Parent arrested for attacking JV coach

[UNCTarheels]

Parent arrested for attacking JV coach (http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070523/SPORTS/705230356/-1/SPORTS04)-Times Herald Record

[Rams15]

There is no " one size fits all " response (to incidents like this) in sports, but this type of action ( by parents ) is a growing trend in America. How many times have we seen completely, irrational, little league, parents, voice and act upon their frustrations because their " little Joey" is not being treated fairly. Cry me a river ! Maybe if their little darlings would spend some time in the off season and sharpen their skills, they might get equitable playing time to those that do get to play on a more frequent basis. I hear, constantly, this kid and that kid are going D I. Give me a break. Unless you have played at this level ( I have ) in any sport, you have no idea the athleticism or skill these gifted athletes possess. Sure there are times when a coach may prematurely take out a starting pitcher/player. However, almost all coaches are doing so for what they perceive as the best interest of the team. Those big mouths who complains daily about their children's playing time, have only one interest in mind... that of their own child. Sad, but true.

Every town and team has to deal with these complaints in one way or another. The programs and communities that are hurt most by these " contaminants " are the programs that have little supervisory support. If a school district, for instance, lends a listening ear to these constant complaints the incidences will fester and escalate. Parents will feel as if they have a forum to vent their frustrations because they ( most likely ) didn't spend any time in the back yard playing catch with their children. They demand equal playing time even though their kids don't put forth an equal effort.

Soccer officials are attacked. Youth wrestlers are tossed across mats, by adults, because their kid is being controlled by another wrestler. Parents e-mail, daily, to administrators and Athletic Directors venting their anger with playing time. Maybe it's time for those of us who have children who spend countless hours shooting hoops or playing catch with our kids, to voice our frustrations with these whack jobs. They are growing in numbers and are creating road blocks to any chance some programs have to excel and mature.

Ok, I'm off my soap box....

[UNCTarheels]

I couldn't have said it any better........... This is one of those "Head Scratchers" where you can't believe what your reading, but now a days it's happening more and more everyday.

[DrewVT6]

Parents will feel as if they have a forum to vent their frustrations because they ( most likely ) didn't spend any time in the back yard playing catch with their children. They demand equal playing time even though their kids don't put forth an equal effort.

BUT that's not what's taught in the classroom. Public Education is teaching too much of the "fairness doctrine". Everyone deserves a turn...even if they haven't worked for it.

[Rams15]

I am most intrigued as to what you are referring to when you state, " public schools are teaching the fairness doctrine... everyone gets a turn. " Before going on the offensive, I will respectfully ask for more information. Being a principal, myself, your perspective and data to justify your position ( with said comments ) would be most welcomed.

Are you referring to equity of policies/procedures ?
state mandates ?
curriculum alignments ?
individual teacher philosophies ?

I can honestly say, as an educational administrator, that what I have outlined regarding parental attitudes toward equal expectations for all, rings even more true in the public school sector. Try holding a student accountable for an obvious poor decision and then observe the underhanded and enabling attempts by parents to place blame on everyone and everything except the " guilty party. " Anyone can find an exception to any rule, but this is the overriding sentiment that exists in our society today. How do we create a well-functioning society of the future, in sports or in life, without teaching our children right from wrong, solid values and sound decision making ?? How do we instruct our children on accepting responsibility for their own actions and accountability, if ( every time they make a mistake ) mommy and daddy come to their rescue. No wonder why the our jails are being filled to the max and crime runs rampant. Teaching our young people responsible work habits both on and off the field should be what we are all about. Teaching fairness is not always about equal opportunity. It is a process that promotes a consistent approach toward meeting a prescribed set of standards that are fair and appropriate. et tu, Brute ??

[DrewVT6]

Obviously you're much better versed in the language and terminology used in education. The evidence I have is merely anectdotal based on years of coaching and growing up in a teachers' house. I'm sorry I don't have more meat for you to chew on.

In public education, there seem to be less and less actions that get a real consequence. Especially in larger schools and in city schools. Teachers and administrators are undermined from above and below and consequences teachers pass down are eliminated by administrators, school boards and lawyers.


When there is no essential reason presented to kids of why they should act responsibly, they tend to throw the 1/2 hour long speach you just gave out the window. Even kids need a vision and a plan of where they're going and why.

[sflcards45]

I think another thing that goes along with this whole fairness thing is politics.

Like it or not, they have an influence on high school athletics. If a parent has political pull within the school, and doesn't like what's happening, things have a funny way of changing. If a group of parents doesn't like what's going on, and under-cuts the chain of command by going to an elected offical (i.e. school board) and complaining, there are certainly cases where that has caused change because the board members don't want to look bad to voters. Parents and those with influence within school administrations are taking the power out of the hands of coaches and athletic directors.

Once they know they have that kind of influence, what's to stop parents from taking steps like this one? Administrators within the schools need to step up and stand behind the people they hire to run their sports teams - and stop backing parents who are unhappy with the amount of playing time their kids are getting.