Lord Botetourt football parents come looking for answers to their demands
Paul Hanson of Blue Ridge has no players at LBHS now, but has a son playing at Liberty University.
A group of Lord Botetourt football parents, some of them former student’s parents, came to the Dec. 9, School Board meeting demanding satisfaction for the past 10 years of lackluster football seasons– especially the past five under Coach Tater Benson noted Paul Hanson of Blue Ridge. Under the former coach, Robb, LBHS was 13-27 and under Benson 17-36 in the past 10 years. Hanson has a son, Mitchell, an LB grad, playing at Liberty University. He and three other fathers, Dave Bourne, Mark Richardson and Scott Felts, all had something to say about the football program at Lord Botetourt.
Head Coach Tater Benson, Athletic Director Chuck Pound and school administration, including Tim Bane the principal and his assistants, came under Hanson’s fire. He told the school board they, the football parents, had followed protocol by going to the coach, the AD and administration and were told that their concerns were heard but they could not discuss it because it was a personnel issue. However, he noted that Benson is still the head coach. The Botetourt View has since learned that three assistant football coaches who are not employed as faculty of the school, have been let go.
One of the fathers described that his son told him, “That the team was told that if they lost to James River, it was their own fault.” James River, a 1A school defeated the 2A Cavaliers this year for the first time in 17 years. Another parent said a leadership change is needed.
The parents asserted that young men who were successful on the Middle School and JV Fields are left behind in skills, techniques and leadership on the Varsity level. Hanson mentioned that the boys were berated by the coaches.
School Board Chairman, Michael Beahm told the assembly they would listen to the concerns, but that personnel issues were confidential and any discussion would take place in closed session. Hanson left a petition and letters from parents allegedly explaining what had been going on in Lord Botetourt football for the School Board members and top administrator Dr. Tony Brads to read.
Here’s a link to Hanson’s letter to the editor on the topic.
December 10, 2010 - 4:00 PM
I think this is the theme in all of LB’s sports. The kids have lost their pride and spirit and you cannot blame them. Where are the leaders? Where are the examples? They are told they have to adhere to a set of rules that are bent for a certain few. The school board will listen to the concerns and ultimately, it will rest in the hands of the school administration. Good coaches are being turned away and discouraged because of frustration from dealing with Yes Men. I am sorry for the football program and the other sports programs at LB. These children deserve better.
Demand resignations beginning with Pound and Benson. Parents need to fight for their kids and not give in. Demand to be heard at every school board meeting until they are out. This has been going on for years, and the kids suffer. Remove your athletes if your demands are not honored immediately, and send them all to James River. Maybe then they will all wake up! Take back YOUR school!
What a shame that “politics” has again reared it’s ugly head! Could this be again another example of teachers unions ruining our students and country? Could tenure, pensions and saving face have taken priority over our students once again? Shame on those in the school administration and school board if this is the case!
The students at LB need the parents to stand up and demand change. The players are under the supervision of the coaches several hours per week and I would say that is enough time to place a negative influence on them. I have seen my oldest son receive smart remark after smart remark by SOME of the coaches. In 2009 he was selected as A starter and after suffering a concussion in practice was swept aside without concern. He did not have the opportunity to start again until several games into the season. At the end of the season he was selected as the offensive most valuable player of the year. He also earned All District Titles as running back and return specialist. You would think that the staff would build on that for the 2010 season and he was told after the 2009 season that he would be a major part of the offense in the 2010 season and would be receiving in excess of 30 carries per game. After going down with an ankle injury in the Salem game and missing 3 games for recovery, he was removed once again from his positions and only played a major role on the defense. I’m not upset that he was not the “chosen one” to run the football. I’m upset that the head coach, acting totally irresponsibly, made a 2009 after season “crystal ball prediction” to the young man. He should have never been told he would be the main ball carrier a year in advance. What he should have been told is this. Son you did a fantastic job this year, hit the weight room hard and come in strong next year because there will be a lot of competition for that position, I hope to see you on the field. When he asked the coaches why he wasn’t running the ball he was given smart answers and accused of having a bad attitude. He was treated without compassion or concern and made to feel that he was not wanted on the team. The result, my son left the team with 3 games left on the schedule and was then antagonized by several faculty members and students. The students I can understand because they don’t know any better, the faculty members should be mature enough to handle the situation. They do not know the mental strain that the young man was put under. Leaving the team was a very hard thing for him to do and he gave it a considerable amount of thought. I admire his courage for doing what he did, he stood up for change. I would not usually condone quitting, but in this case I thought it was the best thing for him to do, it took guts and I’m proud of him. He has now chosen to leave LB and move to another school outside of Botetourt County and will be doing so at the end of the semester. There are many parents that will not stand up in defense of their kids because they fear retribution. I on the other hand refuse to allow my boys to be treated with the disrespect that is handed down by several members of the LB coaching staff. There are several coaches their that do the right thing and have respect for the kids but lack the authority to demand the same from the other coaches. I urge each and every one of you to stand up and demand change. Your boys only have 4 years to play high school football, when its over its over. You can change the memories that they will have of their high school experience, they deserve the best. For those of you that think that’s easy for me to say because my son has chosen to move on, think again, I have another son that is playing at the JV level and after next year will be rising the the varsity level, I pray that there will either be change, or that he will follow in is brothers footsteps and move. I love both of you boys, and I will always stand up for you, and in the face of danger.
