High school sports, played right, mirror what we expect in our broader community – fair play, team spirit and the attitude, “I’ve got your back.”
I am not an athlete and my skills as a sports writer are, well, somewhat untested. But what I do know is a good story when I see one and Foster’s sports teams are filled with stories of triumph, perseverance and an awareness that Tukwila is a diverse community. And this is just from the fall sports!
And we have some pioneers in our midst.
Four years ago, Foster had a swimming pool next door but no swim team. Now, for the third year Foster’s girls are in the water, building a team and new traditions and learning a sport they will enjoy all their lives. It’s appropriate to give a shout out to the girls at Kennedy Catholic, who call the Tukwila Pool their home pool and have been instrumental in helping Foster’s girls with their encouragement and comradeship.
And coaches are so critical in setting the tone for their team. And, if we’re lucky, they’ll recognize opportunities that honor what makes Foster so special. Take soccer coach Nasir Tura, himself a Foster graduate. What a gentleman he is.
He talked to me about the importance of getting all girls in sports, even those who for cultural reasons, may not feel comfortable playing in sports. It has worked and Tura is developing a competitive soccer program for both boys and girls.
If there’s a sport at the top of the pyramid, it’s football. It’s the game played at homecoming and the stuff of movies and TV shows. Coach Matt Leonard, a star athlete in high school and college, is a great fit for Foster. He praises the team’s spirit and that tone is set by the coach and coaching staff. And he’s gone beyond just to field to help Foster football thrive.
That’s just three sports in just one season.
Student achievement in many endeavors help build a sense of pride in Foster, including sports and drama and music and academics, of course.
School Board candidates talked about their budget priorities at a recent candidates’ forum. Sports should have a place on their lists.
