PulseJournal.com

I remember it like it was yesterday. I was coaching 3rd grade boys basketball at a Dayton Recreational Center in the late 80’s. For this article, let’s use the name “Kenny” to describe my best player. For 4 weeks of practice, I waited for him to bring me his “parent” signed Permission / Waiver form. Our 1st game of the season arrived and I had a choice to make. Do I play him or not. I chose not to play him. Our team got beat by the Dayton Mohawks something like 80-20. Once I received “Kenny’s” signed permission slip, he averaged about 30 points per game. At least looking back now, it seemed like 30.
Because of my decision not to play “Kenny” that day, my heart has felt good and I have enjoyed coaching youth recreational basketball for 20 plus years. I don’t brag when I tell you that “I have never been investigated by the YMCA athletic directors for using an ineligible kid, or a kid from another YMCA.” I don’t think they would do that anyway to a volunteer coach.

Now comes Jefferson High School and Coach Art Winston. It’s so sad for every single player on that team, including the ineligible player in question. My heart goes out to such young kids who are simply playing a game they love, possibly trying to get a free ride to any college, and learning to make the right decisions in life.

What a shame Coach Art Winston.

If you have a player that you know you are waiting confirmation that he is eligible, you don’t play him. If you need the player, you pick up the phone, again, and again, and again, until you get a letter. I don’t care how good the kid is or if his name is “Kenny”, the kid does not play. The kid was home schooled. You know there are regulations you must follow. Now because of “winning at all costs,” you have a heart broken team.

I seen this Jefferson team play numerous times this year, and I can tell you this; they still would have gotten this far in the tournament had any single player from this team not played. This team is loaded with talent.

Winning at all cost? Is it worth it?

Let’s just sit back and see, who and how, the Jefferson High School Board ensures that someone pay for the heartbreak and hard work these kids put in. Indiana fired Kelvin Sampson for 3-way calls, and oh yeah, lying! Let’s see if JHS steps up, shows these kids they matter, and provide each parent of every player a feeling of knowing they made the right decision to have their player play at Jefferson High School.