Dr. Patterson (as I've heard, but never experienced) has always insisted on playing the Stones’ “You can’t always get what you want” in between the announcement of every decision at the Run for the Roses. I always thought that the tradition was odd but just part of the way things were.

Now, I understand it to be much more than a empty practice.

You can’t always get what you want — e.g. the win, the argument, the points, the awards, the invite.

The tournament built by JW demonstrated quite clearly that you weren't getting what you want. Particularly at the Clay: want more food? Too bad. Want a round robin invite? Yea, not happening.

But if you try sometimes, you get what you need.

The thing we need, that Lexington symbolized for me, that seems to have been lost, is the space for discussion, lively debate, friendship, competition and so much more.

This year’s Round Robin and Clay were a failure of the song’s second clause. Were these things something that had been available previously? Perhaps only for a few. But I was profoundly struck by the absence during the tournament and cried for this loss on the way home.

I believe that we aren't trying and as a result failing to serve our students, our community and ourselves.