Conference quark::mennotes-v1

    Old fashious never die, they live on to write columns for Nanny Loeb and
    the Union Leader.

    I approve
    
    (if it was the decision of the team members)

    If the team went along, that is their decision.  If they had no voice
    in the matter, then an outcry is reasonable.
    
    Mike

    There were 50 couples at my high school prom. Given that there were
    only guys at the school that means that 50 out of 1100 seniors went.
    It wasn't very important there so I have trouble understanding skipping
    a baseball game for it if you are on the team. When one joins a team
    one makes a commitment to the others on it.

    The boys decided on their own to skip the game. Or rather, enough of
    them to cause a forfeit decided to go to the the dance rather than show
    up for the game. I feel bad for the players who kept their commitment
    to the members of the team but didn't get to play.

    			Alfred

    
    They couldn't reach a comprimise and play the game another day?
    
    The Prom is normally a big thing and I think the team showed guts
    and insight in their decision.
    
    Ten years from now, no one will remember that game (win or lose)
    but you'll always remember your prom.
    
    john...

  .5>  When one joins a team one makes a commitment to the others on it.

       What about the commitment that was made to their dates?  Much money
       as well as anticipation was laid out for the event.  Would it have
       been fair to stiff the women?

    I finally saw some facts on this; sounds like a snafu from several
    sides. Lots of people failed to notice the potential conflict, then got
    the game rescheduled at the last minute (from 7 p.m. to 4 p.m., which I
    would have thought would be sufficient), but half a dozen of the
    players still opted for the prom over the game, and that didn't leave
    enough players to field a team.
    
    The game, it appears, was a quarter-final, not a championship game; if
    the players didn't think they had much chance anyway - and from what
    I've read, they weren't favorites - the decision makes a little more
    sense to me. But I still think it would have been more "game" to play,
    even if it meant showing up at the prom a bit late.
    
    As for what they'll remember ten years from now, who knows? The press,
    probably, and all the flying fur, rather than the prom OR the game-
    that-never-was...
    
    -b 

    The two teams that offered to switch times were Pinkerton and Trinity
    both private schools. The other four teams that were playing at Noon
    and two refused to swap times.....real sportsmanship here.
    
    Two of the players had limos coming at 3:00 PM and had incurred a cost
    of over $300 just for the car. They also had reservations at a fancy
    restaraunt that had been made in February and couldn't get seated at
    any other time. They had rented tuxes at nearly $75 each, flowers, and
    other items. Families had relatives coming, pictures scheduled and just
    as important, their dates had shelled out a few hundred dollars for
    this event that had been scheduled since the first day of school. (I
    know all of the costs because my daughter footed the entire bill for
    her prom this year, including paying for her date's tux....my how times
    have changed)
    
    One other thing that no one seemed to notice.....Memorial only had 14
    boys playing on the baseball team. Hell of a lot of interest. Most
    teams have 20-25 player and a JV squad to boot. A rash of the measles
    could have done the same thing as the prom and the game would have been
    rescheduled......shows where priorities are with the NHIAA.
    
    I commend the players for not bowing to the pressure of a 'game' and
    prioritized an important social event that will never come in their
    lives again.....there will always be games and sports and most of these
    kids will play Babe Ruth, Legion, College....
    
    Ken

    Sounds fine by me there is entirely to much time wasted on sports
    in schools. The HS I went to diden't afford the cost of a better
    stocked library but they damned well had the nicest gym and sports
    program around. 
    
    -j
    

	re .10


	I don't think money spent on sports in schools is wasted.
	Sports helps the children to develop their bodies as well
	as their minds. It helps to instill in them a sense of
	competition, a sense of fairness, and team playing.
	
	With all the cutting of budgets going on in the last
	years, I don't feel that there is enough money being
	spent for sports in schools. The children are taking
	more and more to the streets in search of *things to do*.

    Personally, I'd rather see the money we spend on varsity sports more
    properly directed toward books, lab equipment, and teachers salaries.
    
    Sports can be of the intramural variety, wherein everyone gets to play,
    not just those insufferable jock types.
    
    Mike

 I believe gutting athletic funding is very shortsighted.

    re insufferable jock types.

    could you give us some examples of insufferable jock types?
    
    Did you perhaps have 
    Doug Flutie (Rhodes scholar?)
    Senator Bill Bradley (N.J.) Rhodes scholar, New York Nicks forward
    in mind
    Or were you perhaps thinking of a former Cleveland Brown quarter back
    (Frank Ryan?) who has a PHD in Mathematics.
    There are many others. Including several Members of Congress, and
    former members of Congress
    Jack Kemp Secretary of HUD Bush cabinet. (San Diego Chargers & Buffalo
    Bills Q.B.)

    Or was the tag "insufferable" perhaps just a momentary temper tantrum?
    On the other hand praps you just like to stir up trouble?

    No, my comment referring to "insufferable jock types" was something that 
    comes from my own educational experiences.  I had in mind certain
    people of the jock persuasion who, because they were good athletes,
    figured their excrement didn't stink.  And there wasn't anyone who was
    prepared to tell them otherwise.  Unless the team had a losing season,
    that is.

