"Sports Book"

was created especially for

Michael Jeremy Smith

at the age of 8

With love from

Mom and Dad

September 23, 2003

3

Mike Smith rolled over in bed, saw dawn was already breaking and knew

he would not be able to go back to sleep. He had tossed and turned most

of the night because he was excited. This restlessness, however, was also

partly due to an aching calf muscle. As Mike started to get up, he

once again felt the tightening in his leg. He rubbed his muscle and the

tension eased. Now, fully awake, Mike was very

aware of the half-queasy, half-exhilarated feeling that came

before every important football game. But today was not like every other

sports day. Today, Mike Smith was competing in the last and most

important football game of the season. The championship was at stake!

4

While Mike was eating breakfast, dozens of thoughts filled his mind. He

imagined his friends and family at the football game standing and cheering for

him. He could almost hear the announcer saying, "Mike Smith of Fort

Wayne, is simply spectacular today." Then his thoughts turned back to

reality. Mike drank his orange juice and rubbed his leg. He knew it was

time to leave when he saw Larry, Wayne and Bob outside the kitchen window.

The ride seemed unusually long this morning. When they finally

reached their destination, Mike could see several people were already warming

up. He rushed to join his teammates.

7

The announcement was made that it was time to begin. The football game

got off to a good start. Mike felt winning was possible. The team was in

great condition. It soon became apparent that the

teams were evenly matched. First one, then the other, took the lead. With

only minutes left, defeat or victory depended entirely on Mike. His early

morning vision was coming true! Then it happened! Suddenly the

dull ache in his leg muscle became a terrible cramp. Mike tried to go on.

Again the muscle knotted and the pain was fierce. There was no doubt about

it, he could no longer compete. The football game ended. The

championship was won by the opposing team.

8

As the group gathered around the van, Mike began to think of everything

that had happened before the football game. He remembered his leg aching

during the night and how restless he had been. The excitement of the

championship had pushed the pain out of his mind until the fierce cramp had

become unbearable. Mike also thought about his dream

of being the hero of the day. This morning's dream of stardom seemed

foolish. He felt discouraged. Mike and the others began to pile

into the van when they saw the coach approaching. One by one they took

their seats. Mike wondered what would be said

and how Coach Jones would react. He wished he could disappear.

11

Coach Jones stopped to talk to some of the parents. Inside the van,

there was total silence. No one spoke. Mike knew that everyone was upset. He

was feeling very uneasy. The coach got into the van. Mike

continued staring at the floor. Coach Jones broke the long silence. "We all

gave our best today. All of you on the team gave 100 percent. The cheers from

the rest of you gave us a real boost. Mike, how's your leg?"

Mike looked up. The coach was wonderful!! This football game had

meant everything to the team, yet Coach Jones was more concerned with how  

Mike felt.

12

Coach Jones then told a hilarious story, and they all began to laugh and

talk at once. With words and antics, they created an instant replay of the

entire football game. They made fun of themselves until they were weak with

laughter. The tension between them ended, and their friendship became

stronger. By the time they arrived at their

favorite pizza place, Mike felt good. The aroma of the food coming from the

restaurant smelled fantastic. Mike had already decided on a medium cheese

pizza and a large drink.

15

The restaurant was busy. Coaches, athletes and spectators came

to eat and talk about the efforts of the teams.

As they were waiting to order, a team member joked, "Mike Smith, every

time we compete, you get better and better. One of these days you might

even get a professional offer." They all patted Mike on the back. No one

could lose with friends like these. Coach Jones put an arm around

Mike and hugged him. "Stack them up, team," said the coach. The teammates

piled one hand on top of the other. Mike felt so good that he forgot the

dull ache in his leg.

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Mike joined Larry, Wayne and Bob and his other friends who were sitting

in a booth at the back of the restaurant. Mike was glad to see them.

He had just begun to tell them about Coach Jones when he saw Kia.

Kia was a know-it-all who never missed a chance to put someone down.

Anyone who had a bad day at any sports event was a sure target. Kia's

outspoken meanness was well known in Fort Wayne.

