Something to Think About

I'm confused too...

We agree,,, and furthermore, with every single system,,,, "somebody somewhere" will always figure out a way to beat the system. I won't call any names,,, remember "you're" the one who mentioned the Independence football program, not me(haha).

 

Wuffie

Remember... We have Independence Football, Hopewell Softball, Central Cabarrus Softball, Vance Men's Basketball and Vance Women's Basketball all in our conference.

That is the current 4A state champ in Football (3 years running), the last 3 4A state champs in softball and Vance is playing for joint Men/Women's state championships this weekend in basketball. Throw in North's State Champs in Cross Country in 2000, 2001. Everyone in this conference is used to getting murdered by someone.

Talk about having some tough games during the season.

 

Central Cabarrus Softball...

I will have to say one thing about Central Cabarrus in their defense (and it hurts--ha),,, but we have a pretty strict transfer policy in Cabarrus County and no such thing as school choice. Central Cabarrus does NOT recruit. They simply have a very strong girls softball program with a strong feeder program in Harrisburg and Midland for young girls wanting to learn how to play at an early age. They are clearly building a strong program the RIGHT way, just to make it clear. In fact, I wish we (at Kannapolis) had a place for girls to play softball before school ball.

 

To get back on track....

We got kinda side-lined there for a little bit. I think Prepster's observations merit discussion by someone other than me with my evident talent for B.S. -- I wanted to bring them back into the fore-front so we could re-focus.

 

I have two points to make about this subject;

1. Any talented football players wanting to have an immediate impact on a football team...transfer to South Meck.

2. I don't believe in a poor sports program....but I do believe in a poor coach

Mike Shildt proved this point at West Charlotte

A committed coach with a good background could turn around any program (and yes, that goes for Garinger as well). If he/she is willing to sacrifice the time it takes to oversee the feeder programs, get involved with summer teams, have organized developmental practices and get the community involved with your visions, you can turn ANY program around...I am firmly convinced of that. But the key word is commitment.

I believe it is the responsibility of the community to support and demand standards of their school. Now some of those standards may be too high, but that is not the problem. It's when the community doesn't care anymore ( such as HS baseball @ select schools) that I get concerned.

Sometimes, I wish Vicki Hamilton could take a proactive role and selection of coaches for a particular school. In the case of Garinger, I would insist that the coach for that school display a history of turning around a program like that. It can be done and should be done.

 

After reading Braves' very passionate reply, the approach outlined above sounds more like killing the messenger because you don't like what he has to say.

Keep the program. And you need to provide an incentive to improve.... You can't just say "poor {insert school name here}, we forgive you for being poor...."


p.s. No one has ever accused me of being a diplomat, nor does this situation warant one in my opinion

 

I'm so passionate about this problem that if I had a teaching certificate or a guarantee for 3 years employment as the BB coach @ Garinger, I would turn that program around and compete for the championship in 3 years....that's the kind of attitude that school should demand

 

Question to Braves

Do you think keeping their scores out of the paper (and off of any website) is providing their program a service?

Yes, it cuts down the embarressment for the players.

No, it cuts down the embarressment to the administration.

 

Yes, but for this reason only...I don't think those kids should be embarrassed. In fact, I think they should be celebrated because every game they show up and try their hardest. They don't disrespect the game and they don't disrespect their opponents.

I'd say it is pretty easy to show up for a game that you know is going to be competitive. How difficult would it be to show up and know you are going to lose? Those guys show up to play every game and I admire them for that.

Now for the administration...that's a different situation..shame, shame, shame. Obviously, they feel their priorities should be placed elsewhere. But sports is a self esteem lifter for a school with very little of it.

 

A very persuasive and and powerful argument. I agree the kids are showing REMARKABLE guts. They SHOULD be honored in trying their hardest.

Is not posting the score in the newspaper tantamount to a "sin of omission" by NOT holding the school accountable? Are there real players there who won't go out because of the history? Players that have given up on the game because the school has (in essence) given up on them? Given the right situation & coach, are there ALREADY enough decent players at the school to make them respectable, if not competitive in the lower half of the conference?