PDF Summary:Path Lit by Lightning, by David Maraniss

Jim Thorpe's extraordinary life story highlights the resilience and remarkable abilities of Native Americans amidst societal prejudice in the early 20th century. In Path Lit by Lightning, David Maraniss sheds light on how Thorpe's formative years shaped his athletic accomplishments, from his Olympic triumphs in Stockholm to his trailblazing football career.

The narrative explores Thorpe's advocacy for Native American rights and the challenges he overcame due to discrimination and exploitation. It reveals the complex legacy of this iconic sportsman, exploring how his achievements were celebrated yet overshadowed by stereotyping and cultural appropriation of Indigenous identities.

(continued)...

During the initial years of the 20th century, Indigenous peoples encountered pervasive discrimination and marginalization.

This section delves into the ingrained prejudices and structural barriers encountered by Native Americans, which distorted their opportunities for progress in the United States at the beginning of the 20th century. Maraniss argues that the removal of Jim's Olympic honors represented merely a single episode in a persistent pattern of hostility, exploitation, and neglect towards native peoples.

The statute referred to as the Dawes Act profoundly transformed the customary lifestyles and lands of Native American tribes.

David Maraniss begins his account by delving into the impact of the 1887 legislation, the Dawes Act, which profoundly transformed the way of life and traditions of Native American tribes throughout the United States. Ostensibly aimed at assisting Native Americans in acquiring citizenship, the Dawes Act actually led to another phase of land seizure, continuing a history characterized by violent confrontations, misleading treaties, and forced displacements. The law divided inherited territories with the goal of converting historically communal Native Americans into self-reliant farmers. The Dawes Act resulted in the selling of tribal lands considered "surplus" to settlers of European descent at reduced prices. Jim Thorpe entered life at a time when white settlers were claiming vast stretches of reservation land by the North Canadian River, as his family observed the land rushes that transformed Oklahoma in the 1890s. The legislation known as the Dawes Act signified a pivotal departure from earlier policies that recognized the communal land rights and autonomy of Native American tribes.

Institutions like Carlisle employed forceful strategies aimed at obliterating the cultural identities of indigenous populations.

The legislation known as the Dawes Act employed education as a means not for preserving and enhancing native languages and customs, but instead as a tool for more profound cultural absorption. Educational establishments like the Carlisle Indian Industrial School emerged throughout the nation on territories that had been taken from Native peoples. Pratt, the founder of Carlisle, aimed to eliminate native languages and customs as part of his mission to align with what white society considered the benchmarks of a civilized culture. The result left a deep psychological wound on many children who were torn from their families, forced to assimilate into a strange way of life, and witnessed the erosion of ancestral customs that had been transmitted across numerous generations. The Dawes Act and its educational equivalent pursued a dual approach of oppression, not only depriving and dispossessing through policies of land distribution but also attempting to transform Native American societies internally by forbidding the continuation of their traditional customs.

Context

• The Dawes Act, also known as the General Allotment Act of 1887, aimed to assimilate Native Americans by dividing tribal lands into individual allotments, leading to the loss of communal land ownership. This policy resulted in the loss of millions of acres of Native American land to white settlers and undermined tribal sovereignty. The Act sought to encourage Native Americans to adopt European-American farming practices and abandon their traditional ways of life. It had devastating consequences on Native American communities, contributing to the erosion of cultural identities and exacerbating poverty and displacement.
• The Carlisle Indian Industrial School was a federally-funded boarding school in Pennsylvania founded by Richard Henry Pratt. It aimed to assimilate Native American children into Euro-American culture by eradicating their indigenous identities and languages. Students were forced to adopt Western customs and practices, with the belief that this would facilitate their integration into mainstream American society. The school's approach was controversial and had long-lasting negative effects on the cultural heritage and well-being of Native American communities.
• The movie "Jim Thorpe-All-American" portrays Jim Thorpe's life through a lens that emphasizes the influence of a white savior figure and suggests that Thorpe's personal challenges were primarily due to his own actions. It depicts Thorpe's mentor, Pop Warner, as a guiding force who could have steered Thorpe away from his troubles if Thorpe had followed his advice more closely. The film implies that Thorpe's setbacks were largely a result of his own impulsive behavior and failure to conform to societal norms of the time. This portrayal overlooks the structural barriers and historical context that shaped Thorpe's experiences as a Native American athlete in a predominantly white society.
• In Jim Thorpe's time, amateur athletes were not allowed to receive payment for their sports participation, while professional athletes could earn money from their athletic endeavors. The distinction between amateur and professional status was strictly enforced in sports, with severe consequences for those found to have violated the rules. This divide often disadvantaged athletes from less privileged backgrounds, like Thorpe, who faced scrutiny and penalties for any perceived breaches of amateurism. The system favored wealthy competitors who could afford to participate without financial support.

