The start of each new sports year is like going from 0 to 60 mph in a sports car.

I go from very little going on the first three weeks of August to a very busy first week of high school sports the fourth week of the month.

That is not a complaint, but rather an observation.

I was just asked the other day if I was ready for football to begin.

I responded by saying I was ready for high school sports to begin.

Some of you may not believe that or have a hard time contemplating the fact that after more than 35 years of covering high school sports that I can still be excited about each new year.

Trust me when I tell you that no matter what I cover over the summer, the start of high school sports gets me excited all over again.

The only thing that probably comes close is a baseball fan that has to suffer through the long winter waiting for spring to arrive and another chance for their team to make a run at a World Series championship.

But unlike you Chicago Cubs and Detroit Tigers fans, I will not be disappointed when the fall sports season comes to an end because it does not matter to me if our teams win any championships.

I enjoy watching them compete and get better each day.

I enjoy meeting new athletes and their families.

I enjoy the interaction with the coaches, both new and old.

So I have no expectations entering each new sports year.

All I care about is getting out and watching these young men and women do their best to make their communities and schools proud.

There is no better feeling than getting a chance to see an individual or team improve day in and day out.

It is exciting to watch them grow and learn about handling success and adversity.

That is what high school sports is all about and that is the reason that I am ready to jump into the season with both feet this weekend.

Get out and support your favorite local team. You will not regret it.

 

Scott Novak is sports editor for Leader Publications. He can be reached at scott.novak@leaderpub.com.