In recent weeks, rumors surrounding special privileges afforded to the football team have filled the whispered conversations I have overheard in the hallways. Although many of these ramblings are inaccurate, even lies tend to reflect some truth.
At every high school, football is inevitably favored in many respects simply because it usually makes the most money and draws the largest crowds. However, in the last year, many decisions and events have favored the football team.
Starting at the beginning of the year, the football team seemed to command the high school stage when it presented a proposal to play recorded music in favor of traditional band songs during the games. Although the recorded music was played sparingly and the band input was involved to some degree in the decision, the music suggestion came from football team staff, and without a doubt, cut down on band playing time.
This left many in the band feeling as if they weren’t equal partners in creating the Friday night football experience.
Another new addition to the football field was the inflatable jaguar head. The jaguar head is awesome and creates a spirited environment at the football games. When first introduced, the Booster Club defended the purchase (which was paid for completely by sponsors) by saying it could be used at other school events.
It is great that the Booster Club originally intended for this to be true, however, the football team has run through the jaguar head at every event it has been used at. This seems like a case of actions conflicting intentions. Although it is understandable that the jaguar head should not make an appearance at every sporting event, it has seemed unfairly exclusive to football.
In staff number, the football team also seems skewed. The district has no set number for the number of athletes a team must have in order to gain more coaching staff, although the higher risk the sport, the larger the staff is. Most athletic teams have sufficient staff, including the football team which has a total of 8 coaches for 92 players, or a 1:12 ratio.
On the other hand, there are over 60 students in the largest choir class and 90 students in the largest band class. Both classes are taught by one teacher who “coaches” alone. The district should be consistent with its policies and give all activities proper staff numbers.
When the football team was exclusively featured on a segment for the KCTV5 Cool School event, designed to spotlight non-athletic clubs, the team again seemed to be favored. Under such short notice of the event, the school used the itinerary of De Soto High School which was featured last year on KCTV5. At DHS, one segment featured multiple athletic teams that read to elementary school children. At Mill Valley High School, the football team was the only team that participated in such work, so the school chose to feature the team.
Although it is understandable to look to DHS to some extent, did administration not consider how the decision could appear to favor the football team? Other groups serve the community far more consistently than the football team. For example, NHS tutors two times a week and could have been included in a segment as well, especially for a program that again was supposed to feature only non-athletic clubs.
Additionally, football players were allowed to arrive at the Cool School event at 6:15 a.m., an hour and 15 minutes after the rest of the students had to arrive.
The decision was made after administration gave the football team the option to arrive later because they had a game that night. However, the cross country team that was competing at state the next day, according to coaching staff, was not made aware of the possibility of allowing athletes to arrive later to school. It is difficult to compare importance of sports here, but it certainly seems like a team that was competing at state should have been clearly informed of the same opportunity as a team still competing in the regular season had been offered.
The message sent was that the team still expects school support at the football games, but that the football team itself can’t wake up early to support the school.
It is necessary to note that many rumors about the team are false. For example, some have said the football staff set the date of Homecoming this year. This assumption is false and further extreme rumors have only added fuel to the fire. In fact, almost every grievance listed above could have been eliminated if administration and the football team had worked together to relay information about decisions concerning the team effectively to students and staff members who have since spread inaccurate information.
Unfortunately, some members of the football team, by virtue of comments made to other students and reported to me on numerous occasions, seem to be sending a cocky attitude to their peers. It might be time for an ego check in order to gain more school support.
These types of comments negate the many positive things the team, its coaches and players do for the school.
I just hope a few inaccuracies and unfair proposals will not destroy the reputation of a program that has the potential to only create positive school spirit. I also hope the football team will be able to recognize their boundaries more accurately in the future. Administration must also examine its decisions carefully to make sure all groups at our school, regardless if they bring in the most revenue, crowd or neither at all, are treated as fairly as possible.
Danielle Roberts • Nov 17, 2011 at 10:27 am
I agree 100% with Sarah Darby. Football is favored at our school over any other sport, team, or club at Mill Valley. Clearly the administration, the football coaches, and the football players need to read the article more carefully and come back to reality. Mill Valley has tons of other teams and clubs at this school that are in the shaddows because football, here, is looked at as ‘our school’. Mill Valley is not just football. AND our wonderful play that just took place over the weekend, which by the way, wasn’t shown on Friday night because there was a CHANCE that the football team would have another game that night if they made it that far, and they didnt. Football is being put over everything and everyone else at MV, and something clearly needs to change.
Caitlin • Nov 21, 2011 at 11:50 pm
Danielle:
I don’t agree with your statement about the play. There were many factors considered in putting in extra shows, such as, cast/crew conflicts with other commitments, BASKETBALL tryouts, etc.
