Cindysphinx
G.O.A.T.
I was on three teams this spring: the 3.5 team I captain, a 3.5 team someone else captains, and a 4.0 team. The 3.5 team someone else captains is the only one that was in playoff contention.
At the end of the season, I sent out a happy e-mail telling everyone how we did, attempting to highlight the positive accomplishments and play down our struggles. I thanked everyone for their play and responsiveness, etc.
On my 4.0 team, each player received a cute miniature trophy, engraved and everything. (I could not attend the awards ceremony, but I received the e-mail about it.) The trophies were not the same, though. The three strongest players were dubbed "Most Extraordinary." The next strongest group was called "Most Exceptional." Then came a group called "Most Excellent." The final group was called "Most Outstanding." Two of the older players were called "Most Dazzling." The crazy-strong 4.0 player was given MVP, and the lowest-rated player was given "Most Improved." Me, I was happy to escape with "Most Excellent."
I have to say, being publicly evaluated in this way is unsettling to me. I feel like I have a reasonable take on where I stand relative to others. I am well aware that I am not the strongest 3.5 to take the court in our area, but I gave 100% in all of my matches, practiced hard, and tried to improve. Honestly, having different awards presented based on perceived strength was unnerving, as I know my "award" is only third or fourth best. (I also do not agree with some of the levels assigned to my teammates and think their contributions are being trivialized, but I guess that is their problem).
Is this sort of thing common? It never occurred to me to sign off for the season with a message that says "Here's who was strong and here's who was weak." Maybe this is typical?
At the end of the season, I sent out a happy e-mail telling everyone how we did, attempting to highlight the positive accomplishments and play down our struggles. I thanked everyone for their play and responsiveness, etc.
On my 4.0 team, each player received a cute miniature trophy, engraved and everything. (I could not attend the awards ceremony, but I received the e-mail about it.) The trophies were not the same, though. The three strongest players were dubbed "Most Extraordinary." The next strongest group was called "Most Exceptional." Then came a group called "Most Excellent." The final group was called "Most Outstanding." Two of the older players were called "Most Dazzling." The crazy-strong 4.0 player was given MVP, and the lowest-rated player was given "Most Improved." Me, I was happy to escape with "Most Excellent."
I have to say, being publicly evaluated in this way is unsettling to me. I feel like I have a reasonable take on where I stand relative to others. I am well aware that I am not the strongest 3.5 to take the court in our area, but I gave 100% in all of my matches, practiced hard, and tried to improve. Honestly, having different awards presented based on perceived strength was unnerving, as I know my "award" is only third or fourth best. (I also do not agree with some of the levels assigned to my teammates and think their contributions are being trivialized, but I guess that is their problem).
Is this sort of thing common? It never occurred to me to sign off for the season with a message that says "Here's who was strong and here's who was weak." Maybe this is typical?
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