Mike felt his heart pounding rapidly. He struggled to catch his

breath. Kia had seen Mike and was coming straight toward him. There was

no place to hide.

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Kia was definitely one of the few people who always came to criticize.

Even adults often cringed at Kia's remarks. Mike could feel everyone

looking at him. "Well, Mike, how does it feel

losing the biggest football game of the year single-handedly?" Kia's voice

boomed. Everyone stopped eating. The

entire restaurant was silent. Larry, Wayne and Bob looked up.

Mike was fighting to keep control of his emotions. All his earlier feelings

of disappointment came flooding back. What could he say?

20

Only a few minutes passed, but to Mike it seemed like forever. He tried

to speak, but no words would come. Coach Jones slowly got up from the

table and walked over to Kia. "If I remember correctly, Kia," said the

coach, "your poor sportsmanship caused the penalty which lost us the

championship last year. It was Mike who stuck up for you and Mike who sat

with you in this same restaurant when no one else would. How can you

criticize the one person who has treated you like a friend?"

Kia started to answer, but seeing the look on the coach's face, knew it

was best to keep quiet.

23

Kia, speechless, was a sight to behold. A sigh of relief spread

throughout the entire restaurant. As they left the pizza place,

everyone began buzzing with conversation. Larry, Wayne and Bob

recalled times when Mike had been nice to others when they needed it. Mike

always seemed to be there with a word of encouragement. Each one agreed that

today's loss was not the end of the world.

Win or lose, they knew that they could always count on Mike Smith for

friendship and support. Everyone was really glad Mike was on their team.

24

The awards banquet was held a few weeks later. Parents, friends,

and relatives brought their favorite dishes. Chicken, lasagna, potato

salad, green beans, casseroles, garden salads, and every dessert

imaginable filled the tables. The food was always delicious at these

gatherings. The team got together and talked

about many things. One topic was the surprise plaque for Coach Jones which

they had all chipped in to buy. Mike was pleased about this gift. It was

a super way to say thank you to a special coach.

Most of the conversation, however, was about the Sportsmanship

Trophy. This was the most-coveted award of all. Each athlete imagined

how that trophy would look on a shelf at home.

27

The sportsmanship award was voted on by the team. Each member was

entitled to one vote. Several days before the banquet,

Coach Jones had explained to the group the qualifications for this trophy.

According to Coach Jones, three qualities were needed. The athlete

had to show good team spirit, play by the rules of the sport and be gracious

in victory or defeat. The coach had added that, although the trophy was

not given specifically for athletic ability, a good athlete could win.

The ballots were cast at the banquet. There were many who

qualified this year, and the vote was sure to be close.

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The banquet room was very festive. Balloons, bright paper streamers,

laughter and conversation all added to the excitement.

Coach Jones stood to begin the presentations, and the team quickly

took their seats. Mike sat next to Larry, Wayne and Bob. In spite of the

fact they were excited, a hush came over the room.

"We have had a great season," said Coach Jones. "We've learned about

teamwork, winning and losing. We have learned the discipline of weekly

practices, but most importantly we've learned about friendship and

sportsmanship."

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One by one, the team members were called up to receive their participation

trophy. Coach Jones spoke of the special talent of each athlete as the awards 

were presented. These remarks meant a lot to

the team. They listened carefully to the words of the coach.

As the last of the trophies were given out, the anticipation began to

grow. Finally, only the large, shiny, gold Sportsmanship Trophy remained on

the table. Everyone held their breath. The coach continued, "The vote was

close this year. In fact, the trophy was won by only one vote. Mike Smith,

your teammates have voted that this award go to you."

Unknown to everyone, Kia had cast the tie-breaking vote.

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The team had not won the championship, but they had learned many

important lessons. They knew it was difficult to lose, but as long as they

kept trying, they could not be defeated. Good sportsmanship now had

real meaning. Winning was not everything. Their spirits had never

been higher. Mike beamed with pride as the team gathered around him. Groups

of friends excitedly talked about the fantastic team they would have next

year. Mike Smith was eagerly looking forward to another season.

35

Autographs

for

Mike Smith

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