A Parents View

I made a promise to myself when my children were born that I would not be in the booth calling games on the radio if they were playing in that game. I also chose not to coach any sport that they played in because I wanted to watch them and being a coach you watch everyone. I just felt as a parent I wanted to be able to watch them from the parent’s point of view over a broadcaster or coach’s view.

I found that when video cameras became the thing that I hated them. I found myself trying to make sure the camera was focused or I had the camera pointed in the right direction instead of enjoying the event as it happened. I had to go back and watch the video to enjoy it. You kind of miss out on it from behind the camera while it is going on live.

Time has passed and only once did I go against my promise. Stephanie’s last year in little league back when we lived in Ahoskie the team had no coach and I took the job. As it turned out none of my children played in a sport where I would have done one of their games from behind the microphone.

My grandfather Doughtie once he hit eighty years old at his birthday parties would always make a little speech and would always finish up by saying I may not be here next year and tear up. He made it to seventeen more parties and teared up at the end of each one.

The older I get the more I get just like him. Monday night, Morgan the last of the Doughtie clan (Stephanie, Brooks, Amy) sang the National Anthem before the start of the Gryphon girl’s basketball playoff game.

Some of you know that Morgan has some health issues right now that are a concern for our family. The doctors say that they are not life threatening. Her health problems can be embarrassing for her but she is a trooper, has missed very little school. She is trying to get to five feet tall which means she is slow a foot which does not lend itself to being athletic. Instead of playing sports she has been team managers in several sports so far in her year an a half of high school life.

I know now why I decided almost thirty years ago not to be behind the mic in any of their games. I wanted to be able to enjoy the moment and not worry about when the next commercial needs to play.

I have in the past had a moment or two that you are so happy for those on the field of play that a choked up moment occurs. It passes quickly and you continue on with the broadcast.

As I stood with my hand over my heart and listened to her sing, I know I could never have described it from behind a mic. She was there doing her best. She may not run fast but from a father’s perspective she ran the opening kickoff back for a touchdown. If great grandfather Roy had of been there he would have probably had a tear. I know I did.

A proud one!