PREPS

PREPS
Letter unfairin criticism
Fanfare:
As the topic of a letter published last week, I feel compelled to respond to not only defend my reputation as a teacher and coach, but also the reputation of the Struthers City Schools and their athletic teams.
Mrs. Clemente writes that my basketball team displayed poor sportsmanship vs. LaBrae Middle School, and I would like the opportunity to give my side of the story.
In the last minute or so of the game we found ourselves down by a few points, so, as a strategic move, I ordered my team to foul in an attempt to save time and get the ball back. We fouled them three times, and one of the fouls was called an intentional foul. I immediately removed the player who committed the intentional foul from the game.
After that questionable foul was called, fans from both teams became agitated. As the game ended, parents and students came onto the court. Fearing for my player's safety and in an effort to avoid a potentially dangerous situation, I ordered my players off the court. (This is something that is mandated in our league rules.)
After the crowds had dispersed, I personally went to the LaBrae locker room to congratulate their coach and team. This is something that the writer failed to mention in her letter.
There are two sides of sportsmanship, the athletic teams on the court or field and the fans in the stands, both of whom need to act accordingly.
As a coach I understand that criticism is part of the job and I accept that, but don't ever say that I would encourage or teach my team to intentionally hurt another player. That is just plain irresponsible of the writer and I also feel it was equally as irresponsible for The Vindicator to print portions of that letter that bordered on a personal attack on me.
The athletic teams of Struthers are full of hard-working and disciplined young men and women, and it is unfair that one letter to the editor may damage that reputation.
Ralph D. Sandy
Struthers