Athletic Support: Back to school woes
eli.cranor@gmail.com


Dear Athletic Support: The only reason we’re putting my daughter in school this year is because of sports. Is that wrong? She’ll be a seventh grader. So that means it’s her first year for school-organized sports. Her interest in athletics varies from season to season. I’m afraid if she misses a whole year of sports, she’ll fall so far behind she won’t be able to keep up and will lose interest for good. I was an athlete and the lessons sports taught me — discipline, toughness, perseverance — have served me well throughout my adult life. I don’t want my daughter to miss out on that.

— First Year Mom


Dear First Year Mom: Sports are important. I read a statistic the other day that said ninety percent of all Fortune 500 CEOs participated in athletics through high school. So, you’re right to consider the impact of this strange, pandemic-altered school year on your daughter’s athletic career. I also think you’re right to worry she’ll fall behind if she misses the seventh-grade season.

If you’re wanting to do virtual, or even home school, there’s good news! Most school districts allow home-school kids to participate in interscholastic athletics. You just need to contact your state’s activity association and find out the guidelines.

I’d be willing to bet your daughter will able to go to school virtually and still play in-person sports. Now you just need to keep your fingers — and toes — crossed that fall sports don’t get cancelled.


Dear Athletic Support: My son is drained. After his first week of school, there’s just nothing left. This has been impacting his after-school activities, namely, football. He’s a senior and one of the best players on the team, but his coach is constantly griping at him. I’ve been to most of the practices, and despite the struggles these kids are facing right now, this coach still isn’t cutting them any slack. It took everything I had last Thursday to keep from getting out of my truck and giving that coach a piece of my mind. What do you think? Should coaches give their players a break since COVID and school are already wearing them out?

— Keeping My Cool

Dear Cool: Everything is different right now, and your son’s coach should keep that in mind.

That being said, it’s not a coach’s job to take it easy on his players.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again — athletic success is not the end goal for most young athletes. It’s not about the wins, or the awards, or getting your name in the paper (I’m not sure kids even care about this anymore). The biggest benefits sports have to offer are its inherent lessons.

So, yes, things are weird right now. They’re upside down and backwards. But many people are still having to go to work. They’re still having to be husbands and wives and parents despite the chaos.

If this is the lesson your son’s coach is teaching with his hard-nosed approach, then let it ride a bit and see what happens. If he’s just being belligerent and nasty for no reason, then by all means, go and give him a piece of your mind.


Eli Cranor is a former professional quarterback and coach turned award-winning author. Please use the “Contact” page at elicranor.com to send in questions for “Athletic Support.”

Previous Athletic Support Columns:

• Football guidelines a breeze compared to band
• What to do if your season stalls
• Left behind
• Travel ball leads to constipation
• Collegiate sports for fun or money?
• No right answer
• Sunburns not part of the game
• Summertime soreness
• Vulnerability is key in uncertain times
• Sick of COVID-19
• Racial tensions rise as sports gear up again
• Silver lining for post pandemic sports
• Wearing masks to practice
• Coach disappears after season is cancelled
• What happens to the team if a player gets COVID-19?
• Will there be football in the fall?
• With sports gone, son’s grades tanking
• Lost without sports
• Teddy bears and tessellations
• Cornavirus? We’ve got games to play!
• Girlfriend getting in the way
• A parent’s role when sports are over
• Talk to your grandkids, carefully
• At what age should sports stop being fun?
• What ever happened to going door to door?
• Lack of respect for track
• Should my son take supplements?
• I need your help
• Help! My daughter wants to play football
• Transferring to a smaller school: the good, the bad, and the ugly
• What’s that smell? It’s not as bad as you think
• A break from school but not from sports
• Should a coach pray with his team?
• Coach tells player not to shoot
• Do nice guys (and girls) really finish last?
• Coach cancels post-season awards banquet
• No cellphones in the locker room!
• Fake scholarship signing?
• Withholding football as punishment
• Sick and tired of losing
• Late bloomer, a blessing or a curse?
• Scholarship hopes dead, now what?
• Is my son a butterfly chaser?
• Don’t force sports on your kids
• Hunting or Football?
• Beat the Heat
• Idle Hands
• Coach’s son gets special attention