What about the other kids?
It is apparent that the opinions, voices and wishes of the other student/athletes that play or not for Mike Thacker were never taken into consideration by the board. When news of the Thacker's termination was announced to the kids, they were devastated. This little fact was never taken into consideration, either. How did the school board think the kids would react? This includes all the kids that attend Freeman High School and not just his basketball players. They all know that Mike Thacker cares for them no matter who they may be, and in return he has their undying loyalty. A teacher/coach does not last in the profession for as long as Thacker has, as he has shown time and time again that he deeply cares for all students at Freeman High School. With this kind of support, it will be difficult for board members and irate parents not to take some serious heat for this unpopular decision. It makes you wonder if sports are really for the kids or are they for a few entitled kids and their parents.
Where is the support from the administration
It used to be that teachers
and coaches could rely on their superiors for support when it came to
situations like this. Principals, athletic directors and
superintendents knew the people they had hired were good, decent, honest
and fair. They, also, knew that there were always a few parents that
would "scream bloody murder" no matter who the coach happened to
be. It is not like that at many places anymore. Some
administrators, not all, are so afraid of the slightest bit of
controversy, that they simply give in to the noise-makers. That is
the reality.
In this case, superintendent Sergio Hernandez and athletic director Brian
Parisotto have shown little to no support for their basketball
coach. That would lead me to believe that they, too, are in favor of
Thacker's dismissal. They have said very little to show their
feelings either way. It is hard to trust people with no backbone
because you never know which direction they will go. You can never expect
them to show support when things get tough. They usually run and
hide behind the school board or highly influential people from the
community. Hernandez and Parisotto get paid a lot of money to do
what? So far, they have only shown that they are highly paid "yes-men".
Both receive failing grades in leadership!
Question???
Is this decision to fire Mike Thacker as head basketball coach in the best interest of all student/athletes at Freeman High School or just a select few?