167 replies to this topic

[Horizon]

Potential issues for HN: Reportedly some of their freshmen will not go out if HN plays a varsity schedule. Likewise, they will lose seniors if HN schedules JV-only games. Also, BVC has ZERO interest in some sort of split varsity/jv schedule and/or independent arrangement. Ironic that HN may be forced to take drastic steps before Vanlue.

[Ericles]

Common Sense, on 13 January 2013 - 12:20 AM, said:

The OHSAA had to levy the fine vs. Vanlue because you have to do it. You can't let a program slide because they are terrible and probably don't have the money. You have to send a message.
I think it's a great idea for HN to try to "play down" for a year or two. If kids feel they actually have a chance to win some games, you may have a few more go out for the team.
But the decision needs to be made NOW, not 4-5 months from now. Make the decision now so the other teams in the league can find other opponents for that week they play the Polar Bears.

They tried this already. Remember the big meeting they had last winter? The community spoke out that they wanted to play a varsity schedule come hell or high water. The possibility of not playing a varsity schedule scared people and it supposedly spurred commitments from nearly 30 kids to play next (this) year. And what happened? They ended up with 16 kids, so those commitments weren't worth the paper they may have been written on.

It's one thing to say you're going to do something, but it's an entirely different matter to actually follow through and do it. It's sad to say, but the HN community has a poor track record when it comes to this. Then they get upset when it doesn't produce positive results. Until that lesson is learned, they won't ever be successful.

Edited by Ericles, 13 January 2013 - 11:24 AM.

[roarintiger1]

Ericles, on 13 January 2013 - 11:23 AM, said:

They tried this already. Remember the big meeting they had last winter? The community spoke out that they wanted to play a varsity schedule come hell or high water. The possibility of not playing a varsity schedule scared people and it supposedly spurred commitments from nearly 30 kids to play next (this) year. And what happened? They ended up with 16 kids, so those commitments weren't worth the paper they may have been written on.

It's one thing to say you're going to do something, but it's an entirely different matter to actually follow through and do it. It's sad to say, but the HN community has a poor track record when it comes to this. Then they get upset when it doesn't produce positive results. Until that lesson is learned, they won't ever be successful.

Same thing at Vanlue over the years..........and soon to be at other schools as well. Of course, ending soccer at one school in particular would help.....

Edited by roarintiger1, 13 January 2013 - 01:19 PM.

[Buckshot]

Ericles, on 13 January 2013 - 11:23 AM, said:

They tried this already. Remember the big meeting they had last winter? The community spoke out that they wanted to play a varsity schedule come hell or high water. The possibility of not playing a varsity schedule scared people and it supposedly spurred commitments from nearly 30 kids to play next (this) year. And what happened? They ended up with 16 kids, so those commitments weren't worth the paper they may have been written on.

Last year the superintendant made the proposal to play a 2 yerr JV schedule. He was overruled by the community. And to your point Ericles, the Super now has some history to say this won't work. Fool me once shame on you..... Fool me twice????

[polkhigh33]

Are they actually thinking this for the upcoming season?

[Week 10 All-American]

polkhigh33, on 13 January 2013 - 07:26 PM, said:

Are they actually thinking this for the upcoming season?

Yes.

[Ericles]

Buckshot, on 13 January 2013 - 05:20 PM, said:

Last year the superintendant made the proposal to play a 2 yerr JV schedule. He was overruled by the community. And to your point Ericles, the Super now has some history to say this won't work. Fool me once shame on you..... Fool me twice????

IF this were to become reality I think it may signal the end of Hardin Northern's time in the BVC - not from HN's perspective (because I think the community would want to stay) - but rather because the rest of the conference may not want to deal with it.

[davidson33]

Unbelievable. And didn't that article on Dino Woodruff say that he had 20-some kids out for football last year? And they are joining the BVC to add to/stabilize the conference? Uhhhh.....

Wow. Some decisions need to made here. And fast.

[BOB]

things all started to go down hill after pete stopped being ad. The last couple guys were not up to the job

[Ericles]

BOB, on 14 January 2013 - 12:39 AM, said:

things all started to go down hill after pete stopped being ad. The last couple guys were not up to the job

How so?

[polkhigh33]

So HN is going to make the rest of league maybe try to find a game this late? Wow.

[Ike Brown]

Maybe the Vanlue player should have drove a Hummer to school. OHSAA looked the other way with James. He was making them a ton of money. OHSAA is a joke. The BOD goes to Lagas every year for a convention and never learn anything. Private schools take anyone, public have to follow the rules. I don't know the whole story about Vanlue's problem. The "Lue" is to small to cheat.

