Wednesday, October 31, 2007
New Poll Opens
Don't forget to vote
Who are your top five coaches in Dade?
If you think I missed someone, vote for the one that says someone was left off and explain why here in the comments section. The poll will be open for 1 week, we shall see what everyone thinks by next week.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
The Polls are closed
The results are in
While there is no chance of this ever happening the majority of you feel that athletes should be free to go to any institution of learning that best suits them and their athletic aspirations. It makes sense to me, in this country of opportunity we should not make it policy that individuals are locked into attending a school with an inferior product (athletics) solely because of their choice of residence. I understand that many of you feel that open enrollment would mean heavy recruiting, and while it might, what would be the difference? The best schools in the state right at this very moment all recruit, all have exceptional members not living within their boundaries, and all have found a way to make it happen regardless of the rules. I have said it 100 times or more, these rules only hurt the have nots, the haves already figured out how to circumvent the rules, or they would also be have nots.
Some of you felt it was OK so long as they did it their freshman year. Not a bad choice either, there is some prudence here, I lean towards this device only because it has the most likely chance of someday being instituted, though I think the first choice is still the better choice. What happens though to an athlete whose coach moves on for a better opportunity to a better program? That kid is forced to stay behind and languish with whatever bum might come in? Why can’t that athlete follow his coach? That is a very silly rule if you ask me; it’s like the schools own the athletes or something, I thought the Supreme Court all ready ruled on free agency? Let Athletes go where they want and follow the coach that got them there, it is the fair thing for both the Athlete and his Coach.
Some of you felt that it’s OK to transfer so long as the Governing body gives it their stamp of approval. A very wise choice for those of you already getting the athletes you want, you should want the rules to remain the same, you are smarter than the rest and have found a way to circumvent the rules and make them work for you. You know that if they opened it up to all, you would likely lose your advantage, not immediately, but certainly over time.
Not a single one of you believes that kids should be forced to go to their home school without exception. That is a very prudent view, so why do we have that policy in place. Yeah without exception is more restrictive than the current rules, but only because loopholes exist, like Magnets Programs, Curriculum Transfers, Best Interest Transfers, and my new favorite the Nickleby Transfer. All are just different ways to circumvent the system. Fake like you are interested in agriculture (for example) so you can wrestle at a certain school, or whatever their magnet is… It’s all very cute, just jump through a few hoops and go where you want.
Some of you felt it was OK so long as they did it their freshman year. Not a bad choice either, there is some prudence here, I lean towards this device only because it has the most likely chance of someday being instituted, though I think the first choice is still the better choice. What happens though to an athlete whose coach moves on for a better opportunity to a better program? That kid is forced to stay behind and languish with whatever bum might come in? Why can’t that athlete follow his coach? That is a very silly rule if you ask me; it’s like the schools own the athletes or something, I thought the Supreme Court all ready ruled on free agency? Let Athletes go where they want and follow the coach that got them there, it is the fair thing for both the Athlete and his Coach.
Some of you felt that it’s OK to transfer so long as the Governing body gives it their stamp of approval. A very wise choice for those of you already getting the athletes you want, you should want the rules to remain the same, you are smarter than the rest and have found a way to circumvent the rules and make them work for you. You know that if they opened it up to all, you would likely lose your advantage, not immediately, but certainly over time.
Not a single one of you believes that kids should be forced to go to their home school without exception. That is a very prudent view, so why do we have that policy in place. Yeah without exception is more restrictive than the current rules, but only because loopholes exist, like Magnets Programs, Curriculum Transfers, Best Interest Transfers, and my new favorite the Nickleby Transfer. All are just different ways to circumvent the system. Fake like you are interested in agriculture (for example) so you can wrestle at a certain school, or whatever their magnet is… It’s all very cute, just jump through a few hoops and go where you want.
Monday, October 22, 2007
It's A Double Standard
Boy there is nothing better to light a fire under ones ass than a clear cut double standard. We have all been witness to double standards; women often complain that men get better pay for similar work because of their sex, Blacks often complain that they are treated more harshly by the justice system than whites, and athletics though a valuable means to a college education is devalued beyond compare.