Dave Bourne
To add to my previous comments, A good coach will earn the respect of his players. Coaching is an opportunity to promote greatness, its a privilege that should be guarded, its a chance to help someone excel to their highest potential. A quality coach will produce unity among his team with one common goal, to be winners. Regardless of the score at the end of the game you should be able to walk off the field with your held high as a winner because you have been taught values, integrity, discipline and respect. I can assure you that none of the above are being taught on the varsity level at LB. If the administration cannot see that there is a problem, then they are in denial.
Dave Bourne
Is it any wonder why many talented athletes have left, or refused to go to LB in the past Moats, States, Dorton, Chocklette, White, Arnold,to name a few. Demand those resignations. Hanson is dead on right. Beahm needs to stop hiding behind the confidentiality cloak and go to work for the students and parents he represents. Organize yourselves as a large group and don’t stop fighting until things change. James River, Roanoke Catholic, North Cross, Liberty Christian would love your student athletes, I am sure. Glad mine are out…
It’s a shame that the JV experience has been so good for these kids through the years and the varsity experience falls so short. The coaches at the JV level have given these kids high standards not just for football but for life. My son had 2 great years on the LB JV Football team under great leadership and not just because they were winning seasons. These teams suffered tough loses and came back strong in the following weeks due to the positive attitudes of the coaches running the team. Once he moved on the varsity the change in discipline and attitudes could be seen early on. The players on varsity are judged on what the coaches think they can do on the field whether they have proved it or not. I think it is a shame that junior and senior players have not been given a chance to make way for unproven freshman. I watched during my sons senior year as players that had paid there dues were pushed aside for the “superstars of the future.” I would say after a 2-8 record that it may have suited the team better to use there more experience players more. What bothers me even more is how there are no set rules on the LB football team. It seems to me that if a player misses a practice or gets suspended from school, it depends on who the team is playing that week as to how long they sit out. I have never seen a policy that the more times you get in trouble the less you sit out just because you think you might win the game. This sort of policy leads to a team out of control like last year at the Staunton River game. I still to this day have friends talk to me about how out of control that game was that night. I think it was embarrassing to the school but was brushed off as poor officiating by the coaches. I believe that the coaches are good people and have done a great job with the fieldhouse and improving the equipment at Lord Botetourt but I just don’t think they have what it takes to lead these kids in a way they need to be lead. I think 5 years has been enough, I think the kids that play for Lord Botetourt in the years to come deserve a better varsity experience than my son and his teammates that have graduated with him had while they were there!
I would simply like to familiarize and attach credibility to the individuals that have stood up and are speaking out for the kids at LB.
For those of you who do not know who these people are …they are not just Friday disgruntled fans….not at all….these people have served the community in many ways for many years and are obviously still trying to improve the current situation for future kids they don’t even know.I consider these people and others speaking up genuine and compassionate to their cause. They and their comments deserve respect and serious consideration by those who can help with change.
Paul Hanson.. Coached Rec Ball for years, Volunteered for many causes ,President of LBHS Booster Club
Scott Felts…Coached Rec Ball for years, President of the LBHS Booster Club for (2) years…COSIGNED FOR THE FIELD HOUSE …Volunteered for just about everything
Dean Martin….Coached Rec Ball…Painted the LBHS Football Field….Volunteered for just about everything..Works all the time but still made time for the school and kids.