Danielle Roberts • Nov 30, 2011 at 10:25 am
Howard was talking to me about not being able to have the play on that Friday night mostly because the football team had a chance to making it to the play offs, which, they didn’t.
Miranda Wagner • Nov 17, 2011 at 9:49 am
Yeah, because censorship of high school journalists will solve all problems. Thanks for the suggestion.
Daniel buescher • Nov 17, 2011 at 8:01 am
What sport are you talking about then?
Hugh Ebb • Nov 17, 2011 at 12:45 am
So were the individuals who aren’t in football but are in zero hour allowed to arrive late with you guys? I’m just asking because if they didn’t that’s an example of special treatment.
The soccer team played the night before in the regional championship and we didn’t get to show up late to “keep our bodies on schedule”. Why is that? Its because it didn’t cross our minds to think that we should get to come later because we were on the soccer team. We grouped ourselves in with everyone else at mill valley because we know were not better than them and noone on the soccer team acts like it. That’s why noone portrays us as egotistical.
Hugh Ebb • Nov 17, 2011 at 12:32 am
So basically your saying the more people that care about something the more respect it will get and funding/materials. SOOOOOOOO it seems to me that a lot of people care about the football team getting special treatment. SOOOOO based on YOUR logic we should hold a meeting to assess this problem and eliminate it by basically taking away your special treatment and putting you in the category with the rest of the organizations “NOONE cares about”.
Hugh Ebb • Nov 17, 2011 at 12:27 am
I believe the special treatment stems from the actions that have been shown in the past to favor the football team like the baseball field situation with the field and the balls. Unfortunately there are enough people who think this isn’t a problem at all that nothing will be done about it and it will just be swept under the rug. Noone is asking for the things the football team recieved to be taken away. They and I as well just want to see all activities have the same value regardless of financials and popularity.
Daniel buescher • Nov 17, 2011 at 12:13 am
What sport/activity are you talking about might I ask?
Austin Gebhardt • Nov 17, 2011 at 12:05 am
Now again Mister Holden for threatening high school students, this comment doens’t show a good light on the football team and their families.
I am all for standing up for your children, your son is a great football player and is on Varsity. If you know this, then why are you threatening high schoolers who are at least 20 years younger than you.
Hunter Winget • Nov 17, 2011 at 12:03 am
Alright…first and foremost, incredible job on the article Sarah. You’re speaking your mind as a journalist and it was quite courageous of you to write about such a controversial topic!
Now…I have incredible respect for the football team and their accomplishments. Every year I’ve been at this school, they have done incredibly well and I applaud them for it! I love football and I love watching our team play, especially when I know some of the guys on it. I love seeing my friends succeed and doing what they love. I highly doubt I could do what you guys do out there. But that’s the thing. every single sport and activity at our school takes some sort of different preparation to succeed in. Football takes a lot of physical training to be skilled at, but then there are sports like cross country where you have to be able to run long distance for time. I’m not saying the football team couldn’t go and run like the CC team does, but I don’t think many of the football players could run like they do. (No disrespect intended.) I, once again, could definitely not run like they do. Cross country takes a lot of work and time, just like many other activities or sports. Then there is something like debate! I don’t know too much about debate, but I have heard over the announcements that they are quite successful! Now it’s obvious that the type of practice they have is a lot different from football. Once again, I doubt many of the football guys can go to a debate competition and do well, because they haven’t trained specifically for that activity. I, once again, cannot see myself participating in a debate competition because I have no training whatsoever in that activity. And then there is band, something I’ve participated in since I was in fifth grade. I playing music and I love listening to music when I’m not in school. I also love watching sports. Now isn’t it just dandy that I can go to football games on Friday nights and play music? I absolutely love going to the football games and supporting our football team. The band also does Pep band for basketball season. I have attended every basketball game I possibly could for band since I was a freshman. Do you know how much I, or any other person in band have practiced to get where we are now? I’m not the best musician in band by far. I know some pretty insane musicians who have put double or even triple the time into their instruments to be the best they can be. But I do challenge someone from the football team, cross country team, or the debate team or any activity out there to come pick up some drum sticks or a clarinet or a trombone or any instrument in the band and see if you can we do what we do. I’m not favoring any activity here. They all take a ton of skill to compete in and to compete you must practice. All practices are different and all activities practice in a different manor. I appreciate and respect every single activity and sport at our school and I love how our students like to respect our school by participating in the sport or activity they love.
Every day on the announcements, we hear, “We are Mill Valley.” We do not hear, “We are a school divided by what sport or activity we participate in.” Why can’t we all be proud of every single activity at our school equally instead of having a Civil War inside our school? We aren’t trying to compete against each other, but against other schools. I dislike it when people put down our school. Be grateful you go to such a wonderful school. There are some schools out there that don’t get a fourth of what we do. Have pride in your school and be proud of all sports and activities. Don’t argue which one you think takes more skill or which one works harder. I’ve seen this W.I.N. thing from a lot of the football players which means Whatever Is Necessary if I am correct. Why don’t we as a school do whatever is necessary to bring the pride and spirit back instead of ruining it?
