An Open Letter To the Le Mars Community:
Dear All,
I am a parent of a Wahlert Catholic High School student, as well as the parent of a recent WCHS graduate. I have attended the IHSAU basketball tournament multiple times – back in 2007/2008 as well as last year and this year. Things get pretty heated on the court, as the talented players display their craft. Things also get exciting and heated in the stands, and often times this turns into negative and disrespectful cheering by one or both teams and crowds.
I was honored to be at the game Saturday evening (March 14), a fantastic duel of talent between both of our schools. The last couple of years, our high school has worked hard to not allow our student section to display negativity through their cheering and supporting of our various teams. While there is always more effort to be given, and more work to be done, it makes a parent proud to be part of a community of support and positivity both in and off the field of play.
That being said, I wanted to take a moment to truly say, “hats off,” to the Le Mars community! Your incredible display of sportsmanship, cheering, and celebrating caught the eye of many of our fans. We marveled at how your community showed support to the members of the basketball team on Saturday. You are to be commended and congratulated for the unbelievable crowd that attended Saturday’s game! Many have been the conversations that I have heard and been a part of that left in awe of your fans! That is truly a testament to your team, school, and community.
Getting to the championship game was not an easy road. Both of our teams put in incredible amounts of time, sacrifice, and effort. It was such an honor, as a fan, to be sitting in the stands on Saturday night (March 14) and watching that ball game. It’s been said: “Sometimes I think sportsmanship is a little bit forgotten in place of the individual attention.” Never once did your community lack sportsmanship, and the award for sportsmanship was earned by your entire community!
Thank you for sharing your incredible ball team, school, crowd, and community with the state of Iowa! You are true champions of both basketball AND sportsmanship!
Congratulations, and “Hats Off” to all of you!
A Wahlert Fan
