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Why is there so much jealousy among not all, but a fair chunk of high school coaches?

Talking to people, which is part of my job, I find that many coaches like to complain and tell stories, some fabricated, about other coaches. These are teachers too. I thought teachers are not supposed to complain about other teachers - or so I am told by people linked with the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation. The out, they say: it’s about coaching, not the stuff that goes on in the classroom.

Seems like it’s open season when a school sports team does well. Like a groundhog, out come a few teachers who look for issues or ineligibilities or rule violations.

When Eastern Commerce did well, winning Ontario girls’ and boys’ basketball titles, rumours of recruiting were rampant.  I don’t know if there is, will try find out, but just because a team does well, really.

When Assumption did well in boys’ hoops, and when Chadrack Lufile got recognized as one of the top players this year, this time the Halton region is abuzz with gossip. Lufile wasn’tr that hot a player at Bateman High. Things changed when he went to Assumption.

When St. Michael’s won a third consecutive Metro Bowl football title, rumblings from leagues pointing fingers at the private school. Again, finger-pointing about recruiting. Yeah, right.

Can coaches take a breather and focus on their own job which could make things a lot more interesting. If there is foundation to concerns, fine. If not, maybe some coaches need to take a laxative and find something else to keep them budy. Conducting the school band or heading up the debating group sounds like fun. 

I take it the folks who work at the Ontario Federation of Schools Athletic Association just don’t get it. Or, they couldn’t care less.

I’ve been getting lots of e-mails from people, who agree with some comments I made on the Sunday morning The High School Show heard on THE FAN 590 - that OFSAA needs to review its format for teams competing at these so-called provincial playoffs. By the way, six more this week.

Case in point, e-mail tonight from an angry parent who is livid that her daughter played hockey for a school that had a super year but missed out on winning a league championship. It is her graduating year too. OK, so the team lost. But what irks this parent is that teams, who also didn’t win titles, are competing at OFSAA. In fact, as she pointed out, the host city of Orillia has a second team that has been blown out in games. What kind of message is being sent, she said in the e-mail. I told her to ask OFSAA, not me.

Reality. Here is an organization that does what it wants, is backed by teachers and coaches and is really autonomous. It always sees itself as making the right calls.

Why, this parent asks, is that second team from Orillia allowed to compete? Good question. OFSAA would likely say something like the host organization gets to submit a second team, which confirms that these really are glorified tournaments, not Ontario championships.

Maybe it’s time for OFSAA to get serious about its’ sagging image. Instead of sending staff around to look important, present trophies and collect monies from gate profits - it should start to use some creativity and make these events what they should be -bonafide provincial playoffs.

I have lots of respect for school Principals and the role they play. In fact, many school Principals are good friends and people who I have known for many, many years.

What I do find interesting is how some school Principals only want the good things appearing in the media and voice their opinions, with some stinging remarks about reporters who are doing their job - telling the truth.

The OFSAA wrestling final in Brampton produced some great performances. But there were also some news stories that went beyond who won a medal. Protest after protest by coaches - after decisions were made by officials. Apparently, some adults have difficulty with losing. Some also think we shouldn’t report about protests.

An athlete, born with no legs, was competing - a phenomenal story. He was awarded a silver medal, after the referee had called him the winner. Yes, another protest. I received a complaint from a school Principal, not about the controversy, but that I had no business singling out the student with no legs. Really?

And, at the OFSAA swim final, another Principal - I wonder if he even took some time to show up and support his students - didn’t like that reference was made to one of his relay swim teams being disqualified. Hmm. Unfortunate, since the time was good enough to be a provincial school record, but the DQ did happen. A swimmer, who talked with me and admitted to the mistake, left the starting block early. These things happen.

Welcome to sport - and reality. No reference is made by these Principals to the thousands of other stories about student athletes - maybe because they’re all “good” stories. Principals, who get paid to run a school, maybe should do just that before telling others how to do their jobs.