P.S. I did put my name down just so people do not get angered over who wrote this. I would gladly love to hear your opinions about my thoughts and would love to have a conversation about it personally if you would like. Let’s just be a successful student body instead of being divided!
Kelsey Winscott • Nov 17, 2011 at 7:12 am
Well said.
Joe Gunter • Nov 16, 2011 at 11:50 pm
Indeed
Rostin • Nov 16, 2011 at 11:47 pm
*wonderful
Hugh Ebb • Nov 16, 2011 at 11:47 pm
Alot of people are insinuating that because thats how something is it should stay like that. Why don’t we make an effort to change these things yes of course it would be hard and would require alot of effort to break away from the social norm but anything worth having it’s gonna have to come with some sacrifice. I’m not just saying the football team needs to change either there is a long list of things that can be fixed but like people say football is very popular in america and at mill valley so why don’t we start with them setting the example and maybe others will follow.
Ethan Rice • Nov 16, 2011 at 11:46 pm
For this people talking about the football team not actually working hard since they don’t win playoff games: before coach Applebee and the new staff came in, our football program was very weak. When the new staff came in last year, they started building a true football program, basically’starting from scratch. The players had to learn a completely new offense and defense, and that same year the football team went 6-4 with a playoff birth. In the team’s second year they had a record of 7-3 and a playoff birth. That is an absolutely phenomenal achievement for any new team. So if the football team can accomplish this in just 2 years, that proves how hard they have worked. And just imagine how much success they will have in the future with this growing program.
Austin Gebhardt • Nov 16, 2011 at 11:33 pm
Well that is a great way to represent the Booster Club, calling kids gutless because they don’t want to be ridiculed by grown men like yourself. I put name on here for you, this is me making a statement. If you have an opinion fine, but this comment was something I would’ve expected a highschool student to say, not a Booster Club Rep AND parent
Natalie, JAG alum • Nov 16, 2011 at 11:30 pm
Great job, Sarah! You’ve done what a journalist is suppose to do…bring up an important topic and get people talking about it. This is the most buzz I’ve heard about anything MV-related.
WAY TO GO!!!!!!!!!
Jake Roatch • Nov 16, 2011 at 11:23 pm
Football players: Nice “W.I.N.” saying, I guess you’re all a bunch of hardasses.
Everyone else: Stop whining about how your activity isn’t as popular. If you think that this is any different at any other high school then you are ignorant and sheltered. Subscribing to the notion that any high school activity will ever be as popular as football is ridiculous. Get over it.
Joe Gunter • Nov 16, 2011 at 11:10 pm
Literally every word you just said was an opinion, with little to no basis in fact. If everything in the article is wrong, please, do inform us.
Danielle • Dec 1, 2011 at 8:28 pm
Its an opinion peice.
John Poorman • Nov 16, 2011 at 11:03 pm
really? if u want to harp so much. show your name. and lets go around and ask the students who cares about cross country. were just as much of a sport as football is. we practice just as hard and put in just as much hours during the season and in the off season as football does. we made it to state. we won regionals. what did u guys do?
put up or shut up.
Ethan Rice • Nov 17, 2011 at 12:02 am
Well if you think about it. This football program has only been around for 2 years now with a combined record of 13-7 and 2 playoff births. It would be unrealistic for any team this young to go deep in the playoffs, but with that record and 2 playoff births already, that exceeds expectations and proves all the hard work we put in every single day.
John Poorman • Nov 17, 2011 at 9:18 am
yes its true. i’m proving my point that XC is a sport and if u want to know how points are scored. any XC runner would be happy to explain it. at that, u guys are a really good program. i enjoy the football games. im tired of all this talk of “we work the hardest”. its disrespectful to say to any sports or non related sport activities at mill valley. everyone puts in there hours and gets there job done. this is a great year for all our programs at mill valley and we have only gone through the fall seasons. so football does work hard. yes. but does robotics? XC? tennis? yes everything does. band, debate, journalism, soccer, football, quiz bowl, science Olympiad, and girls golf. everything does.
John Poorman • Nov 17, 2011 at 9:19 am
also you cant leave out the cheerleaders and dance team.
