on questions of Sports and Spirituality. I am grateful that they took an hour out of a day, one that is full of meetings, lists and communication to teach my students. They stressed it was the best part of their day, essentially underscoring what Jack Swarbrick professed to be true.

My former principal probably called 85% of the student body by their first name. He would stop a soccer player in the hallway and ask how they lost to Riordan. He knew who was a Dodger fan and who wanted to Beat LA. I don't know that there was any distance between him and the students—which is why he was honored with a jersey to wear every year.

When I have an idea for a blog posting, I try to get it out asap. However, I had two golf matches back to back since this class period. Funny thing about that is both Mr. Curtis, Ms. Teekell and my AD came to our final home match of the season to watch the girls tee off and play a few holes. I have coached for many years—all in sports that are not entirely spectator friendly. However, all that is required for a parent, friend, administrator or teacher is to "show up."  The distance to the athletes?...one can't get much closer OR as Greg Boyle, SJ, says, "No daylight to separate us, only kinship." Amen