You guys all make good points, and even RR.nation has a point, that we made a playoff run just two years ago with white collar guys, I don't agree with him on coaching change, but everyone is entitled to their opinion. On the state of blue collar jobs in Orrville, I would venture to say Orrville has fared better than most communities, I tried to look that up that on bureau of labor statistics, and god bless anyone that can navigate that site, but if you are looking for a football team full of blue collar kids then call the travel agent and book your flight to china. I am sure someone on this site could find those stats, but I don't think it's as bad as you might think, at the yearly chamber dinner, I was floored how many companies have expanded (Ventrac, Will Burt, JLG,) or new companies have located here (that's why Mark Zook needs to post, he probably has those facts, so Old Rider or Red Rider1 go down the hall and interrupt his daily massage and tell him to post). With all that being said, and there are many issues that contribute, I feel the biggest issue is home life, or lack of it. There is some fine single parent homes and sometime things happen that are out their control , but ask a teacher about the level of support or discipline the kids gets at home, now you could blame that on low income housing, school levy's failing, main street turning into a row of duplexes as you come into town all of these are factors, but I feel it starts at home, to many fathers and sometime mothers not involved in their kids life's or involved in the wrong ways, (Johnny , did not get a trophy or Johnny did not get his fair share of shots or Johnny is better than Timmy he should get more playing time). I don't believe for one second that because John Moneim grinded teeth instead of castings that, had any bearing on Mason and how he turned out. Sports are a attitude, and if you don't teach Johnny that playing Xbox basketball does not actually make you a better shooter then that's on the parents, I know that's simplifying thing down and that there or other factors that come into play in bring a child up but it starts at home first, and a kid hardly has a fighting chance without the correct support or a kick in the butt sometimes.
Great synopsys! I think you combine the "in the home" thing with a world that worships the easy way and you have a mixing pot for trouble. Everyone has a point, the town has changed, the world has changed, our expectations have changed and the kids are changing as well for many reasons. I think it would be harder to coach in todays world then EVER before!!! I know I wasn't in the weightroom as much as a lot of other guys but I played three sports. When I could I was in that room! I think we (kids on most of the teams I was on) had pretty good football IQ's and noses for the football? Some of that came with time on the field and some of it just dumb luck. I wonder how many of these kids today actually eat dinner together as a family? I KNOW we did at my house. I was so blessed, I had both my parents at the table and involved. I can't imagine trying to grow up in this world today without my pops. There is no question to me that all the factors mentioned on this little topic play a small role, but you add all those small factors in and you have a big hurdle. I swear I think coaching us was easy.... we would have done anything! All they had to do was say the word. I hope for a successful season for these young men, the lessons learned on the hardwood and field are lessons I carried with me the rest of my life.