Beth Pfister • Nov 22, 2011 at 11:37 am
Thanks johnn!! 🙂
Kelsey Winscott • Nov 16, 2011 at 10:27 pm
I would have to agree with you about the theater. It has a 3 ft platform that Mr. Howard added on last year JUST so we could fit everyone on the stage last year. And now that our cast has grown from 45 to 80 since the last musical and… well you see the problem. Not only that, our microphone system is dying, the seats are falling apart, the wings(the areas backstage to the sides of the stage) can’t fit our sets let alone our cast when sing to help the dancers during difficult numbers. And on top of all of this, the administration was inflexible for nearly 2 months about adding more shows(which is how we fund our programs) until 5 days before our first show and then changed their minds the next day. And with the new Thespian Troup and rumblings about a drama 2 class, who knows what 80 people will grow to next year? I just find it funny to think that 4 show (1,400 seats plus fold up chairs) sold out in three days and 3 of those shows sold out after the parents bought their tickets. After it was all said and done, only 40 students had the chance to buy tickets (not counting the students cast members invited to watch our practices). I think the issue is not only money, but also a lack of respect from our administration for nonathletic programs and the needs of the students.
Colin Bonebrake • Nov 16, 2011 at 9:36 pm
A fine example of the elitist attitude the article refers to…
Colin Bonebrake • Nov 16, 2011 at 9:33 pm
Its an opinion article! Its not just Sarah either most of the school including myself feel that the football team is cocky and pushes the limits of what is fair/unfair. You can not fight or debate against a good portion of the student bodies opinion. My friends play baseball and throwing a ball into the woods… really football players? If you want people to respect you you have to show respect to others. I don’t hate the football team or any other club/sport at MV. All of our organizations are excellent and all deserve recognition. Yes football is a very popular sport but that doesn’t put it above other sports. Sarah did a great job on the article and starting a very heated debate.
Colin Bonebrake • Nov 16, 2011 at 9:32 pm
this article speaks the truth
Joe Vincent • Nov 16, 2011 at 9:15 pm
I don’t think that it’s right to point fingers at the football players themselves, because the truth is that anyone in any club would gladly accept the money and priviliges that the football team get without hesitation. You can’t put the blame on the players here.
Hugh Ebb • Nov 16, 2011 at 9:11 pm
If you think its a bad article put some of that work in that all football players are so good at and write your own article. tell you what you can even put 12345 as the author and you don’t have to take a picture so noone knows who you are
Keenan Ford • Nov 16, 2011 at 9:01 pm
That was an ignorant statement. Basketball is an entertaining sport also. Some people may think it is more important. You don’t see them asking for everything.
Everytime people call out the football team for anything, they say how they work hard. No one is trying to ignore their hard work. But every organization should be treated with the same respect and that was Sarah’s point.
Kelsey Winscott • Nov 16, 2011 at 7:04 pm
I think all the theater people can agree on this fact: when we get older, we’ll all send money to the Drama Department to make the biggest theater possible. No one needs to spend five plus hours in a cramped, dirty, and breaking theater for two and a half months. 🙂
Stephen McEnery • Nov 16, 2011 at 6:56 pm
First of all, yes, I would certainly complain if someone was receiving more pay and more promotions than me for the same amount of work (and a bad attitude every now and then).
Second, I have to take issue with you saying that other teams or clubs don’t have money because they and their coaches are “lazy.” I can speak from experience that the track team does work to raise money (never enough) and we do get involved in the community, like with last year’s track clinic for younger kids. My brother was a member of the robotics team for all four years of high school and they worked late nights for six weeks designing, building, planning and programming their robot all with money essentially entirely from fundraisers, because requests for money from the booster club were repeatedly turned down.
We as members of other sports and activities aren’t saying we deserve as much or more money than football because we don’t. We’re only asking that we not be overlooked at every opportunity for recognition, when the perception, at least, is that teams that are more successful than the football program (not digging on football, I went to every home game this year) are markedly less visible. Football deserves much attention, praise, and, yes, funding because it is a demanding, crowd-pleasing, equipment intensive sport. My main sport, Cross Country, is not much of a spectator event and requires little in the way of equipment but it was certainly frustrating that we got one poster on our lockers before we went to state, when football players got posters before every game the entire year.
It also offends me, quite honestly, to hear football players say that they work harder than any other sport. I know I ran 250+ miles this summer with my team, often running twice a day during July and August, and we also had 4-6 mile morning practices during the season that would be finished before football players even started arriving for Zero Hour. I’m no saying we worked harder, because the two sports are apples and oranges. I’m just saying that our work is belittled and our accomplishments diminished by omission. I’m sure tennis players, golfers, soccer players, baseball players, wrestlers and other athletes feel the same way.
As far as the attitude of the football players, there’s little left to say. I can tell by reading comments from Devin and others and from the football players I interact with on a regular basis that there is no “one size fits all” descriptor for them, but other comments speak for themselves. Some players and coaches swagger around the school like they own the place, which is certainly annoying and, in my particular case, makes it profoundly difficult to get to my locker between classes with the groups of them that stand in front of it and couldn’t be bothered to move for a nobody like me.
