Standings and Trophies

Note: The opinions expressed within are always solely those of the author. They do not represent the City of Melrose, the School or Athletic Department, or the Volleyball program. 

Standings from The Boston Globe

The 'convenience' of splitting the Middlesex League into large (Liberty) and small (Freedom) evolved because certain schools felt non-competitive against bigger schools in some sports. Which program has dominated field hockey for decades? Watertown. Melrose won ten consecutive league titles in girls basketball, including five undefeated seasons. A lifetime ago (when I played), Stoneham won the league title in basketball. Wakefield's girls and boys both won a state championship in the same year, long before the 'restructuring' into large and small. 

Melrose has succeeded for the past fifteen years in volleyball with a state championship, seven sectional championships, and over ten league championships...from the 'small' division. 

The MIAA had a dozen football champions and restructured because they felt there were too many, reducing the number to six. Already, the creep upwards has occurred, back to eight this season. 

Play for the competition, the exercise and numerous benefits of sport, the capacity to make a lifetime of friendships and memories. But the large-small split to create more "champions" has no appeal for me. To become champions, build championship habits and give championship effort. Process defines you, not a trophy.