Roger Federer vs. LeBron James and why actions matter
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
After writing about the class showed by tennis player Rafael Nadal after his upset loss at the French Open versus the less-impressive grace shown by Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James after his team was eliminated from the NBA playoffs, I received a lot of e-mail. But one was particularly striking and the e-mailer has given me permission to post it.
Kathleen Goyette helps run an organization called FitKidsUSA, which aims to get America’s children, in every economic group, healthier and more fit. I’ll let Goyette explain why she is particularly admiring tennis players these days:
Hi Diane,
I came across a link to your Nadal / James juxtaposition and found it absolutely on the money.
The rivalry of Rafael Nadal & Roger Federer has provided the best of what sports have to offer. Intense competition resulting in the growth of tennis is equaled by their respect for each other, the game and the fans. They offer me, as a coach, real-life examples of what it means to be your best in both victory and defeat.
I work with thousands of kids as the volunteer director for a program called FitKidsUSA. While we were working with kids in an attempt to positively impact physical activity & nutrition, we thought it might make sense to ‘adopt’ a sister school so our economically distressed US kids would truly be able to identify with kids who have no access to healthy food. That day -- in my day job working on a contract with IMG -- I saw a web post of Roger Federer at a school in South Africa. I shot off an e-mail on spec to see if his foundation might consider helping us get connected with a needy school. I had an immediate response. Roger’s mother Lynette got back to me in under 12 hours with all of the necessary information to start our cooperative relationship.
While all of my kids do not play tennis on a routine basis, they are influenced by the character of tennis’ top players. As I said, it’s a great time to be a tennis coach, a tennis player or a community volunteer!
Kathleen Goyette
White Pass Ski Area
48935 US Highway 12
White Pass, WA 98937
As an addendum, when she was giving us permission to post her e-mail, Goyette added this:
My BIG dream: Adding FitKids Classrooms across the US connected with schools around the world.
My Stepping stone dream: That lots of communities start with our community event: http://www.famfieldday.com
While we are so very proud to be associated with Roger Federer Foundation, we also work with Olympic & World Cup Champions Phil & Steve Mahre, Freestyle Skier Andy Mahre (our hometown heroes) and USA LUGE.’
So if any athletes are reading this, Kathleen and her group are always happy for assistance. And, if any athletes are reading this, realize that every action you do or don’t take gets noticed and sometimes you won’t even know why or where.
--Diane Pucin