- November 26, 2024
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In the time I’ve been writing for the Observer, many parents and coaches have complained about not seeing their player or kid’s name in the paper for something they did. It usually doesn’t bother me; I understand that we are biased to those close to us, and sometimes the complaint is valid. But, what about the situation where a parent doesn’t think their child is being treated fairly by the school?
What determines a school’s attention to a sports program? Is it the amount of money a program generates? The level of personal interest in said program?
Some days ago, a disgruntled parent of a local student-athlete reached out to me to have his child acknowledged for success in a particular sport. While this student-athlete had won multiple championships and excelled in the classroom, no one, including the coach or higher-ups, recognized this student’s effort and achievements for the school.
As the sole Observer sports writer for five high schools and other leagues throughout both Flagler and Volusia County, it is difficult to highlight every individual, even team, accomplishment, but I do try. I understand that kids, their coaches and parents love to see their accomplishments be recognized to the community. Then again, I remember hearing from the players about a local coach who purposely withheld statistics and individual achievements, in attempts to keep everyone team-focused.
I don’t have the right answers, but it seems fairly easy to cry foul, when the more popular sports and athletes, who play them, often get acknowledged and heavily celebrated, while the others exist merely for the joy of those competing. If the principals and athletics directors only show up at the “best events” and support the most popular athletes, what does that say about the less popular sports and athletes who compete in them?
While it shouldn’t be the focal point of an endeavor, we all enjoy when someone acknowledges what we do. From elementary schools to high-level businesses, awards and certificate of achievements are handed out for accomplishments, so it makes sense that this parent, and others who have voiced complaints, would love to see their kids acknowledged, especially by those who will reap some of their success.