My two cents anyway.
Kaitlyn Butko • Nov 16, 2011 at 8:41 pm
well said.
Keenan Ford • Nov 16, 2011 at 6:47 pm
Sarah
I thank you for speaking your mind, and I am sorry to hear that people are being disrespectful towards you over an opinion article (again, an OPINION article). I respect your opinion.
Parker Brush • Nov 16, 2011 at 6:43 pm
All this talk about football has a few things on my mind…
FOOTBALL!
PROTEIN!
ZERO HOUR!
STEROIDS!
PEANUT BUTTER!
BEEFCAKES!
WEIGHTLIFTING!
But in all seriousness, aren’t we all just in it for the glory? Yeah, getting absolutely yolked is a positive side-effect, but who in their right mind puts all that effort into something to not be glorified. People who work hard deserve attention and special treatment, and will probably have that their entire life. It’s the exact same for academics, you receive good grades? Well, NHS will throw you a party every quarter. You have a good ACT score? here is a scholarship. In relation to the topic, you play football? Here’s all the attention and respect you will ever deserve. You’re in the band? Well hot dog, you can do something that few people can. You can plan an instrument, and do that most of your life. Basically what I am trying to say is that for every path in life you choose there is a reward that specific to the lifestyle. So is there really such a thing as special treatment? In my opinion there is not, everyone just gets treated differently and gets back exactly what they put into their life.
So to address anyone who believes some groups are treated unfairly to others all I have to say is what you think is absolutely true. But is this treatment really unfair and “special”, or is it just specific to the group.
PS I apologize if this message was posted twice, and that anyone who has posted their opinion here is my hero. That takes a lot of guts, and that will pay off for you in life.
Kelsey Winscott • Nov 16, 2011 at 6:32 pm
Well put.
bret holloway • Nov 16, 2011 at 6:27 pm
well if you go to the baseball field you can tell where the football team practiced.. right field is how we left it. left field looks like a football field that nobody takes care of. so in other words. Left field looks like a baseball field that has 2 infields on one field.. that is not how we left it. USE THE BASEBALL FIELD, TAKE CARE OF IT. just like the baseball team does after every practice and after every game.
Hugh Ebb • Nov 16, 2011 at 6:01 pm
Let me Remind everyone that the Mill Valley students and parents make the Football program what it is. take away the fans who don’t have a boyfriend on the football team, the band, the cheerleaders, the dance team, the sports selling concessions at the concession stand and away from it, the robotics team. what are you left with? a sorry excuse for a student section and a bunch of kids parents and i know you football players are excited to play in front of only your parents and the younger kids that get dragged there with them.
Avery Laluk • Nov 16, 2011 at 6:00 pm
This is amazing, to write an article that brings in the opinions of every one! From the dancers to the soccer players, it attracted the attention. Which is exactly what journalism is all about! Very well written!
I am not taking sides because i can relate and agree with both sides but it is nice to see Mill Valley’s opinions!
Hugh Ebb • Nov 16, 2011 at 5:55 pm
ARE YOU KIDDING ME? every coach /sponsor puts in an extremely large amount of time into their activity. and you insinuated that other coaches don’t work to raise money this statement has zero credibility at all whatsoever. Also there is the method of divide and conquer when you split up the labor between multiple coaches it makes them easier lets not forget that.
Hugh Ebb • Nov 16, 2011 at 5:46 pm
As to anyone talking about the Jaguar head. yes it is available to anyone who wants to use it but its not practical for most activities. it makes no sense for non athletic clubs to bring it inside the school when they have their equivalent of a game and basketball cant use the actual head because it is too big to allow for spectators to get inside the game from the activity center where you are supposed to enter also track shouldn’t use it because there are too many events and for each person to walk through it before their event is ridiculous. the list goes on and on i will help all of you by giving you a situation. If i say “Anyone can borrow my soccer cleats if they want just ask” you know who would ask for them? soccer players and maybe football kickers and punters because its practical. other than that it makes no sense for anyone else to use them whether it be the basketball team,track team, quizbowl, journalism, forensics, theater or whatever that list goes on an on too. but since i said ANYONE can use it i can use that as a shield to COWER behind when people question me. the jaguar head is suited ideally for a football team and has very very few other applications outside of the football teams use.
Greg Mason • Nov 16, 2011 at 5:44 pm
oh and there are quite a few bare spots in left/ left center field. there were also some big ones: one about 20ft around and the other big one about 12 ft around. since you were asking about any damages.
bret holloway • Nov 16, 2011 at 9:40 pm
i second this, last time i checked OUR field, we had a pretty good looking outfield.