    While those individuals you mentioned were/are good athletes, I ask
    you, of what use is professional athletics when taken in the grand
    scheme of things?  What substance does professional athletics really
    contribute to society beyond its entertainment value?  And more to the
    point, which is more important to our children's education, learning
    how to read, write, and where New Mexico might be found on a map, or
    sitting around cheering the team on to glorious victory?

    I personally believe that we, as a society, place far too much emphasis
    on athletic achievement, and far too little on academic achievement. Of
    course, there are many outstanding student athletes who are also
    outstanding students.  But these people are far from typical.  Instead 
    we are treated to the spectacle of "student/athletes" who are brought
    to a school, just so influential alumni can brag about a winning
    season.  We are treated to the spectacle of high schools hiring an
    "athletic director" who doesn't come anywhere near a classroom.  We are
    treated with the spectacle of school districts spending beau coup bucks
    on dazzling gyms, swimming pools, and other sports facilities, and
    science labs left with minimal equipment.

    Now then, since I've clarified my thoughts on this, I'm not sure which
    one of your categories my comment falls into.  Perhaps none of the
    above?  
    
    Mike

    re which category.
    Good question: I don't know the answer.
    
    I don' know whether the category should be 
    "trouble maker"
    "temper tantrum"
    "insufferable nerd"
    "a soapboxer who is lost"
    "none of the above"

    I would never, ever intentionally cause trouble or throw a tantrum.
    
    I am definitely not the nerdy type (even though I do wear glasses!)
    
    But I will admit to one or the other of the last two.
    
    :-)
    
    Mike

    
    
    -1
     
     Mike,
    
      I agree with the emphasis in this country leaning far to much on
    the body and not the brain,but :-) the mind is effected by the body
    so perhaps a combination of lots of rest, good thinking, and plenty
    of exercise is the balance.
    
    
    David ( GO RAIDERS)
    

    I have no problem with athletics, per se.  Especially intramural type
    stuff.  Doesn't require massive investments in cash, and gives ALL the
    kids a chance to play.
    
    Mike

    David:
    With what I hope is understandable pride, I offer an example of healthy
    balance

    Our 5'3" daughter graduated highschool
	a member of the National Honor Society,
	the Spanish Honor Society 
    	a strong member of the softball team, 
    	a former member of the soccer team, 
    	and a former member of the basketball team. 

    In her spare time she worked with young kids in day-care, and kids at camp,
    including several special-needs kids. She was (I believe) the first
    high-school girl in our town to be an assistant coach and then the head
    coach of 5th-6th grade coed town basketball team.

    She has just finished her first year of college at a private, liberal
    arts college which has strong academic requirements. Her plan is to be
    a lawyer specializing in Child Advocacy. She has designed her own major
    which she is calling "Law and Society". She made the Dean's List during
    her Softball Season. She also was fulfilling a scholarship requirement
    by working in the cafeteria. In her 'spare time' she earned a batting
    average over .500 and earned special kudos in the city newspaper where
    her school is located, by making a sterling defensive play in a post
    season playoff game.

    Her boy-friend (who is less than 5' 5" tall) plays center field on the
    college baseball team spring and fall, played on high-school hockey
    team for four years, and earned very close to straight A's at the same
    college. He plans to be a physical-therapist. (a 6-yr program).

    
    
    -1
    
     I can only hope that my son succeeds as well as your daughter. You
    have much to be grateful for..
    
    Sincerely,
    
    David

    re: .20
    
    No wonder you reacted as you did to my "insufferable jocks" comment. I
    am sorry that you took my comments amiss.  As I said, I was really
    thinking of some old acquaintances of mine.
    
    Mike
    
    

    re .21
    
    thankyou
    
    
    
    
    				herb

    "What substance does professional athletics really contribute to
    society in the grand scheme of things?"
    
    Good question....
    
    As a member of a corporation who is currently searching for more
    meaning in life...and as an ex-professional athlete, I have a reaction.
    
    My experience within the NBA (though short) was as much focused on
    contributions to the community and youth as it was on winning.  Based
    on the designs/values of the owners association each team had mandated
    contributions and each athlete had minimum contribution requirements
    back to the host community.  In short, it was our "job" to contribute
    to society.
    
    Now as a member of this corporation I find myself wondering what my
    role is in the grand scheme of things.  We make computers, make lots of
    money for ourselves (sometimes) and work so many hours per week that
    there is no time for me to contribute to my community.  I'm unclear
    about the corporation executive's values regarding contribution to the
    communities we inhabit....though I know they will match whatever
    contribution I make to a qualified organization.
    
    My experience, and that of many friends who are/were also professional
    athletes, is that professional sports tends to generate:
    
    	Opportunities for employment
    	Generous amounts of money for communities
    	Generous amounts of money for community programs
    	Generous amounts of money for charitable causes
    	Generous amounts of money for scholarship
    	Some of the most visible role models for today's youth
	Entertainment
    	A sense of affiliation and pride for some members of our society
    	
    What I contribute to society now as a member of Digital Equipment
    Corporation is far less clear.  I guess it's all a matter of
    perspective and opinion.
    
    
    Steve Hayes

    re .-1, thnx
    
    Might also be useful to point at the work people like Satch Sanders are
    doing.
    
    
    
    
    				herb

    Conversely, of what use are proms when taken in the grand
    scheme of things?  

    ...Robert

    Gosh...I can't contribute regarding proms....I didn't go to mine
    because we had a game :^)
    
    Steve