Why We’re Here- Jence Rhoads

I have been considering this question - Why am I here? Not in an existential sense (we do not have enough space in this newsletter for that rabbit hole), but in a recognition of time and energy. Why am I with THE SHO? Why do I choose to spend my time with THE SHO and its mission? 

The sport? Check. 

The people? Yes.

The community? Absolutely.

All of these reasons are close to my heart, but above all else, it is the dream and vision of disrupting the current age of sports, which to me is summed up in two words… 

Just Play.

Just Play means to participate and compete for the pure joy and love of the game. 

From youth leagues to Team USA, I’ve been an athlete my entire life. I picked up a basketball as a young girl with a love for the game in my heart. I put down a basketball after playing D1 college basketball having lost this love. My reason for playing had escaped me; it got wrapped up in the business, external influences, and pressures of performance. I didn’t enjoy playing anymore. It wasn’t fun; it was an obligation.

Lucky for me, I rediscovered my passion for basketball in my small humble town of Pennsylvania. After leaving school, I stepped back to my roots and played pick-up with my friends in my hometown gym. The joy of playing flooded my heart and I was able to Just Play’ once again. With this feeling, I pursued a second chance to express this passion at a competitive level by playing professionally overseas. However, not everyone is this fortunate.

There are thousands of athletes that lose their passion for a sport and never find it again. We are in a generation where burnout is prevalent and extrinsic motivations overshadow the intrinsic desire to participate in sport. This trend is a devastating movement for our culture. It is creating a generation of people with a negative experience of sport. A aspect of culture that is supposed to instill positive values, camaraderie, competitive spirit, youthfulness, and an active lifestyle has been transformed into a black hole. The vortex sucks the fun, innocence, playfulness, and spirit out of the athletes and coaches. 

It is time to pull our society out of this black hole. We need to reflect upon our own experiences with sport and take positive action.

Pick up your ball and ask yourself, “Why do I play?”

I fully support the mission of THE SHO to empower the 99% – to empower all athletes, children and adults to Just Play. Together, we will rediscover the true meaning of Just Play and bring the essence of sport back to the forefront. 

The answer to the original question: I am here to inspire all generations to play for their love of the game, now and forever.

Spread good vibes, 

Jence Rhoads, Ph.D.