Blog #50 – USING SPORTS TO HELP MEMBERS OF A MATH TEAM BOND
During my career working with members of my mathematics team, I used sports to help with bonding. On occasion, I became their basketball coach to teach them the fundamentals of basketball. Besides learning the fundamentals of the sport, I had them focus on teamwork and good sportsmanship. During football season, we spent some time playing football. Although members of my math team were familiar with football, playing with the students improved my relationships with them and with each other. Football games allowed them to reinforce teamwork and good sportsmanship. The other sport that I also played with some members of my mathematics teams was tennis.
Besides the bonds created amongst the team members and the bond between them and myself, sports allowed them to relieve stress. Sports also improved the way that team members communicated with each other. The discipline required to control emotions was also beneficial to everyone. Many times the students played sports after they had completed taking tests and while they waited for results.
On several occasions, I hosted a reunion of current and ex-team members at football games we were playing or at a local bowling alley. At these reunions the ex-team members shared their experiences at the universities they were attending or had attended. Some shared the careers they were pursuing or where they were currently working. These discussions inspired current members. It made them more determined to work diligently to improve individually and as members of the team. At the same reunions, the ex-team members met the current members. Many friendships forged during those events still exist today. I even recall ex-team members traveling with or attending state meets that my teams were attending. In another occasion, an ex-team member invited us and paid for dinner after a state meet. Thus, sports served as a great vehicle to establish bonds among team members and me.