The passion doesn’t die

S
omeone once said to me that once my children graduated I would no longer care about the sports programs at Newcastle High School.
I don’t remember who it was, but I do remember vehemently denying that I would ever lose my passion for Dogie sports.
As I sit in my living room on a Saturday night, glued to my TV and cheering on the Dogies as they play in Gering, Neb., six years after my youngest graduated from high school, I can without a doubt say to whomever that was who doubted my passion, that I still care.
Granted, as a sports writer, photographer and broadcaster, I still have my finger on the pulse of NHS athletics. I also have friends’ kids whom I love, and students whom I love that play, but I will also point out that year after year I see fans in the stands that have no skin in the game other than a love for Dogie sports and the kids who play them.
There are several long-time Dogie fans you can count on to be in the bleachers when any team is on the field or takes the court. They may have had a family member who was a part of a program at some time, but most do not have any personal stake in the teams at this point.
Alumni night, which the basketball coaches put together last Friday, brought many former Dogies to the gym, many of whom are still regular fixtures. You can bet they still care about how their alma mater’s new generation is carrying on their legacy.
My point is that, especially in a small town like Newcastle, the school is an integral part of the community and sporting events draw people in like little else does on a regular basis.
We know the kids who play, and the people who coach, so we develop a vested interest in the programs and how they fare each season.
We share the thrill when teams succeed, and also the disappointment when they fail. We swell with pride when the kids show character and sportsmanship, and when they leave everything they have on the court, no matter the outcome of the competition.
I mean, who doesn’t love the excitement of those come from behind wins, the buzzer beater shots that make the crowd go wild, getting the better of rivals, or those nail-biter finishes that get the heart rate up and turn a few hairs gray?
Or how about watching the star players put the team on their backs and go off for a great game.
Or even better, when that bench kid gets in the game and has his or her moment to shine!
Then there are the times that can bring a tear to the eye. For example, the devastation and heartbreak when an athlete goes down with an injury that ends their season, or worse,
their career.
All of these things I still feel and can’t imagine a time when I will not be affected. Anyone who loves sports knows that it doesn’t matter how old you get, it will always matter and the passion just doesn’t die.