In the roughly 20 years that I’ve played sports, I’ve been fortunate enough to be on some very talented teams. But I’ve also been on struggling teams. Hard work on the field goes a long way toward winning, but so does the culture off the field.

When I went to the Women’s College World Series for softball my senior year of college, it was one of the most tight-knit teams I had ever been a part of. We all got along and supported one another — even if we were vying for the same position. The coaching staff genuinely cared about us as people and were open to discussion on how we could improve as players. The parents, too, were second to none. They showed up to every home game with a Titan flag proudly displayed in the parking lot and cheered on every player — not just their daughter. 

Conversely, some of my softball teams struggled because of inner conflict. The players couldn’t put aside their differences off the field and play together on the field, coaches couldn’t agree on who should have a starting role, and parents complained outwardly about game strategy. 

So players, coaches, parents and fans reflect.

Players, are you supporting all of your teammates, regardless of your relationship with them off the field, or are you letting that ruin team chemistry? Do you have a healthy relationship with your coach, one where you can openly discuss your playing time without complaint, or do you badmouth them behind their back?

Coaches, do you care about your players on a deeper level, or do you only know them as a player? Can you justify their playing time and help them get better if they ask for it, or do you blindly tell them to respect you without explanation?

Parents, do you support every athlete on your kids’ team? Are you cheering them on just as much as you are your own child, or are you secretly hoping they fail so your kid can have the limelight? Do you have open communication with the coach or do you shout criticisms from the stands when the team faces adversity?

Fans, do you show up for all of the games and not just when the team is successful? Do you encourage the players and coaches in times of hardship or do you wear them down with insults?

Players and coaches can be the most talented and decorated — putting in all of the work necessary to win — but it doesn’t mean anything if the culture isn’t there to back it up. For a team to be successful it takes everyone — on and off the field. 

— Natalie Dillon is the sports editor of the Times and can be reached at ndillon@themonroetimes.com.