Page 22 - 2022-23 Annual Report

CHAMPIONS OF EDUCA TION CHAMPIONS OF EDUCA TION

But the richness of high school sports is that
“the last player to make the team” benefits and
contributes just as much as the star athlete.
Goebel refers to these players as the “givers.”

“Givers,” Goebel said, “come to practice every
day, do everything asked, go through all the
drills, all the parts of practice that aren’t that
much fun. They are contributing and are
doing their part to make the team better, and
they don’t get much recognition for that.”

While these student-athletes may not receive
much external recognition, the mentorship
of an exemplary second classroom teacher
can have a profound effect on them.

Goebel said, “I think a coach can be
instrumental in recognizing these student-
athletes and seeing their improvement.
When they truly understand that they are
In addition to being the head football coach, Goebel also teaches Government at Mater Dei. Goebel finds a part of something bigger than themselves
that one of the unique similarities between teaching Government and coaching is the opportunity to it does wonders for their self-confidence.”
emphasize the importance of serving one’s community.
Bloom also witnesses how education-based
athletics can empower student-athletes—but
As Goebel and Bloom’s coaching experience The unity that is formed on a high school sometimes she doesn’t fully realize the
proves, education-based athletics are unique sports team extends far beyond the locker magnitude her mentorship has until long
compared to other types of organized sports. room. It extends to the entire community. after a student-athlete has graduated.
This is most apparent when looking at what For Bloom, that’s another characteristic
is prioritized. As opposed to AAU, collegiate, that makes education-based athletics “When former players continue to come
and professional leagues, education-based different from other youth sports. back, that’s when I know I’ve accomplished
athletics exist for the betterment of my coaching goals—it’s proof to me that
student-athletes and their communities. “There’s something very unique that you coaching is my calling,” she said. “Some will
can see when you watch a team’s run come back and recount conversations we
For Goebel, education-based athletics to the State Tournament,” Bloom said. had—some of them even from 15 years ago.”
are special because of the virtues “The way the community rallies behind
they promote, specifically unity. the team—there’s nothing like it.” Goebel has positively impacted students
and student-athletes as an educator and
“High school athletics help bind us and While successful teams are always unified, coach for four decades, and Bloom has
promote unity,” he said. “You really learn to not every student-athlete can be a star player. for 17 years. Both admitted that a lot has
care for your fellow man, and you want to Naturally, media attention—even at the high changed culturally throughout their tenure.
do what’s right, and you want to do what’s school level—focuses on the star player.
good. You actually come out as a service- Bloom has seen a decline in student
oriented person who’s able to give—and that’s and student-athletes’ social skills,
through life, not just high school. You get mostly a product of social media and
the reward of doing something for others.” technology. But Bloom attempts to Bloom, whose parents were both educators,
help students improve in that facet. believes that developing a strong work ethic is more
The unity that is formed on a high a school sports “The social skills of kids are 100% different valuable than achieving a specific letter grade or
winning a game.
team extends far beyond the locker room. It extends than what they used to be,” she said. “And
there’s also tons of studies about the
to the entire community. addiction to phones and social media and

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