LoveGodAlways
New Member
Phil and Arthur,
First of all I want to let you know that I am writing this letter as a concerned parent as well as a Recreation and Parks supervisor. As I am sure you are fully aware, the football issue has become a hot topic in the county and I wanted to present an opinion from a view that you may not have heard as not only a parent but a fellow sports program supervisor as well.
I am deeply concerned about the direction the football program is headed and most importantly the management and supervisory positions that have been filled. I was told by Kenny and Tyrone that Kyle Kebaugh is the supervisor in charge and he confirmed that for me two weeks ago. I have worked with Kyle since he was hired by Recreation and Parks. I have watched him in a supervisory position and I can tell you that he falls well short of the ability to supervise to the standards that Recreation and Parks has required in the past. I have been involved with him during the 9th/10th grade basketball tryouts where I and another gym supervisor had to not only recruit coaches on the spot but also run the draft and maintain order (Kenny was away on Recreation and Parks business and could not be there). I have also been to numerous 7/8 middle school games, county playoffs and all star/goodwill games where Kyle has been in charge and witnessed the same lack of management there. I have taken no less than 20 emails, phone calls and personal communications from people who have commented on how poorly 7/8 SELECT league is run compared to the other basketball leagues in the county. I do realize that he is young in regards to his career with Recreation and Parks but integrity, rules and leadership should not be sacrificed due to youth. I personally know that Kenny would never accept the direction, attitude, and overall lack of “good sportsmanship” that we supposedly try to promote in our youth sports programs, that is being displayed by football management at the present time.
The previous mentioned situations were only brought up as background to what took place on opening day at Lancaster Park. Before the game in question between the Red Braves and the Black Raiders started, I went to Kyle and told him of a situation that was interfering with the integrity of the game. I will admit that my tone was less than hospitable, however after hearing me his response was lackluster at best and his answer of “ok” was even less acceptable. He was fully aware of the weight issues and other problems at hand and he CHOSE not to face the issue and in fact stayed away from the field I question for as long as possible. I can’t possibly see Kenny Sothoron allowing that type of response from me or any other sports supervisor and I know that I personally would and have never walked away from an issue when I was ultimately the supervisor in charge of the children and their safety. It then took a conversation with Tyrone Harris before Kyle came to the field near halftime. At that point, I questioned Kyle about the players’ weights and his response was three-fold:
1) “This is how Calvert County does their weights”.
In regards to that, we don’t live in Calvert County so why are we using their weights, rules, and guidelines. If we are, then we should simply have a site on the SMCR&P website that directs us to Calvert County Recreation and Parks and have them run our league.
2) He then told me that if I had an issue I could “pay the 100$ and protest.” Gentlemen, I have worked in your department for 20 years and can’t ever remember telling someone to pay extra money to ensure that rules are being followed. These rules should be enforced all the time and at anytime. When you demand payment to enforce already written rules you lose the whole concept of “integrity” which you claim to stand for in the flyer that is sent home to every school-aged child.
3) I told him I had heard of a child that was 78 pounds on the opposing team. Of course, I didn’t know for sure and told him that, but it was his response that bothered me. He did appear to know the situation that I was referring to and in his words “the league allows 10 pounds above the maximum weight PLUS another 2 pounds for equipment.” I told him not only was that absurd but that it still placed the child at 1 pound over the limit. His response was that “it is close enough”. Again, all of these statements require attention from someone. I find it hard to believe that Recreation and Parks condones these answers.
Finally, I witnessed a representative from the other team hand our team mom a list of players names and weights well after the start of the game which I believe is a rule in the league. The list had names and actual weights of the kids. When the team mom asked where it came from the response was that Recreation and Parks gave it to them. Therefore either Kyle is weighing in kids in different areas in different manners to suit his own agenda or the coach lied to our team mom. I say this because Recreation and Parks weighed kids in only to see if they “made weight” not to get actual weights. So, if Kyle is following protocol then the other coach falsified a league form that is due at the start of each game or he lied to our coach/team mom who is an official in the league. Either of the last two offenses demands removal from the coaching position. Again, this fact is supported by Recreation and Parks dismissing basketball coaches, one of which came from my area for lying to a league official/falsifying a document required by the league. If that is not to happen then Recreation and Parks must condone Kyle circumventing the rules when he sees fit.
