Suburban and Urban Athletes - Where Are Our Children At?

Many people will come up with a response to what I am about to say about this topic. About two weeks ago I took my niece to her tennis tournament. We went to the first school and learned that we were at the wrong location. I thought to myself, there are an awful lot of children out this early in the morning. Her match began at 8:00 a.m and there were already children on the tennis courts warming up.

We head to the site of the tournament and at first I decide to go and find some coffee, cappuccino, tea or something. It takes about a second for me to realize that my parking spot is right in front of the court where she will be playing. I decided to wait for my morning refreshment and enjoy this court side spot.

Let me get straight to the point, all of the courts were being used by young women playing either singles or doubles matches. The lacrosse team was on the field practicing, a member of the volleyball team came out to deliver a message to a parent, then out of the corner of my eye I see the football team, it had to be at least 50 or more players, start jogging around the track. All of this before 9:00 in the morning. I am honestly sitting in my car like, "What in the world?" "Where they do that at?" (The last statement is courtesy of me teaching some very silly and verbal youth)

After the match my niece and I we go to get our morning beverage. We are riding home and there is a large, new high school on the way home. And...and...it's about noon or 1p.m....and...and there is not one child anywhere near the school. Not running, throwing a ball, nothing...nothing at all. I look at my niece and I ask her what is the difference between where we just left and the school that we are passing. Her response was that the school was empty.

You can argue about budget cuts, not enough dedicated students, and a whole host of other topics. The bottom line is that when you see that difference for yourself, the difference is magnified. In the suburban neighborhoods the children are being active and dedicated to team sports and then you go home and you see Brand New high schools with empty fields. It's football season! It's tennis season! It's volleyball season! Where are the children at? Now, here is where I will get it from some of you. Urban youth were more than likely at home playing video games, passing time on the computer or watching television. No, I am not stereotyping. This is real talk.

When I ask young people, that I know, what did they do over the weekend. A majority of them will respond with "Nothing", "Went to the club", or "Nothing". I am so serious. They have never said to me, I went to practice, I went running or I played in a game. Urban youth need to become more active and learn more about sportsmanship, so that as they age they can instill that into other youth. I was never active in athletics or exercise. I now pay a price for that.

My older son plays several sports. My younger son is already in tune to the fact that exercising and drinking water is important. He sees his brother being active and he has a model to follow. I want them to be healthy and active young men and when they grow up I would hope that they continue to keep sports as a part of their lifestyles.

I just wanted to share my experience with this topic. Even to this day, I can clearly see all of those students on that cloudy Saturday morning playing, practicing and working at becoming a healthier person.

Just Needed to Share
Lindar