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< I'm still so angry this morning that I hardly know where to begin. It's all about breaking a ten-year-old's heart--my older granddaughter's.When Holly called, relaying this to me yesterday, it so infuriated me that had I known this guy's name and phone number I would have called him right then to let him know what a coward I thought he is.
The entire event started over tryouts for an elementary basketball team. Various elementary schools hold "tryouts" to pick a team of twelve who play one another as well as teams from nearby schools. The others who do not make what is casually called the "traveling" team can still play on intramural teams within their school.
This fall Granddaughter #1 (Big Sissy) decided to try out for the "traveling team." To her absolute delight, she passed the skills test, making the squad. Since the coach selects only twelve, she was understandably excited. Like all children, G1 quickly shared the news with all her friends, even proudly telling her teacher.
Then came the first practice, followed by a call from the coach to Holly. He had decided, it seems, after watching Granddaughter practice that he just wasn't sure she "really wanted to play basketball."  She had, according to the coach, not been as enthusiastic about participating in one of the drills as he evidently thought she should have been. Holly was absolutely dumbstruck. She assured the coach that G1 was absolutely thrilled, loved basketball, and was so proud at having been selected to be on the team.
"We are anxious for her to have this chance to learn the game," Holly said.  She played intramural last year, loving it; but the intramural kids don't get much instruction because parents coach the teams, and they practice very little. She's growing quite rapidly right now, is a bit awkward, but we think she could do well if she gets a chance to learn the basics of the sport."Â
The coach promised to watch her more closely at the second practice, working with her individually if he needed. Bevan, who took her to that session, reported back to Holly that he completely ignored Granddaughter the whole time.
Then came the second call. This time, the coach stated he had decided it would be best for G1 to play intramural rather than be on the "travel" squad.
But, he couldn't give Holly a good reason why .
He came up with the lame excuse that the team practiced every Tuesday evening, had games on Friday, and tournaments on the weekends. He just wasn't sure that "Granddaughter or they were going to be able to devote that much time to the squad." (Say, what!??) In addition, her skills needed more work.
"Well, isn't that your job," Holly inquired, "to help the kids develop and improve on their skills? I thought that was the whole point of peewee basketball--to help the kids improve their skills."
Holly also reminded him that he had been the "ONE" who had originally given her the basic skills test, which she passed; in addition, he had also been the "ONE" who had informed her that she had made the team. She even went so far as to inform the coach that they belonged to a fitness club, had access to a gym and would take it upon themselves to work with her to bring her along faster. However, no matter what she said, he seemed to have made up his mind.Â
Of course, it fell to Holly and Bevan to have to be the ones to tell her. It just crushed Granddaughter. It hurt her, it embarrassed her, and it humiliated her, because she had already told everyone she was on the team.
As I told Holly, someone else came along whom he wanted to add to the team, so G1 paid the price. What a "skunky, cowardly" thing to do to a ten-year-old child over a simple little peewee basketball team. Was it THAT IMPORTANT to have this other player? We're not talking the WNBA here! Have we lost sight of the importance of nurturing children's feelings, of developing their self-esteem and worth to win at any or all costs a fourth grade basketball game? I'd like to wring this guy's neck right off his stupid body.Â
It's probably a good thing he was talking to Daughter #2 instead of me. I'm afraid I would have lost my temper, telling him in no uncertain language just what I thought of him.-->Â
Oh, one more thing. Granddaughter is probably going to be about six feet tall when she finally quits growing. She is already taller than fourteen-year-old Grandson, wears a bigger shoe than I, and hasn't even hit puberty yet. She's got legs a "half-mile long." I happen to know a little about women's basketball myself.  I am going to personally devote my summers to seeing that she makes this weasel eat his words. >I may forgive, but I NEVER forget!!
posted on Nov 13, 2008 9:00 AM ()
Oh, my! This is too sad! The coach should be replaced. He is acting so very foolishly and unfairly. He is not fit to work with kids if he doesn't understand how hurtful his actions are... I am so sorry for your grandchild. She's too young to have to go through this. 
My heart breaks for your granddaughter!!!! What kind of a man could do such things to a child? The guy is a jerk!
sounds like that coach is a member in good standing in the ol' A. B.(A--hole Brigade). Sadly, there are too many like that. People like that have no bid'ness working with impresionalbe children. Sic 'em, Memaw.
reguards
yer he's an idiot pal
bugg
reguards
yer he's an idiot pal
bugg
I'd have his damn job. I'll tell you what tho', that child will make him eat his words one day and he can kiss my fanny!! I'm way over protective of my grandbrats so I feel your pain. Teach her grammy and make that slime sorry!!!
jackass!
That is terrible.
that is sad...
That is just an awful awful thing to do to a child. It's completely unacceptable.
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Coaches in schools tend to be guys who never really grew up after their high school championship season. I'm shocked and stunned, but unsurprised. My Father used to say, those who can, DO. Those who can't, teach. I present as evidence every single course on creative writing I have ever dropped. This is not meant to demean those who teach. Most teachers are highly overworked and seriously underpaid. The are devoted to their jobs and students. I am mostly speaking here about the few bad apples that paint the whole barrel bad.