Dell Rapids Coach Speaks Out
April 30, 2002 11:00 pm
Column by
Roger Toland, Journal Sports Writer
There is probably not a high school coach
in the state who has not dealt with parental "input" during his or
her coaching career. Many
respected coaches have been forced out for various reasons, such as not playing
the right kids or not winning enough games.
Mick Hoglund, head boys basketball coach at Dell
Rapids, has had his share of problems with parents, but he took matters into
his own hands and wrote the following letter to his hometown newspaper:
"My parents were really old-fashioned. They showed
me the value of school and all it had to offer. They let me fight my own
battles. They never put anyone down. Never. I fought for what I achieved. I was responsible for being part of the
team, following all the rules and doing the right thing. If I didn't, I had to
answer to my parents, teacher and coach. The teacher was always right, the
coach was always right, and my teammates needed me. Simple rules. If I was
smart enough to make the grade or good enough to make the team, I did it
without my parents. As an adult, I still follow the rules my coaches and
parents set for me. I respect them. I still make mistakes, but I don't blame
others.
I estimate that through middle school, high school, college
and graduate school I had 18 different coaches and over 65 teachers. I adjusted
to different styles and personalities and learned from each of them. However,
here is how to get things done in Dell Rapids: If my child's performance is not
what I had planned, someone is going to pay. You know who you are. Here are some points to ponder for
these people:
* How long do you plan on
doing this for your child? Will trying to fire 18 coaches and 65
teachers
get you what you want?
* What kind of message are
you giving your child? Blame others for your actions?
* What is going to happen
when you're not around? They will blame you when you are not there
to bail them
out.
* You will be surrounded by people you don't even like. Think
about it. Look around and watch
your
back. You are next.
You are the
beginning of the end of your child's success. Wake up! I have put myself up for
a great deal of scrutiny in writing this. However, it seems that we teachers
and coaches in Dell Rapids are already fair game for public bashing. Get your
facts straight. Don't say things that aren't true. I thought I might as well
tell it like it is. Come to think of it, I could tell you some amazing stories.
Hundreds of silent parents who are doing the right things are getting a bad
reputation. That is a fact.”
A few will read this and
come up with an excuse and write a rebuttal, but deep down you all know that I
am right. Maybe I am old-fashioned, but I will follow my father and mother's
examples. History has proven that your children will follow yours. Do your job.
Let teachers and coaches do theirs.
Hoglund deserves an A-plus
for his comments, which need to be taken to heart by many parents and fans. You
could substitute "Dell Rapids" for nearly any other school in the
state. Why don't we let the
coaches coach, the parents parent and the fans be fans!