Hugh Ebb • Nov 16, 2011 at 5:10 pm
I would like to share with you that other people wanted to keep there body on a schedule too despite if they were in a sport or not. But you know what they did sucked it up and they got up early enough to get to cool school on time. Why couldnt you suck it up?
Hugh Ebb • Nov 16, 2011 at 5:05 pm
the football team isnt the only team who generated this new wave of jag pride it was every organization at mill valley both athletic and non athletic. you also said football gets “everything it deserves” do other extra-curricular activities get everything they deserve the answer sadly is no and that is the reference to special treatment. also you claimed “success breeds envy” so are you jealous of the cross country team becasue they won regionals or are you jealous of the girls track team who has something like 11 league championships in a row or are you jealous of the quizbowl team who have won a state championship. No i dont think your jealous of those things so your statement is false. i would also encourage you to examine the fact that nowhere in this thread has anyone said the successful track team or the successful quizbowl team or the succesful journalism team overshadows the other school activities its because they dont. The common trend at least amongst those who posted is that the football team and the football team alone overshadows other activities.
Catie Mellott • Nov 16, 2011 at 4:59 pm
Since this seems to be pretty controversial, and a lot of people are upset about this being an “attack” on the football team, has MV Journalism thought about doing a series of articles to “expose” other activities at the school?
By that, I mean do a few articles about what activities students can get involved with at school, what they do, when they meet, what goes into the activity… etc.
I think this is a fantastic learning experience to see what your peers are going through, and it might increase student involvement, as well as school spirit, if students know what’s available. It might also be a great opportunity for these groups to grow, and use their voices to ask for things they need in a venue that they can be heard.
Devin Rudicel • Nov 16, 2011 at 3:47 pm
He has every right to comment on this story and defend any side he chooses.
Just as you have the right to come up with an immature screen-name and write pathetic attemptsat an insult to a man you’ve more than likely never met.
Geoffrey Grabbe • Nov 16, 2011 at 3:46 pm
WHAT FOR??????? they did nothing wrong. so what the football team gets more respect than any other sport. suck it up and show some school spirit
Geoffrey Grabbe • Nov 16, 2011 at 3:43 pm
I’m sorry but its true that our football team does bring more money to our school big whoop they use the head more than any other team. without football our school would be nothing sure they made it to the playoffs and didnt do well whats that got to do with anything. I’m proud of our mv sports and everyone needs to suck it up and face the fact that Football will always be the dominant sport in any high school.
Taylor Hunter • Nov 16, 2011 at 2:35 pm
Everyone needs to calm down and quit taking this article personally. Ms. Darby was simply talking about an issue at our school and giving her opinion. There was nothing rude said about the football team. I have respect for the team and I am at every game but do I think that they get way more recognition? OF COURSE. The football team will get more attention than any other team or club at Mill Valley for as long as its around and that is the way it is going to be whether the rest of the clubs like it or not. And when it comes to the money involved, I am not asking that the other sports share all the money that is made but enough money to run each sport would be nice. How about a working scoreboard for the soccer team, or a field for the basball team?
Parents: Please stop commenting on this. I respect that you care about the issues at MV and that you pay for us to go here, but this is about the football team and the student body.
Daniel Buescher • Nov 16, 2011 at 1:45 pm
Haters will broadcast your failure, but whisper your success…
Garrett Scheffler • Nov 16, 2011 at 12:58 pm
All the football players devoted all there time playing football. Almost everyday, before school, after school and even during school in fitness. Also, whether you want to admit it or not, they work harder than any other sport…. ITS FOOTBALL! It’s not their fault that football is the most popular sport…. Its like that at every school! Don’t take away from the great season they had. Some seniors won’t step on a football field again so im sure they dont want to think back on this year and remember this stuff. Besides, the only person who is going to get special treatment at this school will be TYLER MOORE when he wins STATE BOWLING!!!!!
Greg Mason • Nov 16, 2011 at 11:52 pm
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO TYLER!!!
Blake Correll • Nov 16, 2011 at 12:56 pm
Lets be honest we all goto the football games to see our friends and socialize there are always more people my the conssessions stands than the bleachers. the football is always in the backround!
Dakota Rogers • Nov 16, 2011 at 12:20 pm
Reservations on the baseball field? They were not once and still have not once tried to do reservations to the baseball field! Why shouldn’t the football team be able to use the baseball field if it is not even close tho the off-season. All they were trying to do was hit and they have there own batting cages 100 feet from the field. And for whoever said that the team was on the soccer fields tearing them up? The football team was never on the soccer field, not once! And for whoever said the Skyler, Callahan, and Kendall are the only good players on the team. You are way wrong, yes they are good players but what about Knute, Staton, Wade, Ethan and tons more, you cant be 7-3 and only have three good players! The football team is the hardest group of guys I have ever been around.