Chris McCarty…Mr Volunteer..Coached Rec Ball ..Raised Money for every cause…no matter what the sport…Booster Club Officer…raised Booster Club Membership to an acceptable level…provided funds and sponsorship to the LB Football program every year..who does that? initiated the before and after food program for the players from middle school thru High School
Mark Richardson..Coached Rec Ball…Volunteered for many causes and was very active in the Booster Club…played a part in the facility, concession, and ground improvements..active in concessions,the food program and participated in most fundraisers.
Dave Bourne….While Dave lived out of town..he was always present for games and because he could not always volunteer,,,he more than made up for it with his gracious financial contributions…just ask it it was there.
Becky Evans…Ms. Volunteer…Helped at all levels regardless of the sport known for dedication to baseball and to raisng money for the kids.
These are the people that are fighting for you and your kids. Please join in only if you appreciate the cause
Winning Is Important…Kids play football for many reasons… But they ultimately want to win. Winning is what fills stadiums, drives up ticket sales, sells hot dogs and drinks, sells spiritwear, unites the community, and instills pride in our players, parents and community. All of the positives associated with winning are detrimentally spoiled if losing becomes a habit…especially for long periods of time.Our kids suffer in many ways!
Kids are the key! Winning kids over and leading by example will result in wins. Blaming others for losses will not work. A coach cannot continually blame individual players and a team as a whole for losses. A coach cannot tell a team they are uncoachable. A coach cannot blame the refs for the losses. A coach cannot accuse parent sabotage for losses. Blaming assistant coaches is poor reasoning and is not the cause for losses. It starts at the top and ends at the top. And if a coach feel as though he is not accountable ..well
Five years is a very long time to prove one’s competiency. Most of us are never given that long to succeed in any work enviroment where we are paid to perform. LBHS Football in the last 5 yrs. has played 53 games.. they won 17 games. They have won around 32%
In the last 3 years (30 games) they have won 8 games (26%) with 37% of those wins coming from a 1A school. A very good team I might add .We are all proud of JR.
Again our kids win because they believe in their repective coaches, coaches that lead with consistency, integrity,and disipline. Coaches that believe in player tenure and equal opportunity. Kids are smart and they know the difference in right and wrong. Thats what we teach as parents and they immediately detect any deviation of these virtues from others.
That is why our JV Program is successful year in and out. Coach Rod Corl and Coach John Baker are two of the finest leaders I have been exposed to at LB. They dont have to teach integrity and disipline because that is what they are and the kids recognize it daily.
They win the kids and let the kids win the games …Simple Math .
These guys normally take the fall for the loss and credit the kids for the wins…fantastic!
There is not an ounce of arrogance or ego between these two men and it would appear that if the School Board were to consider a Head Coach change, These would be the likely canadidates as neither would mind if the other were to be ask. They have worked well togeter for years.
And if Mr. Benson would like to continue to contribute to the football program in some capacity ..perhaps he could assist as a special teams or assistance coach.
This seems to me as a viable solution to an on going problem.I wish all of our atheletes the very best. Kids is what it is all about and as parents with kids …we are all winners.
I think Chris McCarty and Mark Richardson hit the nail on the head. If we are going to go 2 & 8 or 3 & 7, why aren’t we giving the upperclassmen their due. After all, isn’t that the purpose behind the JV program, so the boys in the 9th & 10th grade can play and gain experience rather than put in a 2 year wait to get on the field? At LB you have upperclassmen standing and watching. I understand that occasionally you will have a super athlete come through the ranks, but I certainly haven’t seen one in the last 5 years. I think the talent has been pretty even across the board. I have seen younger kids play while there equally talented upperclassmen stand on the sideline, and they still lose. They won games until they got to Varsity. The field is the same size, they’re playing against the same kids they’ve always played with, the ball hasn’t changed shape and the last time I checked it still had laces. The only thing that changed is the fact that they are being coached by a different COACHING STAFF! These Varsity coaches are not creating winning attitudes. My son was excited to play while on the JV team. They moved him to Part time Varsity his Freshmen year and full time his Sophomore year. He was quickly deflated, and so deflated this year (JR) the he couldn’t even complete the season. I’m glad he’s done there, but I have great concerns for his little brother. I don’t want to see him go through the same things. I don’t want to see any of these kids go through it anymore. We created sports programs in schools for them, we should give them the best we have to offer as coaches, we clearly are not doing so at the Varsity level. The entire program is in shambles, from the locker room to the game field.