Following the conclusion of his sports career, Thorpe encountered numerous obstacles, among them financial hardships, and his legacy was complex and layered.

After achieving extraordinary feats in athletics, Jim Thorpe encountered the challenging endeavor of finding fulfilling and enduring work.

This section of the story explores the difficulties Thorpe encountered in his quest for rewarding and well-paying work after his athletic career's decline. Despite his exceptional abilities and acclaim across multiple disciplines, Maraniss portrays how he encountered barriers to social inclusion and difficulties in ensuring his economic stability. His pursuit of a consistent and secure life encountered obstacles due to personal matters like his battle with alcohol addiction, a defiant stance against authority, and a tendency for overly generous acts leading to unwise financial decisions - yet the author contends that a considerable share of the blame rests with a society that exploited and then neglected its athletic heroes.

Jim Thorpe was perpetually active, taking on a variety of endeavors such as coaching, participating in film projects, launching business ventures, and delivering speeches.

Jim constantly sought new horizons. He shifted locations and roles frequently, without a clear destination in mind. He explored numerous business opportunities, such as overseeing restaurants and coffee shops, and he also tried his hand at being an extra in Hollywood films while captaining a team of baseball players who were paid for their game performances, all with the aim of finding an arena where his celebrity would ensure a steady stream of earnings. The period operated under a distinct set of principles. Jim discovered that transitioning to a regular occupation was difficult because the industries that had once benefited from his sports achievements provided little support, and the economic structure of athletics during that era did not ensure a steady income for numerous athletes, even those at the pinnacle of their careers. The movie "Jim Thorpe-All-American" portrayed the narrative as a warning about poor decision-making, but it also highlighted how quickly renown can dissipate, the rapidity with which even iconic figures may fade from memory, and the habit of societies to honor their champions after they have passed away.

His career and personal relationships suffered greatly due to his declining health, which was exacerbated by his battle with alcoholism.

His health was in decline, which compounded his struggles, as he constantly longed for something that seemed perpetually out of grasp. Jim’s athletic abilities, while extraordinary, did not diminish easily, but the wear and tear of football took its toll, and he suffered a series of injuries—from broken bones and sprained ankles to knee problems and a heart attack, the first of three—that pushed him into semi- retirement and then back out again. His struggles with substance dependence were deeply intertwined with his ongoing problems related to alcohol consumption. The author meticulously chronicles the recurring cycle of his sobriety and heavy drinking episodes, explaining how this affected both his professional ambitions and his marriages. Jim refrained from drinking on competition days, but his fondness for partying during off times led to several awkward incidents that diminished his reputation and hindered his efforts to secure coaching roles or steady employment, which also strained his marital relationship. While one might interpret his struggle with alcoholism as a sign of individual weakness, it is essential to understand that this challenge mirrors a wider trend of substance dependency impacting Indigenous populations across the entire nation.

He was a steadfast advocate for acknowledging and protecting the rights of Indigenous peoples.

This part highlights his steadfast dedication to championing the entitlements of his native peers. Jim Thorpe, in collaboration with the Hollywood Indians, pushed for fairer conditions in the movie industry, and his descendants, along with a coalition of supporters, devoted themselves to the restoration of his accolades and achievements from the Olympics. In his later years, he dedicated himself to the wider movement that sought recognition for Indigenous peoples across the country and advocated for enhanced rights to their territories.

Thorpe continued his athletic pursuits by participating in sports teams composed solely of Native American members and explored opportunities within the film industry of Hollywood.