I write this letter with a heavy heart only because I have been a part of and dedicated more than 20 years of my life to Recreation and Parks and have helped Kenny for more than 15 years. Both of you know my dedication to Recreation and Parks and it pains me to see OUR organization brought down to this level. As a fellow supervisor, I know the difficulties in dealing with the public, but that has no bearing on the lack of leadership displayed. Kenny and I have often disagreed on many things in his leagues but we spend countless hours before the season working out the “what ifs” and we are always on the same page in regards to the safety of the children and enforcing and regulating the rules. That is an undeniable fact. I certainly know that he would not have tolerated the lack of attention to detail that has been shown in football.
As with every good letter that shows complaint, there should be a viable solution presented. Mine is simple. Weigh each child before each game. As you two both know, I am a PE teacher and part of my job is to weigh our kids for the county mandated fitness program. I can weigh an entire class (25-29 students) in about 5 minutes and that is getting their actual weight. They should weigh in with pads as that is the weight they play with on the field. Every child should present an original birth certificate for the next game and then it should be a rule that the original is needed next year at registration. As of now, anyone can go online and print any birth certificate out and present it to whomever. It is sad that it has come to this, but this is the time we live in.
In conclusion, I hope that you view this letter as a concerned parent as well as an employee who has seen a grave mishandling of what should be a league for kids that should, in the end, see the kids having fun. Right now, our kids are not having fun on Saturdays due to the fact that the playing field is not level. Recreation and Parks should hold its coaches, officials, and most importantly its supervisors to the highest level and right now that is not taking place in football.
Sincerely,
Recreation and Parks Supervisor
Parent
First of all I want to let you know that I am writing this letter as a concerned parent as well as a Recreation and Parks supervisor. As I am sure you are fully aware, the football issue has become a hot topic in the county and I wanted to present an opinion from a view that you may not have heard as not only a parent but a fellow sports program supervisor as well.
I am deeply concerned about the direction the football program is headed and most importantly the management and supervisory positions that have been filled. I was told by Kenny and Tyrone that Kyle Kebaugh is the supervisor in charge and he confirmed that for me two weeks ago. I have worked with Kyle since he was hired by Recreation and Parks. I have watched him in a supervisory position and I can tell you that he falls well short of the ability to supervise to the standards that Recreation and Parks has required in the past. I have been involved with him during the 9th/10th grade basketball tryouts where I and another gym supervisor had to not only recruit coaches on the spot but also run the draft and maintain order (Kenny was away on Recreation and Parks business and could not be there). I have also been to numerous 7/8 middle school games, county playoffs and all star/goodwill games where Kyle has been in charge and witnessed the same lack of management there. I have taken no less than 20 emails, phone calls and personal communications from people who have commented on how poorly 7/8 SELECT league is run compared to the other basketball leagues in the county. I do realize that he is young in regards to his career with Recreation and Parks but integrity, rules and leadership should not be sacrificed due to youth. I personally know that Kenny would never accept the direction, attitude, and overall lack of “good sportsmanship” that we supposedly try to promote in our youth sports programs, that is being displayed by football management at the present time.
The previous mentioned situations were only brought up as background to what took place on opening day at Lancaster Park. Before the game in question between the Red Braves and the Black Raiders started, I went to Kyle and told him of a situation that was interfering with the integrity of the game. I will admit that my tone was less than hospitable, however after hearing me his response was lackluster at best and his answer of “ok” was even less acceptable. He was fully aware of the weight issues and other problems at hand and he CHOSE not to face the issue and in fact stayed away from the field I question for as long as possible. I can’t possibly see Kenny Sothoron allowing that type of response from me or any other sports supervisor and I know that I personally would and have never walked away from an issue when I was ultimately the supervisor in charge of the children and their safety. It then took a conversation with Tyrone Harris before Kyle came to the field near halftime. At that point, I questioned Kyle about the players’ weights and his response was three-fold:
1) “This is how Calvert County does their weights”.
