Players booted for giving Blood

[dada]

Thoughts?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/kprc/20061024/lo_kprc/10144744

[J-Rock Mom]

How can he do something like that? I just don't understand.
Those poor boys. He did that with no explaination at all.:eek:

[dada]

How can he do something like that? I just don't understand.
Those poor boys. He did that with no explaination at all.:eek:
From the outside looking in....not knowing the situation...I'm gonna ASSUME that the boys missed practice.....every one knows that most of the time you are given the rest of the day off or something after giving blood.......I could be wrong though.

[The Dude]

Wow, this Ironic. I was actually coaching at Willis last spring, this summer, and into a few weeks this season while I was attending school up here at Sam Houston. UIL told us a few weeks ago that it was illegal for me to be coaching already unless I had a full time job with the district or I was student teaching for college credit, which I wasn't. This Mack Malone guy is tough and strict. He's what this Willis program needs. They went 1-9 last year, and he came in this spring(didn't get an offseason or anything) and unfortunately hasn't won a game yet this season. However, he's definently turning things around there and before when players could walk all over the coaches and do as they please, that isn't happening anymore. I promise you he probably warned them all week, "Do not go give blood, we have practice today and you need to be practicing." I gurantee you his intentions were never this way because he thought you were evil if you gave blood. This actually happened at Katy also when I played there, however we didn't kick the kids off the team, but I think it was more than neccesary at Willis for Malone to do that so he could make a statement. If you're in a program where discipline isn't questioned, then a situation like this can be solved by being suspended from a game and lots of running. But if you are trying to turn a program around with 0 discipline, then you need to flex your muscle and show that things are different now and make a strong statement like Malone did. At Katy, discipline was never a question when I was there, and that's because Coach Johnston built it up that way over time. All week the coaches warned us not to give blood the day of the blooddrive because you'll miss practice and everyone needs to be at practice. A few kids ignored the warning and went to the blood drive to get out of class, and needless to say Coach Joseph wasn't too happy. They were even dressed out and ready to goto practice, but the point is they disobeyed the coach's orders. They had a few days of 600 club (any ex or current Katy player knows what type of hell that is). I respect Coach Malone for doing what he did at Willis. He's setting an example for the players in his program that this is not the old Willis where you can do what you want. His way goes, because being selfish will continue to make you the laughing stock of the district.

[bcheat128]

Wow, this Ironic. I was actually coaching at Willis last spring, this summer, and into a few weeks this season while I was attending school up here at Sam Houston. UIL told us a few weeks ago that it was illegal for me to be coaching already unless I had a full time job with the district or I was student teaching for college credit, which I wasn't. This Mack Malone guy is tough and strict. He's what this Willis program needs. They went 1-9 last year, and he came in this spring(didn't get an offseason or anything) and unfortunately hasn't won a game yet this season. However, he's definently turning things around there and before when players could walk all over the coaches and do as they please, that isn't happening anymore. I promise you he probably warned them all week, "Do not go give blood, we have practice today and you need to be practicing." I gurantee you his intentions were never this way because he thought you were evil if you gave blood. This actually happened at Katy also when I played there, however we didn't kick the kids off the team. All week the coaches warned us not to give blood the day of the blooddrive because you'll miss practice and everyone needs to be at practice. A few kids ignored the warning and went to the blood drive to get out of class, and needless to say Coach Joseph wasn't too happy. They had a few days of 600 club (any ex or former Katy player knows what type of hell that is). I respect Coach Malone for doing what he did at Willis. He's setting an example for the players in his program that this is not the old Willis where you can do what you want. His way goes, because being selfish will continue to make you the laughing stock of the district.

what is the 600 club

[The Dude]

Pretty much the worst possible punishment a coach is allowed to dish out. Be at the school, dressed out, on the goaline at 6 in the morning before school. And...RUN and ROLL and push sleds up and down the field, do bear crawls pulling big tires on your feet. All this for atleast an hour and puke your brains out when you're done. Then attempt to goto school all day with 0 energy and 0 appetite, and on top of that you got 5th period football practice and after school practice. A few days of that will dang near kill you.

But I tell you what...Offseason becomes a joke once you've gone through a couple days of 600 club!

[bcheat128]

Pretty much the worst possible punishment a coach is allowed to dish out. Be at the school, dressed out, on the goaline at 6 in the morning before school. And...RUN and ROLL and push sleds up and down the field, do bear crawls pulling big tires on your feet. All this for atleast an hour and puke your brains out when you're done. Then attempt to goto school all day with 0 energy and 0 appetite, and on top of that you got 5th period football practice and after school practice. A few days of that will dang near kill you.

But I tell you what...Offseason becomes a joke once you've gone through a couple days of 600 club!

i bet they listen to the coach next time

[The Dude]

It may be sad that they don't get to finish their season, but a good coach is supposed to do more than just teach you football. I learned more about being a good man and life in general from my coaches at Katy, than I did about on the field stuff(which was still A LOT). Hopefully these young men learn a life lesson from this. When someone in an authorative posistion over you tells you to do(or not to do) something, you don't go against their will. One day all these kids will have a boss at their job, and are they going to go do something when they are told not to? Maybe they'll look back on this and remember.

