Dilorati

** A Pre-Game Warm-up **
 * Winter/Spring 2012 Mr. Dunne **

What do sports mean to you as an athlete and as a fan? I think sports are very important in our society. I think it has positive attributes both athletically and socially. As an athlete sports are a great way to exercise, but also a great way to learn lessons and create great relationships with people. Also as a fan it is a great source of entertainment. More than half the TV I watch is of various sports games.

What has been your experience with youth sports? Describe your best and worst experiences. For the most part I have had great experiences with youth sports. I have been lucky enough to have played a few sports since I was young and I am happy that have had a versatile experience. I have made relationships with people that I will have for the rest of my life as a result to sports. Also I have had great coaches who have taught me valuable life lessons rather than just about that certain sport. My best experiences have been with the TA swim team. My coach, Charlene Keady, has not only helped me become a better swimmer, but also to become a better person. My worst athletic experience wasn't all that bad. I joined a very competitive swim team in Attleborogh MA my sophomore year. Throughout that year, I improved a lot as a swimmer, but i was giving up many other things that I wish I could have continued to do. I unfortunately got extremely run down and sick and ended up int he hospital for a week. It was definitely a learning experience, but not my most positive one.

Do athletes make good role models? Identify one or two professional athletes to make your case. I personally think athletes make good role models. To be a professional athlete you have to have discipline. I think discipline is an attribute that is hard to acquire, but one that is extremely valuable. Also I think many people look up to athletes because of their mere skill in that certain area. Most people who play that sport aspire to have those qualities that those athletes have. I personally am a huge Tim Tebow fan and I think he is one of the best role models around. I have watched him since he was at Florida and i just loved the way he carried himself and respected his teammates, coaches, and other players. Also he is extremely sincere and generous, every game since he has been at Florida he has brought a person who is either physically or mentally challenged to the game. Also he has done other philanthropic work such as establish a hospital in the Philippines.

What sports/teams do you pay attention to the most? How much time do sports occupy in your life? How do you spend that time (attending, watching, reading, talking, participating)? I usually pay attention to college and professional football compared to other sports. I just find football more exciting than other sports. But I go to more baseball games than other sports because my dad has season tickets to the Red Sox. Sports occupy a lot of my life. I play three sports here at Thayer and I am going to continue to swim in college. Most of the time I am participating in sports, but when i am not playing I am usually watching or socializing about sports with friends and family.

What sports-related issues would you be disappointed //not// to cover in this class? Why? I would like to talk about title IX because I am not really familiar with what it was like before this, and how much this really has changed sports in society.