Being a good listener, taking direction, being a respectful student, a good friend and learning how to deal with failure.

Doesn't have to be an athlete: all children should learn these.

Exactly- but I think many parents are to competitive or not engaged to realize this is the most important things a child needs to know before they go to school. Mine are not perfect, I would be honest and say my middle child struggles applying these principles to sports. But he is a good respective student.

Perfection is a goal to strive for, but rarely achieved. I wasn't a perfect parent, and realize my shortcomings, but my kids didn't turn out bad. Their kids are also respectful to others, but, at the same time, have our wicked sense of humor.

Of course no one is perfect, a sense of humor is better than a sense of entitlement

I always have to cringe whenever someone says sports build character. I think "no, sports can bring out the good character in someone that is already there". It's just as likely, from my experience, to bring out the bad aspects when overly competitive. Yeah, socialize your kids well at home and maybe they'll think of the games as fun. Which is the point, correct?