I support you Mack Malone!

[The Dude]

and for anyone wondering..Who the heck is Willis?? (Because I'd be doing the same thing had I not coached there) It's a 4A high school about 20 minutes south of Huntsville, right outside Conroe. It's a growing area, LOADED with athletes, they just have a problem with finding some big boys to block for these kids. The poor lines probably average no more that 220 pounds and get dominated.

[THEsouthlakeCARROLL]

Yea, i am going ot have to assume taht there was more to the situation that what is told to the article or even what the parents know. That's just an assumtion tho.

[The Dude]

And of course the media is going to go for the juicy side of the story and make it look like the school is corrupt and the coach just kicked off these poor little innocent kids who were just trying to help the world and give the gift of life. In no way did they even attempt to hint that maybe the coach told them not to, because no one in their right mind would just kick a bunch of kids off the team for no reason. Media = BS

[Floyd the Barber]

I've given blood a few times, man that is not an easy way to get out of class if thats what they were doing.

If Coach had told them to absolutly not do this and they did it, well they made their own choice about what was more important to them.

Football obviously wasnt, if he gave them that ultimatum.

Now if he said nothing about it and just sprung this on them, well that would be unfair of course.

I have a 2 1/2 year old boy, sweet as he is, it is obviously in our nature to not do what we're told and not want any consequences for it, we are hard wired that way.

Maybe just maybe, these kids were told up front the consequences and they just ignored them. Their folks probably would let them slide, the coach didn't.

[ken-in-rockwall]

There has to be more to this than 'we' know. The article states "..after he found out they had participated in a school blood drive earlier in the day. The players said they went to their lockers to get ready for practice, but they were told to leave."

Alot of things go on during the day (class, lunch, etc.) that can affect players that the coach can not and should not have control over. IMHO, the coach should have handled it on the practice field, if and only if, the players were not upto their normal practice standards.

I did this while I was in school several times and it didn't affect practice. The blood drive was early in morning and I had all day to eat, rest and regain strength through out the day. I feel for the players, parents, and fans of this team to go through this issue.

[slorch]

my guess after seeing the interview on the news this morning is that the boys may have done it to miss practice.

I'm guessing a tough coach would say," If you want to miss practice, let me help you out..."

The kicker was when the reporter/ spin doctor said," this may be these boys' only shot at a scholarship." How 'bout putting a little undue guilt on the school.
1)If you're counting on football to get a scholly, why are you playing games with the coach to begin with?
2)If your only hope is football, how intelligent are you anyway?

like other posters have said, there has to be more to the story. i bet the race card ends up being played, even though race has nothing to do with the situation. The boys are white and the coach is black. What if it was in reverse?

[The Dude]

the coach is black and has a white wife...so if race ever gets pulled into this...it'll be ridiculous.

[dada]

Race shouldnt have anything to do to with it.....If the coach said we have practice today and they went to a blood drive to get out of practice...they pretty much told the coach what the felt about practice and the team.

[The Dude]

reports say that the superintendent has apparently reinstated the players

[CoveMom]

reports say that the superintendent has apparently reinstated the players

Then, because it would be in my nature to do so, if the Coach had warned them not to participate, I'd start looking for a place to work that would back me up. That may seem drastic to most of you but I served in the military and my work ethic comes from the "if you don't do your job, someone else might die" point of view. There are plenty of small towns where discipline and attention to work ethic would be appreciated.

[ken-in-rockwall]

reports say that the superintendent has apparently reinstated the players

Still looks like there's is something missing as the players state "We were all ready for practice" but the coach states that they missed Monday's practice. This is going to take a few days to iron out.

http://www.click2houston.com/news/10144744/detail.html

[BHS03]

"Malone, who has refused to comment on why giving blood resulted in the players' dismissal, apologized to the players and their parents on Tuesday but issued a punishment to the players for missing Monday's practice."

I dont understand why he'd keep so quiet about why, exactly, they were kicked off. To top it off, he apologized about it. If he were in the right as some of you are thinking he might have been, why would he not explain his actions?

[LoneRocket]

"Malone, who has refused to comment on why giving blood resulted in the players' dismissal, apologized to the players and their parents on Tuesday but issued a punishment to the players for missing Monday's practice."

I dont understand why he'd keep so quiet about why, exactly, they were kicked off. To top it off, he apologized about it. If he were in the right as some of you are thinking he might have been, why would he not explain his actions?
His employer might have told him to keep quiet.

[CoveMom]

The post with the Houston news link surely changes my previous post somewhat.

According to that news bit from the previous post, the coach apologized to the players and their parents for booting from the team. So perhaps the Superintendent did not just arbitrarily reinstate them. The coach did take their starting position away and will make them sit out Friday's game (for missing practice). Apparently they could not practice after giving blood, whether they wanted to or not. Despite being booted there is that to consider. So, I guess as far as we know now, they missed practice due to giving blood. Since they are back on the team, that is all it is and perhaps the 1-game suspension is appropriate? Or maybe just losing their starting positions? I can see either, but not both if you are going to let them return.

