If you want my opinions about the Athletic Department - that's a new topic so I'll stick with this.
First, I haven't heard of any "juniors" running around because of bus incidents related to coed athletic events - soccer, basketball, tennis, golf, swimming. I take offense to your making such a general statement regarding the morality of my children.
Next, "girls and guys are seperated for safety and liability's sake." If this were so, ALL public schools and buses would be single gender. What is wrong with separating boys & girls on buses or having coaches involved with their players & not sitting in the front seat? Have the girls in the front, boys in the back, coaches in the middle. But beware of homosexual activity! You know what MIGHT happen if you put boys with boys & girls with girls. Right?
Most importantly, I think the biggest injustice is in the loss of support Varsity teams will have. As an upper-class student, you go to games to cheer Varsity peers, as 9th & 10th graders, you normally cheer JV players. As a high school athlete, I know that perfomance is not based soley on hard work, dedication and practice but it is also influenced by other factors. One factor that has a major impact on performance is fan attendance at games - including the boys' team support of girls' team and the girls' support of boys'. Imagine a football or basketball game without the support of the players' peers.
I think it is good if coaches can see potential players but come on. This is high school! Besides, I was under the impression that JV games were Mon & Thurs while Varsity games were Tues & Fri for this reason. Silly me!
Now, are you coaching for your own self-importance or are you in this for our children? "The ADs and Coaches put the players and the program ahead of a grumpy parent or two. For this, they should be applauded. It's not always about you." And you couldn't be more right! It's ONLY about the players, our children, NOT the coaches & and certainly not the ADs. Ask the kids who they would rather support! It's their peers. Ask the kids who support them the most. Guess what - it's me - not you!
Finally, I will not "praise the Lord for well run programs and respectable leaders" because I do no feel that well run programs & respectable leaders are synonymous or that well run programs deserve God's praise.
I say thank God for self-respecting and respectful children and thank you to coaches who lead by example. You must teach respect through respect.
