Sports Idols
Janelle Tengco | April 8th, 2020 | Sports
The elevated popularity of certain sports prodigies is driven by fans and spectators who view them in an idolizing light. From watching their games on television to donning their merchandise, fans gravitate toward these players due to an admiration for their skills, personalities, or lifestyles. The character of such individuals has caused fans worldwide, as well as Stanton College Preparatory School’s student-athletes, to dub them “sports idols,” players who are regarded with high esteem for their skills and competitive nature.
Players identified as “idols” often display appealing personality characteristics or abilities that attract the interest of many student-athletes. These desirable traits and skills can affect an athlete’s perception of a respected figure, creating an idealized image.
Sophomore Leonard Malobay, a member of Stanton’s swim team, admires Filipino-American youth swimmer, Clark Kent Apuada. Apuada set a new record for the 100-meter butterfly race in the Far Western Long Course Championship in 2018, beating the time of former American Olympic swimmer, Michael Phelps, by one second.
“He works really hard to beat the records of people older than him,” said Malobay. “Swimming is very static — people believe there is a set technique to swim. [Swimming idols are athletes who] should look for innovations in swimming. They should not just make themselves faster through their physicality, but also through their techniques.”
In addition to their skills, idolized players are commended for having a significant impact on their fans. The influence of these sports celebrities can leave a lasting impression on student-athletes and become a factor for shaping their performance during a game.
“The person I admire the most is Michael Jordan,” said junior Simeon Womack, a point guard on Stanton’s varsity boys basketball team. “His mindset inspired me. He always wanted to win, he really cared for his team, and he always played his hardest every time. That inspires me to play my hardest every time.”
The discovery of such revered figures can be influenced by outside sources. These icons are introduced to athletes through mainstream media or through their peers who might have a shared interest in a particular sport.
Freshman Elijah Coulanges, a midfielder on the school’s boys lacrosse team, was introduced to American lacrosse player, Paul Rabil, by his friends before joining the sport. Coulanges used streaming platforms, such as YouTube, to refine his skills by observing the professional.
“In seventh grade, a lot of my friends started playing [lacrosse] and I would watch them play,” said Coulanges. “One of my friends told me that if I wanted to play, I should watch Paul Rabil. He has a lot of videos on YouTube to help beginners and, whenever I had free time, I would watch them to learn how to improve.”
Student-athletes, before playing their respective sports at Stanton, may have had idols they watched and respected. Sophomore Victoria Quintero, a forward and midfielder on Stanton’s varsity girls soccer team, admires United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) soccer player, Alex Morgan. Morgan’s time as a forward on the national team has helped shape Quintero as a player from an early age.
“I admire Morgan because I grew up watching her,” said Quintero. “Having idols, [like her], that you look up to can help you learn not only [athletic] values within a game, but how you should act as a person outside of the sport.”
Having sports idols is not limited to student-athletes; it can extend to coaches as well. Stanton’s coaches have identified athletes they have respected from the time they were a player to their current occupation of mentoring varsity teams.
Ms. Tangela Ennis, the head coach of Stanton’s varsity girls volleyball team, began playing volleyball in high school before pursuing it at the collegiate level. She first admired American volleyball player and coach, Karch Kiraly, before shifting her focus to Olympic gold medalists, Kerri Walsh Jennings and Misty May-Treanor. These players, along with many others, have defined her work ethic as a coach through the qualities they exemplify.
“I admired their dedication to the sport and their passion to get their job done and help their team win,” said Coach Ennis. “The passion that keeps you going and the competitiveness are the [values] that I depend on the most in my coaching.”
An athlete’s preference for an idol is not restricted to only figures popularized by the media, but can include individuals who are not necessarily involved in sports and have made a meaningful impact on their lives. Family members, community leaders, or friends with desirable characteristics are possible icons to athletes.
“My biggest role model is my mom because she is strong, athletic, and fast,” said senior Connor Kuhn, who is a member of Stanton’s varsity girls basketball, volleyball, and flag football teams. “She inspires me every day to go to practice, work hard, and do my best. She taught me the importance of commitment and showing up to a sport, even when you don’t want to.”
Unlike athletes who have family members, peers, and celebrities they regard with appreciation, there are students who do not idolize a specific individual. Senior John Wright Stanly, a member of Stanton’s cross country and track teams, finds that the bonds forged among his teammates and “physical exertion” of the sport will suffice as motivation to continue his involvement.
“There are great teammates and alumni that I look up to,” said Stanly. “We also have a great team and a great environment, so a lot of my teammates are sources of inspiration.”
The concept of sports idols is universal across the athletic activities students participate in. Although they are not necessary for involvement in a sport, these influential icons can become a driving force of inspiration and motivation for players continuing their pastime. Sports idols ranging from professional players to family members leave an immeasurable impact on aspiring student-athletes, who have the potential to someday be one themselves.