Hugh Ebb • Nov 16, 2011 at 9:18 pm
Please explain to me your definition of “hard”. Do you mean they go hard or what?
Nick Mannoni • Nov 16, 2011 at 12:05 pm
Our team is not even that good, they dont deserve anything that they get. How team is not the greatest and we need some real WINners
Daniel Buescher • Nov 16, 2011 at 2:46 pm
Nick you are extremely mistaken with that comment, we haven’t had a losing season since the school opened.. that says something and also we aren’t the ones who got $300,000 worth of new instruments.
Katy MacGill • Nov 16, 2011 at 4:27 pm
We legitamately needed those new instruments. Thanks for supporting the band when we come out on Friday nights and support you. I love football games, they’re fun! Congrats on having a winning season!
Hugh Ebb • Nov 16, 2011 at 5:20 pm
isn’t the football team tired of only having winning seasons.if you guys work harder than everyone else like you say you do when is it going to produce a regional or state championship(Future only). im not trying to dog on you guys im just saying i would be tired of it as well and i would eventually raise my standards of success to higher levels. i have no doubt the football team will have many many winning seasons record wise with losing seasons being few and far between. dont take this comment the wrong way.
Daniel buescher • Nov 16, 2011 at 11:59 pm
Hugh we’ve never had a losing season… Ever and if you look we’ve not always lot the first game. There are multiple football regional championship plaques in the trophy case.
Hugh Ebb • Nov 17, 2011 at 8:17 am
I know I’m said I’m not trying to say your bad or anything like that and I didn’t say that you haven’t won anything. I meant we should continue to raise our standards for every season in every activity. Someone just commented on football so I used that as an example.
Devin Ristau • Nov 16, 2011 at 11:22 am
The football games on Friday are the highlight of my week and an awesome way to start off the weekend.
The games would NOT be the same without the band and the band has to put in work to get ready for half time shows and everything that they do.
Football is one of my favorite sports to watch, I watch our games Friday night, I watch college football Saturday, my Sunday’s go church football all day then homework at night
I think that its a given that the football team is going to get more attention than all of the other sports because the kidscome and hang out at the games. Parents of the football team is there and I think my parents went to every game, even though it was SOOOO embarrasing they came to watch the game and to talk to other parents and people.
Greg Darnell • Nov 16, 2011 at 11:16 am
ACTUALLY, if you all had your facts straight about the band. You would’ve known that we received not $300,000 but $100,000. Also, the only reason that we received so much money was because that we havent recieved any money of any kind since the school opened.
Kristy Acree • Nov 16, 2011 at 10:35 am
Just a suggestion…I haven’t been overly involved in Booster Club this year but in all my past years there’s never more than 6-10 people in attendance at the meetings. If you want to know the FACTS of how your Mill Valley Booster Club benefits the entire school, go to a meeting and be a part of the process. All students, parents and teachers are welcome. Many clubs and organizations never put in a request for funds. You don’t get it if you don’t ask for it!
Lauren Proctor • Nov 16, 2011 at 10:14 am
Slow clapping it out for you right now, Darbs. This is really beautifully written and well thought out. So proud of you! (:
Kelsey Wakefield • Nov 16, 2011 at 10:07 am
Great Article Darbs!! Everything you mentioned in your article is so true. I’m glad someone had the nerve to say it!
I’m very disappointed in a lot of the football team’s comments though. I would just like to say we do know how it feels to work hard, and we work just as hard. We love our school and all the clubs and athletic teams here want to do our best as well.
Please be respectful.
Nathan Brinker • Nov 16, 2011 at 9:59 am
Does the Boys Golf team get to use the big Jaguar head???!!! We should notify Wessel.
Aaron Gray • Nov 16, 2011 at 9:54 am
I’d just like to say this is a really well written article. As a band student I do see a lot of this unfair treatment that the football team does recive. I do see thiugh that they do put in a lot of hard work. But still the band plays at everyone of their home games and we even went to their play off game and still we don’t get any real reconignition. We get our uniforms washed just once a year and just now recived new insturments. Also we put in alot of time to practice too. And we only have one band teacher while almost all other schools in our district have more than one band director for a less number of students. we also have recieved ones at aolmost all of our competitions. I’m not saying the football team is the worst thing at the school but they do recivie an unfair amount of attention and money that should be distributed more evenly amoung all the school activities.
