What The Soccer Girls Taught Me

My favorite moment in the 2012 Olympics was watching the USA take on Japan in a perfect soccer rematch.  At one point, the announcers said that this match had been simmering for over 380 days.  Fans have been letting this game marinade for that long and were not disappointed.  Team USA pulled out a victory in a tense, (for me) nail-biting second half.  Watching coach Pia Sundhage celebrate when the official finally blew the whistle on the game, watching scoreless Abby Wambach race back to the defensive end, watching Carli Lloyd pull out a hat trick: these moments made this a magnificent, intense, ultimate showdown of pure athleticism.

During the medal ceremony, though, a discussion by commentators Arlo White and Brandi Chastain resonated with me.  As the Japanese team was accepting their silver medals, White and Chastain credited their approach as a pivotal point for women’s soccer.  In short, they opined that Japan’s financial dedication to their women’s soccer program created one of the most dominating, skilled teams in the world--after only a few short years.  In essence, the commentators struck upon a vital aphorism: we invest in that which we value.  Japan wanted a world class soccer program, so they spent the necessary money.  It paid off.  A FIFA championship in 2011 and a silver medal in 2012.  Not bad...not bad at all. 

I cannot help but apply that truth to the current trend in contemporary education.  If politicians and various law-makers keep pushing to cut spending on education, then what do they really value?  Can they stand upon their trite platitudes of a “quality education for all” when they limit the resources for public education?  Instead of cutting spending on public education, invest in it.  Instead of slashing the funds for struggling schools, supply the cash necessary to achieve excellence.  Saving money by cutting teachers and increasing class sizes does not create success.  Hiring quality teachers and minimizing class sizes is the key to a successful public education, but that demands financial commitment.   

The Japanese soccer program is exciting proof that financial backing can create excellence.  This gold medal match created a record in attendance, and women’s soccer is becoming more and more popular.  Like the Japanese soccer program of four years ago, public education doesn’t have to continue the downward slide.  Give public education the financial resources it needs, but be prepared for the explosion of excellence that will follow.