Sportsmanship on the Gridiron

Today's blog post was written by Tom Malin.  Mr. Malin is the Athletic Director at East Catholic High School in Manchester, CT.  East Catholic is a new Play Like a Champion partner, and the reigning Connecticut Girls High School Soccer Champions.  Throughout the fall season, the East Catholic Eagles have been embracing all aspects of the Play Like a Champion philosophy, and last weekend's football game is just one more example of this successful approach.

It was a cold, frigid Friday night with temperatures hovering in the 20s and a wind chill factor that put the temperatures in the single digits. The East Catholic Eagles (8-3) were playing the Bulkeley Bulldogs (2-9) under the lights at Dillon Stadium in Hartford.

The game was competitive for the first half, with the Eagles leading by the score of 14-8 but the strength and numbers of the East Catholic team enabled the Eagles to pull away with a convincing win on the last game for both teams. 

The great experience for players for both teams was the fact that the game was played with mutual respect and good sportsmanship! The highlight of the evening was after the game was completed, the teams met with their coaches, and then players and coaches from both teams met at the center of the field and heard some inspirational words from the East Catholic coach. Once the inspirational talk ended, players from both teams high fived and chest bumped each other. Each team left the field feeling a little better about themselves and the other team. 

The Athletic Director from Bulkeley High School stated, “the end of the season was difficult with our low numbers, but we finished with players who were the heart of our team and it appears that your players and coaches have the same heart and passion for the game.”  

For the East Catholic Athletic Director, “it was a great example of sportsmanship and respect that the players and coaches had for each other. To be able to have both teams meet in the center of the field and exchange friendship was something to see and witness. It truly showed that sports can be fun and a great avenue to learn values and life lessons.”