Varsity coaches are appreciated

To The Eagle:

So, so many years ago, while I was a student Wahkiakum had some larger classes and was playing as a class A school in sports. At that time seniors were not allowed to play JV ball and with the interest being high and following the WIAA guidelines on the allotted number of players per basketball team they had tryouts for varsity. I do recall one year when a couple of seniors did not make the team and were cut, there were some pretty upset in the community but the Varsity coach was trying to put the best players he had available on the floor.

Many complain today about giving out a trophy to every child who participates and not enough rewards for those who work hard and put in the extra time to help a team win a championship. I do believe that kids develop differently and may not look like a future athlete in their youth and by the time they are in jr. high and some even as high school freshmen or a sophomore they become a great player.

So with all being said, I do believe that in youth sports, Jr. high and high school junior varsity all children should be given a chance to play and develop. But when it comes to varsity I support the coaches that want to put the best team forward as allowed by the WIAA and that meet each school's academic requirements. I appreciate all the students who work hard and put the extra effort in the classroom and who work hard to be their best in the sport of their choice. I also do have much respect for all coaches who teach our children some facts of life, play fair, working hard has its rewards and sometimes life is not fair.

Go Mules.

Lee Tischer

Puget Island