Sportsmanship and spirit on display

Leo Grassilli
Published: June 9, 2008

On Wednesday, May 21, the Hylton Bulldogs Girls Lacrosse Team and the Woodbridge Vikings Boys Lacrosse team each traveled about four hours to Roanoke to play their regional playoff games.
Apparently, seeing the other team there was pretty much a surprise to both local teams, especially as contests between Hylton and Woodbridge for any sport, at any level, are usually a bit spirited.

Hylton played first and during that game, the Vikings entered the stadium and sat on the visitor’s side. I didn’t see any Viking coaches near their team and the behavior of the Viking players clearly
indicated that none were needed. Then, the young men of the Vikings Lacrosse Team set the standard because as the Bulldogs played, the Vikings began to loudly cheer for Hylton. Those Viking players
demonstrated a great deal of class and maturity, cheering for a rival school.

After Hylton’s loss ended their season, anyone would have understood if Hylton left Roanoke as fast as possible but that is not what Hylton did. Instead, the Bulldogs moved to the stands behind the
Vikings and cheered on the Vikings with whatever energy and fortitude they had left.  As reported by a Viking fan, the locals were surprised that the home team was outshouted on their own field.

Hylton left before halftime and they were indeed glad to get out of Roanoke. As hard as it was for the Bulldogs Lacrosse Team after their tough loss, staying behind and cheering for the Vikings was well-
deserved payback to the Vikings for the great sportsmanship by Woodbridge. 

That day, both Woodbridge and Hylton demonstrated the highest level of sportsmanship and community spirit that we can only hope for, but it wasn’t enough to make the Potomac News Sports page.
With a bit of luck, maybe fans and the players will read these inadequate words about this great story.

To quote a coach discussing this issue with players: “Good Deeds done in a simple way are almost always never rewarded.  They never seem to be newsworthy enough for the papers.”

LEO GRASSILLI

Woodbridge