I always wondered why, when I moved during the summer before my junior year of high school, I was elected co-captain of the gymnastics team my first week in a new school.
My co-captain and I met once at the gym that day, then she missed every practice and every competition for two years. Senior year we had a vote on who was to be awarded the best of the team at the end of the year and she won by one vote, mine. I thought it inappropriate to vote for myself.
She was out for a Varsity letter and to go to college for field hockey. I was going to college for brains but she needed the leadership credentials of two teams, even though she was a no-show for ours. I wish she’d told me, not that I would have participated in my team’s and my school’s hoax.
Still, I did well for my team. I recruited a fellow student “ringer” who aced all the competitions. Then, when she placed second in the State competition she stormed out of the gym to the locker room. I went in there and she said that all of us were losers and shouldn’t have been on “her” team. I told her that this team had rooted for her and stood in the stands for her all season. She could go do that for them or leave and forfeit her standing. Five minutes later, she was out there on the floor rooting for her team louder than anyone else.
I always thought the best of my high school coach but now I know what was going on at the time. While it sickens me to think what coaches do to help some athletes succeed by conning other students, I think I made the best of the situation at the time, by really being a team player.
After all, it was our Team and we held together with faulty equipment and concrete floors in the gym. My ankles are weak now and I still remember shin splints. may even remember how to bandage them with athletic tape for a meet.
What did I get out of this? I should have been bitter and angry but am not and always recommend being a team player. Don’t harbor bad thoughts about someone who is smarter than you. Always surround yourself with the best people and let them do their jobs. The best thing that can move you up the food chain is being a mentor to a fantastic staff. Help your staff leave for worthwhile reasons (marriage, children, better job, spouse transferred out of state) because these folks will remember your kindness and support.
When I confronted the HS gymnastics diva I did it in the locker room, not in front of our peers. I gave her the option to go home or come out and be a heroine. That, she was. I was her friend, and her captain, and she had a team. We all did. Cheers, Dee
Cooking with Dee 