I think that Baker is a fine man and would do an outstanding job as the Head Coach of the Varsity team. Emerson and Fred Smith seem to have won the hearts and minds of the boys as well. Those are the only 3 that should remain. If Benson really wanted to do the best thing for these kids, he would resign immediately so the team could move on and prepare for the next year. We all know that won’t happen because he don’t have the kids best interest at heart, if he did he would not have managed the team the way he has. If he thinks he does, well then we have bigger problems than what we realized.
It’s not just the football program that has a problem. The basketball team is selected long before tryouts and if you know the right people or teach at LB, your son will make the team.
Really? Are you parent’s kidding me? As for the basketball team, as far as I know, there is only one person on the Varsity team that has a parent on the faculty, and if you have seen any of their games this year, you will see that he is the 2nd best player on the team. I guess that doesn’t matter to some of you. Open up your eyes and realize some of these kids aren’t the top Division I athletes that you think they are.
Really not sure how basketball or faculty kids got mixed into the football concerns…this is not the focus
I have pondered for two days on wether to comment on this discussion. I am a 1994 graduate and former football player under Larry Carter and Andy Ward as head coaches, with Tater Benson as an assistant. Although we didnt bolster any great records until my senior year as Andy took over the program, I still had a great time and some of my favorite memories were made with Coach Benson because of his style of coaching. He had a special way of motivating each one us and making us want to be better. I take it personal when I read people taking shots at his character as a coach.
Coach Benson is a great coach and has a very extensive knowledge of the game. Benson is not the whole problem. The other problems come from the assistant coaches. Maybe they should speak up more when there is an issue. Maybe you should bring in an outside person to handle strength and condition seperately from the head coach’s influence. Bring up Baker and Corl who can work with Benson at the varsity level, but firing Coach Benson is not the answer.
If you look at the history of football at LBHS, there has never been a super successful coach or team. granted we have had teams that have made it to the first round of the playoffs but thats it.
You also have to look at the kids playing.If they really wanted to play, then it shouldnt matter if the coach gets in their face because they messed up. When I played and that happened, we used it as motivation to go back out the next play and correct the issue. The kids need to toughen up a little bit more and the parents need to back off just a bit and let everything work itself out. Your not dealing with Division I athletes, they are high school kids. Some of you tend to forget that. Quit playing through your kids and start cheering them on more from up in the stands.
Mr. Harris,
I’m not sure if you have a son on the team now but I don’t think you do. You have been away from the program for 16 years. What you need to realize is that people do change with time and with the transition of authority. We have no problem with a coach getting in a players face about something he’s done wrong, but to put them down by telling them that the best college coaches in the country could not win with them is no way to promote greatness. This is just one of many examples we could give. Also when LB coaches get in a kids face they don’t get the opportunity to correct the issue, they are pulled and set aside. As far as division 1 athletes, those are not born, they are created through coaching and this is why we have no division 1 athletes coming out of LB. Schools are funded by tax paying citizens, and therefor the tax dollars should go towards the best we can find. Benson might have been a great assistant coach and he may be very knowledgeable about the game of football but that don’t create great leaders. Nothing wrong with Benson as far as being a nice guy but I think that I can speak on behalf of any parent when I say we want a coach that can lead a our boys to greatness. A good coach can and will do that with half the talent that is in supply at LB. I have one question for you, you say Benson is a great motivator, what was you high school records your junior and senior year? We credit Mr. Benson with his off the field accomplishments, we don’t credit him with his partial treatment and discipline of players. Again, you’ve been away to long and I think you lack the insight to make an educated opinion. I could go on and on about the negativity of his coaching because my son and many others have experienced it. The fact is that it doesn’t matter who his assistants are, if he can’t coach his assistants he can’t coach his players. The Head coach is responsible for setting policy, procedure and coaching style. The man refuses to accept responsibility for anything except winning. Its his job to get the kids ready to play and they are clearly not ready, for any game.
