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In these politically divided times, it’s easy to feel weighed down by constant conflict. Yet here in Southwestern Michigan, sports continue to remind us that there are still places where unity wins out over division.

On Friday nights, high school football fields in Dowagiac, Niles, Edwardsburg and beyond bring neighbors together to cheer on our kids. Saturdays draw fans across the region to watch the University of Michigan, Notre Dame, or Michigan State, where rivalries are fierce, but friendships still thrive. Sundays often split households between the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions, yet even those good-natured rivalries are a reminder that we can disagree without bitterness.

Even within the Pokagon Band, our own sports and recreation programs do more than encourage fitness—they build connection, joy, and resilience.

These moments matter. They give us space to set aside political tension, to celebrate something bigger than ourselves, and to find strength in community. Sports may not solve our political problems, but they provide the hope and unity we need to face them.

In times like these, supporting our teams isn’t just entertainment, it’s a lifeline.

Jason Gatties
Dowagiac