100-0

OK - so it's been a while...I've been following a story for the past few days and couldn't help commenting. Courtesy of my brother, here's the link to the first part of the story:

http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=50399786490&h=pzquS&u=aDhIb

My initial reaction was disgust. How a coach can allow and even encourage such a lopsided victory over a clearly inferior opponent is beyond me. I've been playing, watching and coaching various sports for my whole life, and I've never come across something even remotely like this.

Anyone who's played basketball before knows that the concept of a shutout in sanctioned competition is unheard of - let alone to do it while scoring 100 points. What satisfaction can there possibly be in beating a team so grossly?

Don't get me wrong. I'm not one of those guys who's in favor of not keeping the score, of calling everyone a winner, etc. Growing up playing sports, I learned a lot from winning and losing, and I want my children to learn the same lessons.

Having said that, what benefit is there in winning by such a wide margin? I don't understand.

And the story doesn't end there! Here's chapter 2:

http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=50399786490&h=pzquS&u=aDhIb

And chapter 3:

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/012409dnspoacademy.4194876.html

And chapter 4

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/012609dnsptcoach.16be742.html

And then today:

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/012609dnspocovenantnu.2781526.html

So much going on here. I'm curious about your thoughts. Am I way off base here? I completely agree with the decision to fire the coach. First, because he clearly is not the kind of person I would want coaching my child. Secondly, if you fire off an email to the newspaper directly disagreeing with your employer, losing your job is pretty much a given.

I can't say I agree with all the attention and gifts and interviews, etc. that are being showered on the losing team, either, though. Losing by 100 points is pitiful. Going through an entire basketball game and only getting 7 shots to the rim is sad. Not scoring even a free throw at some point is unbelievable. I'm thinking that the losing coach probably needs to lose his job, too. If you're not able to get anywhere near what could be considered competitive, it's time to think about a change.

OK, I'm officially losing momentum.

Until next time - RevPhil