Dave Bourne
Amen Mr. Bourne.
Enough is enough!
The few parents that have stepped forward to throw the LB coaches under the bus need to think first. Although the record doesn’t show it, Coach Benson and his staff have strived to make the program better. It is time for the parents and players to be honest with themselves. Have you ever ridden home after a game or practice and belittled the coaches to your son? If so, you have underminded the coaches ability to maintain control because as a parent you have greater influence. I did not always agree with the coaching decisions but I never passed that on to my son. Benson, Hill, DeWease, and Toliver were the closest coaches to my son and they helped him develop into a better man and player on and off the field. He has carried that over to the college level where he is a starter on the football team as well as a successful student. I have watched film with all of you and the one thing I will say about that is, “The film doesn’t lie!”. If you are a college prospect, they WILL find you. Stop blaming the coaches and look in the mirror, I have never seen a coach yet make a block or a tackle. Our sons are responsible for how hard they play after they step on the field. I know for a fact how much my son loved the coaches and the program at LB and he poured his heart and soul into everything he did and he has great memories whether they won or lost. You win as a team and you lose as a team.
Go CAVS!
Just the facts!
Coach Hill decided to leave on his own
Coach Dewease moved on to Administration and could no longer coach
Coach Tolliver was not ask to return..not sure why? a very good man and the kids loved him.
So the parents are not throwing these guys under the bus…this was decided by others.
If you are going to watch film and draw conclusions…watch JV and Varsity…
You say it is wrong to blame the coach…so is right for a coiach to blame the kids. the parents , the refs,..tell the kids they suck and are uncoachable? Is a coach not held to certain standards as our kids are and is the coach to bare no blame? At what point as a parent do you say enough is enough?
We are proud of Zach and are happy he is doing well in College and continue to wish him and your family the best.
My son enjoyed his JV experience under Corl/ Baker..there is a reason for that!
Mr. Santolla,
If I remember correctly you were once throwing the coaches under the
bus only you did it from the stands and very loudly I might add. My congrats to you and Zack on his accomplishments. You are exactly right, you win as a team and lose as a team, however a coaches job is to get them to play as a team and that is not happening. Also when a coach takes no responsibility for the loss does that mean he is not part of the team? Its time for a change.
As I said previously, I didn’t always agree with the decisions the coaches made and yes I did yell at games when I disagreed with the play calling and bad calls made or not made by the officials. But, I have never disrepected or questioned the coaches integrity or leadership. Coaches and PLAYERS are both held accountable for wins and losses. I have heard Coach Benson take the blame for losses during film sessions. Coach Benson does care about the program and the community. Coach Benson is quick to give a player a compliment and also as a coach he will let a player know that they made a mistake. Apparently, some players don’t like that. Step back and let the players play and the coaches coach.
So Mr SS you admit that you “yell at games when you disagree with the play calling” but you “never disrespected or questioned the coaches integrity or leadership”. This sounds like a contradiction on your part and a poor example of maturity to exhibit for future little players in the stands. JR winning at LB got the entire season off on the wrong note for the LB community whether you want to admit it or not. JR admittedly is smaller not by our doings, but it does show that great things can come to those who work hard together(ie 5 State Championships in sports in the last 7 years)with the backing of their local community, and they can relate to the story of “The Little Engine That Could”. If you aren’t familiar with the story I suggest you ask for it in the local library and read it!
Boy I guuess I missed that film session and I was at a lot of them.I quit going because of the excuses.
Well Mr. Santolla,
When a coach flat out lies to me and then my son I am and always will question their integrity. When they lie and get caught in it they put their own integrity on the line. No one ever said he didn’t care about the program in fact we said he did some positive things for the program. He just don’t possess the leadership skills that are required to pull the best performance out of the boys. That’s the bottom line. I don’t know of any player that don’t expect to get jumped if he makes a mistake. It’s the insults that are not welcome and have no place in positive leadership. “You see we become what we think”, If the boys are told that the best college coaches in the country could not win with them, or that they suck, well then that’s what they think. Its the negative influence that defeats his purpose. There is no place for insults, but corrective action is absolutely necessary. Benson should learn that. He should be honest with his players or they will doubt him. Virgina Tech suffered an enormous loss against JMU this year. I would relate that as the same type of loss as LB to JR. I never heard one time that Frank Beamer blamed the team. I did hear him take responsibility for the loss.
