Sports unify us as a community. We all remember big wins for our teams, for our country and for ourselves. Sports bring out the best — and, sadly, sometimes the worst — in us.
We remember joy. We remember tears. We remember moments. And they lift us up out of the mundane and the ordinary into the extraordinary and transcendent.
We give those moments names: the “Miracle on Ice,” the “shot heard ’round the world,” the Hail Mary and Nadia Comaneci’s perfect 10s.
And we always remember them.
We remember those who strive and succeed, as well as those who fell short while striving. We honor all who have sought greatness and showed courage and integrity.
Sports unify. We root for our athletes, and we recognize when greatness is revealed to us.
That’s what I saw March 14 at the Unified basketball state championship in Newark. Two teams — my Dover High School Senators and our rival, the Caesar Rodney High School Riders — competed on the hardwood for a state championship.
While the result wasn’t what Dover fans wanted, the game was a moment in time when sportsmanship, striving and courage all met to create a special memory for me and for all in attendance.
I congratulate the Riders’ players, coaches and fans for their first Unified state championship, and I congratulate my Senators for having played valiantly in the game. I also thank both teams for bringing honor to Kent County.
Their example of sportsmanship and unity was as inspiring as any game I’ve ever seen. Because, at the end of the day, what we saw on that court was bravery and determination in the pursuit of excellence.
Those are the values that unify us and exemplify the best that sports can bring out in any person.
“Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt” is the motto of the Special Olympics — the inspiration for the Unified sports program.
On March 14 in Newark, we saw bravery and determination on that court, and those who participated and those who paid witness to it are that much richer for the experience.
Thank you, Senators and Riders. We are proud of you.
Donna Johnson Geist
Capital School Board member
Dover High School class of 1989
Dover
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
