Dear Cougar Fans,
I am writing this letter because I am absolutely appalled by the behaviors of some residents and “Cougar Fans.”
In previous weeks, signs were posted throughout the area, which were neither mature nor appropriate. It is also inappropriate to gossip in a negative manner in public places. People hear what you say, and you should know that things travel back to those who really care about them.
Your actions are not only affecting the players, but other members of the community as well. Students are being harassed by other students whose parents think they know more about a sport than the coach does. This is not okay. School is supposed to be a safe place for students to learn and grow. All I have to say to you folks is shame on you. Think about what you say before you say it.
I have been a citizen of this town my entire life. I am proud to be a coach and teacher here as well. I am proud of the students in our district and the athletes that play for us. I understand that not every year the teams are going to make it to the playoffs, or that our students will score the highest marks possible on their tests. That’s life! The abilities of teams throughout the course of Mt. Blue history are up and down, and that’s just how it is. You can’t go blaming coaches, regardless of the sport. A team is a team, and it consists of the players and coaches working together to do their very best.
Our school district participates in a program called Sports Done Right. There is a committee of coaches and community members involved with this. This program encourages good sportsmanship towards athletes, coaches, and officials. It also encourages athletes to be great students and citizens within the community.
For more information on Sports Done Right, go to: www.sportsdoneright.org. The actions of a few people in this community are not supporting the idea of Sports Done Right. They are doing just the opposite.
We should be supporting the programs in our community, not demoralizing them. Please stand up for the coaches and players in our district. The amount of time and work that they put into their sport is above and beyond what most people think.
Sincerely,
Katie Belanger
Mt. Blue Middle School teacher, coach, and most importantly, a supporter of athletics at Mt. Blue
Farmington
Thank you Ms. B for speaking up!!!
Cindy Dellarma
Ms. B., I totally agree, and thank you for speaking up also. I have an athlete who plays for the football team, and those signs and negative comments were really hurtful to the players and coaches. It would be nice if the community would support the athletes and coaches, it makes a difference to all involved. Thanks again!
miss b. i agree. hutch, get a brain that didn’t come out of a fox box.
Bravo Mrs. B. it’s a sad state of affairs when parents, who are children’s biggest role models, act immature and in an unsportsmanlike manner. Please support the kids and coaches and put your own feelings to the side. Thanks
zaphod,
i truely suggest you stop drinking the cool aid and watching state run media! and start thinking for yourself instead of spooting out the typical liberal talking points!
It is funny how all the other football teams are winning and then when they get to Mt. Blue they can barley win a game. The coach has been there alongtime, maybe it is time for a change. Sometime change is good.
I SAY LET THE KIDS PLAY, AND THE COACHES COACH. AND THE REST OF US JUST SHUT UP AND ENJOY THE GAMES!!!
Typical small town pontificators. Try expanding your horizons past Lewiston/Augusta/Bingham and quit living vicariously through your children. Civilized society finds your kind a boor.
Bravo “former player”. It’s nice to win, however, it’s not the bottom line here! There are lots of issues, but I’m only going to list a few.
First of all in response to Ms. B’s comment about “saying negative things in public”. You should have all the information before you say such things! A varsity coach being heard in public making a comment like “I can make or break a kid, I can bench them in baseball, I can bench them in football or I can flunk them in Phys Ed”. I suppose that’s not “negative” just power going to ones head? What about respect for the kids? Coaches swearing at and belittling players (this has happened in baseball, football and field hockey, that I’m aware of,) so much that the captains have been heard swearing at their team members when running during practices, if the player lag behind. Also, what about the coach that was fired from coaching baseball previously for swearing at the players, and now we have him coaching the football players? Also, Ms. B’s comment about “Your actions are not only affecting the players, but other members of the community as well. Students are being harassed by other students whose parents think they know more about a sport than the coach does, This is not okay. School is supposed to be a safe place for students to learn and grow. All I have to say to you folks is shame on you. Think about what you say before you say it.” You should probably “think about what you say before you say it” if the coach knows so much, why aren’t there any new/different plays being created? Mt. Blue is the laughing stock of football because we continue to run the same plays over and over again. The opposing teams know what’s going to happen next because they’ve seen it so many times in previous years (and that’s come from other schools coaching staff). What you’re saying is that it’s okay for the kids to be manipulated and belittled by coaching staff? Parents/players don’t feel they can speak out themselves for fear of retribution on their child (or themselves)? As history has had it, players have gotten benched for speaking out. What kind of respect is that? Kind of even goes against the “Athletic and Co-Curricular Philosophy of the Student Handbook.
Hey, how about the coaches bending regulations that kids who have gotten into trouble have not been put on probation but able to play the entire game. Student’s harassing other students, a football player “stalking/harassing” another “female” student? The victim was removed from Mt. Blue and placed into another school district because of it – again, no retribution of the player, when all along the coaching staff knew of the incident. Bottom line is; it’s too bad that parents and/or players have to report issues/concerns anonymously about the coaches actions, because of the coaches history of taking it out on the players. FOR THE RECORD, THE SIGNS HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE PLAYERS. But the players should be played based on their ability, skill and desire!
Former Player, when I wrote my letter, I posted my full name. Why don’t you post yours? Own up to what you say.
In regard to the concerned parent/cougars fan: You say the signs have nothing to do with the players, then you say players should be played basd on ablity, skill and desire. Watching those varsity boys play with the injuries they have played with and giving 110% every game, I believe the players out there do deserve to be there.
Hooray “Concerned Parent/Cougars Fan” as a past graduate from MBHS and athlete, there are several of us that would like to see a change made. Kudos to you for breaking the ice for many of us worried about our children’s playing time future.
Annoyed think about what you’re saying. You’re correct they should be out there, but they shouldn’t be played so much that they are playing injured. The way I saw the games, there were a lot of talented and skilled players standing on the sidelines while the injured players continued to play. The rest of the “team” could be utilized as well.
Thank you Katie, I hope your words have some effect on the “fans” but being Franklin County’s resident cynic I doubt the loudmouths will change. I saw the same behavior in Wrangell, Alaska, where I taught for a few years forty years ago. The Little League president was one incident from canceling the season.
People are people and some will always be filled with certitude that they are right and everyone else is wrong. It only takes one with a big fat mouth to sound like a majority.
Tony, easy to say from a “teacher/coaches” view. Us parents however have other opinions and viable reasons why there are parents concerned.
Instead of focusing on the football team, whose season is long over after finishing a mediocore year, let’s focus on the positives: the girls cross country team made it to New Englands!