Sometimes the outcome justifies more than the well-worn words about how it happened, and how you write about it. It’s good to know…that real human emotion is just as important to report what ‘woke’ has conditioned us not to believe.
In lieu of the typical ‘Who’s Hot’ column that we write weekly, it’s timely that we acknowledge not only the Coldwater Cavaliers having won their first-ever state title in volleyball on Saturday, but a component of the story that I know will not be universally appreciated.
That said, I write about a reality pertaining to journalistic cliches’ of this day – of how winning is presented to the public.
Traditionally, events like Coldwater’s Division VI title victory are reported this way. How does it feel? What’s it mean to you? Talk about this…talk about that. Talk about anything, but don’t talk about what made you want to win that championship.
I write about this because winning, in the traditional sense, is under fire by modern culture. Some call it ‘woke’, but I don’t even know what woke means. But I’m confident of hearing about it the coming days…of reporting the frustration of a school like Coldwater, with 28 previous state titles, finally winning another. You don’t have to listen closely to hear it…of how trophies and titles are prioritized ahead of just doing your best.
Evil attitudes? No, just the traditional values of competition and preparation that you, me, all of us, grew up with – reality. So let’s write about Coldwater with a different appreciation. In a culture that now questions if winning is more important than how you play the game…isn’t it time to stop making excuses for why you play to win?
Only in high school do they hand out runner-up trophies. You don’t see it at the Super Bowl. You don’t see it at the NCAA Final Four. And you don’t see it in the business world where employers don’t give you a check for finishing second to the person they hired. Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis is famously quoted for coining the phrase, “Just win, baby!”
It’s time we write about – defer – to the competitive instincts of being human. It’s a game…there’s a championship to be won…I’m going to feel better if I win it…part of a legacy…so let’s just win it.
Of everything I wrote in the post-game story Saturday, the most enlightening part was not the fact of a dramatic victory…because there was no drama. Coldwater played through Marion Pleasant’s best effort in the second set, withstood, and then blew past to the finish with an 8-1 run to take the set, and the momentum of the match.
And there is no one in coaching that I’ve met who’s more classy than Nikki Etzler. She’s the kindred spirit of always saying the right thing…about her team…her school…and the opponent. In fact, she could be the face of the OHSAA’s slogan about ‘Respect The Game’.
Coldwater coach Nikki Etzler ponders her options during Saturday’s Div. VI Final.
But after saying the right things in her post-game comments Saturday, in a private moment away from the cameras she added, “Personally, I wanted this [title] because I’m super competitive. And to see these girls’ hard work rewarded.? That’s pretty awesome.”
A 7th grade language arts teacher at Coldwater, Etzler goes to great lengths to impart positive values in everything she does. And I know that because I’ve been married to a 6th grade language arts teacher for 40 years who does the same things. But there’s no greater lesson shared than that of being competitive, work hard, and doing what it takes to benefit when winning comes your way.
You can choose, as a writer, to report the story in myriad of ways. And Saturday, after years of obvious disappointment over getting close and being left at the altar, the questions centered around little more than the familiar drone – how does it feel, what’s it mean, and how will you remember this?
And the familiar answers…of paying respect to the moment, the game, and the opponent.
But again, privately, the best post-game revelation was that of Coldwater’s Morgan Blasingame, who admitted, “I’m so competitive that sometimes I stare down an opponent just to intimidate.”
Yes!
Of Spencer Etzler, who shared that she didn’t want to be the only person in the Stanford locker room next fall without a state title in her pocket.
Yes!
Publisher and editor Sonny Fulks writes the Buckeyes and OHSAA sports for Press Pros Magazine.com.
Of both Blasingame and Etzler admitting (paraphrasing) that they took winning personal because it’s better than finishing second.
Yes!
Nikki Etzler admitting that winning is a reminder of hard work being rewarded.
YES!
Preach it, Nikki. You deserve it…you paid your dues…your legacy to athletes.
And is it any wonder that people ask how Coldwater and Marion Local keep doing what they do?
Would the same people notice if they didn’t win?
And why it’s important to write about not just how you win…but why you win.
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