Jim's post-athletic career engagement with sports teams composed solely of Indigenous members showcased his nuanced stance on Native American issues. He was a member of multiple sports teams, such as the Oorang Indians football team, a basketball team of international repute, and the baseball team known as Harjo's Indians, which reflected the broad-minded principles he acquired at Carlisle and honored the cultural legacy he had once been encouraged to abandon. His interactions with other athletes, marked by what were termed "primitive" war cries and dances, perpetuated stereotypical views of a Native American identity, while simultaneously securing for him a consistent source of earnings. He encountered a similar paradox within the film industry. He initiated his journey in the performing arts by taking on roles of Indigenous people in several western movies, simultaneously collaborating with fellow artists to advocate for roles of greater significance, precise portrayal, and fairer storytelling in the film industry. He unwaveringly embraced his native heritage and passionately advocated for the advancement of his community's rights, despite the apparent contradictions in his various pursuits.

He consistently highlighted the inequities encountered by Indigenous peoples and ardently supported their entitlement to autonomy and the safeguarding of their heritage.

Over time, Jim became more vocal in his support for the rights and issues of indigenous peoples. As a writer, orator, and advocate for numerous legislative measures at the national level, as well as within his own community, he fervently championed the recognition of complete citizenship rights, financial compensation, and increased self-governance for Native American tribes, seeking autonomy from the intrusive supervision of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. In his short stint in politics, he was mocked for seemingly opposing his community's well-being when he opposed the enactment of policies linked to the Indian New Deal that would impact his tribe; his stance, however, stemmed from his experiences at Carlisle and a strong conviction that Indigenous people would prosper more by integrating with the broader economic system instead of suffering under the inadequate governance of officials who lacked a deep comprehension of Indigenous traditions.

He remains a symbol of unparalleled athletic excellence and an indefatigable advocate for the rights of indigenous populations.

The lasting influence of Thorpe, both celebrated and contested, mirrors the ongoing struggles of Indigenous peoples following the era of colonial dominance in the United States. Jim's extraordinary athletic skills were frequently overshadowed by his racial identity, which received contradictory recognition, being both exalted and simultaneously diminished with the condescending exclamation, "Oh, the unfortunate Native American!"

The unrelenting quest to gain Olympic recognition for Thorpe's achievements epitomizes the battle for recognition and justice.

The campaign to restore Thorpe's Olympic honors reflected a century-long struggle for Native American rights. While the initial act of stripping him of his honors was presented by amateur official James E. Sullivan as the just decision of a righteous organization, it instead illuminated the inconsistencies and hypocrisies of a system designed to protect institutional privilege, particularly in the way it imposed a disparate criterion on Thorpe, who belonged to the Sac and Fox Nation, as opposed to white athletes, who frequently skirted regulations but nonetheless reaped the advantages of wealth, fame, and power. Seventy years after they were revoked, the partial reinstatement of his medals by the International Olympic Committee, spurred by a persistent effort from Thorpe's family and biographers, signified a meaningful triumph for the Native American community. The decision to name Jim as a co-champion was meant to be a gesture of reconciliation, but it did little to rectify the original wrong. His supremacy was unmistakable during the Stockholm competitions, yet the prolonged lack of action by the International Olympic Committee highlighted the entrenched bias stemming from his Indigenous American roots, as well as the persistent resistance he faced from Avery Brundage, who turned into his foe.

Discussions centered on the suitable location for his interment and the importance of repatriating remains following Indigenous traditions.

The controversy surrounding Thorpe's final resting place underscores the ongoing disregard for the cultural traditions of Native Americans, persisting even in death. Jim's descendants, along with many from his tribal community, were convinced that burying him in Pennsylvania, a location he had never visited and that had connections to his name solely through an unsuccessful business deal, contradicted his wishes and the profound tradition of resting in one's ancestral land. The book details how Patsy, his wife and the one wielding power of attorney in business matters, orchestrated a contract that bound him to remain in the Pennsylvania town, a decision that his sons later challenged in court to no avail. In 2016, after more than six decades had passed, the U.S. Army began the process of repatriating the remains of Native American students buried at the Carlisle Indian School. The repatriation of the remains of no fewer than 186 young students to their ancestral territories offered some solace to Native Americans, who had long been denied the chance to perform their customary mourning practices.

