MSJ was a class act
Toolbox
Published: February 19, 2010
The phrase "a picture tells a thousand words" came to life on page 1 of the Sports section of the Friday, Feb. 12 Times Argus.
It was not Erin Banfield's 150th hockey goal that captured my attention, as great of an accomplishment as this is. She has been a great player for years from a family that's been synonymous with Solon hockey, but it was the reaction of the opposing team, Mount St. Joseph, to that goal that is worthy of note.
For those who missed this edition, the story line goes something like this: Erin Banfield [pictured] scored her 150th high school goal Thursday night against Mount St. Joseph…"the game was stopped, the entire MSJ team came out onto the ice and presented Erin with flowers and congratulated her. It's so special [Montpelier coach Chris] Turley said. We all know that here, but to have an opposing team acknowledge it like that is just an amazing display of sportsmanship. I don't think I've ever seen anything like it in a hockey game."
The class act of the MSJ hockey team begs the question, not just in sports, but in the ups and downs of everyday life: What if we were to treat one another, even our "opponents," with that kind of respect? Might not we have much the same response coach Turley had? To tell you the truth, it might take us all that much closer to the fulfilling of the Great Commandment — God's design for us as a people!
Erin Banfield wasn't the only one to set the bar of excellence high Thursday night…our hats are off to the MSJ girls hockey team!
P.S. According to the paper, the MSJ hockey team is winless. Absolutely not!
Thomas Welsh
Barre
5