Athletes are being cheated, cheated by a double standard that is sickening and needs to be discussed.
Have any of you out there heard about the Nickleby program?
Yes well it’s very cute; it’s the government’s way of giving kids a fair shot (As they see it) at success. Basically under the Nickleby if you are a student who attends an "F" school you can legally transfer to any "C" or better school of your choice without repercussions; meaning that you would be eligible for all activities and athletics at your school of choice. That is fine and dandy, I don’t have a problem with that; I actually find it to be a positive development, because no one should be made to attend an institution that is underperforming. Everyone has the right to a better opportunity, and if that means you can find that opportunity at another school, then so be it.
But let’s get to the double standard shall we?
Why are athletics not considered just like academics in this situation? Every year hundreds of millions of dollars are awarded for Athletic scholarships, meaning that there are abundant opportunities for students to better themselves through athletics, but first they have to showcase their abilities. However, unlike with the Nickleby, a student that is at a school whose athletic programs are a joke or an “F” in athletics has no recourse to pick up and go elsewhere without repercussion. An athlete who transfers for athletic purposes is accosted and sanctioned by the system; he can lose a year or more of eligibility; and his future can be seriously impacted by this unfair and obvious double standard. I understand academics is important, but for many so are athletics, and in some cases just as if not more important.
Now before you get all bent out of shape, let me explain myself. Some kids go to school and sacrifice, study hard, and attend their classes, because of athletics. Without athletics, many students (especially males) would lack the motivation to keep up with their studies and their attendance; this is a reality. Athletes perform better on exams, have better attendance, get better grades, and are less likely to be detrimental in their behavior to the school environment than the general population of the school. These are facts according to the statistics compiled by the schools themselves.
Why should any athlete in any program be forced to attend a school where their sport of choice at that school would offer less than an adequate opportunity to maximize their potential and skill?
Why should their future be impacted so seriously because the system improperly objectifies athletics, when in fact athletes are proven to excel in the classroom and in the school environment beyond the performance of the average student?
Why are the opportunities that athletics offer less pertinent and receive less consideration than do academics?
I say it’s time to evaluate schools and their athletic programs, grade them based on their performance much as we do with schools on the FCAT, and if a school is found to be lacking in a sport, then their athletes should be allowed to transfer to a school of choice without penalty.
Of course we all know this is a pipe dream, and it will never happen. Therefore, heed the words of the Spiderman, if your want your child to have success in athletics and he belongs to a school who devalues his sport of choice, do everything you can to get him to a schools with an adequate program.
Cheat if you have to, your child’s future is more important than the rules that are biased against them.
Athletes are being cheated, cheated by a double standard that is sickening and needs to be discussed.
Have any of you out there heard about the Nickleby program?
Yes well it’s very cute; it’s the government’s way of giving kids a fair shot (As they see it) at success. Basically under the Nickleby if you are a student who attends an "F" school you can legally transfer to any "C" or better school of your choice without repercussions; meaning that you would be eligible for all activities and athletics at your school of choice. That is fine and dandy, I don’t have a problem with that; I actually find it to be a positive development, because no one should be made to attend an institution that is underperforming. Everyone has the right to a better opportunity, and if that means you can find that opportunity at another school, then so be it.
But let’s get to the double standard shall we?
Why are athletics not considered just like academics in this situation? Every year hundreds of millions of dollars are awarded for Athletic scholarships, meaning that there are abundant opportunities for students to better themselves through athletics, but first they have to showcase their abilities. However, unlike with the Nickleby, a student that is at a school whose athletic programs are a joke or an “F” in athletics has no recourse to pick up and go elsewhere without repercussion. An athlete who transfers for athletic purposes is accosted and sanctioned by the system; he can lose a year or more of eligibility; and his future can be seriously impacted by this unfair and obvious double standard. I understand academics is important, but for many so are athletics, and in some cases just as if not more important.