We all know you and Benson are close and you want to come to the aid of your friend and quite frankly I’m sure he could use some support right now so I’m glad you’re there for him. I’m sure it’s difficult to hear that people don’t feel that you have what it takes to win or be an effective leader. I understand how that can really make you not want to go on or face the people you have to be around. Now, imagine if you were an LB football player and your coach said those things to you after a game. Would you want to go to school and face your fellow students. Parents aren’t undermining the coaches, they are supporting their kids like you’re supporting Benson. I will not step back and let the coaches coach until we get a coach that can coach, then we will have players that can be developed to play!
My son is Patrick McNichols, LB graduate 2009, currently at Old Dominion University in Norfolk. He is playing football for the first team they have had in 69 yrs, their current record is 9 and 2, 8 and 3.
While at Lord Botetourt, Patrick was not only coached for football, but also wrestling by Tater Benson. Coach Benson always has encouraged him, along with Elton Toliver they have told my son to step up and play college ball.
Until Patrick entered RMMS, he was in a private school. He didn’t start playing football until 7th grade. He has been very successful @ sports due to his size and ability. This coupled with loving parents and eleven years of Kempo karate with Prof Chris Ragone.
I was the lady flipping pancakes and pouring Gatorade for your sons on Friday afternoon. My husband has helped also to support our son, whether or not they one any football games.
I also served for many years on the Botetourt FAPT team and can tell you that the special needs kids love Tater Benson. This character slamming has got to STOP.
We can only pray for peace in this community, you are grown men acting like a bunch of idiots.
Thank you for your time, if you have taken the time to stop and think before you say such horrible things about people..
Sue A Graham proud parent of Patrick J McNichols
I think it’s possible that many parents are loosing sight of what High School Football is all about. Or High School Team sports as a whole. I say this after seeing the JV Football Team go undefeated while the parents STILL cursed the Coaches on the sidelines repeatedly during these winning games. Each game, I listened to many of our LB parents on our sidelines yelling at their kids to listen to THEM and not the Coach and I was mostly embarassed to be sitting in our bleachers. At our end of the year Celebration banquet, when we SHOULD have been celebrating the amazing job that our BOYS on the team did – one of the parents made a comment when Coach Benson stood to say a few words to our JV players, that went something like “Oh sure, like he’s gonna be able to say anything good…he’s got issues he needs to work out first don’t ya think”. Like, really dude, it’s a banquet, can you zip it and let him support our kids right now!? Has it come to JUST the wins, and not the kids? It’s not like the players don’t see and hear the “Agry” parents act like they do, which is what kind of example to them?
I’m just not sure how many of our players will become professional football players in the future, and if they really have THAT much Talent, there won’t be any way to hold that talent from ANY set of eyes, right? And what ever happened to realizing that these Coaches have families? Coach Benson, Coach Toliver…..they have kids and wifes who all of this ANGER impacts as well. Are you soooo angry about High School Football that you’re willing to compromise what their families must go thru? Obviously we already know the answer to that one for some of you. I guess the issue for me is clearly less about what needs to be fixed on the Varsity Coaching staff and MORE about how we’re acting like on the bleachers.
You’ll see when your son gets there. I don’t think anyone bashed the JV coaches or Tolliver. We’ve said wonderful things about the way the JV coaches conducted themselves and the fantastic season they’ve had. We actually hated to see Tolliver go. We’ve also said that this isn’t all about winning but the insults and berating by Benson.These kids have families to and quite frankly I don’t stand for any kid being called a loser. I heard nothing but cheering for the JV players, I don’t know how anyone could have done anything but cheer, what a job by Baker and his staff. Bottom line, the truth is the truth! Benson said the things he said and the entire Varsity team heard him. If you can stand for your kid to be insulted far be it from me to be in the way. I will continue to stand up for mine.
Clearly you did not go all of the JV Football games Mr Bourne because I did and there was MUCH yelling of negativity towards Coach Baker and his staff during those games even when we were well up on the scoreboard and then smiles and handshakes after the games were won.
My point is being totally missed by you, which is that the Football Parents anger is WAY more out of control here than the Coaching staff, and I’ll happily agree to disagree.
