Bill Hall, Athletic Director

 

Competitive athletics offerings at Colorado Academy are overseen and governed by the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA), which provides structure and consistent rulings around the sports in which CA students compete. The Commissioner of CHSAA, Paul Angelico, recently wrote an open letter to all parents that can be found on CHSAANOW.org that I believe is valuable for all CA parents, teachers, staff, alumni, fans, and players to read.

 

Educational-based athletics are a critical piece of the CA experience. CA coaches make these activities even more valuable and robust because of their knowledge, background, and student-centered approach, which focuses on the development of the team and individual. CA coaches model sportsmanship, hard work, and a positive attitude in a very public way on a daily basis.

 

Angelico’s letter parallels some of these ideas and suggests that the lessons learned in sports project into adult years long after the competition has concluded. He says, “Sports need to develop our student-athletes to enable them to be productive, compassionate leaders in their communities.”

 

As the head of CHSAA, he says, “Coaches need to be a caring and concerned influence  in kids’ lives. They must make sure that every win, every loss, every personal victory or defeat comes with a lesson to be learned that will help prepare their students for life after sports and school.” The clear communication and collaboration between coach, parent, player and team is important if the group and individual are to achieve success and excellence. Angelico continues, “Players should not be criticized for the results on the scoreboard, or judged by the amount of minutes played.”

 

At CA, we need to remind each other that our coaches are entrusted first and foremost with the safety and well being of our student athletes along with, among other things, the strategy of the games and the playing time of the individual.

 

To be clear, playing time and game strategy are issues that should be between only the player and coach. This communication opportunity between the student and the adult is a great example of a life lesson that pays dividends beyond a student’s time at school.

 

What also pays dividends is how we as parents and fans model proper decorum in the stands and on the sidelines. I hope to see all of you on the sidelines as positive  forces for how we expect students to regard their opponents, who just like our kids, deserve to be respected for their preparation, effort, and skill, and their referees, who should also be honored for their professionalism, knowledge of the rules, and ability to guide the game in a safe and appropriate manner.

 

Angelico concludes his letter with the following thought, “Every time our students step on the field, they need to be encouraged to look past the scoreboard, to breathe in the atmosphere, and acknowledge there is so much more being learned than what meets the eye.” I am thankful for the leadership of Paul Angelico and the CHSAA and hope we all can see the value in the journey and not just the outcome. I hope to see you all at a game or two this fall. Please check the CA website for upcoming games and remember to wear RED! Also, plan on supporting the Mustang athletes at Homecoming on Saturday, September 26, 2015. Go CA!