Sports in Seconds: The true bottom line in sports

“I've paid my dues.”

Every championship athlete in North America inevitably hears these opening lyrics from the song “We are the Champions” by Queen, as they celebrate winning the final game of the year in their respected sports, whether it is in the amateur or professional realms.

When I had the opportunity to witness the Fanshawe Falcon men's basketball team capture the provincial championship on March 3, and as I researched and read about the badminton team at the college celebrating their championship win, I know Freddy Mercury's voice was blaring on their bus rides back to London.

Winning a championship is the epitome of sport.

It is something that every athlete strives for and it can help define someone's career in the process.

As a graduate of Brock University's Sport Management program and as an avid sports fan my entire life, I could argue endlessly about the positive attributes associated with sport and how it can play a vital part in numerous aspects of life or any individual.

However, winning is a lot more sweeter than losing.

Let me get this straight, I understand and fully support that growing up the focus of any sports program should be the learning of values in the participation of sports including, teamwork, fairness, sportsmanship, work ethic, commitment, dedication and attaining a high level of fitness.

However, when you get older and when you are rooting for your favourite sports team or player, winning is the bottom line. Unquestionably, the greatest feeling in sports is the taste of victory.

As an athlete growing up through elementary school and through high school, sports played an integral role in my life and I can attribute a great amount of whom I am today, to the life skills I learned while participating in sports all my life.

But lets face it, when I look back on my athletic accomplishments, I don't remember that day running through continuous defensive zone trap drills in basketball practice when the ‘true meaning of teamwork' got infixed in my brain, nor do I recall the time on that balmy day in August of 19-whatever when I fielded ground balls for two straight hours and realized the ‘essence of perseverance and work ethic.'

I remember winning the county football championship in 1999 and the provincial baseball championship in 2001.

The feeling of excitement, pride, relief, and utter greatness you feel when you are crowned champion of your sport is to me the greatest feeling any competitive, sport-loving individual can feel.

The men and women of Fanshawe, who were recently awarded their Ontario Colleges Athletic Association gold medals for winning the provincial championships, will always remember that moment in their life and will always feel that same sense of pride and joy when looking back.

I also had the opportunity to go out for dinner with the championship men's basketball team after their victory in Oshawa. By looking at the championship athletes smiling, laughing and soaking up the moment with their team, it reminded me of another very positive aspect associated with winning a championship.

The beers and parties with your teammates afterwards are always one for the ages.