If my son does decide to continue to play into Varsity, I can only hope that he is able to overlook a couple things: One – if Coach Benson or any of the other coaches looses it during a practice or game and calls him “a looser” that he’ll be able to call him on it, demand an apology (I’m gonna have to go out on a limb here and assume that Coach Benson apologized about his comment to your son), get over it, and get back to work…because the relationship between coaches and their players CAN, in fact, get heated. Coach Emerson, for example, whom I think is AWESOME, was a Coach that was really rough on my son this year….in a way that built strong character in my kid – who, by the way, respects him completely! He certainly didn’t get that respect by giving him warm and fuzzy’s every day on the practice field. And Two – that he’ll be able to remember that Football is a game that builds by being a TEAM – winning seasons or loosing seasons.
I have read through all of the commentary and respectfuuly appreciate everyone’s opinions and concerns.I do not see anything but the highest regard for the JV Program and all of the associated coaches relative to that program over the 5 years.Coach Tolliver is a good man and a fine coach but the parents to my knowledge never bashed him nor were they responsible for his departure.
As far as the “cussing coaches” in the stands “JV or Varsity” goes!
I agree with “JV Football Parent”, It is wrong and is probably isolated to a few…However I am fairly certain that none of the parents showing concern for the Varsity Program and their respective kids are guilty of such behavior…at least not anyone I know.
I am not certain how you stop that kind of behavior as it has been going on for decades at all levels in all states throughout the country.
Perhaps that is a question that could be answered by the VHSL.
Congradulations to the Junior Varsity Football Program.
This whole blog has just blown me away, I for one do not have a son that plays football or basketball, however as a parent of a student there and former student myself, I find this completely NUTS! Do you parents see the negativity that you all are sending to our kids… I have to agree with JV football parent that there are some parents that really loose control while their child is on the field (whatever sport that may be). This was also going on from the middle school as well… I was to the point that I could not enjoy the games that my child played in due to the fact that Parents were Coaching from the bleachers…Ummm… Hello?? if you want that job, put that coaches shirt on and get on the sidelines… but however if you don’t, then keep your mouths shut, I can understand commenting if it’s your own child however, no parent has the right to comment on that of another’s child…. I will be the first to admit that I push my child to do their very best and I am there to support them in every way…I am so glad that my child participates in a sport where it’s an individual sport , and as a whole the students pull together and support each other and give all that they have got. Some of you may not think that Track and Field is a Sport, and myself was shocked while my child decided to completely change their decision of what sport they wanted to play for the reaminder of high school.. I know that this is a FOOTBALL subject, however I am a parent, volunteer, (and that is another whole discussion of those parents who do not support and help)and alumi of LBHS and I think that if you all sit and look at the whole picture where sports are concerned at LBHS that it’s a serious situations and some what political, not about who is good at the sport and wants to play just for the absolute love of the sport. I had no idea what, nor knew what it took for a athlete to run track, however I DO know that their coaches RESPECT, SUPPORT those athelets in every way. I have not seen coaches like that since middle school, my child is a junior and I cannot tell you how happy that they are doing what they love in a sport for their school….
I thought this blog was a discussion in response to the aforementioned articles? It is about performance,accountability, leadership,and a new direction for LB sports. It is not a discussion about a few unruly parents. Stick to the subject,and don’t cloud the issue with smoke and mirrors.
When it’s the unruly parents that are stirring the pot, I believe they should be mentioned. As far as a new direction for LB sports, which direction is that, and for which sports? If you look at the sports teams for the school, only football and boys basketball seem to be a little down right now. It’s called rebuilding. Do you think these same message boards took place at William Byrd a few years ago when Coach Highfill was losing games playing with mainly 9th and 10th graders? Guess what, when those kids were juniors and seniors, they won 8 games and the BRD. Regardless of what you think, sometimes there are better athletes at another school during that particular season. Until the guys at LB get “used” to winning, it’s going to be up and down year in and year out. Coach Benson is trying his best to implement the winning attitude, but sometimes it takes a little talent and a little “want to” from the athletes. Sometimes things in life aren’t handed to you, believe it or not!!