Sounds like the coach may have overreacted to them disobeying him and did not keep it in perspective after all. Maybe the directive from him was the standard warning...DON'T MISS PRACTICE UNLESS YOU ARE ILL/INJURED!!! Even then, come out and be here, unless on a doctor's orders to stay home. Since they did give blood, it stands to reason, they would not be allowed to practice. But, they are teenage boys. They are invincible in their own minds. They probably thought is was okay to do this. They did dress out and show up for practice. A previous poster said he used to give blood and practice later in the same day. That wasn't smart. Think of all the deaths/near-deaths on high school athletic fields this year alone. The coach sounds to me like he was frustrated and let that show a little too much.

[The Dude]

Why is Malone keeping quiet? Because he's not the boss. He's not the athletic director, he's not the principal, he's not the superintendent, all of whom are above him. Willis HS has already had 2 bad experiences with coaches in the past 5 years that were spread all over the news. 1 involving race because a coach wouldn't let the players wear "do-rags" (however it's spelled) and the school board wouldn't back him, and the last coach, who was an offensive coordinator at Lufkin in 2001, resigned last year after being drunk in public and sending disturbing pictures around on the school email that revealed himself and another coach. I'm sure the Willis superintendent didn't want anymore negative attention sent their way so he made Malone shut up and apologize or lose his job, which is sad to say the least. I know these kids and I know this coach, they were in the wrong, he wasn't. That kid they interviewed on the news, has one of the worst attitudes I've ever seen. Every single one of those players that I saw when they showed who all was involved, are the kinds of kids I'd expect this from. Maybe kicking them off the team was a bit harsh, but Malone has to make a statement to this program and community, but unfortunately because of the &^(*%*(@ on the schoolboard, it was overridden. I think the fact that they have to run their butts off and earn their spots back is plenty fair, I hope they have to run a lot. The same thing happened to our team when I played at Katy when players went and gave blood when warned not to, and I would dare say someone would jump on the coaching staff at Katy for being wrong. There are hundreds of other days in the year that these kids could go give blood if they REALLY wanted to. I gurantee you they were warned not to, just like we were at Katy, and they did anyways. Every year at Katy when the blood drive came, it seemed like half the student body left to go give blood because they were allowed to just get up and leave class and miss the rest of the day pretty much, and I'm sure it's the same way in Willis. These kids found a good way to skip class legally, while helping others out. However, they put ME before TEAM, so cutting their *** is exactly what I'd do too. They can give blood after football season every day of the week if they want to.

[ThEgReAtOnE]

Why is Malone keeping quiet? Because he's not the boss. He's not the athletic director, he's not the principal, he's not the superintendent, all of whom are above him. Willis HS has already had 2 bad experiences with coaches in the past 5 years that were spread all over the news. 1 involving race because a coach wouldn't let the players wear "do-rags" (however it's spelled) and the school board wouldn't back him, and the last coach, who was an offensive coordinator at Lufkin in 2001, resigned last year after being drunk in public and sending disturbing pictures around on the school email that revealed himself and another coach. I'm sure the Willis superintendent didn't want anymore negative attention sent their way so he made Malone shut up and apologize or lose his job, which is sad to say the least. I know these kids and I know this coach, they were in the wrong, he wasn't. That kid they interviewed on the news, has one of the worst attitudes I've ever seen. Every single one of those players that I saw when they showed who all was involved, are the kinds of kids I'd expect this from. Maybe kicking them off the team was a bit harsh, but Malone has to make a statement to this program and community, but unfortunately because of the &^(*%*(@ on the schoolboard, it was overridden. I think the fact that they have to run their butts off and earn their spots back is plenty fair, I hope they have to run a lot. The same thing happened to our team when I played at Katy when players went and gave blood when warned not to, and I would dare say someone would jump on the coaching staff at Katy for being wrong. There are hundreds of other days in the year that these kids could go give blood if they REALLY wanted to. I gurantee you they were warned not to, just like we were at Katy, and they did anyways. Every year at Katy when the blood drive came, it seemed like half the student body left to go give blood because they were allowed to just get up and leave class and miss the rest of the day pretty much, and I'm sure it's the same way in Willis. These kids found a good way to skip class legally, while helping others out. However, they put ME before TEAM, so cutting their *** is exactly what I'd do too. They can give blood after football season every day of the week if they want to.

I'm 1,000,000% with you, Dude. These smuck, little-smartmouth-jerks are probably laughing their *** off about this. They've captivated a Nation and are probably sitting around saying, "What a bunch of morons, parents and adults are! They actually believed us! Like normal, we get what we want!".;)

[The Dude]

oh and by the way, not a single one of these kids has a chance in hell of getting a scholarship. They are making crap up to get more pity.

The one they interview on the news is a lineman..you try to tell me he looks like the size of a lineman and colleges are just chasing after him like crazy! Rrrrrright

[PantherStang84]

I once heard a head coach of a fairly successful football program say that to be successful in any extra-curricular activity whether it be football, band, or tiddly winks, it takes commitment from the top down. He said it all starts at the school board and administration building and it trickles down to the faculty, students and parents. They all have to be on board with the program.

