Giving thanks

I
n the last couple of weeks, I have written about some pretty disappointing events in collegiate and professional sports. 
Meanwhile at the high school, Sources of Strength (SOS) has presented students with a thankfulness challenge where they keep a journal of three things they are thankful for each day for 21 days. This challenge is based on evidence that being thankful actually changes your brain to be more positive.
Therefore, in honor of Thanksgiving and to do my part in being thankful, this week I want to focus on the good in sports, because the good so often outweighs the bad.
First of all, I am so very thankful that we have sports to watch, to play, to cheer for and to love. 
Though they’ve been around since forever, they are not something to be taken for granted. So each time we roll into the Dogie Dome, or Schoonmaker Field, or the aquatic center, or War Memorial Stadium, or Empower Field at Mile High, or even turn on the TV and sit back on the couch to watch our favorite teams play, we need to be thankful we have the opportunity to do so.
I am thankful that young people develop and nurture their passion for the game, dedicate themselves to working hard to become skilled in their sport, and possess a competitive nature that drives them to give their all. And, that they let us fans in on the adventure.
I am thankful that my favorite sports season is just on the horizon. I love me some basketball, and the Dogies and Lady Dogies are getting started this week with practice. Their opening contest is just a couple of weeks away, and the cherry on top of this basketball sundae is that 3A East Regionals is being hosted by Newcastle this March which means the Dogie Dome will be rocking for three solid days.
I am thankful that coaches dedicate their time to give athletes the ability to play competitive sports, and that officials have a passion for sports and thick skin to withstand the inevitable open, and often harsh, criticism from fans. 
I am thankful for parents who indulge their children’s dreams of becoming the next Steph Curry and fork out some serious dough to send them to camps or to enroll them in club sports in order to build their knowledge, skills and love for the game. 
I am thankful that they provide them with equipment and drive all over the great state of Wyoming to cheer them on, win or lose.
I’m thankful that I got to watch the Pokes win the Bronze Boot for the fourth year in a row and send the sheep home on Friday empty handed, all while sitting cozy and warm on my couch as the temps were close to 0 with wind chill in Laramie. 
I am thankful I get to write about, photograph, sometimes announce, and broadcast sports because they have, and always will be, a passion of mine. 
I am thankful that just writing this column has made me feel so much happier, and has done double duty to get me even more excited for the upcoming winter sports seasons. 
Now I challenge you to focus on the things in life for which you are thankful, and wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.