‘The Biggest Missed Shot’

To the Editor,

We left another basketball practice in tears. Too many times have I wiped away my son’s tears because of the abusive behavior of his own so-called teammates. I have watched every practice, with the exception of one or two, attended every game he played and witnessed his coach undo whatever prior coaches had accomplished, condone behavior that any decent parent would abhor. “Coach” didn’t want to hear about it from child or parent. After all, it’s the “nature of the game” for ten-year-old basketball players to be literally kicked and punched at during “the heat of battle.” Verbal taunts and insults from your own teammates should and will be tolerated, especially if they are from the high scorers. Winning is the bottom line.

What did we learn? That not all adults who volunteer their time to coach are the same. There are no pre-requisites required either.

What should have been an enjoyable season, filled with the opportunity to learn more about the game, make some new friends and have fun, resulted in a miserable experience leaving a bitter taste in a little boy’s mouth that will linger for some time.

And these ten/eleven year-olds are little boys, rather than professional athletes. A fact that I think gets lost on some coaches.

So good luck in the play-offs, coach. We’ll read about it in the paper. The biggest “missed shot” this season was yours.

Sincerely,

Robert Hennessey

21 Sleepy Hollow Road, Sandy Hook     March 9, 2000