76 replies to this topic

[Kerry]

Holy Cow!! Someone opened a big can of worms and now it is getting slimey. Ok, I figured since my name is already all over this that I might as well sign in as myself and face the consequences, as I did with my letter to the editor. When I sent the letter to the editor I knew that there would be people that disagreed with me but I also knew that there would be people that agreed with me. I also knew that there would be people that thought it was wrong and like wise there would be people that thought there was nothing wrong with it. It is a matter of opinion and everyone is entitled to there opinion and entitled to voice there opinion. Hence this forum. I am not embarrassed for expressing my opinion nor will I ever be and I am willing to face the consequences. So pull my man card I don't care but I am not hiding behind a fake ID (username) on a forum saying things about people.
First of all let me say that in no way was I saying that my daughter was a better player than anyone else on the basketball team. Allen East JV and Varsity girls basketball teams are loaded with a lot of talent and I do look for them to only get better the next couple of years. Their record doesn't really show how good they really can be. I am sure there are some coaches out there that have seen Allen East play that wish they could have half of that talent. I have never sat in the stands and not supported the team no matter who was on the floor. Sure, I have sat in the stands all season hoping that there will be a chance for my daughter to get into the game. Who doesn't? I was never hoping it would be in a losing situation. Which it was the one and only time she got into a game. I also never went to the coach and complained about her playing time nor, did I complain to anyone else about it except family. Even then my complaining was more about if he wasn't going to play her at all then why did the coach keep her.
At the beginning of the season when it came time for handing out jersey's the coach called my daughter aside and told her there wasn't enough jersey's and that she might not get to dress for some of the games and some games she might. My daughter told the coach then that she wasn't going to go to practice all season and do everything everyone else does and not get to dress. She told him then to cut her if that was how it was going to be. The next day the coach had a jersey for her. He had his chance to cut her then but instead found a jersey for her and let her be apart of the team. Sure she would have been disappointed by getting cut but she knew going into the season she may get cut but was willing to give it a try. I believe in tough love and he should have been honest with her from the beginning. Instead she got a "token" and now she is more disappointed because she feels she has wasted four months of her time all for nothing. Sure she got to be on the team but if she wanted to be a cheerleader she would have went out for cheerleading or went to the games and cheered from the stands. He should have cut her then instead of waiting the last game of the season to tell her more or less you are not good enough to start or even play, it just depends if there is an opportunity to get you in. Really, four months of her time isn't even worth a chance to play in more than one game for 3 minutes? I'm not saying she should have got into every game but there were a few other opportunities she could have played.
Now about senior night. I understand how people can see it both ways. I to love to play sports also and when I play I like to win. Who doesn't? When I go to Allen East sporting events I too like to see Allen East win. Yes, my daughter was excited about senior night because she thought she was going to get a chance to start and some playing time even if it was for a minute or so. She thought this because the four years she has been in High School the seniors have always started even if it was for a minute or so. In those four years the coach has been either a JV or varsity coach so she and I also was expecting it to be this way again this year. I thought it was a tradition at Allen East but according to post on here I was wrong. Evidently though other girls on the team thought the same thing because they too thought the seniors should start and have playing time because the seniors put their time also. As a matter of fact there were two of the underclass players who were willing to give up their starting positions and told the coach so that the seniors could start. One of the players is the sophomore that is mentioned in one of the post. Yes, this girl is a excellent ball player and an awesome person as an individual. These players had confidence in the seniors and in themselves to be able to handle whatever would have happened in the game. That is what angered me even more is that the players had confidence in themselves but the coach did not. If a coach doesn't have confidence in a player or players then cut them.
Yes, Allen East girls basketball program looks like it is heading in the right direction and I think it will continue to. I also think the coach is a good young coach and will continue to get better as a coach with experience. I just wish he would have been honest from the beginning and cut my daughter if this is the way it was going to turn out. I did go to the school and talked to the coach, athletic director and high school principal together about the situation and asked for an explanation as to why he wasn't starting the seniors and why he wouldn't guarantee them any playing time for their last home game. The answer I got was that the win was more important. To me winning isn't everything and as I read on here to some that is a loser attitude. That is ok if that is your opinion. To me it is not and so maybe I am a loser to some. I am not embarrassed by anything I did or said and I am willing to face the consequences.
One more thing! What does how many years a player has played basketball have to do with anything? Another thing wrong with some of Allen East sports programs (another can of worms). Just because a player played for the year before, two years before or three years before shouldn't determine if a player makes the team or how much they should play. It should be based on year to year and how hard a player works. If another kid decides that they want to play basketball their senior year but didn't play the previous three years are you saying they shouldn't get a chance or that, they shouldn't get as much playing time? I don't care how many years any of those seniors have played basketball, I would have felt the same way about all three of them.

