Rumor Mill or Just the Plain Facts

I never thought I would start a thread like this out here but as time goes along you do things today that you might not or needed to do in the past. My DD is transferring out of USC Upstate to Western Carolina. I am not writing this for any other reason than to set the record straight and hopefully the rumor mill can pass on the facts and not those that just make up a good story.

1. Brittany loved her time at USC Upstate and especially her time on the softball team. But, she wanted to go to school at Western that much more.
2. She thinks that Coach Hawkins (USC Upstate)is not only a great coach but someone she can go to and talk about things other than softball. She will miss him a lot.
3. This is not about softball but about an educational move for her. The academic program that she wants is taught at Western as well as an undergraduate program in the same field.
4. Even though she made new friends at USC Upstate the draw of her old friends that go to Western were even stronger.
5. Even though this is an academic move it does not change her love of the game and therefore she is fortunate to be able to participate in the softball program at Western. Is she excited about this as well. of course!! New program, new coach, first class to play fastpitch softball at western, in her own backyard. YES, YES, YES, YES......!!!!!!

Dad's reasons.
1. I support my DD is her decisions even if its hard on her ole man. By this I mean having to listen to the rumor mill state their reasons on why she is moving or if this was a newspaper what would sell more papers.
2. It is less expensive than going out of state. I don't know many parents that will argue this point.
3. Has she found peace in her decision? Yes...and that helps big time with MOM and DAD. We all struggle with the decisions our kids make whether its the school they want to go to. Or the career path they choose. Or the friends and decisions they make away from home. She made this decision and as parents we support her.
4. Even though her dad (me) eats, lives, and breathes softball I am glad she made the decision based on these facts. (1) If she could not play softball anymore where would she want to go to school, if thats not USC Upstate then where? (2) What do I want to do with my life when softball is no longer an option. She chose to get the education (and the school) that she needs to live a productive life in the field of her choice.

Softball has been and hopefully will still be a big part of her life for the next 3 years. I am proud of her decision and support it fully. Hopefully those who choose to tell a different story will read this post or maybe someone will read it and pass it on as it was written. As I am writing this post, Brittany is getting her bag ready to head to Atlanta for regional play with USC Upstate. Good Luck Spartans and hopefully you will come back from Atlanta as Regional winner and then on the Salem, Va for the world series.

 

Rumors

As a WCU graduate, I am proud she has chosen to attend. The main thing here is her education so she can meet her goals for the future! Softball could end tomorrow due to many reasons, however the education she receives will hopefully support her for years. Sorry about any rumors but it seems in todays world, it is expected. Best to U and yours! Go Catamounts. RET

 

Thanks Rodney, I really expected no less a response from you. Same to you and yours. See you around this summer.

 

It is much appreciated when people like yourself share what you go through which in turn will help those that have that process to go through. Helps parents to understand what our DDs are trying to weed through in their process of college choices. AND friends are a big pull to a school. Maybe college coaches should try and recruit players friends too. Good luck and appreciate the info for the folder that I have collected from TBR fastpitch gurus. GURU- (if you have been through the fire, you can help those that are still collecting the kindling).

 

Thanks ACFan....not a bad idea for a new thread. Our top ten list of things to pass on to those who are about to pass through and into the fire. and hopefully out the other side.

 

Rumor Mill

Being in the recruiting trenches every day, I hear all sorts of rumors. I choose to not waste a moment of my time considering them or crawling into the quagmire with folks who have nothing better to do. Rumors are usually started and propogated by people who are ill about something else or who inexplicably enjoy the misery that comes with participating in that nasty process. How they get satisfaction out of passing erroneous opinions or stories from one person to another escapes me. If their egos are that fragile, there are plenty of good psychologists in the Yellow Pages eager to help.

Rumor mongers usually have no clear idea what is truly happening, but the lure of latching onto a juicy story is more appealing than taking the time to find out the truth, exhibiting the character needed to challenge the story's validity or stepping away in silence. Meanwhile, they are unconscious of the hurt they cause others, especially kids.

I feel for you on this one not so much because of my long term association with the family, but because it is a sad, sad indictment on the path adults sometimes choose to take out of spite, jealousy or whatever. They are unaware that initiating rumors is more a reflection of their own character than on the person they are trying to harm. Moreover, they are teaching their children that such behavior is acceptable. They should be ashamed of themselves.

 

Nicely written. Too bad my writing skills are not as finely tuned. Thanks for the insight and for the support. The way you wrote this covers a lot more than just what I had to say. Nice format in which to live our lives.

 

Upstate

We will miss Brittany! She will be able to help the Catamounts start their program. She is a great kid with a awesome family!