I just learned that because our high school basketball team is playing in a semi-final game this afternoon, not only is the high school letting out early, but my son will be one of only three fourth graders in class. About 85% of his fourth grade class will be gone to the game. For the quarterfinal game earlier this week, almost 75% of his class was gone to the game. Doesn’t anyone see this as inappropriate?
I have always been under the impression that schools were intended for education, and that sports were extra-curricular events. They are outside the curriculum, added to the education process. I accept the high school letting out early for the game, although I would be pleased if they didn’t. (The high school didn’t let out when my high school basketball team went to the state tournament. The school administration apparently thought we should be in class. I guess that makes me old school.) But fourth graders? Maybe I could see it if a brother was playing on the team. But 85% of the class?
I’ve also had people cast aspersions on my character this week because I didn’t go to the quarterfinal game, nor did I listen to it on the radio. “Pastor X went to the game,” implying that I would somehow be doing the pastorally appropriate thing by dropping my sermon preparation, prayer time, visitation schedule, etc., in order to attend a quarterfinal basketball game an hour’s drive away. “Didn’t listen to the game? Have you lost your interest in basketball?” No, actually I was working and didn’t feel the distraction would be appropriate. Besides, I’ve never much cared for listening to basketball on the radio. Baseball lends itself beautifully to radio. Basketball? No, not really.
I am excited that our high school team is in the semi-finals. I hope we win. I might go to the game if it’s the state championship – it’s a Friday evening, so we could make it a family night event without missing school or work.
But, since I didn’t attend or listen to the quarterfinal game, I’m apparently considered to be less of a pastor and less of a fan.
Because my son didn’t attend the game, he gets to spend the afternoon with two other classmates. Doing what? I have no idea, but I hope it has something to do with education. And I hope he understands that we believe his education is more important than a high school basketball game.
