a Note to Johnny's Parents

You know, some of us give voluntarily of our time to coach your child in sports. Many of us have been doing it for years, so that means we know a little bit more about it, than you do. I'm glad you signed little Johnny up to play so thanks for your check and we will do our best to make sure he a) knows the rules; b) gets to play and c) has a good time. Thank you for your feedback about the game. Yes I know that he didn't play every down of every four quarters, but there are 50 other kids on the team who also deserve a chance to play. And it's Johnny's first year, so he's not as skilled as some of the other kids who've been playing longer. And he missed a week of practice because you scheduled your vacation during school so he's a little more behind than everyone else who was at every practice. And Johnny really isn't ready to be the quarterback because he's about 4 feet tall and can't really see over the defense to throw the ball. I know you think that he is, but trust me, he's not ready. Plus he can't really throw. I really appreciate your and your wife coming to the games and hurling insults at me, the other coaches and some of the opposing team. That sets an excellent example for the kids. Really makes you look like a stud, too. Oh and thanks for that 3 page email about how Johnny sitting on the sidelines makes you feel because you know, youth sports is all about you. And don't worry that you were late picking up again for the 3rd time this week, I don't really want to get home to my own family and see them before they go to bed, because I'm not leaving your kid alone at the school to wait for you. And hey, it's ok that we are holding up the bus waiting for you to get here so we can be on time for the away game and do warmups - excellent team spirit! And really, feel free to call me on my personal cell phone at night, or on the weekends or anytime, to complain or to ask me a stupid question about practice, or the schedule - information which is readily available on the team website or via the team hotline.


Because, in spite of you, I coach because I love the game and I love the kids and I love to coach. In spite of you I come back every year to a new crop of kids, to new challenges and to a new team. In spite of you, we win some, we lose some. In spite of you, the kids have fun, they learn about the game, about sportsmanship and about winning and losing. In spite of you, they learn about respect - for themselves, their teammates and their opponents. In spite of you, they learn how to conduct themselves in public, how to treat their mothers/grandmothers/sisters/aunts. In spite of you, they go on to compete at other levels or in different sports.


Because of me, the coach.