as summer slips away, a new season begins

There’s a scene early in William Faulkner’s classic “The Bear” in which a group of men grizzled by time and boys who have come of age gather to begin their annual hunt in the “big woods.” 

Whether or not they end their metaphorical quest with a tangible reward -- the legendary Old Ben -- is almost irrelevant. What’s much more important is the fellowship, the sharing of an experience, the perpetuation of a tradition, and the pursuit of a common goal.

Each August, a similar ritual occurs on playing fields, courts, and roads across the country, but at Collegiate, unlike Faulkner’s wilderness, it’s not just a guy thing. To our young men and women and their coaches, this rite of late summer brings a fresh beginning, a renewal of friendships, and a bright and untainted vista with an almost limitless horizon.

To a few, it’s a serious culture shock. To others still, it’s a time for quiet soul searching. By whatever name, every year, ready or not, our legions convene to begin in earnest their odyssey of sweat, emotion, and lofty dreams that is the fall athletic season.

Foremost, they watch the weather, often sauna-like in Richmond, and pray for a gentle breeze to waft across the practice field, the humidity to remain at least tolerable, and the cloud cover to shield them from the sun.

Though the blithe spirit of summer quickly gives way to the demands of a more structured day -- and the rude clanging of the alarm clock -- the return to the fold means greeting old friends and welcoming new ones who will share the splendid and noble pursuit of excellence.

In the unfettered moments before the school bell shakes them into reality, there’s time to reminiscence about summer adventures still vivid in memory, of part-time jobs, of family vacations. There’re war stories of past sports seasons, vows to build on successes from the year before or to complete business left unfinished by injury or unmet expectations. Above all, there’s a vision of grandeur as the fall campaign begins. The early days of practice are a tone-setting time.

True, individual skills instilled by patient explanation and repetition are essential, for they are the foundation that results in precise timing and fluid execution. But no amount of technical precision is more important than the cohesion that evolves when team members learn truly to like and trust one another. Making a team is one thing. Becoming a team is the ideal.

In the pre-season, the slate is clean, so in the waning days of summer, enthusiasm runs at fever pitch, but questions invariably abound. Challenges are plentiful, unknowns a foregone conclusion, and obstacles a fact of life to confront and wrestle to submission.

Will summer workouts, mandated by coaches and completed in direct proportion to dedication and self-discipline, stave off the inevitable aches and pains and, worse yet, injuries that could imperil a promising year?

Who will step up and assume the mantle of leadership left by last year’s seniors, now departed?

Once again, the competition is strong; the hills are daunting. Will we be ready when the hour arrives?

The journey begins.

The questions will be answered.

And memories will be made.

--Weldon Bradshaw