Poll . . . query . . . something
Okay, here's the deal. My father defended something the other day and I have to know the opinions of others on the matter. It's an issue that dates back to my high school days so it's been a good six years since it happened but certain thoughts on my part at least remain clear.
When I was in high school our sports teams, especially the basketball team sucked. I know, it was a high school team, how good could it be?
For the first couple years of it's existence they lost every single game.
For years.
Game after game they lost. When they came back from a game people did not ask, "Who won?" They asked the fatal question, "How much did you lose by?" Some students who had transferred to our school from another one were stunned the first time this happened. When we had drama class productions jokes were made about how the girls' volleyball team had destroyed the school's perfect record by actually having the gall to win a game.
There are excuses. We were a small school to the point that everyone who tried out was put on the team by the default that the number of people trying out equalled the number for a team. With that kind of default membership it's no wonder the team sucked. But nonetheless, it was stunning sometimes. Be that as it may, that is not where my poll comes in.
After each and every game our school principal would come on the PA system and give a . . . speech about the game the night before. She would tell us how many points each team member scored and that the team put in a valiant effort with hopes of doing even better next time. I have vague memories of what I think were pained looks on the faces of those on the team whenever I was in their vicinity during the morning announcements. My father thinks that it was her statements of how many baskets (her words) each team member made was what made the guys feel pained and that she was being fantastically encouraging or something. I think it was caused by the fact that they knew they lost and everyone knew they lost and she was dragging it out in public all over again. But to each their own opinion.
For the record, my father used to play football by running headlong at the opposing team while screaming like a crazy person. The other team was apparently usually so taken aback they'd let him get a touchdown because they were afraid he'd get violent if they touched him.
So here's my question. Especially for those who were actually on high school teams. If your team was on a losing streak only equalled by the Red Sox or the Blue Jays or fill-in-the-team-of-your-choice and after every game someone felt the need to carefully not mention that you lost the game the night before and say that it was a strong effort how would you feel?
Keep in mind you were greeted on returning to the school with the words, "How much did you lose by?"
SCWLC
When I was in high school our sports teams, especially the basketball team sucked. I know, it was a high school team, how good could it be?
For the first couple years of it's existence they lost every single game.
For years.
Game after game they lost. When they came back from a game people did not ask, "Who won?" They asked the fatal question, "How much did you lose by?" Some students who had transferred to our school from another one were stunned the first time this happened. When we had drama class productions jokes were made about how the girls' volleyball team had destroyed the school's perfect record by actually having the gall to win a game.
There are excuses. We were a small school to the point that everyone who tried out was put on the team by the default that the number of people trying out equalled the number for a team. With that kind of default membership it's no wonder the team sucked. But nonetheless, it was stunning sometimes. Be that as it may, that is not where my poll comes in.
After each and every game our school principal would come on the PA system and give a . . . speech about the game the night before. She would tell us how many points each team member scored and that the team put in a valiant effort with hopes of doing even better next time. I have vague memories of what I think were pained looks on the faces of those on the team whenever I was in their vicinity during the morning announcements. My father thinks that it was her statements of how many baskets (her words) each team member made was what made the guys feel pained and that she was being fantastically encouraging or something. I think it was caused by the fact that they knew they lost and everyone knew they lost and she was dragging it out in public all over again. But to each their own opinion.
For the record, my father used to play football by running headlong at the opposing team while screaming like a crazy person. The other team was apparently usually so taken aback they'd let him get a touchdown because they were afraid he'd get violent if they touched him.
So here's my question. Especially for those who were actually on high school teams. If your team was on a losing streak only equalled by the Red Sox or the Blue Jays or fill-in-the-team-of-your-choice and after every game someone felt the need to carefully not mention that you lost the game the night before and say that it was a strong effort how would you feel?
Keep in mind you were greeted on returning to the school with the words, "How much did you lose by?"
SCWLC