With Stadiums, Arenas, and Fields Empty, Where Are Our Heroes?
The heroes people are talking about now aren’t dunking basketballs, catching touchdowns, or scoring behind-the-head goals. They are scientists, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and first responders. They wear a different type of uniform and a different type of face mask.
They aren’t the only ones either. They’re the truckers, grocery clerks, shelf stockers, cashiers, baggers, delivery drivers, farmers, ranchers, bakers, packagers, and bottlers who are keeping us fed and healthy with considerable risk to their own health.
Practice Social Distancing
These are the folks who are going to get us back on the field. We need to be prepared for that time by doing our part. Start by asking, What is your part? What is your responsibility? The answer may be different for many of us.
One responsibility we all have is to practice social distancing. Do not get together with other people, friends, or teammates who do not live with you. If we hope to get back on the field this spring, we need to practice social distancing. This isn’t easy. We are social animals. We relish the security and sense of belonging that being on a team provides. But being on a team is not always easy. We are often asked and even expected to make sacrifices for our teams’ success. In the big scheme of things, social distancing is a pretty small ask.
Be Ready — Stay In Shape
Another responsibility we have to our team is to be ready when we get the all-clear and are allowed back on the field. Stay in shape. Set goals. Push yourself. Good teammates are not satisfied with just enough. Work on weaknesses. Improve. Return to your team better than when you left it.
Stay in touch with your coaches. If they haven’t sent workouts already, ask for some. Try working out with a virtual partner. FaceTime/Skype with a friend or if you don’t have a friend, call a teammate.
Right about now, we’re all starting to realize how precious our time is when we're on the field together. Let’s not waste it. Take responsibility for yourself and your team. Share videos of your workouts. It’s not vain. It might even inspire or motivate your teammates. If you do not have a rebounder or a wall, throw with a parent or sibling. Mom probably has a softball mitt somewhere. Be ready.
And when we do get back to normal. Thank all those heroes who helped us get back there quicker.
Stay safe, stay healthy, stay home.
About the Author
Kevin Meany is the head boys coach at Swax Lax Lacrosse and was a former goalie for Providence College. When he’s not coaching for Swax Lax Lacrosse, he’s the assistant coach for the Morristown-Beard varsity and middle school lacrosse teams in Morristown, New Jersey, and a contributor to the Swax Lax team where he keeps all of us laughing.