Without a doubt, Travis Lazarczyk was spot-on when he penned his editorial titled “In youth sports, it’s the adults who need to grow up.” Parents are role models for their children and have the responsibility of teaching/reinforcing life skills that will help youngsters morph into positive, hardworking, respectful adults. Unfortunately, some parents are living vicariously through their children and lose sight of the fact that the most important role sports play revolves around character development. Ironically, winning championships can be counterproductive!

Currently, I am writing my second book, this one about sports and the life-changing role they play in building a successful human being. My first book (“Dear Mr. Wells, His Students Speak”) focuses on the role teachers play in their students’ overall development. Family time makes up a significant portion of a child’s day, but behind mom and dad, kids spend most of their day with teachers and staff. It is at school where life skills (as well as subject matter) are taught and reinforced. Sports — as well as other extracurricular activities — are part of this equation.

Parents, teachers, coaches (and advisors in other activities) all work together trying to form an individual who is hardworking and focused, along with respectful and sensitive to others. In most cases, parents function as the most integral part of the equation, but other very important members of the child-rearing team are teachers and coaches (along with advisors, relatives, friends etc.). As a team, they are helping to form an individual who will be successful/happy in life, not necessarily a state champion.

It is unfortunate that in my new book I have had to write a chapter entitled, “Helicopter Parents.” This includes adults who are living vicariously through their children and feel that their offspring must be the “superstar” on the field. The irony is that the “best” player on the field will probably not be as successful in life as the one who is not as talented, but who is working diligently and improving. Progress through hard work is the best teacher.

The player who is rooting for his teammates from the sidelines (without an insatiable need for glory) will end up successful. I have had hundreds (if not thousands) of athletes who “sat the bench” who are now very successful (and happy) adults. Some are also multi-millionaires (even though that doesn’t really matter). In my 41 years as an educator, I was involved in sports for many of them. In fact, I still coach track at the high school level because I miss kids and enjoy watching them develop (as individuals as well as athletes) through hard work, dedication, and teamwork.

It is far easier to become enamored with individual sports because it is simple to see progress (measured by PRs — personal records). It is even better to watch an athlete hit a PR and then sprint to the other side of the field to energetically root on a fellow teammate.

When athletes feel like they are improving, they smile. When they smile, mom and dad should smile as well.

I was appalled while reading Lazarczyk’s column. There should be no room for bad behavior, especially from parents (who are the most important role models). Berating officials, mocking coaches and whining about losses are all behaviors that negate the progress kids experience in sports.

Winning is without a doubt far more fun; however, losing is the best teacher. Recovering from disappointment, moving forward from loss, working harder to change outcomes, and putting things in perspective are but a few of the important life lessons learned from a loss. With these lessons deeply embedded in their personalities, children can move forward to a happy life.

Isn’t that what it’s all about?