This year's top-tier Michigan ice hockey championship final was tied after regulation. Eight overtimes later, it had become the longest game in state history, with still no winner determined. As the clock approached midnight, they called the game a tie and declared co-champions.
It's a really cool story. At the end, opponents were hugging and congratulating each other
Michigan is a fairly hockey-mad state, but these are teenagers who are in school and had to travel for the state finals. Apparently after the fatigue of the tournament and all that skating in the final through eight OT's, they were still giving their all. But their "all" was visible, absolute exhaustion.
After all that -- and the prospect of missing more school to reschedule a continuation two days later -- declaring co-champions sounds like a no-brainer. In sports, it's OK if life gets in the way.
But some observers think not declaring a winner is sacrilege and just another example of the "P.C.-ifying" of America. Of coddling kids and telling them "everyone's a winner" and not teaching them life is hard.
Yes, life is hard. Professional success requires competition. Making a fortune entails managing people and disappointing those who can't cut it. There are winners and losers.
But kids can learn the "winners and losers" lesson every time they turn on the TV. They don't need it shoved down their throats. In fact, maybe a more important lesson in that situation is to show them how there is more to life than sports, and when there are other factors in play, it's OK to think of solutions "outside the box."
I just ... when I was a kid I was a little too competitive in my own sports. And I even used to cry after Blues playoff losses. But I realized I didn't like that part of me, and I needed to lighten up and gain perspective: It's fun to challenge yourself and reach your physical and mental limits, but having a "winning" or "losing" opponent is merely a byproduct of that -- not the end target. Whether it's the golf course/mountain or a human opponent, they're really just artificial constructions you can use to explore your own abilities.
Likewise, the pro teams I still follow became more an object of entertainment, story and admirable physical intelligence -- and not results to live and die by.
But in rec hockey and such, I run into countless people who lack that perspective. Who take all their work-day frustrations out on their rec competition opponents (and the referees). Who fail to understand they're not paid to play, and their opponents have jobs to report to in the morning -- jobs best performed without having a senseless injury.
Grosser still is when those attitudes are projected by parents on to their children -- which I see before or after our adult games. That's when people can be really happy -- passing their twisted, unhealthy priorities on to the next generation.
So while there are some sad saps ripping the Michigan association for failing to declare an all-important winner and loser, I'm glad the athletics officials disagreed: There are other things in life; sometimes you just have to accept co-champions.
I have no interest in professional nor high school sports, and watching hockey, especially, leaves me cold as ice. So I was seriously considering passing over this story, but I am so glad I read it.
Thank you. Very nice indeed.
It gives me warm fuzzies and hope for future generations.
By no one you know - 3/17/2008 10:01 AM
When I read this awhile ago it reminded me of this story I heard on NPR, but I didn't think to post it. Two college softball players carried the opposing team's injured player around the bases, clinching the win and playoff spot for the opposing team. The kind of attitude you hope for when you get yourself or your kids involved in sports...
As you may have noticed, the site has changed. Sampa, the free-site host, did a version 2 of some sort.
Despite an FAQ that made it sound like allowing one's site to go through v.2 surgery would be okay, there were several flexibilities that surprisingly disappeared with the click of a button. (e.g. I cannot believe sidebars like this one are even narrower than before.)
And I'm told -- miraculously! -- that the conversion cannot be undone. Truth be told, I'm actually quite pissed. But free is free. Sampa has otherwise been good to me.
So I need to sort through site "features" to see how I can make do. Except that I don't have the time at the moment, in the middle of graduate classes and Lighthousehockey.com. (btw, I've removed that Lighthouse RSS feed so that you're not clogged with random Islanders hockey gibberish).
But I promise to touch up the accessories when I get a chance, and return to irregularly scheduled blogging.
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. At the end, opponents were hugging and congratulating each other
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February, 2008