[MCguy]

People have arguments and disagreements all the time with schools and Athletic Departments/teams. They don't need to be put in the freaking paper. I understand you're not afraid to voice your opinion, and that's great, but that was overboard. It's not going to get you anywhere, and your daughter probably did not appreciate the attention, even though it was defending her.

About the number of years played. Generally, if you have played more in the past, the experience makes you more talented, it carries over to the next year. Just because it's a new year doesn't mean the whole team starts with a clean slate.

[Sportsjock]

Victorian, on 25 February 2012 - 08:57 AM, said:

I think a more appropriate letter would have been a big "Thank You" to the head coach and AD for finding a jersey this year for your daughter....

She might get an opportunity to help cut down the nets over at Bath tonight......

Allen East isn't the place to be for sports but no matter what that could be a once in a lifetime expierence and she has a chance to be a part of it! All because he kept her on the team

[One and done]

To all the douche bags that do not believe in receiving there dues. Senior night is the one game some members of the team get there recognition for being part of something. This is like having a dance after a homecoming game. Being escorted by your parents on parent night. Receiving a trophy after winning a championship. To go a step farther what of there was no cheering allowed after a good play, or celebrating a win. No college scholarships for good players. To me this is all in the same category, respect/recognition.
I will not go as far to blame the coach for wanting a win, winning is part of the job. Senior night would not have to be the last game. It could be against a nobody school with no hope of winning, much like homecoming is.
Also for the life is not fair comment, how would you feel if you don't receive your paycheck on payday. This was the PAYDAY for this particular student athlete.
A lot of parents at this particular school are drama queens, most of which have posted already lol, but this author I do not feel is one of them. And I respect him for putting this topic in the open so that it won't happen again.

[cameroncrazie90]

Had she played all 4 years...perhaps she would have earned her own starting position....

[Candy]

I don't understand the point made that the game didn't mean anything. There was no league or tournament seed on the line. So it is my understanding that if there was something on the line then the tradition of senior night wouldn't matter and it would be okay to start your normal people? That doesn't make sense to me.

I do not like it, but even high school basketball coaches are judged on how many wins vs. losses they have. That is just a reality. There are other things that kids can choose to do where participation trophies and nice try certificates are handed out freely.

I do not think this coach was in the wrong for doing what he did, especially if the answer from his administration was winning is more important.

The idea of the coach should of informed the team in November that come the last game in February he knows who will be starting is crazy.

I don't believe anyone answered Maltese falcons question n what you do if you have more than 5 seniors. Draw straws before the season starts maybe?

[flounder]

One and done, on 25 February 2012 - 11:59 AM, said:

To all the douche bags that do not believe in receiving there dues. Senior night is the one game some members of the team get there recognition for being part of something. This is like having a dance after a homecoming game. Being escorted by your parents on parent night. Receiving a trophy after winning a championship. To go a step farther what of there was no cheering allowed after a good play, or celebrating a win. No college scholarships for good players. To me this is all in the same category, respect/recognition.
I will not go as far to blame the coach for wanting a win, winning is part of the job. Senior night would not have to be the last game. It could be against a nobody school with no hope of winning, much like homecoming is.
Also for the life is not fair comment, how would you feel if you don't receive your paycheck on payday. This was the PAYDAY for this particular student athlete.
A lot of parents at this particular school are drama queens, most of which have posted already lol, but this author I do not feel is one of them. And I respect him for putting this topic in the open so that it won't happen again.