[The Dude]

Is the man you are talking about, Mike Johnston? Because the legendary Katy coach said the same thing. And it's a sad world for Willis coaches, because they sure as heck have never gotten the support from the school board

[PantherStang84]

Is the man you are talking about, Mike Johnston? Because the legendary Katy coach said the same thing. And it's a sad world for Willis coaches, because they sure as heck have never gotten the support from the school board

Nope. It wasn't him. However, I think most coaches of successful programs would say the same thing.

[The Dude]

there is quite a debate going on on the message board that follows the story, if anyone with any common sense would like to jump in and help me out, that'd be great. All these ignorants from across the nation think it is great what this coach did and consider us Texans dumb&*%es to think otherwise.
http://news.messages.yahoo.com/bbs?action=l&board=37138556&tid=kprc10144744&sid=37138556&mid=39

[G-Man]

Why is Malone keeping quiet? Because he's not the boss. He's not the athletic director, he's not the principal, he's not the superintendent, all of whom are above him. Willis HS has already had 2 bad experiences with coaches in the past 5 years that were spread all over the news. 1 involving race because a coach wouldn't let the players wear "do-rags" (however it's spelled) and the school board wouldn't back him, and the last coach, who was an offensive coordinator at Lufkin in 2001, resigned last year after being drunk in public and sending disturbing pictures around on the school email that revealed himself and another coach. I'm sure the Willis superintendent didn't want anymore negative attention sent their way so he made Malone shut up and apologize or lose his job, which is sad to say the least. I know these kids and I know this coach, they were in the wrong, he wasn't. That kid they interviewed on the news, has one of the worst attitudes I've ever seen. Every single one of those players that I saw when they showed who all was involved, are the kinds of kids I'd expect this from. Maybe kicking them off the team was a bit harsh, but Malone has to make a statement to this program and community, but unfortunately because of the &^(*%*(@ on the schoolboard, it was overridden. I think the fact that they have to run their butts off and earn their spots back is plenty fair, I hope they have to run a lot. The same thing happened to our team when I played at Katy when players went and gave blood when warned not to, and I would dare say someone would jump on the coaching staff at Katy for being wrong. There are hundreds of other days in the year that these kids could go give blood if they REALLY wanted to. I gurantee you they were warned not to, just like we were at Katy, and they did anyways. Every year at Katy when the blood drive came, it seemed like half the student body left to go give blood because they were allowed to just get up and leave class and miss the rest of the day pretty much, and I'm sure it's the same way in Willis. These kids found a good way to skip class legally, while helping others out. However, they put ME before TEAM, so cutting their *** is exactly what I'd do too. They can give blood after football season every day of the week if they want to.

Thank you. Pretty much the way it goes down.

[G-Man]

Went and watched my cousin's boy play for Willis. There didnt appear to be any scholarship players on the team.

[GRP05]

The post with the Houston news link surely changes my previous post somewhat.

According to that news bit from the previous post, the coach apologized to the players and their parents for booting from the team. So perhaps the Superintendent did not just arbitrarily reinstate them. The coach did take their starting position away and will make them sit out Friday's game (for missing practice). Apparently they could not practice after giving blood, whether they wanted to or not. Despite being booted there is that to consider. So, I guess as far as we know now, they missed practice due to giving blood. Since they are back on the team, that is all it is and perhaps the 1-game suspension is appropriate? Or maybe just losing their starting positions? I can see either, but not both if you are going to let them return.

Sounds like the coach may have overreacted to them disobeying him and did not keep it in perspective after all. Maybe the directive from him was the standard warning...DON'T MISS PRACTICE UNLESS YOU ARE ILL/INJURED!!! Even then, come out and be here, unless on a doctor's orders to stay home. Since they did give blood, it stands to reason, they would not be allowed to practice. But, they are teenage boys. They are invincible in their own minds. They probably thought is was okay to do this. They did dress out and show up for practice. A previous poster said he used to give blood and practice later in the same day. That wasn't smart. Think of all the deaths/near-deaths on high school athletic fields this year alone. The coach sounds to me like he was frustrated and let that show a little too much.

Yeah, but that's just it...the players shouldn't have given blood in the first place. Coaches give those warnings ("Don't give blood this week") for a reason; they don't want players to be ill for practice. If the student can't be disciplined enough to follow a simple request, why should they be trusted with a starting position? Even the thought that they dressed out shows a lack of judgement since they were weak from the donation. Giving blood is a great thing to do during the offseason, but they really screwed themselves this time. Also, not following orders then whining about the consequence...that's really mature...

[dada]

there is quite a debate going on on the message board that follows the story, if anyone with any common sense would like to jump in and help me out, that'd be great. All these ignorants from across the nation think it is great what this coach did and consider us Texans dumb&*%es to think otherwise.
http://news.messages.yahoo.com/bbs?action=l&board=37138556&tid=kprc10144744&sid=37138556&mid=39
That board is full of idiots...I was gonna jump in and try to save you, but that's like raking leaves under a big tree on a windy fall day....defeats the purpose....just run off and let the scavengers fight over the dead horse.

I'm with the coach on this one....anyone who has been on a team knows there is always a group that goes against the rules....Don't know if it matters or not, but Willis was shut out for the first time this season against Caney Creek.....so practice was probably gonna be hell this week...."Hey, let's give blood.....we won't have to go to practice"

[dada]

The idiots on that board or making it seem like "what's more important Football, or saving a life" not even the damn issuse....it's about respect for authority.....I mean look at FIU-Miami last week....Football coach was the most feared/respected man in my life after my dad.......

