Fairfield parent speaks out on coaching issues

To the editor:
 
Yesterday, I read the story about the hiring of Coach Everett Snyder and found it difficult to comprehend that once again, the Leesburg community has decided they are unhappy with a coach.

I am puzzled: what is it that they want? Winning seasons? Strong fundamental skills? Good sportsmanship? Hugs, compliments and more minutes for their sons?

Since my relocation to the Fairfield district, I have seen three coaches leave, two I grew up with and one who I watched grow. I have struggled to accept the "good old boys club" that truly makes the decisions regarding basketball at that school while academics and even other athletic programs falter. What happened to hiring a coach, letting him do his job and supporting the athletic program wholeheartedly?

When my son was a freshman playing centerfield at Fairfield, I learned the concept of "small ball," one-base-at-a-time baseball. Small ball frustrated me at that time (wasn't how Vine Street played baseball), but now it is a concept I live my life by: one base at a time. Matt Carson is not "small ball" philosophy. He is passionate and dedicated and a "swing away" sign every time. He is destined for great things and truly devoted to pushing his players toward their own greatness. Matt and I may not have always shared the same opinions, but I always supported his program because I knew he had the entire team's best interest at heart … the entire team, not just one player.

I grew as a mom while my children were at Fairfield. I realized that sometimes your kids aren't always who you want them to be, and you're the last one to find out. Teenagers will tell you exactly what you want to hear and leave out important details, the whole time congratulating themselves on the fact that they DIDN'T lie. Your own child can bring you to your knees with their imperfections, break your heart with their actions and still be the greatest moments of your life. I learned the hard way during my oldest son's teenage years that I may have to rephrase my questions five different ways to get the whole story, and if his Spanish teacher was mean to him, it really meant, "I don't ever do my homework.'

I pray that Matt wasn't forced into a decision because parents believed that he was too hard on their children. Are the same parents packing their bags for college in the fall also? Life is hard, but it is so worth the effort, and if you think for a minute you have done the district a favor, think again, or better yet, watch the ESPN special on Bob Hurley. You will never get such quality coaching and caring again. 

Swing away, Matthew … I will be cheering the whole way.

Lori Walker-Magulac
Hillsboro, Ohio