Thank God that you are 'one and done'!!!!!!!!!!

[cameroncrazie90]

Since when is announcing the names of the seniors and giving them a parting gift not enough? That is their PAYDAY right there. They were recognized for being a senior.

[slice slice baby]

cameroncrazie90, on 25 February 2012 - 11:24 PM, said:

Since when is announcing the names of the seniors and giving them a parting gift not enough? That is their PAYDAY right there. They were recognized for being a senior.

That is EXACTLY my thought on this subject......The pre-game walking the court with their parents.

[cameroncrazie90]

Kerry and a few others must be a fan of the welfare system and government handouts because it seems they want half the work but the same results lol.

[LimaJock]

I have mixed feelings on this concept and I think it should be decided by the coach with input from the team based on that last game. Since the gentleman was loaded enough to post on here as himself, I will not slam him. If he was sleeking in the depths like the rest of us, then fair game.

I respect your willingness to stand behind your beliefs KERRY. Your kid could play for my team anytime.

LJ

[slice slice baby]

Although many of us are split on this subject, we would still like to welcome & invite both of you to stay and be frequent contributors to our site, kerry & 1&done, as differing points of view is what makes this site so very interesting!
I also noticed effinga in this topic, which i don't recall welcoming, so, to kerry, one&done & effinga, !!

We are happy to have all of you with us, hope to hear lots from you & that you enjoy your stay at the 'Corner!!


Happy posting!

[Ericles]

Kerry, on 25 February 2012 - 03:36 AM, said:

