Sports Spectrum

Following the recent sports news makes it clear that college athletics has arrived at a crisis point. Money, the influence of agents, the contracts of top-tier coaches, and television dollars have all conspired together to create an atmosphere in college football and basketball where choices are being made based on the mood of the moment to “get what I can”—and the harvest of consequences are reaped later. Much of this revolves around highly desirable players who are being pursued by colleges yet tempted by professional sports agents, creating a situation marked out by the tyranny of the urgent. “Sign this letter of intent” carries just as much pressure (albeit a different kind) as “Take this money and let me represent you.” In either case, young athletes are being faced with decisions that they are largely unequipped to make—yet decisions that can impact the rest of their lives. It is a highly volatile situation—and it is becoming a toxic situation for college sports and the kids that are the focal point of this struggle.

At its core, there is a vital principle in all of this. Our decisions—wise or unwise—do not occur in a vacuum. They unspool forward into our lives with consequences that could have been avoided by exercising greater wisdom. By looking at the long-term impact of our decisions we are better positioned to make better decisions. How many of us, in our lives, have looked back and said, “I never intended to end up here.” That destination was begun with a choice. That result is the byproduct of a decision. Only if we learn to make better decisions can we hope for better consequences, and, I believe, only by realistically considering the consequences of our decisions will we make better decisions. The warning Paul gave to the Galatians is a healthy reminder:

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. (Galatians 6:7-9)

We need not lose heart—but we also need not live lives of unnecessary consequences. If we reap what we sow, we sow what we will reap. Wise sowing, I believe, will result in consequences that are more manageable.

Bill Crowder, Sport Spectrum Chaplain

Categories: College Sports

Tags: choices, consequences, decision-making