To the editor:
Having recently read the article entitled, “Coaching method draws parent’s ire”, I was very disappointed with what were held to be facts. Playing on the team this year as a senior and captain, I remember this locker room talk very well. Our coach took us into the locker room and asked a very difficult question to the team.
He asked all of us who used the F word on a daily basis. Not many high school students, including myself, enjoy admitting to adults that we do. However, out of the respect for the coaches all except two of the players slowly raised their hands. The letter read at the school board meeting said, “A couple of players raised their hands, and then another team member singled out other kids saying that he had heard them using inappropriate language.” This was not even close to what happened. The team members raised their hands on their own, not being called out by another teammate. None of us wanted to admit this, but it was the right thing to do. Personally, I was embarrassed to admit this to Coach Cummings and both Coach Dave and Greg Whitaker, because I respect them. However, it was the right thing to do, so I did.
Mr. Bates then mentions how “absurd” this question was. In response to this I would like to share the following information taken from the MSAD 1 student/parent handbook:
• Page 12, article 3, General Behavior Expectations, #10 Refrain from vulgarity, profanity, obscenity, lewdness and indecency.
• Page 19, Policies Governing Interscholastic Participation, #7 Inappropriate language will not be tolerated and is cause for disciplinary action.
• Page 36. Language, profanity and/or vulgar language is not permitted. Students who use unacceptable language will be subject to disciplinary action. Such language directed at a member of the faculty and staff will result in an out-of-school suspension and the student will required to write a letter of apology.
Since the subjects of language and profanity are clearly discussed in the MSAD 1 handbook, I feel it is not only the coach’s right but his obligation to address it with his team.
Mr. Bates then continued to speak on my coach passing “moral judgment” on players and having it affect our playing. Being one of the players who raised their hand, this never affected my playing time. It was also very obvious that others who raised their hands got large amounts of playing time too. All the players earn every minute of playing time during practice and how they performed in the games. This one team discussion never hurt any of the players’ minutes in the slightest way.
Over the last few years I have grown to greatly respect Coach Cummings and the PIHS coaching staff. He never asked anything from us that he would not do himself. He is a leader and role model for athletes and non athletes alike. I truly hope this shines a little more light on what actually happened in this situation.
Cody Lyford
Mapleton