Now before you get all bent out of shape, let me explain myself. Some kids go to school and sacrifice, study hard, and attend their classes, because of athletics. Without athletics, many students (especially males) would lack the motivation to keep up with their studies and their attendance; this is a reality. Athletes perform better on exams, have better attendance, get better grades, and are less likely to be detrimental in their behavior to the school environment than the general population of the school. These are facts according to the statistics compiled by the schools themselves.
Why should any athlete in any program be forced to attend a school where their sport of choice at that school would offer less than an adequate opportunity to maximize their potential and skill?
Why should their future be impacted so seriously because the system improperly objectifies athletics, when in fact athletes are proven to excel in the classroom and in the school environment beyond the performance of the average student?
Why are the opportunities that athletics offer less pertinent and receive less consideration than do academics?
I say it’s time to evaluate schools and their athletic programs, grade them based on their performance much as we do with schools on the FCAT, and if a school is found to be lacking in a sport, then their athletes should be allowed to transfer to a school of choice without penalty.
Of course we all know this is a pipe dream, and it will never happen. Therefore, heed the words of the Spiderman, if your want your child to have success in athletics and he belongs to a school who devalues his sport of choice, do everything you can to get him to a schools with an adequate program.
Cheat if you have to, your child’s future is more important than the rules that are biased against them.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
A Must Read!
I thought it would be prudent at this juncture to put out and advisory so everyone understands their responsibility in remaining anonymous. We all had such a great time teasing and harassing the sheriff that we did not stop to sympathize with the difficulty of his situation. Though I always maintained it was a monster of his own creation, he could have done it all anonymously, but he chose to do it openly. He is the face of that site, and therefore bears the brunt of the attacks on it, and for that I don’t feel badly because he chose his circumstances. He bears quite a burden, but it is in his power to change it and still he persists. An admirable yet imprudent quality given the history of the site and the attacks brought on him personally.
OK, all that said, (and pay close attention) this is important.
If you are a coach, an official, an administrator, an athletic director, or otherwise bound by the regulations of the state governing body, you should understand that the things you say here or on any other site could be used against you.
The state governing body has made it clear to one of my sources (who works for the state governing body BTW) that should anyone that is obliged to follow their bylaws, that is accused of a breach in verbal decorum and public criticism, and assuming that said breach can be substantiated, the culpable individual would face the full sanction of the aforementioned governing body.
Sounds like legal mumbo jumbo I know; and while most of you with a proper education understand what I am saying, here is the KISS (Keep it simple stupid) version.
Don’t say shit to anyone officially about your identity on the blog because if they read it and can link you to what you may have said on a public forum, you could be fired dumb ass.
In conclusion, if you work under the regulations of the state governing body, don’t tell anyone your alias; if you can’t do that, and you get caught, you have no one to blame but yourself. If no one knows your Alias, that is the best possible scenario, if someone or more than one person knows, I hope it’s someone you can trust, and if it’s someone you don’t think you can trust, get a new alias and this time keep it to your self. Anyone and everyone can guess at who you are and what your alias might be, but so long as you don’t provide confirmation, good luck proving it.
One more thing, do you notice that I reference the state governing body by that title and not by the letters that would give them unequivocal identity? Yeah that’s because unless I say their exact name, they have to kiss my ass, there are thousands of State governing bodies, some for athletics some for music, some for Drama and some unrelated to education in any capacity. While we all know who I am talking about, legally they can go screw themselves, good luck proving that I am talking about them. You should be so prudent.
Spidey
The Poll Is Closed:
The Results Are In.
Though there was no clear consensus of opinion, a large percentage of voters seem to think there is a chance the “Streak” could finally end, but they don’t see it as likely.
The next highest group felt that the “Streak” is in serious Jeapardy, some believing it is an absolute certainty.
There was also a strong contingent that believed that the “Streak” had no F-ing chance of being broken.
In any case, finding out will be quite the thrill, I can guarantee you I will or will not be there.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
ZEBRA In The House
The Spiders Lair is very excited to announce that we will have a resident expert in all matters dealing with officiating and rules interpretations.
I assure you this person is very well qualified in these matters and offers an experts point of view. Our expert wishes to remain anonymous, but has agreed to answer any questions pertaining to any NFHS or FHSAA rules.
So post your questions under this heading and they will be answered.
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