Sports are the ultimate connector

Well, the Wild and the Wolves have lost and there’s nothing left to live for. An exaggeration, but still disappointing when Minnesota sports prove they’re Minnesota sports. And don’t even get me started about the Frost. 

 

The good news is, now that I’m in Denver, I can pretend and be glad that “my team” the Avalanche won and is advancing. Maybe I’ll see if I can go to the Minnesota vs. Broncos preseason game on Aug. 29 when they’re in Denver and see where my heart lies then. 

 

I’ve always tried to follow sports, but if someone asks me if I’m an avid sports watcher or follower, I can’t honestly say I am. I follow with whether someone has won or lost, but a lot of my knowledge comes from listening to sports podcasts that don’t actually talk about sports a whole lot. 

 

As much as I enjoy sports, I think a part of me stays up to date so I can have another topic of conversation as I mingle; it allows me to talk to more people. I also enjoy how playing sports can help build a life-changing community. 

 

I played in a fours sand volleyball tournament on Saturday. I was part of the same team that I play as part of in a weekly competitive sand volleyball league. In that league, we are currently in first and will hopefully move up to the better league if we continue to do well. I promise this was not meant to be a brag, it just fills my heart to be finally good at volleyball.

 

All this to say, my team clicks and plays well together. We had intended to play in the upper division of this tournament, but due to sign-up errors, we played in the lower division. This just meant that while it was extremely fun and a blast to play in, after four pool game wins and three playoff game wins, we came home with the ultimate prize: the boot. 

 

Everyone who wins a league in this organization gets a two-litre glass boot, to be filled with tap beer for free at the bar across the street. I’ve been playing leagues in the organization since I arrived in Denver, but have not gotten the chance to blissfully sip out of the glass boot. So this win, while not challenging, was still quite fun for me, as I was able to come home with the boot. What I’m going to do with it, I don’t know. But it looks very nice sitting on my counter. 

 

But as I was playing in this tournament, it was easy to see how everyone knew each other. It is a community where (most) everyone is extremely supportive and loves to play with and against each other. 

 

Sports are a great connector. Volleyball has opened up doors for friendships for me that I have been extremely grateful for. Jack plays golf to connect with his friends and coworkers. People join leagues to make and enjoy time with friends, while staying healthy and exercising. Even pickleball has become a top sport for community, for those of any age. 

 

My Determination: “In the dust of defeat as well as the laurels of victory there is a glory to be found if one has done his best.” ― Eric Liddell