Sometimes in life, we have to make hard decisions.We’ve all had to do it…
For a parent, it might be disciplining a child knowing you’re going to have to watch them cry. For a boss, it might be letting a good person go because they’re underperforming in the workplace. For another person, it might be ending a relationship knowing it’s going to break the heart of someone you care about. For a coach, it might be letting three talented players go because they don’t meet your team’s expectations.
They all sting a little – but you make the hard decision because it’s the right thing to do.
I want to applaud Cooper High School Head Coach Mike Spradlin and his staff for making a tough decision on Friday night by removing three players from the team indefinitely. It would’ve been easy for the coaches to turn a blind eye to what was happening. That would’ve been the easy thing to do. Instead, they made a decision that could potentially cost them their opportunity at a state title.
I also applaud Spradlin and AISD Superintendent Heath Burns for their transparency. It would’ve been easy to try and cover this up or deny it; I’ve seen other districts do it. Instead, they were forthcoming about the situation without compromising the privacy of their students.
Who were the players and what did they do? At the end of the day, it’s really not that important. We all made mistakes in our teenage years. Sure, some of our mistakes were worse than others. But at the end of the day, these guys are just kids. Yes, they play on a popular football team in a town where high school football is everything. But as kids, they deserve privacy…and they deserve second chances.
Win or lose this Saturday, we should all take pride in the fact that Cooper High and Mike Spradlin chose the high road. In a day and age where teams look past players’ poor attitudes and actions, Cooper refused to do that.
As a head coach, Mike Spradlin is naturally in a position to for people to look up to him. On this occasion, Spradlin showed us what being a role model is all about.
I absolutely agree, and couldn't have said it any better. I am very glad you put it in perspective so elequently.
ReplyDeleteWe love our Coach!
ReplyDeleteBut when a crime is committed, and yes this IS a crime, their privacy should matter the least.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the coaching staff has made the right decision and I respect that they are trying to keep the kid's names out of the headlines. What is done is done, those boys will have to face their teammates and their school this week and everyone will know who they are and what they did. I believe this will be a painful lesson for them and I also believe that in the end they will learn a valuable lesson about what it means to suffer the consequences of your actions. I am greatful our children at Cooper are being taught to accept responsibility for what you do and that it is not a win at all costs mentality. I also firmly believe the rest of the team will step up and bring us home another victory! We love you Coogs and We love you coaches!! Hang tough guys we are already so proud of you
ReplyDeleteI am so proud of Coach Spradling and the rest of the coaching team and proud they are from Abilene....
ReplyDeleteI agree what Coach Spradling did was right and the boys deserve what is coming to them. We are still behind the rest of the team and know they can do it without them. The 3 boys don't make the team, it takes the whole team, so Coach and Cougs go out and get Denton Guyers you can do it. Don't look back at those mistakes that others do just move on forward and bring home the trophy.
ReplyDeleteThese boys did more than just make a mistake walking across the street to smoke a joint before returning home. Please the admin has not been transparent and these kids should feel the full effect of thier actions
ReplyDeletei don't know if anybody can confirm this rumor, but heard a 3 players were caught smoking dope. they were also given a ua & they had steroids in their system.
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