Springer family gives thanks to Rhode Island running community

Dear ProJo readers,

I would like to address this open letter to the Rhode Island Track & Field (running) Community. I feel especially privileged to have witnessed such a wonderful day of track & field under beautiful sunny skies at Brown Stadium [on June 6]. As I sat in the stands that day, I couldn't help but reflect on all the remarkable experiences that the Rhode Island Running Community (RIRC) has brought to the Springer family through their support of Dan, Josh and Andrew.

I am deeply in debt to all in the RIRC who helped to provide the support, competition and camaraderie that allowed Andrew to enjoy such a rewarding career as a student-athlete in R.I. I am also appreciative that this same environment also fostered the development of his twin brothers (for those of you who remember) Dan and Josh, that allowed them to have a further running career and great educational experience at Boston College, after they graduated from Westerly High School.

As an enthusiastically sports-minded state, most Rhode Islanders have followed the successes of the Lady Huskies basketball program next door at UConn. Upon the graduation of Diana Taurasi a few years back, coach Geno Auriemma summarized her contribution to the team by saying that she had the remarkable ability to make everyone around her better. I believe this dynamic can work both ways. Conversely, I believe that because of the many outstanding, dedicated and sincere collaborative efforts within the RIRC that together they displayed the remarkable ability to make individuals like Dan, Josh, Andrew and hundreds of other Rhode Island student-athletes better than they ever could have been otherwise. This did not happen by accident, but because of lots of hard work and deep devotion to collective excellence over many years and by many people.

A great example of this selflessness comes from rival coaches who were very helpful and supportive, even as the twins and Andrew competed against them. Specifically coach Bill Haberek, of Chariho, coach Charlie Breagy, of North Kingstown, and coach Jim Doyle, of Bishop Hendricken, were always very gracious in their public comments and private support of the twins and Andrew, even though they were competitive rivals. This type of attitude only comes from people whose goal it is to make everyone better, not just their own athletes.

I would also like to mention all the fine student-athletes that competed with and against the twins and Andrew. In an era when in-your-face trash talking and disrespect seem to have become a cultural norm, I have never witnessed any of that nonsense at any R.I. running event. The great UCLA basketball coach John Wooden, who won 10 NCAA Championships in 12 years, had a maxim he would frequently relate to his players: "Remember that sincerity, optimism and enthusiasm are always more helpful/welcome than sarcasm, pessimism and laziness."

The attitudes and behaviors of the R.I. track & field student-athletes I have witnessed show me that they know this, understand it and live it.

Growing up as a child of a Naval Officer in the submarine service and moving every 2 years, I experienced many diverse communities in many different parts of the country. I often wondered where I would choose to settle and raise my own family. After all of the wonderful experiences of the last several years, I don't think I could have chosen any better place than right here in Westerly, R.I.

The excellent coaching staff at Westerly High School, the fine track & field athletes and all the knowledgeable and dedicated members of the RIRC all deserve honor and recognition for the great developmental atmosphere for student-athletes that they have created and are a part of.

In conclusion, as Andrew started achieving recognition for his accomplishments, I tried to remind him that while he worked very hard himself, his successes were also due to the unselfish efforts of many others to support him, and he should be grateful to them for their contributions. I know that this will sound kind of corny, but I didn't want to let him forget that while it's nice to be important, it's more important to be nice. I'll always be glad that the RIRC could provide this type of environment for the development of its student-athletes and for that, I would like to express our family's sincerest, heartfelt appreciation.

Sincerely yours,
Roy Springer
Westerly, R.I.

Posted by Carolyn Thornton  at 5:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)