Setting race aside, sports lead the way on and off the field
By: Kurt Oberreither
-Staff Writer-
From fans packing the seats to root for their favorite teams to athletes working with each other, sports provide an opportunity for race to be set aside.
Meramec Magic head baseball coach Tony Dattoli said the competition that drives sports is one way athletics brings people from all walks of life together.
“Athletics have the ability to be a unifying factor and a synchronizing force amongst all. You’re all going for the common goal. In the real world that’s what we’re trying to do. Everyone’s trying to be happy, everyone’s trying to be successful, and productive. On the grander scheme of things athletics teaches us a lot of those little things,” Dattoli said.
Magic outfielder Donald Stevenson said knowing and accepting each other’s differences is important.
In addition, Stevenson said unity is all about playing together and “everyone getting along, feeding off of everyone’s energy and knowing how everyone plays.”
According to Dattoli , strong role models are needed for everyone, but athletes are not always the place to look.
“Far too many times they come in the form of an athlete,” Dattoli said. “I think with that being said, it’s the lack of a father figure at home.”
Stevenson has played under Dattoli for two years. He said Dattoli keeps things “comfortable” and in the end “it’s all baseball.”
Within his team, Dattoli said one thing he tries to influence upon his players is to wake up make the most of that day.
“No one has asked us to be a role model,” Dattoli said. “We should know that’s just what our role is.”
Furthermore, Dattoli said it’s important that youth educate themselves on civil rights history and figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and specifically to baseball, the story of Jackie Robinson.
“No one could have handled what he [Jackie Robinson] was going through,” Dattoli said. “What he was able to withstand off the field and on the field from players, that’s what makes him legendary.”
Also, Dattoli said as the number of African-American athletes in baseball “diluted,” Major League Baseball was able to “bring negro baseball out into the light.”
With players from other nations like Albert Pujols, Dattoli said the diversity can inspire youth to look into other cultures and accept them.
“I love the fact that my kids have learned more international geographics from international players,” Dattoli said.
According to Dattoli, responsiblity is an important part setting a good example as an athlete.
“We as African-Americans who are into sports, regardless of what level we’re on, we should be intelligent enough to identify that we know what our young men are going through. So we should lead by example,” Dattoli said.