OMG, you make some good, valid points. Please remember that we are all struggling to make these programs better. Coaches may be remembered for their records or their wins, but what really makes a coach is his/her ability to inspire. Coaching is not just a job, it is a career. I have seen the dedication that it takes to make successful programs. I have seen these qualities in some of the Lord Botetourt coaches. Parents do get clouded at times in their views of their child’s abilities, but that does not make them bad parents. I think that these parents want the best for their children and want their kids to be able to graduate with good memories of their high school years. These athletes need someone to believe in them. There are some wonderful athletes at our school, and there are children with Division I or II potential. It is up to the coaches to mold these athletes, believe in them and challenge them to be better not tear them down with derogatory remarks. I want to see the kids get their pride back. I want to see them believe in themselves. I know that these coaches and athletes have it in them to be better. I challenge Coach Benson and the other coaches to come up with ways to improve morale and support. Bring back some of our Lord Botetourt traditions. Show these kids that you care about them on and off the field. As far as parents coaching from the bleachers and political pressure, you will always have this no matter where you go. I think we can all agree that if we work together, we can make a difference. Look at the passion shown in this blog. That passion means that we care. That is a great place to start.
LBHS FOOTBALL STATS 2006-2010
Varsity Junior Varsity
2006 5-6 Benson 2006 6-3 Corl/Baker
2007 4-7 Benson 2007 8-1 Corl/Baker
2008 3-8 Benson 2008 4-6 Corl/Baker
2009 2-8 Benson 2009 4-6 Corl/Baker
2010 3-7 Benson 2010 10-1 Baker
Percentage of Wins Percentage of Wins
Last 5 yrs. = 32% Last 5 yrs. = 66%
Last 3 yrs. = 26% Last 3 yrs. = 60%
Last 2 yrs. = 25% Last 2 yrs. = 70%
Notes:
With the exception of the year 2010, players are always selected and pulled up to Varsity from the JV level. While it is not unusual to pull a couple of players from the Freshman and Sophomore ranks, 2008-2009 were years when these numbers were excessive and left the JV Program decimated and vulnerable.. However Corl / Baker, in typical fashion rallied the boys and had an excellent showing.
Coaching High School Football is a privilege. The opportunity to shape kids as individuals and bring them together as a team is an art form. There is no doubt in my mind that the LBHS Football athletes have all the potential talent required to become successful and confident.
The community and parents have been very involved like never before and supportive over the last 5 years. The Booster Club has provided over 50k to the Football program. The Concession Area has been renovated by the Booster Club (12k).A great deal of equipment has been provided to the football program.. Apparel, practice and play equipment, time clocks, and filming equipment. The grounds and stadium facilities have undergone vast improvements. The under stadium room and stadium underpinning…These were funded by the Booster Club in cooperation with the County (20k). The volunteer hrs are endless….so I feel like the parents have been very cooperative and patient.
The people speaking out in behalf of improvement have been offering up just that… for a very long time. They haven’t been sitting on their hands, pointing fingers and asking for the impossible.They haven’t been up in the stands yelling at the coaches. These people have been involved as Rec. Coaches, Booster Club Officers and Presidents, Volunteers, and Huge Donors to the School and the Football Program…..for Years..
These people want or expect nothing in return for their deeds except the proper handling and proper instruction for their kids.. Integrity, Honesty, Consistent Discipline, Hard Work, Equal Opportunity, and Fairness. Remember …this is High School Ball. This is what we teach as parents and we should expect no less from others that are coaching them.
The Coaches that have these qualities are available to the athletes at LBHS.
Coach Corl, Coach Baker, Coach Emerson, Coach Smith.
They haven’t just proven themselves over the last year or so, but have consistently won the kids over year in and year out.
That’s why the kids play for them and that is why they win.
Coach Corl or Coach Baker have proven themselves as leaders and as outstanding examples for our kids and community.
Win, Lose, or Draw….I guarantee that the kids will play their hearts out for these guys…
I have been watching it happen for 5 years…I’m betting on a Win- Win Situation! Win the kids..Win their Hearts…Maybe even win a game or two!
Correction!!! Baker and the Boys were undeafeated in 2010 ..My apologies
Amen to the insightful and relevant comments above by MWR and Evans.
Page 13 of yesterday’s Fincastle Herald (Wed, Dec. 29th)…..article written by Brian Hoffman, and it’s great read and a perfect example of what some of us in this blog have been trying to get across.