[The Dude]

Went and watched my cousin's boy play for Willis. There didnt appear to be any scholarship players on the team.

there's not. Definently not in the senior class. There are a few sophomores on varsity right now that I know will get some looks, a couple have older brothers or cousins playing d1. They are amazing athletes that would be standouts at any big time school that gets publicity. Willis has hope in the future if they keep this Malone guy around. He's a great coach and doesn't put up with crap, he's got a stable of young talent, just needs to find some lineman. There are kids that would be all-district linebackers at any other school, but because they got no "big boys" they are stuck having to put these 200-220 pound linebacker sized kids on both lines and it hurts them...a lot.

Also, they went from a spread offense to a pretty complicated Wing-T over the summer so they are still learning...and their offensive line is fast(cause they are so small) but has awful footwork,strength, and can't execute a play worth crap so they get manhandled

[ken-in-rockwall]

Like I stated earlier.. The "WHOLE" story hasn't been told yet.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/4283824.html

As far as anyone of these players getting possible scholarships, we don't know that information, it doesn't have to be to a D1 school. Many athletes get full rides to D2, D3 or even NAIA schools and use sports to help pay for an education.

I stated that I have given blood during the day and practiced later that day. When I was in HS, if you want to give and were an athlete, you gave 1st thing in the morning and had at least 5-6 hours to recover before practice. The HS nurse, HS trainer and the 'Bloodbank personnal' would or wouldn't let a player give if it was too late in the day or if there might be an issue with that individual.

Maybe the coach should have taken the lead and had all the players scheduled early or if there was an issue with it. He or an assistant could have been where the blood was being given to make sure players would give after a certain time or not at all.

[The Dude]

d3 schools aren't allowed to give any sort of athletic scholarship, and that's the only level of football any of these seniors could play. I've coached them and know them, none of them even have d2 talent.

[BHS03]

Maybe the coach should have taken the lead and had all the players scheduled early or if there was an issue with it. He or an assistant could have been where the blood was being given to make sure players would give after a certain time or not at all.

The problem with this is that it makes too much sense. Rational thought is sadly on the endangered list these days.. too many hard-headed, stubborn individuals.

[CoveMom]

Yeah, but that's just it...the players shouldn't have given blood in the first place. Coaches give those warnings ("Don't give blood this week") for a reason; they don't want players to be ill for practice. If the student can't be disciplined enough to follow a simple request, why should they be trusted with a starting position? Even the thought that they dressed out shows a lack of judgement since they were weak from the donation. Giving blood is a great thing to do during the offseason, but they really screwed themselves this time. Also, not following orders then whining about the consequence...that's really mature...

I wish I had waited to see more replies before giving my opinion. As I said, I think the boys were WRONG. But, the coach has agreed to this reinstatement or he would have walked. As I would have. Since he did not, I believe that one or the other punishment is in order, not both. I would take their starting positions, that is worse than missing one game. As to lack of judgement, they are teenagers. thEgReAtOnE says they are probably laughing their butts off about this and I think he's right. This is very telling about the state of our society and believe me, they will get theirs eventually. Probably sooner rather than later. The manager at the burger joint won't put up with this.

I hope this coach (who is a jewel, as far as I can see) will find other employment next year. He would be welcomed into many areas where his leadership is needed. Perhaps a struggling inner-city school could use stern discipline and guidance. That might finally get the attention of the Willis folks who think its okay to backpedal on issues like this. It might also help them to realize if they want to clean up their image, they need to start by looking in the mirror...

[The Dude]

I'm just going to feel bad for Malone if he is forced to resign like the past 2 coaches after both of their little scandals. This is his dream job. He played and graduated from Willis, so being the head coach for his alma mater is something special for him.

I'll see Malone friday at the game vs. Huntsville so hopefully I'll get a chance to talk to him without the team around and find out the real story.

[CoveMom]

I'm just going to feel bad for Malone if he is forced to resign like the past 2 coaches after both of their little scandals. This is his dream job. He played and graduated from Willis, so being the head coach for his alma mater is something special for him.

I'll see Malone friday on the sidelines of their game vs. Huntsville so hopefully I'll get a chance to talk to him without the team around and find out the real story.

Why don't you call him and let him know you are on his side in this? I bet he would appreciate it right about now...

[dada]

Why don't you call him and let him know you are on his side in this? I bet he would appreciate it right about now...
Yeah.....let him know a lot of us agree with him......

[The Dude]

Why don't you call him and let him know you are on his side in this? I bet he would appreciate it right about now...

already ahead of you ;)

busy day for him, but left him a message and told him about this board to come see first hand the support he has.

[Jtate862003]

yea....well i have to agree with the coaches actions...if they have been having poor seasons and have yet to win a game..every practice is extremly important.......so if he told them to not go to the blood drive bc they will miss practice then more power to him and his actions....someone needs to set examples!

[The Dude]

one last thing. I was just grocery shopping at HEB and was thinking about this whole situation and something he once said just came to me.

