Players aren’t only ones who need to show class
The high school football team’s on-the-field performance has been less than memorable after two games and two lop-sided losses. This is certainly unfortunate and understandably frustrating for the players, coaches and parents involved.
That said, it would be nice if some of the parents brought a shred of dignity to football games to accompany their school spirit. We know losing is tough — and it’s by no means fun — but it’s up to the parents, as adults, to show some poise and some self-respect after a disappointing loss.
That by no means happened Friday night with one parent causing a stir in the Pioneer locker room. Another parent made a scene on the field after the game, pointing a finger and shouting at one of the coaches.
To put it as bluntly as possible, this is not acceptable behavior. Losing a football game is bad enough. Showing that people in this community lack class is worse.
Over the last 10 years, there’s been no shortage of talk about what’s wrong with the Pioneer football team. We wonder why our boys can’t win a few games when kids a few miles down the road in Murfreesboro are winning state championships.
It’s a challenging question and one with no clear-cut answer because so many variables are involved: 1) the football team has lost its winning tradition; 2) students are reluctant to play for a losing program; 3) kids around here would rather work than play football and are quick to quit the team when things go wrong; 4) football coaches seem to change as often as the seasons.
But the incidents of Friday night bring another legitimate factor into the equation: Too many parents think they’re football coaches and are damaging the football program. This theory appears to have real validity because a parent should never walk on the field and publicly undermine the authority of a coach. Not only is this tacky, it teaches the players that their own coaches don’t deserve respect. If a daddy can yell at the coach, then it only stands to reason it’s OK for the players to do the same. That’s exactly the wrong message to send.
Football, like so many other sports, revolves around respect, trust and teamwork. To be successful, players must have confidence in their own ability and have confidence in the ability of their teammates and coaches. That doesn’t happen when parents – and players – curse the coaching staff.
More than anything, the Pioneer football team needs to learn respect. The players need to be taught discipline and the value of hard work. Nobody is going to come to town and hand Warren County a football victory. A win is something that must be earned and that comes by listening to the football coaches, not talking back.
It’s bad enough the Pioneer football team appears headed for a difficult season. Momentum can change and there are still games which can be won, but as long as parents are charging the field from the stands, it’s doubtful that’s going to happen.