Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, January 22, 1992 TAG: 9201220415
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
IN SCHOOLS
THERE'S THIS about team sports: Not all who try out can necessarily make the varsity. Of those who do, not all get much playing time.Most schools of any size take sports seriously - which leads to elitism. There are a few heroes; quite a few in supporting roles; and others who only stand and wait or get left out entirely. Given that school is supposed to be about stretching minds and preparing youth for non-sports careers, priorities sometimes get twisted.
Things are a bit different at Pulaski County High School. The institution's long been known for the determined and successful play of its football teams. But over the past decade, it's also become known for the caliber of its chess players.
The popularity of chess has spread within the county's schools, and Pulaski competitors have won five national titles, as well as state championships from kindergarten through high school. Pulaski's example has aroused interest in chess among school systems elsewhere in the state.
High schools don't schedule courses in chess or give diplomas for it, and students don't lead cheers for its team members; but mentally, the game is among the most demanding in the world. If education is the purpose, chess is as valuable as team sports.
Many school activities can become cliquish. Jeff Shelton, coach of the Pulaski County High School chess team, praises the program for its openness. People play the game to win, surely, but also to challenge themselves and learn from opponents. The more participants, the better.
Football season's over, but chess is just heating up. An open chess competition will be held at Pulaski Middle School Feb. 15. Players from the county will compete on the state level at William Fleming High in Roanoke March 14-15. The nationals will be at Lexington, Ky., May 8-10. And, says Shelton, "the neat thing is you don't have to qualify for it . . . You can have as many players as you want on your team, but only four can score."
That's the way more games should be, especially at the scholastic level: more inclusive, less exclusive - and encouraging to the players.