The first time I met Malone we were sitting down in his office talking about coaching and why he does it and why I want to do it. One of the first things I ever heard this man say was that he wants to help give his players a better life than their parents. If a player doesn't get into college, then he hasn't done his job.

I just thought I'd share that little tidbit on Malone, to hopefully show the type of integrity this man has.

[dada]

Look at it like this....with all the kids collapsing and dying...let's say he let them practice after givng blood and something happened........Lawsuit city.

[oldowl1]

If the coach is that strict maybe he should kick himself off the team for breaking UIL rules and using an illegal coach.
Just a thought.

[The Dude]

If the coach is that strict maybe he should kick himself off the team for breaking UIL rules and using an illegal coach.
Just a thought.


Wow, you're a moron. He's a first year head coach and very young. He didn't know all the rules, and when he started to question it, went to the athletic director and the UIL, who notified him it's not allowed.

First of all, I went to him he didn't go looking. Also unaware of the rules, I went around to high schools looking to volunteer somewhere to be around the game and learn some more and get experience while I was going to college still. He was impressed with the fact that I played at Katy and have been around a winning program and know what it takes to get there. He liked my enthusiasm to be a coach and all he was doing was trying to help out a college kid inspiring to be a coach once he earned his degree. He wanted to help give me experience and networking so I could get a better job coming out of college. And besides, I'm pretty sure by me being there I didn't put any teams at a real disadvantage :)

[oldowl1]

Wow, you're a moron. He's a first year head coach and very young. He didn't know all the rules, and when he started to question it, went to the athletic director and the UIL, who notified him it's not allowed.

First of all, I went to him he didn't go looking. Also unaware of the rules, I went around to high schools looking to volunteer somewhere to be around the game and learn some more and get experience while I was going to college still. He was impressed with the fact that I played at Katy and have been around a winning program and know what it takes to get there. He liked my enthusiasm to be a coach and all he was doing was trying to help out a college kid inspiring to be a coach once he earned his degree. He wanted to help give me experience and networking so I could get a better job coming out of college. And besides, I'm pretty sure by me being there I didn't put any teams at a real disadvantage :)

Maybe you'll learn a little diplomacy while you're in college??? I may be a moron, but I know people mess up. You are on this forum, convicting these kids and you don't know the details of what happened, but you make a lot of assumptions about the kids intentions. If the coach can make a mistake by unknowingly using an illegal coach, then why assume the kids have a hidden agenda by giving blood. Was there a blood drive for a student or teacher or what? Were the kids told not to participate in the blood drive? Are they being punished for doing a "good" thing? Getting drunk, that would be different, right?

[The Dude]

I know the kids intentions because I know them and still talk to many of them. and I was a student just a few years ago and we all did the same thing during our blood drives. All it is is a good excuse to skip class while helping others out. I think I know more about this situation than anyone on this board because I know everyone involved personally and spent almost everyday with them for nearly half a year. The blood drives are for anyone who is of age and wants to come give blood. You could just be someone driving by and want to go donate. I'm sure the kids had some sort of warning about not missing practice or giving blood that day. These guys aren't that stupid, they made a wrong choice knowingly. I know the coach and I know he wouldn't make drastic choices like just throwing some kids off the team for giving blood. The question isn't are they being punished for doing a good thing. That has nothing to do with it. It's that they did something when they weren't supposed to do. They disobeyed authority and as a result have to face the penalty. Again, the Katy coaches do the same thing. You participate in the blood drive and you're a football player, you're in some deep crap. Are the coaches at Katy evil people for not letting the players participate in "a good thing" as you would say? Of course not. You don't see anyone questioning their ethics.

[oldowl1]

Kids are kids. :D Teens have attitudes (actually until 25-30 years of age:cool: ). I agree completely with you, if the kids were warned then they should be punished. BUT, if they weren't, the coach should be.

And yes the Katy coaches are evil :eek: ...just because they are Katy coaches. Gig em Owls, 1999 State Champs:p

[TexasRed6x]

That is rediculous. I can't believe that the coach would cut players for doing something that is for a good cause. IMO that decision by the coach was absolutely stupid.

[PantherStang84]

Here is my post from Yahoo.


The issue here is not whether the players gave blood or a kidney for that matter.

It's all about respect for authority and team rules.

Sure the newspaper article did not say the coach forbade the blood donations. Just because a newspaper article say didn't say he told them no that means he didn't?

How do you know what the coach told the players they could and could not do?

Did the coach really kick the players off because he felt like doing it for no reason?

Take your Ritalin and calm down.

Come on folks come on back to Mother Earth.

The kids challenged his authority and he showed them who's boss.

The real problem here is the parents and administration of Willis ISD.

The coach deserves the district's support and the parents should have put boots up little Johnny's a@@.

With the responses this board has gotten on this story, is it any wonder why we ask ourselves, "What has happened to young people today?"

I'll tell you what has happened. Americans have shirked their responsibilities as parents.

We are so self absorbed in ourselves, we have let MTV and the Sony Playstation raise our children.

If it had been my kid, I would have made him apologize to the coach and beg for his forgiveness to get back on the team.

Not the other way around.

That's what my father would have done to me.

