Edited 1/5/2011
OK, apparently UGA hands out plaques every year with a bowl win already engraved and then takes them back if they lose. I'm glad they take them back. But why not just wait until after the game to add it? The message is just as bad. It says, look we want to win and we expect to win, but if we don't then we'll just fix it. It's similar to not being held accountable for your actions. I'm surprised this hasn't been a story before now.
If this story is true - and I would think it's pretty easy to prove - then the University of Georgia has yet another black eye to add to the 2010 season. Let me be upfront, I am a UGA fan. By marriage, yes, but I enjoy going to Athens and cheering on the Red and Black. And furthermore, I'm a Mark Richt fan. I think he's a class guy and a good coach that needs to step out of the box to right the ship.
But, and this is a BIG BUT, if the team truly gave engraved plaques to seniors with a team record that included a game yet to be played, then everyone from the head coach down to the design team needs to be slapped on the wrist. I can just about guarantee that in previous years when Georgia played in a "better" bowl against a "tougher" team that plaques either weren't handed out or they were engraved later with the final record.
(see story here:
http://college-football-blog.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/24156338/26839706?ttag=gen10_on_all_fb_na_txt_0001)
It's starting to make a little more sense about why the Dawgs came out so flat against UCF in the Liberty Bowl. When your staff decides to promote the outcome of a game on a permanent momento before the game is played, it sends a horrible message to the players, fans, opponents and yes, the kids that watch.
This message implies that Georgia is clearly the better football team (and anyone that watched last season agrees that on paper they are, but what they showed on the field said otherwise). It devalues the need for preparation. It says that if you think you're going to win, all you have to do is show up. As a coach, it was my responsibility to make sure my players understood that they needed to give a full effort in any game, no matter who the opponent, what the score in the game, or how the season had been up until that point. If coaches aren't sending this message, then they are grooming athletes to be elitists.
And what are these seniors left with? A worthless plaque from a disappointing losing season. Hopefully, they have some good friendships and a degree, but I have to question if they learned self-discipline or what a work ethic entails. Or how about that it's more important to worry about your own responsibilities than whether or not your opponent (insert co-worker, neighbor, etc.) isn't performing on your same level?
If we learn anything in athletics, it's that anyone can beat anyone else on any given day. Clearly, UGA didn't think that was the case on 12/30/2010. They should have.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Sunday, January 2, 2011
How much football do you need?
You're thinking this post is about the weekend of football you've just OD'd on - and it could be. But since I would never say that 6 bowl games and a myriad of NFL games with playoff implications were excessive, this won't be about that.
This is about the fact that my son just got his 4th football in the last five months. And he has no interest in giving it away, saving it for later, or figuring out where it's from and getting something else. No, he would rather have four footballs to play with.
Now, in fairness, this one is different. It's an all-weather Nerf football with super grip-ability! That is not the same as the one he got Christmas morning that has receiver gloves with it. Or the beat up one that is "authentic." And it definitely isn't the smaller, squishy one with Georgia on it. So, we have four footballs, not including the numerous little footballs collected at various games that we don't part with either.
Which begs the question - why do you NEED so many footballs? I think the most logical answer is that with four he is sure to find one at any given moment. This is important because there is always a pick-up game going on in our house. The game might just be him running up and down the hallway, but he has a plan and he can tell it to you.
But it might also be that he likes footballs like some girls like dolls. Or an adult likes books. Or the crazy old lady likes cats. So you know what? There are worse things to be collecting. Play on.
This is about the fact that my son just got his 4th football in the last five months. And he has no interest in giving it away, saving it for later, or figuring out where it's from and getting something else. No, he would rather have four footballs to play with.
Now, in fairness, this one is different. It's an all-weather Nerf football with super grip-ability! That is not the same as the one he got Christmas morning that has receiver gloves with it. Or the beat up one that is "authentic." And it definitely isn't the smaller, squishy one with Georgia on it. So, we have four footballs, not including the numerous little footballs collected at various games that we don't part with either.
Which begs the question - why do you NEED so many footballs? I think the most logical answer is that with four he is sure to find one at any given moment. This is important because there is always a pick-up game going on in our house. The game might just be him running up and down the hallway, but he has a plan and he can tell it to you.
But it might also be that he likes footballs like some girls like dolls. Or an adult likes books. Or the crazy old lady likes cats. So you know what? There are worse things to be collecting. Play on.
Friday, December 31, 2010
A new year - A new blog!
So, I've finally jumped into blogging - it's about time. I've only been thinking about it for what, a year now?
Let Them Play will focus on youth and sports. But I reserve the right to step out and talk about something different every now and then. It probably will have to do with sports, but you never know. My writing AND my thinking are very stream of consciousness, so there's no telling what might hit me and when. I hope you'll check in often. Feel free to add fuel to my fire with your comments and suggestions. Eventually I'd like to add tips and suggestions for helping kids enjoy sports.
Fair notice: while I enjoy healthy debate as much as the next person, I can't say I like name-calling and all the other immature actions that people sometimes display under their online persona. If you wouldn't say it to me face-to-face, it's probably not appropriate.
So now, time to get off the computer and watch some football with the kiddos. I'm sure it will take about 5 minutes for me to have a topic to start this blog!
Let Them Play will focus on youth and sports. But I reserve the right to step out and talk about something different every now and then. It probably will have to do with sports, but you never know. My writing AND my thinking are very stream of consciousness, so there's no telling what might hit me and when. I hope you'll check in often. Feel free to add fuel to my fire with your comments and suggestions. Eventually I'd like to add tips and suggestions for helping kids enjoy sports.
Fair notice: while I enjoy healthy debate as much as the next person, I can't say I like name-calling and all the other immature actions that people sometimes display under their online persona. If you wouldn't say it to me face-to-face, it's probably not appropriate.
So now, time to get off the computer and watch some football with the kiddos. I'm sure it will take about 5 minutes for me to have a topic to start this blog!
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