In recent weeks, while I was searching through my Google alerts on the lookout for news items, I came across two stories that only had one connecting factor: they both happened in the suburbs of Dallas, Texas.
In these two stories, I saw the good and the bad of not only youth sports but humanity in general. One story showed the virtue that can make us proud of our fellow people, while the other made me shake my head at the stupidity and ignorance of some people.
First the good.
In a small community in Collin County, Texas, a group of parents was frustrated at the lack of a soccer program for local kids: so they created their own. Aptly known as Community FC, the league for kids ages 3 to 14 has been running for three years, driven completely by volunteers. According to a recent article by the local CBS station, the league has 28 teams with 300 players. While some youth sports programs may cost parents thousands of dollars, Community FC leaves their annual fees at $150. It’s been said it takes a village to raise a child but in this case, it takes a village to help them play soccer.
Now the bad.
Video shows reaction to reports of shots fired at Fieldhouse USA Mansfield. Police said there was a fight and one of them got a gun, causing everyone to run. Police said no shots were fired & no injuries.
READ MORE: https://t.co/R6iH5h0efQ
(VIDEO COURTESY: Noble Sandlin) pic.twitter.com/PamiX3HWIJ
— FOX 4 NEWS (@FOX4) April 23, 2023
At a recent girls’ high school basketball tournament, players, coaches, referees, and attendees were forced to run out of the gymnasium in a panic after someone came in and shouted a person in the parking lot had a gun or had fired shots. In the end, it turns out no shots were fired, and a loud noise heard in the gym was caused by someone tripping over a table. Before the incident, a coach and a parent had allegedly argued, and were asked to leave, which resulted in one of the parties getting a firearm, according to police. Details remain sketchy at this point and thankfully, no one was hurt.
Seeing these kids go from playing a spirited game of basketball to running for their lives is bone-chilling. Regardless of your views on guns, if it doesn’t make your blood boil to see this, I’m not sure what will.
What this really shows us is youth sports, in some ways, mirrors all of society. There are highs and lows, peaks and valleys. Hopefully, we will see more of the good than the bad moving forward.
