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Calling all spring sports seniors

Tue, 04/07/2020 - 10:33 am
sports@grahamleader.com

As we’ve all heard and read (if you read the story before getting to this column), the UIL advised against making preparations for a return on May 4. With other states already canceling spring sports, I can’t help but fear that this could be the future for the spring sports season in Texas.


My heart aches for all of the senior athletes who will not get closure on their high school athletic careers. For many, that will be the end of their competitive athletic careers. It has weighed heavily on my mind since I spoke to some of our senior athletes. I wanted to do more. The problem was I was not sure what I could do.
That all changed late last week. While scrolling through Twitter, I saw a series of tweets from my friend Rob Hunt. We both graduated from IUPUI. Rob works for a paper in Anderson, Ind. This idea is not mine, and I have to give Rob all of the credit.


So here is my message to any senior athlete of a spring sport. These are unprecedented times. I know when you all started practices for this spring season, your final season, that you had no idea it would or could end this way. There’s still a possibility that it might not end this way, let’s hope for the best. I am also going to prepare for the worst.
You have given the last four years to the sports you love. You have given them to your school. You have given them to your community. You have allowed us all to share in your joy and heartbreak. You have welcomed me, a stranger from Indiana, into your community. For all of that, we thank you; I thank you.
There is a possibility that we won’t have a senior night to honor your accomplishments. I have decided to use my portion of The Graham Leader to do that. For every spring sport senior who chooses to participate, I will dedicate a portion of it to you.


Take a few moments to collect your memories and your emotions. Take some time to reflect on your four years as a high school athlete. Write it all out in a letter. Double-check your letter for spelling and punctuation. I do not want to risk skewing your message with any editing. This is your chance to reflect on your high school career like you would on a senior board. After you do that, find a picture or two. Find a picture that you feel best sums up your high school athletic career. After you’ve done all of that, email them to me at sports@grahamleader.com. You may also send them to your coach to email to me.
If you don’t want to participate, that is perfectly fine. I know this is an emotional time with a lot of confusion and heartbreak. I want to give you an outlet. We can’t replace the missed games or time with teammates that is now lost, but we can do this.


Some of you I have had the pleasure to cover since the fall season, more of you since the winter season, I thank you for the opportunity to tell your story. To those who only play spring sports, I hope the opportunity is not lost.