Sports Banquets
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| Mon, 12-05-2005 - 9:31am |
What is the point of sports banquets? With the exception of graduating seniors, it seems to be a waste of time for everyone. I try my very best to not be one of those "momsey womsey' types that think only MY SON is worthy of recognition-----but we paid $15 bucks a person to attend a crowded, poorly organized,mediocre food (supplied by the school cafeteria, by the way) event where only the graduating seniors were truly recognized for their accomplishments. The 8th grade teams were not even mentioned by name. The freshmen boys had their name read out loud and told to stand, same w/ the sophomores and juniors, then the 'festivities' began with the seniors. I believe STRONGLY in recognition, and there is something VERY IMPORTANT about being a senior and being recognized and I understand why the focus was on the seniors, BUT the freshmen were not included in the academic recognition AND the 4 freshmen boys that finished out the season with the sophomore team were not recognized for that either----that was pretty special to those 4 boys---and the sophomore coach made a HUGE deal about how they were now officially 'part of the sophomore team' and I know some of that was to 'pump' them up but I would think if they wanted them to feel honored at the time, that they would have at least mentioned them when introducing the sophomore team.................
Anyway, I know it sounds like grousing, but it just seemed to totally leave out everybody on the team(s) except the seniors. Also the 'videos' put together to recognize the coach and players were terrible--the sound quality was awful, and the music was very choppy (on then off, then on with a new song, then off, then on, etc..........my dh is a computer guy, so I KNOW you can fade songs in and out with a smoother transition).
It just seemed like sort of an expensive evening that wasn't very smooth sailing. I know I've got lots more just like it coming up...........basketball banquets, more football banquets...........etc..............ugh. I know it'll all be worth it when he's a senior, though!! That one will be important to him, so we'll continue to be supportive of the team overall..............
Shels

Shels,
I'm sorry that wasn't a truly wonderful event for you and your family. I think alot of it depends on who is in charge and also the coach. DD plays "minor" sports - volleyball and softball - and the parents and coaches have opted for something more casual. We have bonfires and cookouts. This year the volleyball coach had videos put together for each of the girls with emphasis on the four seniors however all girls were included. He does awards that all girls are considered for, including highest GPA on the team. He includes the Junior Varsity in this one and since they are mostly freshment and have had only 1/2 semester grades in by the time the season is over, they actually stand to have the highest GPA (However, my DD - a senior took that one). He recognizes the top service points on both the varsity and JV team as well.
Softball coach doesn't do awards at all. She does give a plaque to the seniors but thats it. They take team pictures at the cookout for the parents and girls. Mostly it's just about one big last hurrah for the girls at the end of the season.
DD's b/f's football banquet was primarily focused on seniors but it was the senior parents in charge. The next year a sophomore mom organized it and it was a little different from what I hear. The video included clips of all players and there were awards for both teams.
I guess what I'm saying is alot of it truly does depend on the parents and coaches. If the parents make it known that next year they want the JV team included, they probably will be.
Good Luck!
Oh, I know.........I'm just a little 'BAH HUMBUG-ISH' this morning. It was a disappointing banquet---money is tight for christmas--my kids wont' tell me what they want, my oldest DS is being a real handful these days...........it's probably just a culmination of my overall blue feeling. I try my very VERY best to remain upbeat but I suppose I was mildly disappointed that things weren't a little better organized (I say as I had NO hand in planning whatsoever.............yes, I deserve a little handslap for that).
My fun weekend of tree decorating, and shopping (to look, must wait to buy til next payday) and to get gift ideas turned into a basketball, plumbing/caulking issue, arguing kid, crummy football banquet weekend. So, I suppose it is just the post weekend blues. I generally dont't suffer from that, but apparently today is different!!
More basketball tonight, tomorrow, friday and Saturday---all but Tuesday's game is AWAY---which of course screws up any evening plans, not to mention the gas and so forth.......
I was really annoyed at my DS for his private pity party he held for himself all weekend (because they lost their game) and what am I DOING?????? Tsk, tsk.......lets all tell jokes or something to lighten the mood today!! haha, just kidding.........not your responsibility to perk me up!
Parents and booster club members work long and hard to have many events during the season (football, basketball, band, or whatever...) and they deserve far more kudos than I'm offering right now. I am not a 'joiner' therefore, I rarely get involved in these types of events..........so who am I to complain, right? I know there were many hands in the banquet last night, and maybe if I were in a better frame of mind, I wouldn't have been so critical.
Thanks,
Shels
Like you, I support the teams, the sports, the activities, etc..
But the banquets.. ugh..
Overpriced crappy food that we endure to support the upperclasspeople getting recognized.
We go..we smile..we congratulate..
I suppose the "correct" attitude should be for us to pay our dues when ours become seniors.
Do we have a "right" to complain?
Why not.. :-)
Yep, Daddioe, the 'correct' attitude is the one that I should have displayed, but I'm failing miserably..................my feeling is at least throw a CRUMB out to the lower classmen...............I mean the freshmen and sophomores that received academic success should at least be mentioned, even if there was no time to individually hand out certificates.........and those 4 frosh boys that finished the season w/ the sophomores should have at least had an 'honorable' mention during the introduction of the soph team..........
But, alas, it was not to be............and here I am, not involved in the planning, complaining my head off!! haha. Not very politically correct, I'm afraid.
I know that my kid will someday be a senior, and I'll be bursting at the seams with pride at his accomplishments................the banquet of last night will be long forgotten, and I'll be so highly impressed with the efforts of all those involved with the planning of the senior banquet...............
I really do try to keep things in perspective...........just a grouchy morning, I think!!
Shels
yup..yup..
The banquets I've attended are exclusively devoted to seniors, with no mention at all to the accomplishments of the others. The seniors all give speeches. The underclasspeople feel obligated to be there, hence daddioe too..looking like zombies while we hear....
"...And I'd ALSO like to thank my second grade teacher, Mrs. Flatbottom, who gave me the inspiration ...."
I KNOW I have a bad attitude regarding this and I'm not proud of it.
Sadly, when It's MY senior up there, I'll feel differently.
That's why you are the only person I'll ever tell.. :-)
<>
Yes..! We need Christmas carols.
"Hark..It's Harold's Angels singing.."
btw.. Who's Harold?
Ok, so now my co-workers in neighboring cubicles are wondering why I'm laughing so loudly----------We didn't have a Mrs. Flatbottom, but the boys did buy a cattleprod for their coach as a 'gag' gift. Poor guy, I wonder how many cattleprods he has in his garage these days. I wonder if the farm equipment stores have a rush on cattleprods during various 'banquet seasons'.
Shels
ROFL.. cattleprods?
DD's team shirts last year read "SHUT UP AND SKI" on the front.
On the back, a picture of the coach with the words, "OUR MOTIVATION - FEAR"