OT: Youth Football League Cancels Season
A youth football league in Mt. Pleasant, PA, cancelled the rest of the season in light of continued threats of violence against league officials. This hits home, with my son having played youth football the last 5 years, and now playing on the Glenbard North freshman team.
This is just sad. I do not like anarchy.
LINK: Youth Football League Cancels Season
Here's a press release:
To all league officers, coaches, parents, players and cheerleaders,EDIT: Mods, given this is the football season, and Michigan State week, I completely understand if this post is removed. But I don't know that I can remove it myself.The decision has been made with great regret that the 2015 MPAJF football season has been cancelled. After continued threats against League officials, coaches and referees, the League has only one option, to cancel the season. Today, October 13, 2015, ammunition shells were placed at the field gate with names of League officers printed with permanent marker. Due to the increase in violence of these threats, the safety of our children is the main concern. Decisions of this magnitude are not done lightly; rather they are done with the advice of the State Police, FBI, school administrators and League Officials. We hope that as parents you will agree with this decision and try and cooperate with everyone involved to bring forward the person or persons responsible for these actions. The league’s future and our children’s continued participation in future seasons is what is in jeopardy.
Thank you for your support
October 14th, 2015 at 2:25 PM ^
October 14th, 2015 at 8:54 PM ^
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October 14th, 2015 at 2:35 PM ^
October 14th, 2015 at 2:39 PM ^
That doesn't mean they instantly know who did it. Life unfortunately isn't like an episode of CSI.
October 14th, 2015 at 2:46 PM ^
"Decisions of this magnitude are not done lightly; rather they are done with the advice of the State Police, FBI, school administrators and League Officials."
October 14th, 2015 at 2:39 PM ^
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October 14th, 2015 at 2:48 PM ^
I raised two sons through youth hockey in the league here in the Long Island/NYC area, and this story is sad but doesn't surprise me at all. I've seen parents fight in the stands, throw stuff, I've seen parents walk on the ice and attempt to assault kids or the referee - in one case successfully reaching a kid and punching him, leading to an arrest. I've heard racist, abusive, threatening language directed towards little kids, coaches and referees; heard my sons called racial slurs (my kids are mixed race). I once asked two kids sitting behind me at a rink to stop jeering a player on my son's team who was down on the ice and would later be hospitalized; their fathers threatened to take me outside and beat me up. And they were NYC police officers, one retired. "NYC's finest." I eventually stopped sitting in the stands and would just hang out near the boards.
All I can say is I'm glad that part of my life is in the rear view mirror. We have lots of wonderful memories, and they far outnumber the bad memories, but the bad ones are pretty bad and make you question basic assumptions you might hold about humanity. My only advice to you younger parents is take a deep breath, you don't know how bad it is going to be. Buy your kid a guitar, maybe he'll forget about hockey or football.
October 14th, 2015 at 5:08 PM ^
I just heard about a kid, 13-14 year old range, hockey player, who was in the penalty box. One of the opposing team's dads was helping out, manning the box. The kid looked over and said, "Fu** You, old man. You and your white hair can kiss my ass." The dad felt like he couldn't do anything, but he wanted to. Apparently, the kid was on the ref, too, who was just ignoring the kid. When the game was over, the kid pulled the same thing leaving the facility, saying "Fu** You" again and this time, all the moms jumped on him, yelling, "Get out of here! We don't want your kind here!" The kid's mom was apparently mortified that her son would do and say such things. I have to think it must come from the dad. If I had been the ref, I would have thrown the kid out of the game. Maybe the refs are getting scared of the kids, too.
October 14th, 2015 at 4:16 PM ^
Coaching 10/11 yr old rocket football. What about this situation(regarding every kid play etc.)
Kid give ZERO effort at practice and is not even paying attention during games. Football requires 11 players working together doing their jobs. Little Johnny we'll call him wont block when he's in for his mandatory 8 plays so whatever poor bastard is the QB/RB is getting crushed under charging lineman as a reward for little Johnny's could give a shit play. One game Johnny doesnt quite get his 8 plays(maybe 5) because it is a very competitive & close game and the boys who want to be there are really into it. They[ve worked hard for 8-10 weeks in practice and they certianly want their best shot to win. Johnny's mommy comes to complain that he didn't play very much and what am I to say?
Well Mrs. so and so, you see my son and those other 5 kids out there trying to get a play off and actually play football? they know that Johnny won't even try and that means their going to get blown up and suffer actual physical pain due to your precious Johnny. Now keep in mind that if he was just less physically gifted but would give his best we could manage fine. But his complete disregard for is duties as a part of the team cannot be overcome. This may stem from the idea that he thinks he should be "running the rock" or starting QB so he's bitter. The reality is he has gotten chances to run the ball in practice and comes up crying when tackled so that really not a good fit. What would you have me do? Let other peoples kids suffer physical pain from being smashed into the turf under a mountian of defenders and tell them what?? Suck it up boys? Johnny loafs and you pay the price.
October 14th, 2015 at 4:41 PM ^
What would I have you do?
A coach worth any salt would have a conversation with the kid about his effort. He would then have an adult conversation with the kid's parents. If this coach has any people skills whatsoever, this would likely result in one of two things happening:
1. Kid understands, starts to put in more effort (enough? maybe, maybe not. this is a process).
2. The kid really doesn't care and the parents understand; given you've had an adult conversation with them.
Sure, there's the chance the parents won't listen. Then invite them to practice and let them watch what you see.
October 14th, 2015 at 4:49 PM ^
To exapnd, what I've learned coaching high school athletes in my now tractable coaching career is that every kid responds to different motivations.
A bad coach would have his style and force the kids to adapt without considering how that kid may react.
A good coach can not drive away kids who may not respond the same.
A great coach can get kids to meet their potential without sacrificing his coaching philosophy.
Kids are people and some people are sensitive to criticism. Some are defiant. Some don't assume you know what the right decision is just because you're the coach. The worst thing a coach can do is give up on an athlete that has potential just because that athlete isn't 100% coachable.
We all love those kids that are perfectly coachable. However, at the youth and high school level, those athletes can be rare. It's your job as a coach to get them to buy in.
October 14th, 2015 at 5:36 PM ^
one difference is that on my teams i start everybody on one side of the ball or the other (some both) pretty much no matter what. i have never counted plays nor had a parent ever mention it to me. second, i would probably hide johnny loafer at safety, paired with a very good safety. sometimes corner. occasionally D-line since johnny loafer will either get going very quickly or he'll want to come out of the game. either of those are acceptable outcomes. lastly, i have been happily surprised over the years getting some ultra-flakey kids to the point that they were active participants, sometimes even doing pretty well. takes time, but it will happen.
October 14th, 2015 at 6:41 PM ^