Practical Tips

• You can honor the legacy of trailblazers by creating a digital timeline of a historical figure's life using free online tools like Tiki-Toki or Time.Graphics. Populate the timeline with significant events, challenges, and achievements, ensuring to highlight their advocacy work and its impact on society. For example, if you're inspired by Thorpe's advocacy for Indigenous rights, you might create a timeline that showcases key moments in the fight for Indigenous peoples' rights, connecting past struggles with current events to show the ongoing relevance and inspire action.
• Start a virtual book club focused on biographies of athletes who have used their platform for social change. Use social media or platforms like Goodreads to invite participants, and select books that explore the intersection of sports, societal challenges, and activism. This encourages discussions on how sports figures can influence social issues and what lessons can be learned from their experiences.
• Engage with local history by researching an influential figure from your community who has faced and overcome adversity. Share their story through a blog post or a video on social media, emphasizing the lessons that can be learned from their resilience and advocacy. This personal project not only deepens your understanding of local heritage but also inspires others to recognize and appreciate the contributions of such figures to your community's identity and values.

The cultural narratives and significance ascribed to Thorpe, a distinguished sportsman of indigenous American descent.

The account exalts Thorpe's athletic achievements while neglecting to adequately consider his individual struggles.

Jim Thorpe's story, which epitomizes the resilience seen in iconic figures, developed into a narrative that captures the spirit of America, celebrating his athletic victories while also lamenting his personal failings. The writers highlight that his extraordinary athletic prowess and his consistent series of triumphs in various sports added to his legendary status, while also reinforcing the stereotype of him being a natural athlete who necessitated guidance and supervision from white individuals like coaches and managers, reflecting the white-savior narrative.

The exaltation of Thorpe's natural talent and assumed "primitive" instincts perpetuates clichés associated with the identity of Native Americans.

Maraniss depicts how Thorpe's recognition in the sports world became intertwined with the perpetuation of enduring stereotypes that were woven into the cultural tapestry of white America. His extraordinary athletic abilities perpetuated the false notion that a Native American inherently personified pure vigor and intuitive skill, perceived as a figure of inherent nobility capable of surpassing others in speed, agility, and strength, even without conventional coaching—a distorted perception that, nonetheless, became widely accepted and was frequently depicted by the media.

The press had a considerable role in shaping and perpetuating reductive stories that condensed the complex existence of Jim Thorpe, ultimately reducing him to a mere emblem.

Sportswriters of that period played a substantial role in shaping Thorpe's image into that of a mythic character, often employing hyperbolic and racially insensitive storytelling. Thorpe's life, as depicted by media professionals, is a tale of ethical values, tracing his rise to fame through his achievements at Carlisle, his triumphs in Stockholm, his tenure with the New York Giants and the Canton Bulldogs, and the obstacles he encountered post his athletic career. The author depicts how Thorpe's achievements, in sports and beyond, were invariably seen through a lens of bias linked to his Native American background, portraying him as both an admirable figure and as an unsophisticated indigenous individual subjected to condescension and derision. Thorpe's exceptional athletic feats were frequently described using aggressive imagery, such as tomahawk chops, which cast him in the role of a fearsome Indigenous American caught in a whirlwind of intensity—a narrative choice that was notably more prevalent in his depictions than in those of his Native American peers. The representations simplified a complex person into a glorified narrative that obscured the reality of a period when Native Americans were deprived of their cultural identities and ancestral lands, coinciding with the times of Carlisle and the Dawes Act.

Thorpe embraced and sometimes utilized the myths associated with his Indigenous American lineage to his advantage while also advocating for the prosperity of his people.

Jim Thorpe was intricately involved in both becoming ensnared by and helping to sculpt the myths that enveloped his persona. Maraniss argues that he skillfully utilized his fame and athletic image to gain prominence in the public's view. He aimed to advance not just his own aspirations but also to contribute positively to the community he was a part of. While a member of the team, he actively engaged in halftime shows captivating the audience with displays of his indigenous cultural background. In Hollywood, his wardrobe began to reflect traditional attire after his association with the Oorang Indians.

He participated in numerous choreographed events, including halftime shows featuring a Native American football team, all tailored to meet the expectations of a predominantly white audience.

The performances during halftime by his all-Indian football team could be seen as the clearest instances where Thorpe capitalized on stereotypes to enhance his financial earnings. Athletes adorned with feathered headdresses and brandishing tomahawks moved in unison with the drum rhythms, displaying nimbleness akin to Airedale terriers, which continued to reinforce clichés of native aggression. Thorpe's participation in the sport was not solely for monetary benefits; he also aimed to enhance the reputation of professional football as it was in the initial phase of attracting a wider audience. The Oorang Indians' halftime shows mirrored their past performances, which were similar to those of Wild West shows, and they also joined forces with former outlaws and bank robbers for public celebrations on the Fourth of July.