It's no wonder this country is so @#%^ backwards!

[purple pride]

These boys and parents have been all over the news in Houston and even made Good Morning America and the National nightly news, I can't believe their getting their 5 seconds of fame ,for more than likely breaking a team rule and also finding an excuse to skip practice. :confused:

[zippy]

That is rediculous. I can't believe that the coach would cut players for doing something that is for a good cause. IMO that decision by the coach was absolutely stupid.

Your opinion I guess. What if one day you went to work, and there was a blood drive down the street. You go in and tell you boss that your going to donate blood at 3:00. He/She says no, I need you here until 5:00. You go anyway and are later fired from your position. Who is at fault here? Life lessons are one thing a good coach will teach. If those kids "really" want to give blood for a good cause, I am sure someone is willing to take it on a Saturday or Sunday on their own time.

[baylordad]

And of course the media is going to go for the juicy side of the story and make it look like the school is corrupt and the coach just kicked off these poor little innocent kids who were just trying to help the world and give the gift of life. In no way did they even attempt to hint that maybe the coach told them not to, because no one in their right mind would just kick a bunch of kids off the team for no reason. Media = BS

Way to go Coach Malone!! All I can say about the students is "If you are going to be stupid, you gotta be tough". I totally agree with The Dudes post. This entire situation would have been handled a lot better with out the liberal media Bull S---. The media in this instance is a lot more concerned in some "woe is me" story instead of news with substance. These whining kids/parents need a good dose of the coaches back in the 50's when a lot of the coaches were WW II vets. They were strict and respected. The actions of Coach Malone did not hurt these kids career, it hurt their feelings.

[Tigerjag]

That is rediculous. I can't believe that the coach would cut players for doing something that is for a good cause. IMO that decision by the coach was absolutely stupid.

This is what happens when you only read the subject line and not the thread. ;)

[Matthew 2000 Eagle]

The problem with this is that it makes too much sense. Rational thought is sadly on the endangered list these days.. too many hard-headed, stubborn individuals.
That starts at HOME!!!

[The Dude]

Here we go folks: I've been in contact with a few of the varisty players at Willis and here is what one of starters(who I will not name) said in a message to me:


Here's the deal.we had schedule this blood drive for monday.... and some guys signed up and other didn't.... if you were an athlete they scheduled you to give blood in either 1 or 2 period so that you could eat and rest an be ready to practice...(even if you gave blood early in the day coach still wasn't too happy with you)...however these six guys (garrett scott, jayson olner, jeff chetham, kenny cox, jd hill, and philip mckenna) signed up for the drive late... some of them at lunch.... so there they had to give blood late in the day... i personally thought they did it to get out of practice...or atleast having to go 100% in practice.... when coach malone walked into the locker room while we were getting dressed he was like where is everyone and we we're like giving blood.. he said well clean their lockers out... so coach stafford did..but he didn't put all of there stuff back in the shelves and re stock them.. he put them in a travel bag (so has to make sure they stuff wasn't mixed up...as maybe to give it back to them later.....) the guys came in the lockerroom 20 minues late to get dress and they didn't have there stuff and were told to go home....so they did.... then one of the parents came up here to talk to coach malone about the issue.... he didn't want to speak to her becasue he was in the middle of practice... the mom got mad and went straight to the news....(what i dont understand is why bring the news into this before you talk to the coach or althetic director or superintendant....) and then the whole thing got blown out of proportion and the Media skewed everything... the guys have been re instated on the team and have lost the starting spots and now have to regain them... they also had to run alot or other things like that.... so this week we brought up a bunch of JV guys to help fill in the posistions... and these JV guys are not very good....sorry but i think we were alot better as JV players.... i think the guys wont play much this week but some of them will probably play.. we need some of them to even have a chance....

another thing is that others things have kinda led up to the final decision... some of the guys have had some issues with coach, such has effort, being a leader, talking back, and etc... so this was kinda just a thing to top off a bunch of built up anger and dissappointment.....


maybe that'll clear some things up

[zippy]

Here we go folks: I've been in contact with a few of the varisty players at Willis and here is what one of starters(who I will not name) said in a message to me:


Here's the deal.we had schedule this blood drive for monday.... and some guys signed up and other didn't.... if you were an athlete they scheduled you to give blood in either 1 or 2 period so that you could eat and rest an be ready to practice...(even if you gave blood early in the day coach still wasn't too happy with you)...however these six guys (garrett scott, jayson olner, jeff chetham, kenny cox, jd hill, and philip mckenna) signed up for the drive late... some of them at lunch.... so there they had to give blood late in the day... i personally thought they did it to get out of practice...or atleast having to go 100% in practice.... when coach malone walked into the locker room while we were getting dressed he was like where is everyone and we we're like giving blood.. he said well clean their lockers out... so coach stafford did..but he didn't put all of there stuff back in the shelves and re stock them.. he put them in a travel bag (so has to make sure they stuff wasn't mixed up...as maybe to give it back to them later.....) the guys came in the lockerroom 20 minues late to get dress and they didn't have there stuff and were told to go home....so they did.... then one of the parents came up here to talk to coach malone about the issue.... he didn't want to speak to her becasue he was in the middle of practice... the mom got mad and went straight to the news....(what i dont understand is why bring the news into this before you talk to the coach or althetic director or superintendant....) and then the whole thing got blown out of proportion and the Media skewed everything... the guys have been re instated on the team and have lost the starting spots and now have to regain them... they also had to run alot or other things like that.... so this week we brought up a bunch of JV guys to help fill in the posistions... and these JV guys are not very good....sorry but i think we were alot better as JV players.... i think the guys wont play much this week but some of them will probably play.. we need some of them to even have a chance....

