Written by To many people, culture means different things. For a lucky few athletes, we experience multiple sport cultures. Irwin Brambley, a beloved friend of mine and a decorated All-American wrestler, is one of those athletes. I was fortunate enough to get a brief interview with him.
“What is sportsmanship? we learn from each other, and that is the purpose of sports; learning, understanding, and growing.” When I posited the question, “what is your favorite part of the pole-vaulting culture?” Irwin replied, “I’m amazed by a sport wherein the competitors ally against a common enemy; in the Pole Vault, that enemy is the crossbar, and the bar is always going to be raised. Watching … (Irwin searching for the right words) watching vaulters clear the bar is like watching poetry in the air. I think that viewers are sometimes in awe of the event. I’m glad that my daughter, Jaden, can do it, because seeing her succeed in such a complex event makes me look better too (laughter). I’m so proud of her.”
Moreover, Irwin believes that it is one of the few Track and Field events that allows one to be accessible to great coaching. “As a parent, it’s undeniably great to have people who were stellar vaulters in our corner. Jaden gets to meet the best of the best. We teach each other and it’s a beautiful relationship. I love this culture. Compared with wrestling, although the two sports are unique from one another, the mindset is actually quite similar; wrestler against wrestler, vaulter against the bar; it’s 1v1 either way, but the camaraderie remains the same.”
Vaulters and wrestlers have one distinct commonality; our cultures are ones of competitiveness, but also of support and gratitude. We fight until the bitter end, but we fight our respective fights with honor.
Win the battle, but once the battle is won, pick your opponent up. Whether in wrestling wherein one lifts their combatant, or pole-vaulting, wherein one picks up the crossbar; that is sport culture, that is sportsmanship.
From Irwin and I, as always, “Cheers to Sports.”
Photo Above Left to Right: Christy Brambley, Wife and Mother (and a courageous Respiratory Therapist during the Covid Pandemic); Jaden Brambley, mentioned in the article and a soon to be record breaking pole-vaulter; Grant Brambley, an up and coming athlete in many sports; and finally All-American Wrestler, Irwin Brambley. The Family taking a hike together.