He employed narrative techniques and modest humor to emphasize the "Lo, the poor Indian" trope while championing expanded rights.

Thorpe frequently minimized his significance, expressing a fondness for angling rather than athletic pursuits and acknowledging his poor handling of finances, using these as a way to deflect responsibility for more significant matters and to align with the expected norms linked to his Native American heritage. This approach enabled him to connect with audiences who not only revered his exceptional athletic abilities but also saw him as an individual with imperfections.

Thorpe's enduring legacy shapes how we view the historical importance of athletes who are of Native American descent.

The legacy of Thorpe persisted well beyond his years. His lasting representation in society's collective memory reflects the challenge faced by white Americans in reconciling with their past wrongs towards Indigenous American groups.

Thorpe's athletic accomplishments continue to be honored, securing his status among the legendary figures in American sports history.

Thorpe's multifaceted legacy in sports continues to be celebrated, yet it is often misinterpreted. After his death in 1953, his contributions to American sports were simultaneously celebrated and minimized, despite the fact that during his lifetime, his extraordinary athletic abilities enthralled white audiences who nonetheless frequently viewed him with patronizing simplicity as a conflicted savage. The dominant narrative rightly hailed his extraordinary athletic abilities but at the same time reduced the complexity of his life and the wider elements of Indigenous American culture, customs, and history.

The complexity of honoring Thorpe's legacy while acknowledging the ways it has been shaped by cultural appropriation and racial stereotypes

It was essential for subsequent generations to analyze the Thorpe legend, ensuring they celebrated his remarkable talents and preserved the complexity of his human character, while also acknowledging his indigenous heritage without perpetuating clichéd perspectives regarding the past narratives of Native Americans. Jim Thorpe's path and sense of self were continuously shaped and directed by white figures who were keen on exerting their dominance and defining his character, during his life and beyond. His story highlighted the widespread struggle of native communities to establish a rightful place in a country determined to displace and subjugate them.

Practical Tips

• You can reflect on the portrayal of historical figures in your own community by researching local athletes or leaders of Native American descent and comparing public perceptions with their personal stories. Start by visiting your local library or historical society to gather information, then write a brief reflection on how these figures are remembered in contrast to their real-life complexities. This exercise can help you understand the broader implications of myth-making in history.
• Create a personal media literacy rule set to critically analyze how the media shapes the image of public figures today. Whenever you read an article or watch a news segment about a prominent person, take notes on the language used and the narratives pushed. Are they being mythologized? Are their struggles being ignored? This practice will sharpen your ability to discern between the person and the persona constructed by the media.
• Engage in a creative writing exercise where you reimagine the story of a well-known athlete, focusing on their humanity rather than their myth. Write a short story or a poem that highlights their personal challenges, dreams, and daily life outside of their public achievements. This can foster empathy and a deeper understanding of the multifaceted nature of individuals who are often seen only through the lens of their accomplishments.

The societal and historical context of America in the early 1900s shaped the experiences of Thorpe and had an impact on Native Americans.

The lasting impact of the westward movement and the ongoing battle for territory and self-determination among native groups.

The existence of Jim Thorpe, spanning from 1887 to 1953, offers a unique viewpoint on the complex dynamics between Native American societies and the dominant Euro-American culture, particularly concerning the efforts of Native American communities to preserve their traditions and lifestyles amidst continuous encroachment and exploitation. Maraniss provides a thorough examination of the various political, social, and economic factors that shaped Jim's personal journey as well as the shared experiences of the Sac and Fox community and other Indigenous groups during that era of turmoil.

The influence of U.S. government policies that enforced the assimilation of indigenous tribes, altering their customary rituals and convictions.

Jim Thorpe was born during a period marked by considerable transformation for Native American communities. In the 1800s, as the transcontinental railway network was finalized and the concept of an untamed West dwindled, the dominant white culture sought to erode the autonomy and communal land rights of Native American tribes through the enactment of government policies that encouraged compulsory cultural integration. The government's strategy, which began with the introduction of the legislation known as the Dawes Act in 1887, was designed to convert communal tribal territories into individually owned plots, with the intention of persuading Native Americans to abandon their traditional ways and assimilate into the majority white society as productive members. Jim grew up in an environment characterized by cultural conflicts; his father, a member of the Sac and Fox nation, juggled his time between being a cowboy, illicitly trading alcohol, and training horses, while his mother, with Potawatomi heritage, was a devout Catholic with ancestors who had endured forced migrations and she was fluent in several Native American languages, representing the tension between ancestral customs and contemporary obstacles.