Holy Cow!! Someone opened a big can of worms and now it is getting slimey. Ok, I figured since my name is already all over this that I might as well sign in as myself and face the consequences, as I did with my letter to the editor. When I sent the letter to the editor I knew that there would be people that disagreed with me but I also knew that there would be people that agreed with me. I also knew that there would be people that thought it was wrong and like wise there would be people that thought there was nothing wrong with it. It is a matter of opinion and everyone is entitled to there opinion and entitled to voice there opinion. Hence this forum. I am not embarrassed for expressing my opinion nor will I ever be and I am willing to face the consequences. So pull my man card I don't care but I am not hiding behind a fake ID (username) on a forum saying things about people.
First of all let me say that in no way was I saying that my daughter was a better player than anyone else on the basketball team. Allen East JV and Varsity girls basketball teams are loaded with a lot of talent and I do look for them to only get better the next couple of years. Their record doesn't really show how good they really can be. I am sure there are some coaches out there that have seen Allen East play that wish they could have half of that talent. I have never sat in the stands and not supported the team no matter who was on the floor. Sure, I have sat in the stands all season hoping that there will be a chance for my daughter to get into the game. Who doesn't? I was never hoping it would be in a losing situation. Which it was the one and only time she got into a game. I also never went to the coach and complained about her playing time nor, did I complain to anyone else about it except family. Even then my complaining was more about if he wasn't going to play her at all then why did the coach keep her.
At the beginning of the season when it came time for handing out jersey's the coach called my daughter aside and told her there wasn't enough jersey's and that she might not get to dress for some of the games and some games she might. My daughter told the coach then that she wasn't going to go to practice all season and do everything everyone else does and not get to dress. She told him then to cut her if that was how it was going to be. The next day the coach had a jersey for her. He had his chance to cut her then but instead found a jersey for her and let her be apart of the team. Sure she would have been disappointed by getting cut but she knew going into the season she may get cut but was willing to give it a try. I believe in tough love and he should have been honest with her from the beginning. Instead she got a "token" and now she is more disappointed because she feels she has wasted four months of her time all for nothing. Sure she got to be on the team but if she wanted to be a cheerleader she would have went out for cheerleading or went to the games and cheered from the stands. He should have cut her then instead of waiting the last game of the season to tell her more or less you are not good enough to start or even play, it just depends if there is an opportunity to get you in. Really, four months of her time isn't even worth a9 chance to play in more than one game for 3 minutes? I'm not saying she should have got into every game but there were a few other opportunities she could have played.
Now about senior night. I understand how people can see it both ways. I to love to play sports also and when I play I like to win. Who doesn't? When I go to Allen East sporting events I too like to see Allen East win. Yes, my daughter was excited about senior night because she thought she was going to get a chance to start and some playing time even if it was for a minute or so. She thought this because the four years she has been in High School the seniors have always started even if it was for a minute or so. In those four years the coach has been either a JV or varsity coach so she and I also was expecting it to be this way again this year. I thought it was a tradition at Allen East but according to post on here I was wrong. Evidently though other girls on the team thought the same thing because they too thought the seniors should start and have playing time because the seniors put their time also. As a matter of fact there were two of the underclass players who were willing to give up their starting positions and told the coach so that the seniors could start. One of the players is the sophomore that is mentioned in one of the post. Yes, this girl is a excellent ball player and an awesome person as an individual. These players had confidence in the seniors and in themselves to be able to handle whatever would have happened in the game. That is what angered me even more is that the players had confidence in themselves but the coach did not. If a coach doesn't have confidence in a player or players then cut them.
Yes, Allen East girls basketball program looks like it is heading in the right direction and I think it will continue to. I also think the coach is a good young coach and will continue to get better as a coach with experience. I just wish he would have been honest from the beginning and cut my daughter if this is the way it was going to turn out. I did go to the school and talked to the coach, athletic director and high school principal together about the situation and asked for an explanation as to why he wasn't starting the seniors and why he wouldn't guarantee them any playing time for their last home game. The answer I got was that the win was more important. To me winning isn't everything and as I read on here to some that is a loser attitude. That is ok if that is your opinion. To me it is not and so maybe I am a loser to some. I am not embarrassed by anything I did or said and I am willing to face the consequences.
One more thing! What does how many years a player has played basketball have to do with anything? Another thing wrong with some of Allen East sports programs (another can of worms). Just because a player played for the year before, two years before or three years before shouldn't determine if a player makes the team or how much they should play. It should be based on year to year and how hard a player works. If another kid decides that they want to play basketball their senior year but didn't play the previous three years are you saying they shouldn't get a chance or that, they shouldn't get as much playing time? I don't care how many years any of those seniors have played basketball, I would have felt the same way about all three of them.

You're not going to like what I have to say, but since you were very public with your feelings, I will be as well: It sure sounds to me like you and your daughter have a sense of entitlement and want to have your cake and eat it, too. You didnt want your daughter's time "wasted" if she would practice and not dress and told the coach to not keep her if that's how it would be. Yet, he didn't do it and kept her, and when push came to shove, that wasn't good enough. You can't have it both ways.

I used to be an AD at an area school and I once had a mom and dad throw a fit because their daughter didn't get to play on a night they were line judges for a voleyball match. I was floored when I got that email. That they had the notion their daughter was entitled to play that night for that reason absolutely blew my mind.

[milt73]

I want to know when Coach Wehri said he would start the seniors on senior night? Oh he didn't? Then what is everyone complaining about? Isn't it enough to be a part of something like a team? Or enough to walk onto the court with your parents honoring you as a senior?

One of the things lost today in high school ahtletics is the willingness to just be 'a part' of the team wether you play in the games or not. Taking pride in how hard you work at something to make yourself and your teammates better, that's what it's supposed to be about.

When I read the complaint in the paper, I thought it was a pretty good knee slapper and just another parent who's teaching their kid someone owe's them something when they really don't.