A High Five Can Last Forever 

Sonny Dellasanta 

Think back to your first time watching the varsity team play, sitting on those rock solid, often freezing, bleachers;  your back was sore, legs were cramped, but you didn’t mind. All that you cared about was seeing your favorite players, in your favorite colors, play the game you love.

Whether it was the captain of the team or the last person on the bench, you worshiped them. All of them were your idols. All you could do was sit in awe and hope that they slapped their sweaty hand to yours on the way back to the locker room. A high five – the universal symbol of sportsmanship.

Now. I am on the other side. Being a counselor for Oakmont’s annual summer camp, I made all of the campers give everyone a high five. A small task that took no more than five seconds. While this may seem a negligible act, it can spread tremendous positive energy. At first, some of the kids looked at me a little funny, but by the last day, I didn’t even have to tell the kids to slap hands. By teaching the younger generation to embrace rather than humiliate, we engrave good customs that form contagious habits. 

Now you might think back and laugh a little, wondering why you were so obsessed with these now seemingly average players. What you need to realize is just as you idolized these athletes as a kid, they now idolize you. That is why it is crucial for high school athletes to embrace the younger generation and show them how to act in a sportsmanlike manner. 

Another way that I helped our future athletes to show sportsmanship is by teaching them to respect referees. Last winter season, I officiated the Oakmont Recreational Basketball League – grades 1st – 8th. Because I was a familiar face in the community, the athletes did not try to argue or throw mean comments my way. I then began to see a positive change in the way that the players acted towards, not just me, but all of the referees. The reason for this change was because the kids now were able to see that it can be challenging to make every call right and referees are humans just like them.

Finally – and probably the easiest but most important thing – I included and interacted with the younger generation. Just by simply having a conversation or tapping a kid’s hand you can make such an impact in their lives. As those same athletes get older, they will remember how it felt to be included and hopefully they will decide to be that role model for someone younger. The main point I want to stress is that sportsmanship is learned behavior. To engrave this idea in a kid’s head you need to lead by example. That small example of sportsmanship could be something as small as a high five.