Its Not Just Basketball

I have long held the belief that lessons learned outside of the classroom are just as important as the lessons learned within. Books serve us well but education is not just something to read about or an equation to figure out.

Education is the learning process, helping our children to "figure it out" and then put into action the things which they learned. We hope we served them well, their educators and parents and our report card, so to speak, is how they use those things we help plant into their brains.

Accomplishments can be measured in many different ways, not just a letter on a grade card. Accomplishments are things our children excel at and those "ah" moments when pieces start to fit together.

Along with 2+2 and ABC's we help to build character in our children equipping them to make good moral choices in life.

So thank you to Papa, Debe, Hannah, Andy, Drew, Eli, Aunt Marsha, Morgan, Tete, Aunt Sam, Uncle Todd, Shelby, Spencer and Sophie -- thanks to all of you for supporting Zach, for understanding how important it is to leave your heart and soul out on the court and look up into the stands and see familiar faces.

Thank you for helping to mold our son, build his character on and off the court.

Thank you for getting it.

Because perhaps one day Zach will be sitting in the stands as a father, an uncle, a cousin or friend. . . . in support of a player out there on the court or field, pouring their heart and soul into a game . . .

And Zach will sit up there in full knowledge of what that feels like, to be down there playing . . hoping to win . . .hearing the crowd . . . . . a crowd that is there for you . . . .

And Zach will recall those lessons of losing, and winning, leading and following, being committed and working hard, making sacrifices and tough choices, being part of a team . . . .

He will remember those days he left his heart and soul out there on the court . . .

Win or loose . . .

And he will realize how those lessons served him well in life. On the court. Off the court.

He will remember . . .

That you were there for him . . .

As he claps . . .

And cheers . . .

And hopes for Victory because after all . . .

Its not just basketball