DEREK MULLER, JASON REDMON/THE SIDELINE

The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat – for pure exhilaration and drama, there’s nothing quite like sports: It’s the crack of the bat as it connects with the baseball and hurtles it into the bleachers for a home run; the swish of the basketball as it drops into the net for a three-point play at the buzzer; the roar of the crowd as the quarterback delivers a perfect spiral pass for the winning touchdown. Most importantly, sports bring out the best in the human spirit. Sports have so much to teach us about what it means to live well. Yes, good character can be taught in Sunday school, but it is “practiced” on the court, diamond, gridiron and track. Virtues such as tenacity, perseverance, fairness, teamwork, integrity and responsibility can be developed and strengthened as surely as the muscles and skills needed for competition. Continue reading