Dale Jr,
I've been away from the computer most of the day due to yard work and I had a club soccer meeting this evening. Kevin informed me it's been an extremely busy time "moderating" today.
I don't know what all has been written or said, but I believe somewhere (in one extreme or the other) some things needed to be said, stated, commented on, and, in general, publicly acknowledged to address an issue that was absolutely shocking and pathetic this weekend.
The SCHSL State Championships were great. The venue was excellent. The level of play outstanding (save for one match). The crowds were tremendous.
However, the S.C. High School Soccer Coaches Association membership really let itself down in terms of the quantity of coaches that actually helped out this weekend. This is not directed to you, but it is to the SCHSSCA -- help out if you are not playing. Things just don't "get done". It takes organization, preparation, and a self-determination to "give back" -- simply for the sake of the players it benefits. I know you realize how much work goes into staging the All-Star matches as you were fortunate enough to coach in last year's North-South Soccer Classic in Anderson.
When fellow coaches show up and basically thumb their noses at their associates that are busting their rear-ends, then a measure of frustration and resentment is bound to set in -- and it did for the majority of the dozen or so workers. When Roger Hazel of the S.C. High School League comments, "it's always the same coaches pitching in" -- well, that speaks volumes.
Dave Snyder coached his girls team at Bishop England to another Class 2A/1A State Championship and found the time to volunteer his services at the concession stand after his match. Thanks Dave! My thought process has always been that if you are not playing in the State Finals, then you need to be assisting those other coaches that try to put on the best show possible to showcase prep soccer. That didn't happen this weekend.
Do people really think it was easy for any of us associated with the Brookland-Cayce boys soccer team to work this weekend? B-C battled to a scoreless draw on Tuesday at Chapin and after 110 minutes were played the Bearcats lost 4-3 in a penalty kick shootout. Then, to turn around and work the State Finals on Saturday was not exactly an easy thing to do.
I'm not asking for pats-on-the-back -- I'm going to be at the event win, lose, or draw, because it's a lot bigger picture than what I'm directly involved with or get out of it. But, I do want the sport to be recognized in the best possible light it can be (not an easy thing to do in this state) and the only way I know how to do that is to give my time and efforts.
Hopefully this will serve as an eye-opener to some of our SCHSSCA members. This has got to improve, because a number of coaches that have paved the way for the rest of us are nearing the end of their careers and it's up to the younger coaches to pick up where they left off.
Again, this is not intended as a response only to Dale Jr -- we all have other commitments and obligations, and once or twice is definitely acceptable. However, when it's folks that have benefited in the past that don't show up or if it's just coaches that show up when they are honored, well, the amount of respect I have for those individuals wanes a little more each time. It's not an oft-occasion, it's a pattern and one that I take personal.
I guarantee you that every coach in the SCHSSCA would have found time to coach their team in the State Finals this past weekend. Why should it be any different if you truly want your fellow coaches to experience what should be one of the best days of their coaching careers?
My comments from Sunday, May 18:
http://www.scsoccer.com/forum/showflat.p...true#Post105294
