Arianne Brown: The unexpected upside to adhering to health guidelines at my son’s basketball game

Arianne Brown: The unexpected upside to adhering to health guidelines at my son’s basketball game


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SALT LAKE CITY — "All right, Ace!" I yelled after watching my 13-year-old son drain a 3-point shot during a recent basketball game. However, my cheers were not heard. Instead, my ordinarily high-pitched, excited mom-squeal manifested itself as no more than a muffled sound that likely ended its reach a few feet from my face.

Realizing that the face mask (that each spectator was asked to wear to prevent the spread of COVID-19) was going to block audible words and cheers from exiting my mouth, I decided that I would give up and limit my game commentary to a clap or furrowed eyebrow.

I wasn’t the only parent who came to that realization early on in the game. As I scanned the bleachers that were sparsely scattered with spectators due to other rules prohibiting more than one supporter per athlete, I noticed that most were doing what I was doing: quietly watching the game.

When I first read the email from my son’s coach outlining the rules for the upcoming tournament, I’ll admit that I was a little put out. The one spectator rule would mean that I couldn’t bring my husband or any of my other kids to support Ace. Wearing a mask didn’t bother me, but it was going to be different than what I was used to — and I am one that is often apprehensive about change. I worried that these differences would have a negative effect on how the athletes performed.

Well, I’m here to say that not only were my worries put to rest, but the games my son played that night went much better than expected.

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Upon entering the gym area, it was clean. And, if you’ve been to a basketball tournament pre-COVID-19, you know how rare that is. Ordinarily, the bleachers are riddled with myriad messes from the masses of spectators that come and go. Speaking of fewer spectators, I actually got a seat (and I did not make it to the game in a timely manner, mind you).

Being the only one to support my son was actually quite awesome. As a mother of nine kids, I am often the one left behind, whether I am at home watching the younger kids, or the one chasing the little kids under the bleachers, or outside on the grass away from the game. I have missed many important moments in all of my kids’ athletic endeavors, and this time I was able to watch the entire game.

The masks may have prohibited us from cheering loudly for our team and players we were supporting, but they also kept us from saying unkind things to players, coaches and referees. And as we watched, the game still went on.

Spectators wear masks and social distance at a youth basketball game. (Photo: Arianne Brown)
Spectators wear masks and social distance at a youth basketball game. (Photo: Arianne Brown)

Having fewer spectators whose mouths were covered, had no negative bearing on the game; but, as I saw it, it allowed the players to play without all the noise that is often present.

Points were still scored. Awesome steals were still had. Defenses and offenses were run in awesome and sometimes disorderly motion. The game of basketball was played, and I had a wonderful time watching my son experience the game we share a common love for.

While I don’t foresee that athletic events will be like this forever — because I believe that what is our new now is only temporary — I do hope that the tone that is being set at events like these will teach us lessons that we continue to carry with us as we move forward.

Although, I can’t guarantee that once the masks are removed that I won’t return to my squealing mom ways.

Have you been to athletic events yet? If so, how has it gone, and what have you learned or observed? Let us know in the comments.

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Arianne Brown

About the Author: Arianne Brown

Arianne Brown is a mother of nine children who has found her voice in the written word. For more of her writings, follow her Facebook page "A Mother's Write" or on Instagram @ariannebrown.

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