OUR HATS SAY MUCH MORE THAN A SIMPLE “n”

            The role of today’s student-athlete is ever-developing and requires much more attention to detail than at any time in the history of interscholastic sports. The global community within which we all live raises expectations for not only the young people of our community to be able to compete here locally but also for our young people to compete throughout the world. It is this concept we encourage our players to be so very much more than mere student-athletes. The uniform we wear may be basic to the game of baseball, but it too symbolizes a vast array of perspectives interpreted by the general population. When our student-athletes don our fundamental uniform, they possess the opportunity to take our community to new heights. They possess the opportunity to take their own personal lives to peaks not yet dreamed. The hats we wear mean much more than a simple “n”.

            To begin, the typical student population is given the opportunity to mold the future of our nation – to give thanks to those who have laid our country’s foundation and to give them honor by constructing a structurally sound building of hopes and dreams that is architecturally both creative and without limits. Our student-athletes are provided the opportunity to make what we see and what we perceive to be as imaginable as the most storied web gem replayed on the television screen. Parent expectations may be disciplined to the skills of the game. Player expectations may be focused solely on the position(s) they play. But athletics can and should be much more than that.

            Our student-athletes are required to submit the following: an IHSAA Physical Form, an Emergency Information Form, an Acknowledgement Form, and a Code of Conduct. It is requested that parents and fans of the programs become members of the Booster Club. This is just the beginning of the many hats to be worn by the student-athlete. There are numerous expectations that may only be implied but are every bit as important as those that have been delineated as required. Some of these expectations include the ability to be punctual, to be respectful, to show tremendous effort, to be able to work with others, to follow the rules, to show compassion to others, to be gracious, to be academically motivated, and to strive for the successes of the group above all else. In the big picture of life, aren’t these ideas the cornerstones for becoming successful adults? Shouldn’t they be the benchmarks of a program and not far-fetched goals never to be attained? The hats our student-athletes wear mean so much more than a simple “n”.

            Playing baseball at Terre Haute North or at Countryside HS in Clearwater, Florida provides an opportunity for young people to set the tone of their community. Playing baseball on the high school level takes a child’s game to an entirely different level. It is similar to seeing the difference between a little girl’s dance recital and a musical On Broadway. It is as polarizing as the difference between singing in the shower and being an American Idol. The basic character traits of the Patriot Baseball program were not born in July of 1997 when this coaching staff was put in place. They were developed during our nation’s youth. They were fostered throughout a prospering community in the early days of the 20^th century. They were cherished throughout the glory days of the ‘50s and ‘60s at the area’s thirteen high schools. And they became legendary throughout the ‘70s while championships became the norm and not the rare exception. Playing baseball at Terre Haute North Vigo High School is a privilege for those chosen. It gives a few young men in our community the most fragile opportunity to be all they can be. The successes achieved on the field are witnessed by all in the stadium; but more importantly, they are raised to mythical proportions historically as the players continue their successes in life’s future challenges.

            We often provide minimum standards that must be met each day at practice in order to be successful throughout the season. For example, run two laps around the field; stretch as a team; throw for 20 minutes; hit three rounds in the cages; field 100 groundballs at your position; get three bunts down each line. These are all minimum standards to be met. Will you become the next Alex Rodriguez by doing the minimum? Would you want to go to a doctor or dentist who did only the minimum to get his degree? Do you want to hire the contractor who only does the minimum to build your home? Do you want your prom to resemble a mixer at your middle school? Do you want only minimum coverage if you are involved in an auto accident?

The “n” we wear on our hats indicates in excess. Players who wear the “n” don’t settle for the path of least resistance. They do more than the next guy. They refuse to accept mediocrity. Players who wear the “n” know that being punctual means more than being on time. They know it means to be ready for work – not ready to get ready for work. Players who wear the “n” are not only capable of showing respect for themselves and others but are more importantly a consummate exhibitor of respect. Players who wear the “n” refuse to work hard for a moment and to be relaxed for a lifetime. Players who wear the “n” work a lifetime to be relaxed in the moment. Players who wear the “n” don’t settle for a group of athletes to make up a team. Players who wear the “n” know the team is made of the work we put in together – to be trusting of one another – to be held accountable for the collective works of all team members both on and off the field. Players who wear the “n” expect rules to be followed for it is the set of rules we live by that separate us from the pretenders – it is the set of rules we live by that provides us with our future levels of opportunity. Players who wear the “n” are compassionate towards those who are less fortunate or those who experience a less fortunate outcome while being gracious in spite of our successes whatever level of success we might achieve. Players who wear the “n” strive for the highest academic achievements available as it is that of which we learn and demonstrate consistently that can never be taken from us – that knowledge is key to our present and to our future both on and off the field of play. Players who wear the “n” recognize the shortcomings of their peers, forgive these missteps, and strive to excel far past compensating for them for the good of the program. Players who wear the “n” know individual accolades mean very little without others to share them similar to glitter without glitz. It is the glitz that allows the glitter to sparkle.

Being a Patriot who wears the “n” on his hat means character – class - honor. Being a Patriot who wears the “n” on his hat means everything!