Tillamook High School is wisely taking some time, May 3-9, to encourage its students to participate in a "Respect week," with tolerance, kindness and appreciation of others representing goals of the concept. Considering the number of youngsters in Tillamook County who have chosen athletics as extracurricular activities, respect should be, and is for most, high on the list of what they gain with their efforts. 

But it's good to ponder the respect they should, and hopefully do, give themselves and others surrounding them, those who make their participation possible and manageable. Young athletes, by nature popular and successful in their schools, can really help with a theme such as "respect" when it comes to others around them. 

For example, if you're an athlete, respect the kids in your school who can't dribble or catch a ball. Chances are, they're probably, quietly, better than you at something you have no idea of. As an athlete, your talent is a gift. But no more a gift than the kid who can speak two foreign languages, or for that matter, skateboard circles around you. Those who don't play sports have interesting things of their own to share which may amaze you. Make the effort to make friends outside the sports circle whenever you have a chance. The world turns into many different walks of life over time. Start expanding your own as a young person, and you'll reap the rewards. Being an athlete is just one thing. 

During the NCAA Basketball Tournament coverage, an ad kept popping up on commercials that had much wisdom to it. The message was, "We are the 400,000 young athletes of the NCAA. 99 percent of us are going to be something else professionally when we leave college." Respect that, and in turn, respect the quiet kid who sits next to you in class - make an effort toward being friendly. You'll be remembered better for that than you will for how you played second base, in most instances. 

It's an amazing thing, going to a 20-year high school reunion and seeing what everyone is up to. Especially when you spot a person you never paid attention to, who now works in the White House or something along those lines. 

Overall, respect the fact that you are lucky. Your body is fit, your teammates are friends, your coach works hard to help you improve (for very little money, one may add), your family is on your schedule and supporting your efforts, your town is amazing for the dedication it brings to being fans and raising funds to keep you going, and, these are good years for you. You're leaders in the eyes of many. How you act toward others makes an impression. Be aware that the kid next to you in class, who doesn't speak your language, may surprise you with what he or she can do with a soccer ball or a homemade quilt. 

And they have stories of a different life which may interest you. 

By combination of financial necessity, and impassioned support for the kids, Tillamook County is unlike other places this reporter has viewed, in terms of the effort expended helping to give kids who want to participate in athletics a chance to do so. And with that devotion visible in every direction, comes the possibility that it is not fully appreciated by the kids themselves, as it is all they have seen. It seems reasonable that some may have grown to take it for granted. 

In the past couple of years alone, a good number of people from elsewhere have gone out of their way to inform this reporter that they have never seen anything like the support we give our kids in Tillamook County. 

Whether it's a crowd of 75 still hanging in there at 7:30 on a Friday night, wrapped in blankets, dancing to keep warm, while a JV game in extra innings refuses to end - or a single mom cooking hot dogs in a rainstorm during football season to help raise Booster Club funds to keep the kids going, it's not the same everywhere. It's special here. 

So you athletes should, and hopefully do, respect the parents you have who are going way past their work day and probably past their budget, to make sure your base-hit or long jump is met with applause and "way-to-go's," whether by paying for your eligibility or making sure you know they're out there watching, ready to pack your foot in ice at home if you need it later. Someday it will be a fine memory, recalling the family support you got when you were a kid playing JV ball in a small town. Believe it. Never take it for granted. Respect it. 

The car rides to and fro, the $110 tennis shoes, the $75 pay-to-play fee, the hours of helping you improve with backyard time or washing your uniforms, as well as the different "feeding" schedules - and the hours they stand at games, waiting for you to get a "moment," - well, if you weren't doing what you're doing, they might be able to do some things themselves, even though they don't mind, of course. Respect it. 

And, even though you're 16 years old, and the wisdom of the world is yours, respect your coaches. If you can't figure out why you're not playing or why your name was yelled during practice, take a step back and trust the fact that the coach has his or her reasons for wanting you to do something better or different. That's their job, and they've got reasons which usually involve the rest of the team's success, for wanting things a certain way. So, respect it. Rather than withdraw, "cop an attitude" or feel miserable - respect it. Make the changes, get the message, get better. Your role will then be one that benefits the team most. 

And your opponents - respect them. There are things to consider. One is, if your opponent is hopeful and working toward getting one win a month, having an off year as a team, respect the fact that they are showing up and making the effort. It's a lot harder for them to take to the field with a losing record than it is for you with a winning record. You're having more fun, have better results and haven't had to be on the losing end night after night. 

Sportsmanship, as a rule, is outstanding in Tillamook County. Trash talk and mean-spirited insults are rarely observed. Respecting opponents is part of the total class of a program and its student fans. 

The world turns into many different walks of life over time. Start expanding your own as a young person, and you'll reap the rewards. Being an athlete is just one thing. 

Respect, by its very nature, generates respect back. It's a great way to live and interact.

© 2004 Michael O'Brien