Posted on 10/23/2013 4:39:00 PM PDT by SamAdams76
The Rittman (Ohio) Indians aren't having a good year. They're 1-7. So when junior DE Nick Andre had to write a poem for his composition class, he chose as a subject the team's star wide receiver, who happens to be the son of the coach and brother of the offensive coordinator.
The assignment was to write about something that makes you angry. Andre's poem, entitled "Stupid," accuses senior WR Blake Dennis of not being particularly good, but getting all the plays because of nepotism and his friendship with the quarterback. Dennis has committed to Akron next year (his father's alma mater), and Andre's poem ends: "Akron's Screwed!"
Andre read the poem in class on Friday. On Monday, he and his mother were called in to meet with the principal, who gave them a letter accusing Andre of "hazing" and "harassment." He would be kicked off the football team for the rest of the season, and suspended from school for four days.
"I felt like it was my right to express what I just felt," Andre told Fox 8. His mother has refused to sign the suspension letter.
Well, it doesn’t rhyme or scan, but it’s full of colorful details about the subject, and that’s so much better than vague generalities.
Typical of public schools everywhere, the young man who takes his school assignment too seriously is immediately punished for his effort.
The Coach would benefit by closely reading that note. The student is articulate enough to make several points regarding actions and habits he considers wrong or unproductive. If he is wrong, this should be explained to him why he’s wrong. This is not the Army, its high school. If the Coach could put his fragile ego in a box for five minutes, he may learn how to change a losing team into a winning one. I guess the students get no first warning when it comes to the all important football team. Kicked off the team for the season is way over the top. Nobody got shot, or even used profanity.
Heck, this is nothing. I thought it was going to be a love poem.
Obviously the concept of “free speech” has got a ways to go in Rittman, OH.
What is the saying? The more flak, the closer to the target?
I guess the emperor’s new clothes story is timeless
Exactly. The Superintendent or some senior school board member should intervene. When the Coach starts winning games again, then he’ll be above all reproach, his professionalism will be clear. But that’s not right now. Best to admit nobodys’ perfect, and stop being emotional about criticism.
This kid will fit in well at Akron. Akron stinks, they’re 2-6 in the MAC. Dropping passes all over the field and shrinking away from hits will not be noticed there.
It’s too late, the coach has lost the team by playing daddyball. He should be fired because he is a loser. The players know who is good and who stinks. When the coach seems to not know, then he loses the team.
pansy a$# coach and coordinator.....
Sometimes the truth hurts!
Ohio
Possibly.
But, part of the truth is that the WR got a D1 scholie to Akron.
So, maybe the writer is just jealous.
Also, on the Top 100-200 Prospects for state of Ohio.
Coaches at High School and Junior High Level, are on a ego trip , its not about the Boys are team. Its all about them and winning. Very sad for the Team spirit, and bad examples of Sportsmanship
The worst is when daddy is the coach, because the only thing that is important is their kid and their buddies getting playing time and looking good. And when things go south, well there always the other kids to blame. As long as the coach’s kid is on the team that’s the only thing the coach will care about.
Daddy didn’t get the kid a D1 scholarship to Akron, the kid earned it.
The writer of the letter...shouldn’t have been suspended but I can’t find his name in the football recruiting lists.
Jealousy...it’s become cool to attack success in America.
He could have written about any number of topics. Conservatives, Republicans, heterosexuals, white people, the Tea Party, American exceptionalism, patriotism, the Founding Fathers, the Constitution, Christianity, etc.
Automatic A+.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.