[Common Sense]

To liken this situation to Lebron is laughable. The kid was ineligible, they played him anyway. You have to be punished for this or you risk the credibilty and future eligibility of all the OHSAA schools. Yes, in the OHSAA's eyes, this was very small potatoes.

[Ericles]

Common Sense, on 14 January 2013 - 10:44 AM, said:

To liken this situation to Lebron is laughable. The kid was ineligible, they played him anyway. You have to be punished for this or you risk the credibilty and future eligibility of all the OHSAA schools. Yes, in the OHSAA's eyes, this was very small potatoes.

Exactly. If I'm Superintendent Rod Russell, I'm asking the coach why he was played anyway. The kid was declared ineligible not once but TWICE and still found his way on the field.

[HH75]

Ericles, on 14 January 2013 - 03:29 PM, said:

Exactly. If I'm Superintendent Rod Russell, I'm asking the coach why he was played anyway. The kid was declared ineligible not once but TWICE and still found his way on the field.

Because they were out at the most what..??? ONE win?? He played cause they had nothing to lose. I dont care how rosy and optimistic their coach ( or any of their past coaches in football) sound during a pre season interview, they know they are going to get pounded 8 out of the 10 weeks. The coach knew, the AD knew. Russell knew. Everybody at the school knew... They figured they had nothing to lose by playing him. But they didn't count on the $1500 fine. Its the only way to punish a program like The Lue. What else you going to go to them? Take away a bunch of wins from the past? They only have about 50 total of those!

Its not a big deal! Pay the fine and take your beatings again this year. just don't play any one that's ineligible against HN and DON'T throw any wild parties in Aug. that might draw national news and you'll be good!

[polkhigh33]

I never understood the vacating of wins after the fact. Who cares. That team and it's fans have already experienced the thrill and the losing team the sorrow. I am sure no one at HN threw a party after hearing of the win.

[davidson33]

Ike Brown, on 14 January 2013 - 09:58 AM, said:

Maybe the Vanlue player should have drove a Hummer to school. OHSAA looked the other way with James. He was making them a ton of money. OHSAA is a joke. The BOD goes to Lagas every year for a convention and never learn anything. Private schools take anyone, public have to follow the rules. I don't know the whole story about Vanlue's problem. The "Lue" is to small to cheat.

"Private schools take anyone, public schools have to follow the rules."

First part is correct...private schools CAN take anyone.

Second part...uhhhh. Whitmer anyone? If you think public schools aren't recruiting, you are fooling yourself. I have found through years of experience that whether the school is public or private, it is dictated by the way the AD runs the Athletic Department.

If he/she says "absolutely no recruiting or I will fire you" and follows through on it, clean program.

If he/she "looks the other way" or doesn't keep an eye on things...cheating will occur.

Simple as that. Know clean publics and privates here in NW Ohio.

Also know the ones that cheat.

Edited by davidson33, 26 January 2013 - 10:28 AM.

[Buckshot]

HH75, on 14 January 2013 - 04:24 PM, said:

Because they were out at the most what..??? ONE win?? He played cause they had nothing to lose. I dont care how rosy and optimistic their coach ( or any of their past coaches in football) sound during a pre season interview, they know they are going to get pounded 8 out of the 10 weeks. The coach knew, the AD knew. Russell knew. Everybody at the school knew... They figured they had nothing to lose by playing him. But they didn't count on the $1500 fine. Its the only way to punish a program like The Lue. What else you going to go to them? Take away a bunch of wins from the past? They only have about 50 total of those!

Its not a big deal! Pay the fine and take your beatings again this year. just don't play any one that's ineligible against HN and DON'T throw any wild parties in Aug. that might draw national news and you'll be good!

The $1,500 fine is less expensive than paying a BVC school the cancellation fee that's established. That one kid might have been the difference in playing on Friday night or cancelling!!!!

[HH75]

Buckshot, on 15 January 2013 - 09:00 AM, said:

The $1,500 fine is less expensive than paying a BVC school the cancellation fee that's established. That one kid might have been the difference in playing on Friday night or cancelling!!!!

Great point about the cancellation fee. Give yourself a raise and take the rest of the afternoon off!!

[tiffindude3313]

According to friends/co-workers, people were told the player was cleared by the administration...so the administration may have known he wasn't (did know according to their own words) but the 'people' evidently did not. My question to the administration/Russell--if you realized he played, why would you not stop it right after that realization, instead of letting it continue on for that many games? Evidently that is the question the communirty would love to know the answer to. It isn't a wins and losses thing--it's an ethics thing. People know who really won the game (in spite of the ruling to vacate it), but what did he teach the boys by allowing this to continue?