Are we getting soft?
2-15-09

Think back a few weeks ago, the night before a predicted winter storm combining a moderate amount of ice and snow local public and parochial schools were closed. The closings locally lined up with closings regionally even as far away as Washington. Remember President Obama's remarks? Mr. Obama caught a press corps off guard when he quipped about the fuss being made and day off given his girls in weather which appeared to him and many of us as a mere nuisance. "Why in Chicago if we had this kind of weather the girls would be in school and even enjoying outside for recess!" Regardless of your politics Mr. Obama raises an important point which I'm about to tackle.

Then there's the story out of Dallas Texas. This story was buried and received minimal attention outside of big D. As a CYO basketball coach I caught it. Apparently two girls basketball teams played and the score between the two ended in an extremely lopsided 100-0 victory. The winning school sent a written apology to the losing squad for the extreme outcome. The coach of the winning team disagreed with his school official counterparts. As a result the school dismissed the coach for his dissenting view.

I recognize that running a score up and jeopardizing the safety of our young people are not positions I'm here to defend. That said there's a few things on my mind this go around that I'd like to weigh in on and provoke thought. I think back to when I was a kid. When it snowed it needed to be significant to ace a day off. What's significant? North of 6 inches. Frankly, I remember having off as a kid when it was well past 6 inches otherwise we were expected to be in. On time. No delays. On time. Maybe your teachers allowed a few minutes grace but that was the extent of their benevolence.

Regarding sports it was pretty simple. The goal was to play your best, capitalize on the opponents weakness's and play hard until the final bell or buzzer.

Today, rules are different. We don't want kids to be 'stigmatized' by lopsided games. So in my league if a team jumps up to a 15 point lead or better, the leading team has to play 'back' on defense slightly. I've heard where scoreboards are turned off if a lead gets to large in some leagues.

Everyone gets recognized for participation in sports today which is a step in the right direction in this man's view. Having fun and participating and encouraging kids to get out and enjoy physical activity is what ultimately organized sports is all about. I applaud that and encourage it in every way. Calling teams off when the scores get out of hand, I don't know where I stand on this rule or the whole turning the scoreboard off idea. Look, as a coach my team's been on the receiving end of some mighty big butt kickings. But I make no apologies to my kids nor do I fault the opposition for keeping the pressure up. Sports is a life parallel in my view. It's not always going to go well. Some days it's downright bad. My squad's had a tough year representing St. Isidore's 7th grade grey but I'm proud of them in ways I can only begin to tell you about here. Every time we'd be down my guys would never complain. Just the opposite they'd step up and play at a higher level. Even when we're outmatched or out coached ( sorry guys ), my squad stepped up.

Designing rules where kids don't feel embarrassed I'm in agreement is the right thing to do. That said lets be careful because there's a slippery slope I'm sensing. I think kids need to know when they sign on for team sports there's the risk of the other team putting you in bad spot if you're not playing well. Isn't that what happens in life? Try coming to your job day to day and giving a sub par performance more often than not. Good luck with that if it occurs enough. Let me know how you make out.

Most business's are lenient with weather delays but they expect you in as soon as possible. Unless you're willing to eat a personal or vacation day most businesses operate as normal when the weather turns a bit ugly. The blizzard of '96 roads, businesses and schools should have been closed. A few weeks ago during a mid week small winter mess, I don't think the kids deserved the day off. A delay yes to allow for the ice to melt, an entire day off from the books, no sir. I know my remarks are unpopular, but it's how I see it. I know what I'm going to hear besides the fact that I'm old and a killjoy. I'll hear we live in a litigious society, and we have to be careful people don't get hurt trying to get their kids off to school. In fact there have been some instances where this has been the case in bad weather.

Caution is fine, discretion in sports to be responsible to all participants is also good. But beware, watch out because there's the school of thought we're getting a bit soft. Mr. Obama challenged Washington to toughen up a bit. Be a bit more resilient, get out there and play your best. Leave the scoreboard on, the losing team won't be scared for life and odds are strong that your car, truck and school bus's can make it through a few inches of snow.

Let's keep true to what we're about as Americans -- a little snow and some tough opponents can't keep us down. See 'ya around town.