Boarding schools played a crucial role in severing the ties between children and their families, and they exerted great effort to erase their indigenous identities.

The state's strategy for assimilation included a widespread system of residential schools designed specifically to serve Native American communities. The author details how these groups, especially the educational institutions in Pennsylvania focused on the vocational training of Native Americans, sought to eradicate native cultural traditions and enforce Western norms by taking many children from their families, instilling different values through rigid timetables, and teaching exclusively in English, thus neglecting their indigenous languages. The archival documents from Carlisle School, which chronicle the experiences of Jim Thorpe and his first wife, Iva Miller, underscore the contradictions embedded in this effort toward assimilation. Though their paths appeared to enhance their prospects for achievement within the norms of society, both individuals were profoundly affected by the enforced separation from their loved ones, the prejudice they faced, and the obstacles they overcame while adjusting to a new way of living. Jim's time at Carlisle laid the groundwork for his impressive sports accomplishments and Iva's progress in management, but it also inflicted lasting emotional scars that persisted well beyond their stay.

The rise of professional sports presented a mix of obstacles and opportunities for Native American athletes.

During Thorpe's era, American sports transitioned from casual pastimes to activities propelled by commercial interests. The expansion of professional sports, especially in football and baseball, opened up opportunities for athletes from working-class families, including those of Native American heritage, to generate income through the utilization of their physical prowess in sports.

Discrimination and manipulation, reflecting wider societal inequalities, are pervasive throughout all levels of sports activities.

Maraniss argues that the realm of sports reflected wider social disparities, suggesting that the playing field was anything but level. Professional football's major leagues were conspicuously devoid of African American athletes. The domain of professional sports provided a more welcoming environment for athletes of Native American heritage, who are frequently overlooked in terms of recognition. They frequently encountered condescension and racial stereotyping, which extended into their athletic pursuits. While playing for the Giants under McGraw's management, Thorpe often faced prejudiced behavior and racial slurs; however, he found the racist depictions in media coverage and the derogatory comments from the audience to be even more damaging, particularly as his career progressed and he entered less prestigious venues.

After their careers in competitive sports concluded, athletes often faced a scarcity of opportunities and support.

The financial dimensions of the sport were tainted by an especially harsh form of exploitation. The monetary rewards from contests, regardless of being at the amateur or professional tier, often went to the owners of the teams, their managers, and coaches rather than the sportspeople. Jim's involvement with multiple squads struggling financially and overseen by unscrupulous managers, including the squad named after Jim Thorpe and called the All-American in Nevada, reflected a widespread circumstance prevalent in the sports realm at the dawn of the 20th century. If there was a romantic view of athletics, it was shared by those who had no need for money, the upper-class “gentlemen” who controlled the rules and reaped most of the financial reward. Thorpe's path illustrates the heightened challenges commonly faced by athletes who originate from working-class environments. He quickly moved from being the first leader of the professional football league to a role of lesser engagement.

Practical Tips

• You can deepen your understanding of historical contexts by creating a timeline of local Native American history using public records and archives. Start by visiting your local library or historical society to gather information about the Native American tribes that lived in your area. Document significant events, policies, and figures that shaped their experiences, especially around the early 1900s. This activity will help you visualize the impact of societal changes on indigenous communities and appreciate the historical context in a tangible way.
• Enhance your awareness of cultural assimilation by volunteering with organizations that support indigenous languages and traditions. Look for local groups that work to preserve Native American languages or cultural practices. Offer your time to assist with their programs, such as language classes or cultural workshops. This hands-on experience will give you a personal connection to the efforts to maintain indigenous identities in the face of historical assimilation pressures.
• Support Native American athletes by promoting and attending local sports events that feature indigenous players. Research local sports leagues or events that include Native American athletes and make an effort to attend their games. Use social media or community boards to highlight their achievements and share information about upcoming matches. By actively participating as a spectator and advocate, you contribute to creating opportunities and recognition for these athletes beyond their competitive careers.