My Quora Answer to a sports question:

How do you explain why people like sports to someone who doesn't like sports?

by Mark Rauterkus, Swim & Water Polo Coach

Sports are games. The games have rules. The realm of these rules and game play makes an alternative reality. This is pretend importance and escape from life. This is high drama of meaningless outcome. Entering the bubble of sports is fun.

Sport is unscripted too. Outcomes are uncertain. Think mystery. Who wins and who is the goat is for all to see. Sport often delivers new terms and jargon. The language gets twisted in sports with new meanings and pretend signals with superstition and superstar play. GOAT, for instance, means GREATEST OF ALL TIME.

Sports put humans at their very best in my opinion. We go higher, faster, longer in quests for greatness. Be the strongest and be a better self every week, every day, hour and minute growing a passion of excellence.

There are some take-home messages from sport for life. The lessons of sport can transcend into life. Sports should help, illustrate and encourage society and individuals to be better. Through sport and because of sport, rise up and be a better citizen, student, parent, professional.

If one does not like sports, well, fine. Different strokes for different folks. Try golf instead. Golf gets a pass into the world of sports because the thought of bashing small balls with such great force and accuracy is to scary to imagine out of the context of sports.

Let's fund Water Polo as a sport at Obama

See my expanded comments to the school board and superintendent asking for help to expand water polo at Obama. Talks of one possible next step for sport reform.

http://cloh.org/wp/archives/596

Fwd: 18th year for PGH Scholastic Disc Golf Series tees off this Sat. 9/13

---------- Forwarded message From: J. Gary Dropcho

Hi Disc Golfers,

The flyer (click that link to a PDF) has all the info about how you can win a disc golf package, including baskets, discs and a curriculum for your phys. ed teachers, in this year's disc golf series for kids.

The series starts at 1 pm this Saturday Sept. 13, 2014, with a putting and driving clinic followed by an afternoon round at Deer Lakes from the Red tees.  Register at the Blue Gill pavilion between holes 7/9.

Events 2-5 are at Phillips Park on 9/21, Schenley Park on 10/5, Two Mile Run Extension on 10/19 and the Finals at Knob Hill on Sat. Nov. 1.

Each $12 entry fee includes a golf disc.  Every series participant gets a disc golf shirt, and prizes are awarded each week and at the end of the series with an emphasis on "The Most Fun Wins"!

See you on the course!

J. Gary Dropcho

Course Superintendent

Pittsburgh Flying Disc Society

coursesuper@pfds.org

www.pfds.org

724-766-6121

http://img2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20140909141109/aforathlete/images/8/84/PSDGS_Flyer14.pdf

Fwd: Girls Golf Member Benefits

From: Eric Amato <tftpittsburgh@clubmailer.memfirst.net>

Dear Ladies of The First Tee,

The First Tee of Pittsburgh is proud to continue its partnership with the LPGA-USGA girls golf program.  This will be our fourth year participating in the program and we want everyone to sign up for the program.  For signing up  each girl will receive the following benefits

LPGA-USGA Girls Golf membership benefits include:

• • • Quality junior instruction from LPGA/PGA Professionals

    • An LPGA-USGA Girls Golf Membership Kit (equipped with Girls Golf logoed golf accessories)

    • FREE entry into all LPGA Tour, Symetra Tour and USGA Championships

    • Scholarship opportunities through the LPGA Foundation

    • Access to National Girls Golf events, including the Girls Golf Academy

    • LPGA-USGA Girls Golf e-Newslette

To enroll please follow the link below, enrollment is open to all members of The First Tee of Pittsburgh. If you know someone that would like to get involved please contact Coach Eric at eamato@thefirstteepittsburgh.org

Thanks and sign up today

LPGA Sign up

-- 

Eric Amato

Associate Executive Director

The First Tee Coach and National Trainer

The First Tee of Pittsburgh

5370 Schenley Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15217
eamato@thefirstteepittsburgh.org  
www.thefirstteepittsburgh.org 
412-622-0108
412-682-2405 (fax)

The mission of TFTP is To impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf.

The First Tee of Pittsburgh is a United Way Donor Choice Agency.  You may direct your United Way contribution to #1436656.  Please consider the environment before printing this email.