I dont know much about the facts of this story, but it caught my attention. If youre in the DFW area, you may have heard about a very prominent, and very dominant, high school football team obliterated a lesser opponent a few days ago, as was expected. The score was something like 91-0. Evidently, on Saturday morning, the winning teams head coach received an official bullying report from an anonymous person, presumed to be a fan of the team that was beaten on the field. If the radio reports were accurate, this bullying report was filed from the school districts website, and it has the effect of requiring an investigation from school officials. Anonymous claims that the coach was responsible for the bullying of the opponent, while acknowledging that the winning teams players were respectful and good sportsmen. The complaint was against the coach(es). If Ive heard the facts correctly, the team only allowed their first-string players to play about 10-15 plays. The star running back carried the ball about four times and scored two touchdowns. Seeing what was about to happen, anticipating a blowout, the coach removed his starters from the game and turned the night over to the guys that never get to play much, if at all. Now, if youre a third- or fourth-teamer, I dare say you are going to do your very best job while you have your chance to play. There is no quit, or easing up possible, without the risk of injury or of developing really bad playing habits. From all Ive ever heard about this coach, and about his team, he is one heckuva a great guy, loves kids, and does an outstanding job of coaching and developing young athletes. He has a GREAT reputation. Another caviat...the opposing teams coach renounced Anonymous and said he would have expected nothing less than the winning teams best efforts...thats simply the way the game is played, if it is to be played at all. A couple of things have been suggested... The UIL (University Interscholastic League, who sets the rules for competition in all inter-school competitions, including academic and sports in Texas) should establish some sort of mercy rule. It could be something like a large scoring disadvantage at halftime, awarding the team with the lead a win. Realignment of the competition in districts so that strength plays against strength. This is not always possible as team strengths change from year to year, and eventually the lesser teams would have to play the stronger teams, though perhaps with less disparity. The winning team from this controversy is one that ranks at the top of the state in the 4A division, and in an overall ranking would easily be in the top five, I would think. I can understand a parent wanting to protect his/her kid from disappointment...been there, done that...but bring an action of this sort would seem to me to be more humiliating than simply letting me suffer the embarrassment for a few days, learn from it, and move on to the next game. Any thoughts? (I dont want to use the school names, because I have friends on FB who are associated with both the school districts in question.)
Posted on: Wed, 23 Oct 2013 02:25:42 +0000