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Its' interesting to see how track and field programs vary from school to school, not just in competition but also the policies, values and traditions. I was fortunate enough to be asked to speak at Stoughton's winter track break-up banquet. An inside look at the Black Knights led me to one conclusion – that their program had many similarities to my own. I suspect that if I visited all the schools in the Hockomock I'd get the same impression.

I don't mean to suggest it shouldn't. North Attleboro hasn't got a copyright on ideas. It was just that the other night at Stoughton it felt a little eerie watching one of my own banquets – minus the poem.

First of all, it was pot luck - nothing shocking about that. But I must admit, the food was good and there was plenty of it. It was 80% pasta dishes, 20% chicken with no mystery meals that would make you shy away. Pulling off a successful pot luck supper with 150 people is no easy task. I'm considering having them cater my next banquet.

My next impression was that the turnout was awesome. The girls' team has fifty athletes and the boys a few over forty. Almost everyone was there despite the fact that it coincided with the opening round of the state basketball tournament. Plenty of parents were also on hand. I think that's what impressed me most.

Boy, I hope I word this right. Stoughton didn't have a winning season. And to their testament it didn't detract from the mood of the banquet. I heard coaches talk with praise about how hard the team worked as they recognized special accomplishments through awards. I heard the captains talk about how much they enjoyed spending time with their teammates. You could feel the special bond - the intrinsic reward of sport in general, a product of athletes toiling side-by-side toward a common goal. Even if those victories prove elusive, the process of creating this shared goal and committing to it is real. That is one of the reasons to celebrate at the end of the season and why getting everyone together one last times means so much.

So I was happy that the parents were there. I always felt the parents were an important element in team success. When I was an athlete, even though I left it unsaid, it was special for me that my parents attended my games and meets. It always gave me a boost – and I've seen that bump in my own athletes. The message by the Stoughton parents was clear. They were proud. Being honored at this banquet were the virtues and values displayed by their student-athletes. Won-loss records are relevant because they are indicative of success in the athletic arena, but they are not the barometer by which a parent or coach can or should measure the stature of their student-athlete. I saw the pride in the eyes of those parents and coaches – and in this case I have to say, “they know best.”

Now to my own part in the festivities. At the risk of being redundant, I'm going to give a synopsis of what I meant to say, just in case it didn't come across clearly. In a nutshell:

Stoughton has a long and successful track and field history. Countless names come back to me of athletes who put on tremendous performances and caused me a few sleepless nights. Many times, especially with the boys' teams of the 90's, the league championship came down to Stoughton and North Attleboro.

It's a tradition that today's athletes should be proud of. It should be an impetus to try to become part of that rich tapestry. It is said, “ those who forget history are doomed to repeat it.” My corollary is “Those that embrace history are driven to repeat it.” There is a lot worth repeating from Stoughton's track and field past.

I also gave props to the sport of track and field, one of the best methods for teaching the value of resilience. The nice thing about track is that “each day is a new opportunity for greatness.” If you have a bad day, the next day you can step back on the track and show the true greatness you have within. Some sports do not forgivingly present the opportunity to do that, but with its “everybody competes” format the track athlete is not at risk of being benched or overlooked. It may be a drop to a non-scoring heat, but the athlete has a clean slate on which to make a statement.

Another great aspect is that track and field is the ultimate individual/team sport. By that I mean, the better an individual makes himself/herself the better the team will be. So you can focus on your individual goals of trying to break a record and in the pursuit become a greater asset to your team. Though I left it unsaid, I also think that caring about your team makes you even more likely to succeed in the individual pursuit. Many of the best performances come out when there are “team goals” on the line.

Of course I mentioned that none of these things make track any easier than other sports. Track and field can also be harsh because the tape measure and stopwatch don't lie. There are no built in excuses such as “they wouldn't pass me the ball” or “the coach won't give me a chance.” In track, you do what you do and its clearly there for everyone to see.

I mentioned two focal points of the programs with which I've been involved. One is consistency of effort. That means 100% every day. The athlete on a quest doesn't have off days. The litmus test is for the athlete to be able to look in the mirror every night and know they did at least one thing to make themselves better. Those are the types of days that eventually accumulate in met goals.

The other was the concept of dedication. Oh man, this a point some parents and athletes want to debate. Dedication is easy for everyone if it doesn't mean sacrifice. But when choices have to be made, there lies the true test of an athlete's dedication. Do they value creating an image of someone who can be relied on no matter what, or are they content to put self-interest first. I know this is a tough one. In this day and age there are more choices to be made. For me it is as easy as black and white. If you are able to make a choice that puts your own performance or the success of your team in jeopardy it isn't dedication to anything but yourself.

Nuff said for now. Let me step off my bandwagon and commend my own parents group. Over the years the vast majority have accepted the concept, deep down knowing that a vacation trip, while a short-term enjoyment, isn't worth the price of valuable lessons unlearned. The true prize comes from being able to focus on a goal.

I enjoy this web-site because it is my forum to sound off. I'm not a public speaker – I'm a coach. So, it is inevitable that I went home kicking myself for things I never got to say.

What I never got around to saying but wish I had is this:

Stoughton's Sean Earle is one of the most incredible high school athletes to ever grace a Hockomock track. He still sits atop my most respected opponent list. The way he and Phil Allessi of North Attleboro approached their high jump duels is nothing short of amazing. They competed fiercely while continuously encouraging their opponent to do better. To this day, Sean is a humble and caring individual who puts a halo over the head of all Stoughton athletes. Because of him, my first impression in any situation is to give the Stoughton athlete the benefit of any doubt.

My second faux pas was neglecting to mention Mike Morris. I think his performance at the Hockomock Championships should be an example to all athletes. He entered the meet with a PR in the 10:50's and finished the race in 10:28. The only better story would have been for him to run three seconds faster and qualify for states. His example was that you shouldn't enter a race using previous performances to limit your goals. He entered willing to push the envelope and his result was a time far better than he would risk predicting.

I also was sorry that Bryanah Bascom wasn't there. For the last four years I could always rely on her smile and hello. I missed the chance to say goodbye, although possibly in the spring we'll cross paths.

And finally, a plug for the coaches. Coach McNamee is as passionate as you can be about distance running. Every time we meet I get great insights from him. I know coaches Clarke and Blonder the best. They are certainly among the most respected coaches in the league. Don't let them fool you with the sometimes-deprecating comments about their coaching ability. Yes, they are old – as am I. But they are as committed as anyone.

I wish Stoughton success in the future. They have much to be proud of already and the future looms bright.

Oh, and PS. Rodney Julien will be healthy by spring so look out!