School Sports and Small Towns

School sports in small towns are experienced differently than in large cities.

In a small town (less than 5,000 people) the whole town gets excited when one of its sports teams reaches the finals of the state tournament, like our girls’ basketball team did one time.

School let out early, people took off work, and businesses closed just so people could travel 3+ hours to where the tournament was held. Buses were chartered and friends carpooled, with plenty of snacks, laughter, and cheers as they made the journey and made memories.

Our local newspaper (The McKenzie Banner), which is always front and center of every school event (and has been for three generations), posted photos and videos on Facebook to make those who didn't make the trip feel connected to the excitement. For instance, when the team drove back into town with police and state trooper escorts, The Banner made a video of the procession that ended up being watched by three thousand people within just a few hours. Three thousand!

The story of McKenzie Girls winning the state championship will be told for generations, with expected exaggerations, which will be forgiven by those who remember it differently. Lying to someone's face in an effort to be deceitful is one thing but stretching the truth about what your daughter/granddaughter/sister/cousin/friend did in the tournament is accepted with enthusiasm.

That’s what community is, and it feels pretty good.

* Taken from The Wit and Wisdom of David Johnson, Volume 1: I Didn’t Know Donkeys Could Laugh.