In regards to that, we don’t live in Calvert County so why are we using their weights, rules, and guidelines. If we are, then we should simply have a site on the SMCR&P website that directs us to Calvert County Recreation and Parks and have them run our league.
2) He then told me that if I had an issue I could “pay the 100$ and protest.” Gentlemen, I have worked in your department for 20 years and can’t ever remember telling someone to pay extra money to ensure that rules are being followed. These rules should be enforced all the time and at anytime. When you demand payment to enforce already written rules you lose the whole concept of “integrity” which you claim to stand for in the flyer that is sent home to every school-aged child.
3) I told him I had heard of a child that was 78 pounds on the opposing team. Of course, I didn’t know for sure and told him that, but it was his response that bothered me. He did appear to know the situation that I was referring to and in his words “the league allows 10 pounds above the maximum weight PLUS another 2 pounds for equipment.” I told him not only was that absurd but that it still placed the child at 1 pound over the limit. His response was that “it is close enough”. Again, all of these statements require attention from someone. I find it hard to believe that Recreation and Parks condones these answers.
Finally, I witnessed a representative from the other team hand our team mom a list of players names and weights well after the start of the game which I believe is a rule in the league. The list had names and actual weights of the kids. When the team mom asked where it came from the response was that Recreation and Parks gave it to them. Therefore either Kyle is weighing in kids in different areas in different manners to suit his own agenda or the coach lied to our team mom. I say this because Recreation and Parks weighed kids in only to see if they “made weight” not to get actual weights. So, if Kyle is following protocol then the other coach falsified a league form that is due at the start of each game or he lied to our coach/team mom who is an official in the league. Either of the last two offenses demands removal from the coaching position. Again, this fact is supported by Recreation and Parks dismissing basketball coaches, one of which came from my area for lying to a league official/falsifying a document required by the league. If that is not to happen then Recreation and Parks must condone Kyle circumventing the rules when he sees fit.
I write this letter with a heavy heart only because I have been a part of and dedicated more than 20 years of my life to Recreation and Parks and have helped Kenny for more than 15 years. Both of you know my dedication to Recreation and Parks and it pains me to see OUR organization brought down to this level. As a fellow supervisor, I know the difficulties in dealing with the public, but that has no bearing on the lack of leadership displayed. Kenny and I have often disagreed on many things in his leagues but we spend countless hours before the season working out the “what ifs” and we are always on the same page in regards to the safety of the children and enforcing and regulating the rules. That is an undeniable fact. I certainly know that he would not have tolerated the lack of attention to detail that has been shown in football.
As with every good letter that shows complaint, there should be a viable solution presented. Mine is simple. Weigh each child before each game. As you two both know, I am a PE teacher and part of my job is to weigh our kids for the county mandated fitness program. I can weigh an entire class (25-29 students) in about 5 minutes and that is getting their actual weight. They should weigh in with pads as that is the weight they play with on the field. Every child should present an original birth certificate for the next game and then it should be a rule that the original is needed next year at registration. As of now, anyone can go online and print any birth certificate out and present it to whomever. It is sad that it has come to this, but this is the time we live in.
In conclusion, I hope that you view this letter as a concerned parent as well as an employee who has seen a grave mishandling of what should be a league for kids that should, in the end, see the kids having fun. Right now, our kids are not having fun on Saturdays due to the fact that the playing field is not level. Recreation and Parks should hold its coaches, officials, and most importantly its supervisors to the highest level and right now that is not taking place in football.
Sincerely,
Recreation and Parks Supervisor
Parent
