She may not even get into the game. But she worked hard against the starters in practice the other night, which made them better.
He is by no means the team's leading scorer, but he is a leader nonetheless. He is a model of unselfishness, devoted primarily to what is best for the team -- not himself.
She may be short on skills, but she is All-World in what it means to be an encourager. "Keep your head up." "Don't quit." When just the right thing needs to be said at just the right moment -- she's there.
He will go to college, but not because of an athletic scholarship. He will earn a varsity letter, but only because he played just enough minutes. Since he was a kid, his goal was to represent his town as a member of the varsity...and that by itself was always enough.
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I AM FREQUENTLY asked to emcee athletic banquets for some local schools. I enjoy doing it, in part because it is the closest I will ever come to athletic recognition of any kind.
I also like doing it because each team has a select few individuals who are, far and away, the best of the best of the best. And I think it's a tribute to a any school and community to recognize those who have worked hard for such a distinction.
But I especially like the part in every ceremony that focuses on a player who did not set school records or get named to the conference all-star team, yet really embodied the essence of everything the sport was about.
He is measured by his heart. She is known by her positive spirit. They are a coach's dream, a participant simply for the sheer enjoyment of doing their best.
The same holds true with every organization, too. I work in a court, where there are judicial assistants who are every bit as valuable as the ones making decisions. In businesses, there are secretaries and support staff who are the lifeblood of the entire operation.
My MVP.
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THE GAME WENT down to the last few seconds, and it was challenging game from start to finish. In the end, victory was secured. The post-game celebration looked like something after a Super Bowl.
But her uniform is still perfectly pressed. His forehead is not dripped in sweat. That's because they were not in the game, and they did nothing that would show up in the boxscore in tomorrow's paper.
But they celebrate with all the starters just as excitedly nonetheless. They are as thrilled and proud as if they had scored the game's winning points.
"We won!"
It's a scene I love more than any.