It is somewhat rare that we are provided a story that captures the true essence of dedication and sport participation building character in a positive way. The following is a great example of responding appropriately to victory and defeat.
Mitchell McKee, a sophomore from St. Michael Albertville High School was set for the final match in his weight class of the Class 3A state high school wrestling championships in St. Paul, Minn. He pinned his opponent. With great humility, Malik Stewart, immediately after the match, despite just losing, went over to shake the hand of his winning opponent’s father, Steve McKee, who has terminal cancer, was attending the match, and who doctors have given two months to live. According to Stewart, “I went through the same thing when I was younger, but my dad didn’t pass by cancer. It was by a heart attack,” Malik later told KARE 11, “so I know what he is going through.” http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/11/mitchell-mckee_n_4935911.html
As demonstrated from the story and the act of kindness and respect; this is supportive evidence that participation in sport can build character.
Dr. Fred Cromartie is the Academy’s Director of Doctoral Studies. He can be reached at cromarti@ussa.edu.