another thing is that others things have kinda led up to the final decision... some of the guys have had some issues with coach, such has effort, being a leader, talking back, and etc... so this was kinda just a thing to top off a bunch of built up anger and dissappointment.....


maybe that'll clear some things up


If this is true of course, that coach needs to wrap up the season, and get the hell out of there.

[ThEgReAtOnE]

If this is true of course, that coach needs to wrap up the season, and get the hell out of there.

Absolutely. A waste of his efforts. Am I the only one who thinks alot - if not most - of the kids are complete morons. These kids just don't care. They're jerks to their parents, the authorities and each other. All in an effort to try to be a ******....of which they're not.

I hate to think what will come of this world!:eek:

Get out Coach. Find a program worthy of your time and efforts.

[zippy]

Absolutely. A waste of his efforts. Am I the only one who thinks alot - if not most - of the kids are complete morons. These kids just don't care. They're jerks to their parents, the authorities and each other. All in an effort to try to be a ******....of which they're not.

I hate to think what will come of this world!:eek:

Get out Coach. Find a program worthy of your time and efforts.


Just based on the info we have so far, I agree about the kids. I know exactly the type they seem to be. They think they are bad**s and want to prove a point. They think they are above the system, and are going to prove it. What is sad, is they did. This coach has little support, and needs to get somewhere where he has support from the system. Now this is my opinion based on the info at hand so far. It could be a different story. What he needs to do now is never let these kids in a game. This program will never win without support from all areas. Right now he seems to have lost respect from the kids, parents, & school administration. Not good. Finish the job, and like you said, find someplace that will be worth it.

[dada]

Here we go folks: I've been in contact with a few of the varisty players at Willis and here is what one of starters(who I will not name) said in a message to me:


Here's the deal.we had schedule this blood drive for monday.... and some guys signed up and other didn't.... if you were an athlete they scheduled you to give blood in either 1 or 2 period so that you could eat and rest an be ready to practice...(even if you gave blood early in the day coach still wasn't too happy with you)...however these six guys (garrett scott, jayson olner, jeff chetham, kenny cox, jd hill, and philip mckenna) signed up for the drive late... some of them at lunch.... so there they had to give blood late in the day... i personally thought they did it to get out of practice...or atleast having to go 100% in practice.... when coach malone walked into the locker room while we were getting dressed he was like where is everyone and we we're like giving blood.. he said well clean their lockers out... so coach stafford did..but he didn't put all of there stuff back in the shelves and re stock them.. he put them in a travel bag (so has to make sure they stuff wasn't mixed up...as maybe to give it back to them later.....) the guys came in the lockerroom 20 minues late to get dress and they didn't have there stuff and were told to go home....so they did.... then one of the parents came up here to talk to coach malone about the issue.... he didn't want to speak to her becasue he was in the middle of practice... the mom got mad and went straight to the news....(what i dont understand is why bring the news into this before you talk to the coach or althetic director or superintendant....) and then the whole thing got blown out of proportion and the Media skewed everything... the guys have been re instated on the team and have lost the starting spots and now have to regain them... they also had to run alot or other things like that.... so this week we brought up a bunch of JV guys to help fill in the posistions... and these JV guys are not very good....sorry but i think we were alot better as JV players.... i think the guys wont play much this week but some of them will probably play.. we need some of them to even have a chance....

another thing is that others things have kinda led up to the final decision... some of the guys have had some issues with coach, such has effort, being a leader, talking back, and etc... so this was kinda just a thing to top off a bunch of built up anger and dissappointment.....


maybe that'll clear some things up
Thanks....this just confirms what I thought........if these guys were so concerned about scholarships they would have been the first ones at practice....I've been on losing teams(Houston Reagan) and I saw that the Sr's started not to care anymore and Football wasnt at the top of your list...they had the attitide "WHY PRACTICE?? We havent won a game and the season is almost over"....these kids probably had the same attitude and coach didnt want the underclassmen around....he still had time to better these kids while the one's worried about their "Scholarships" were a lost cause. I too hope coach Malone leaves.

[dada]

By the way....WHICH player was worried about the college scouts? Was it Cheatham with his one catch for 31yds???

[ThEgReAtOnE]

By the way....WHICH player was worried about the college scouts? Was it Cheatham with his one catch for 31yds???

Ya...I, myself, am wondering which of the boys are under the assumption (or delusion) a "Full Ride" is awaiting them?

[dada]

Ya...I, myself, am wondering which of the boys are under the assumption (or delusion) a "Full Ride" is awaiting them?
I mean...I may not be the smartest guy in the world..but I don't think college scouts would be lined up to see a Willis game unless there was a Vince Young or Adrian Peterson type player there.