A couple of weekends ago I received a trophy. No, it wasn’t for winning or finishing in the top 3 of a motor sports event, it was for my coaching efforts in my son’s basketball season. Against many odds, mainly our own – we managed to reach the championship game and we put up one hell of a fight against a team that was labeled “better then us”. Well, we took them to the last second and we wound up loosing by two points. The ensuing heartbreak was over as soon as the trophies were presented. The kid’s tears and disappointment faded as they were soon holding their tournament “runner up” trophies. Everybody walked out of the gym a winner though – including the coaches.

My son’s trophy is proudly displayed along with his others - while mine sits in my home office, acting as a mere paperweight, separating bills and miscellaneous correspondence.

Trophies can mean a lot; they can stand as a symbol of achievement, a reminder of a performance that is deemed noteworthy. They can be the ten dollar kind like the one I had received or made of expensive materials like silver or crystal. Trophies can also be somewhat meaningless - serving as a collector of dust, an occupier of space on a mantel - a place to hang your hat.

Does the trophy signify anything? I suppose it does – it says you finished in a position where trophies were awarded. Does it mean you are a winner? Sure it does, of the event you were participating in. Does it mean you are “better” than your fellow competitors? I think not.

Being presented a trophy can conjure up real emotion. We have all seen it in various forms of sporting events. The moment when the competitor or individual realizes that his or her goal has been achieved. That is a pretty special feeling. I felt just a hint of that feeling as we were presented our trophies for second place in the basketball tournament. Little stuff right? Well, I felt happy for my son, who - even though he lost the game, still walked away with something tangible to help ease the hurt of a loss. He’s was proud, and the trophy helped reinforce that.

Although, I see a problem with that - you shouldn’t need a trophy to make you feel like you have accomplished something and you don’t need to finish first to enjoy yourself. It’s tough to accept that kind of rationale as a kid. I know I’ll be working on this with my kids over the next few years – after all, there’re just a kids.

But what about those who are older? Those competitors that don’t win, place or show – I wonder, how are they to feel? Hopefully they feel fortunate that they were able to compete, thankful for the opportunity to given to them and equally as important; proud of their behavior and sportsmanship shown to their fellow competitors.

On a recent Nextel Cup Sunday, my family and I watched the end of the race from Bristol. Push came to shove and low and behold we witnessed the commonplace “bump and run” for the win and the now all too frequent, post race altercation. My son’s onetime favorite sports hero, the poster boy for political correctness, marketing and all things Cup - was shoving a fellow competitor. How very sad.

While it makes for great drama, I’ll take a great pass or a charge from the back of the pack over bump and run tactics, drivers shoving drivers or in your face reporting any day. I’m a fan of the real race and sports drama, not the fabricated hype.

In the big leagues we have reporters chasing down angry competitors trying to get a reaction. We have made for TV trophy presentations, most lacking the raw emotion due to everything being perfectly timed and placed. We see cameras rolling to capture just the right moments; rehearsed responses delivered on queue, product and sponsor plugs so painfully forced into acceptance and interview exchanges.

Yawn…

All that compete at any level in sports, in business – and most importantly in life, should realize that it’s not about the trophy or winning. It’s not about the title, position or salary. Nor is it about the amount of square feet your house is - if you even have a house. It can’t be about the car or truck you drive. It’s about life, without trophies - enjoying your life for what it is, regardless of where you might have finished or what you might have. It’s about the little stuff. Finishing 2nd, 10th, 15th or even 35th can be discouraging - but knowing you played or raced as hard as you could, as clean as you could - playing fair and by the rules, well that makes you a winner in my book.

Apparently I’ve grown tired of the “me, me, me” in sports – I’ve had it with the glory seekers. I’m drawn to those that are humble, those that are appreciative of where they are and how they got there. I can’t stomach the on track retaliations, the post race pushing and shoving, the childish behavior from grown up’s. In our part of the world that is the Whelen Modified Tour, I think overall we see very little of that – and for that I am thankful.

As our 2006 WMT schedule begins this weekend at Thompson, I’m excited for a season full of possibilities. First and foremost, I wish for safe races for all the fans, teams and competitors. I’m anxious to see some first time winners and a returning champion. I’m sure we’ll see a tight championship battle with built in drama. Surprise me by bringing me back a former Modified driver to shake things up. Keep it fun. Make the experience for all fortunate enough to get to the track and watch or compete, a rewarding one.

I’m confidant that we’ll see patience, respect, humility & good sportsmanship from our competitors and teams. These are the attributes that make everybody a winner; not just in the competition of sports, but in life – and fortunately, trophies aren’t awarded for possessing qualities that are basic, fundamental values.

After all – isn’t life itself a trophy?

Check your pulse race fan; I think you’ve already won.