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But first…
By Joboo | August 19, 2008
Before we get fully back into the swing of things and get carried away by the return of all the fall sports we love, I thought it would be a good idea to start the year off with a healthy dose of perspective. I know it’s not a popular thing these days. But I find if it’s taken with regularity, it’s good for what ails ya.
I’ve heard many coaches, fans, and administrators in the area talk about what they would like their athletic programs to be. Goals they’d like to reach, achievements they dream of, etc. Many times in the course of these conversations other schools are mentioned. One school in particular is mentioned with great regularity as a program to emulate, Webb City. And with good reason.
The Cardinals have a very legitimate claim on being the most all-around successful school of it’s size in the state over the last 20 years. Certainly the most successful public school. Since the 89-90 school year (the year of their first football championship) Webb City has accumulated 12 state titles in 4 different sports. But more remarkably, in that same time frame, they have placed second 5 times, third 8 times, fourth 5 times, and totaled 59 district championships in 11 MSHSAA sponsored activities. 6 boys, 4 girls, and one co-ed.
An impressive resume to be sure. But go take a look at the Webb City High School website. Go ahead. Take a good look around. I’ll wait. Now, did you notice something that was missing there. Look again if you need to. No where on their own website are any of these athletic achievements mentioned. No where. There is a link to the Webb City Athletic Booster Club where they fail to mention any of these achievements also. Dig deeper and you will find the Webb City Hall of Fame. ‘Surely here some of the athletic greats will be mentioned.’ you say. No. The only people enshrined based on their on the field exploits are Clete, Cloyd, and Ken Boyer who actually graduated from Alba before it was consolidated into Webb City.
But there you will find Jack Dawson, a world renowned artist. Dale Shellhorn, who created the first picture of earth taken from outer space among other things. And Emmy nominated news correspondent Lisa Myers. On their home page, you will find a link to a page with information on the high school band’s appearance in the Rose Parade. And you will also find a link to a reference page filled with links covering subjects such as Math & Science, Geography, History, Communication Arts, and college scholarships.
What’s the point? I’m getting to it. Some of you alert readers might have noticed that I mentioned a co-ed activity in their accomplishments earlier. That would be the academic competition sponsored by MSHSAA. The Cardinals have 4 district championships and 3 top 4 finishes in the last thirteen years. They also have achieved numerous ‘1′ ratings for their band and choir programs over the time period mentioned earlier. So while the general public sees all the great athletic success, Webb City doesn’t place it high above everything else. While their athletes are doing great things, so are their students in both academics and fine arts. And the school backs it up with their pocketbook. Last year Webb City unveiled a major renovation of their football stadium. But as you can see in their district history, that renovation was proceeded by many other renovations. Including a new band room, automotive technology center, 2 drama class rooms, additional gymnasiums for lower grades, a high school, a junior high, and a 1,000 seat performing arts center. Their commitment clearly lies with all areas of their school program.
And now, my point. If my brief years on earth have taught me anything, it is this. You get out of people what you expect from them. If you believe, they believe. Kids even more so. As the late, great Bo Schembechler said ‘What the mind can conceive and believe, the mind can achieve.’ All too often we’re selling our children, and ultimately ourselves, short by focusing solely on sports. Or academics. Or music. Or trade skills. In reality different people need different amounts of some or all of those areas to truly excel. The creativity and imagination fostered by art and music can be of huge benefit on the athletic field. A strong, healthy body leads to improved brain function and performance in learning any subject matter or skill. It all works together.
Now obviously, I’m sure that like every other town you can find Webb City fans that their only concern is football, baseball, basketball, etc. But the understated message of the school and school board is that every activity and area is equally important. Their expectation is for their students to excel in all of them. Looks like they’re getting what they’re expecting. And lest this sound like a commercial for the Webb City Chamber of Commerce, there’s no reason why that shouldn’t work for any other school that would care to try it.
Hmmm… Perspective. It’s good for what ails ya.
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