In the compendium of public education -- elementary, middle, junior high, and high school -- nothing quite seems to dominate the popular culture of youth quite like sports.  And with sports came jocks, that ever-envied, stereotypically bullying, school ruling clique.  While rocket scientists and brain surgeons have yet to achieve their notoriety in high school, they are the "glory days" of the high school athlete.

High School sports are the stuff of local legends.  From the heart warming Milan High School basketball team (honored in "Hoosiers") to the enduring Richmond High School Oilers (recreated in "Coach Carter"), the ideal of sport has always been excellence.  But we teach it to children not because of the athletic upside, but because sport has the ability to teach and foster strong character.  Teamwork, effort, goal-setting, sportsmanship... principles of character that last a lifetime.

Everyone remembers sports.  Gathering in the autumn chill for the homecoming game, the team stampeding through a paper mascot.  The pep band trumpeting pop hits and fight songs.  The electric atmosphere of facing the local rival.  District, divisional, regional, and state tournaments.  Banners of pride and accomplishment hanging from the rafters.  Booster clubs selling buttons and nachos to raise money for new warm ups.  Digs, touchdowns, aces, home runs, goals, last second shots... The roar of the crowd as the home team scores.  The everlasting thrill of victory, the unforgettable agony of defeat.

When the mind drifts back, the other aspects of high school largely seem to pale in comparison (for better or worse).  Tests may have been more important, classes may have occupied more time, but sports were more memorable.

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