Growing up, I wasn’t good at sports, but I was “a good sport.” I have vivid memories of my younger sister being tapped for elite gymnastics while I was put on the painfully named “C-team.”
I played soccer in high school, primarily for the camaraderie and the post-game stops at Fuddrucker’s, but I didn’t have the right temperament for the game. Once, when a match got close, a player shouted, “Take Leigh out!” (The saddest part? The coach agreed and promptly benched me.) Ever persistent, I tried again in college and signed up for intramurals, only to earn the nickname “Dainty”—not a quality typically sought on the soccer pitch.
I later realized that being good at sports can simply mean finding the right sport. Maybe agility and hand-eye coordination aren’t my strong suits, but tenacity and endurance are the keys to sports like running and hiking. Plus, struggling with certain sports, and picking ourselves up afterwards, teaches us to be “good sports,” defined as kind and generous, not rude or angry. Lessons don’t get much more valuable than that.
Our Sporting Issue digs into several growing sports and the people who are passionate about them. Sam Smith and Matt Griffin are helping turn the Upstate into a popular playground for mountain bikers. Tommy Pike Customs thrills auto enthusiasts with sleek designs, and he’s inspiring the next generation of automotive experts. Iron and Oak crafts traditional duck calls that hunters treasure for their utility and their beauty. And the Equestrian Hotel in Ocala, Florida, offers an elegant vantage point to see amazing feats of athleticism from horses and riders, plus luxe accommodations, fine dining, and urbane shopping.
We also feature cool cocktails at Other Lands, the ultimate Upstate barbecue trail, a local couple’s star-studded Italian dream wedding, and an in-depth interview with Rory Scovel, a Greenville comedian who hit the big time.
As always, let us know if there are people or events you’d like to see covered in TOWN. Reach me at leigh@communityjournals.com.
