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Sometimes, It's More Than a Game

Adam and I love taking our kids to sporting events. That is one reason why we are loving being here at West Point. We can take our kids to a variety of events from football and lacrosse to women's basketball and men's gymnastics to hockey and sprint football. We get to expose them to so many things that we may not have been able to elsewhere. With some of the sports, we can teach them about the game while we are there. For other sports, we get to learn about them together.
Payton and Adam with Mr. Fulton at the West Point Open
From a very young age (3 and 1), we are getting the opportunity to expose our kids to sports and competition. And sometimes, there is a moment where everything comes together.

Yesterday, we went as a family to the Patriot League Women's Basketball Championship where Army played Holy Cross. We left the house very early to grab a quick bite to eat, and then headed for the game about an hour early. We had amazing seats in the second row behind the team benches.
Warm Up Cheers by the Army Team
When the players lined up, Payton immediately knew to stand up. She stood up on her chair and put her hand over her heart for the National Anthem; I could feel the tears of pride building. She stood still and watched the female cadet sing the anthem, and then cheered with the crowd at the end.

We sat and watched the game, cheering on the Army team. She'd dance during time outs and would yell, "Go Army" and "Defense!" When the Holy Cross player got hurt, Payton looked over to see us clapping as she was helped off the court and Payton immediately followed suit. They were proud moments for us.

At the end of the game, after Army had clinched the title, it was time for the schools to play their Alma Maters. Holy Cross led off and Payton stood with us as we listened to their band play. What happened next was something that I am grateful to have witnessed. It was the Army's turn to sing their Alma Mater and so the players and coaches lined up closer to the bleachers and the West Point band. The Holy Cross coach moved up to the half court line where Army had been standing for the Holy Cross Alma Mater, turned to his players and coaching staff, and told them to move up to where he was.
The Army team after the game with the trophy!
It was a sign of respect after a hard-fought game. But it was also a good lesson for the kids to see on sportsmanship.

We don't always win the game, but it is in how we lose that our character is often revealed. In this house, we don't let the kids win each time we play a game or sport together. They have to learn how to win gracefully and how to lose with class. We want the kids to be proud of how they played and to always give their all, no matter if they win or lose.

The lessons they learn on the athletic field are lessons that they will carry over into other aspects of their lives, and I am glad that we were there to witness a great example of sportsmanship. So to the coach of Holy Cross, I say thank you!

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