Andrew Geise • Nov 16, 2011 at 9:41 am
I love this article
Hailey Vorbeck • Nov 16, 2011 at 9:34 am
the way i look at it, if other sport teams want to run through the head, then do for it, it you don’t want to, then drop it; playing recorded music at the football games, the band can’t complain because the article explains that the football team and band both agreed on it; the couch to player ratio, it’s football..everyone and their mother knows that football( high school, college or NFL) always has multiple coaches, more positions, more coaches. band and choir are classes, yes, they do go out and compete but if the teachers can’t handle it then they can either cut some of their classes or just not take as many students, simple as that. people are also over exaggeration on the cool school thing, i don’t see any problem with letting them arrive late if they didn’t get to leave early, that qualified to anyone who arrived late; and to LJ or Kendall’s, i don’t remember who’s it was, comment about having fans sit in the stands and actually watching the game, that goes for all sports..all players of any sport would like for people to watch them play and see all the effort they are putting into the game. i’m not going to sit here and say football runs the school or football doesn’t but everyone knows that football DOES bring in the most money and the football players will ALWAYS be the “hot shots” of the school. it’s high school, that’s how it is everywhere.
Hugh Ebb • Nov 16, 2011 at 5:37 pm
Why should other organizations have to cut participants from their events when the football team doesnt? Also yes its a fact that football brings in the most money but they also spend a heck of alot of money too its all about profit. i would also like to point out the fact that just because something is widespread and uniform doesn’t make it right. People are willing to sit back and not take action just because thats the way its always been. Things are left open for change just like the constitution with its amemdments. Just like laws that are changed to cope with a changing society. If we never took charge and made changes and just stood by and let something that is wrong continue america would still be under the control of england, noone would have stopped hitler, and we would be getting bombed frequently by terrorists.
Kayle Lintner • Nov 16, 2011 at 9:27 am
This whole thing is stupid. This is hardly controversial literally its like you guys are looking for things to cry about. GET OVER IT
That is all.
Rachel Allen • Nov 16, 2011 at 9:13 am
im extremely confused. im sure the football players dont just get their money from their rich parents. considering they are the “biggest” sport in high school.
kenzie Acree • Nov 16, 2011 at 9:10 am
Well. The volleyball team hasnt really said anything about this so i guess ill say something. I have been playing volleyball year around for the past 12 years of my life. Ive put in a ton of hours at practice, camps, workshops, and also coaching. If youve played volleyball at Mill Valley before you know what im talking about. We practice from 3pm to 6-6:30pm. And everyday i walk out to my car the football players are deffinatly not there practicing,.. So the volleyball players and other teams obviously practice longer. Not saying that the football team needs more practice. Im just saying that you cannot use the “fact” that you guys put in more time than any other team. Not true. We also have a tourniment almost every Saturday and sometimes Sundays. I love coming to the football games and i havent missed on since 7th grade but come on guys. Let Sarah have her opinion and just deal with it. No need to diss other teams at MV. Lets be real. Mill Valley Athletics arent that great. So no one can really talk.
Sorry if i upset anyone but thats my OPINION!
Taylor hunter • Nov 16, 2011 at 7:56 am
First of all I would like to congratulate Sarah on writing what could be the article of the year.
To all the football players, parents of players, and managers: Don’t take this article personally! This is not as much about the team as it is just showing that we don’t focus on other clubs or sports as much as we should. No person on the team has done anything wrong by being favored so quit being so defensive.
Parents: thank you for paying for the school and all but please let us students/former students argue about this. You guys don’t know what goes on at our school so please stay out of it.
People need to realize that nobody is blaming the football team for what is going on, Sarah just proved how flawed the system is. Good job Sarah!
Kaitlyn Butko • Nov 16, 2011 at 8:38 pm
AMEN.
Joe Gunter • Nov 16, 2011 at 1:15 am
To clarify, the large Jaguar head is barely large enough to fit into the gymnasium with one end of the bleachers closed, so that rules it out for sports like Basketball and Volleyball. I’d also like to point out that we have several more successful teams at our school than football (e.g. Science Olympiads, Soccer, Girls Basketball etc…) and that funding should be an incentive for success, not a given. Time to get biased, the robotics team requires thousands upon thousands of dollars in order to function. We need to buy parts, get funding for travel and pay for our event fees, all and all this totals up to more than $18,000. We need funds and yet we received very little money this year from booster club because their attention is focused on football. I heard the same was true about several other teams. Another major issue is the fact that we did not have enough seating to allow open sales of tickets to students this year for The Wizard of Oz. When will we get a larger theatre?
The point is not that football deserves less just because they’re football, the point is that football deserves less because other teams need more funds.
In summary: Where’s the love for all of the other teams?
Brian Moore • Nov 16, 2011 at 12:48 am
Well, let’s be honest here…I just graduated from MV and the football team is horrible, actually all of our athletics suck. Everyone of you football players needs an ego/reality check. The only players who are good is Skyler, Callahan and Kendall. Y’all think ur so good, need I remind you, you play football in one of the WORST football states in America. Y’all need to win a playoff game for a change. Your heads are so big y’all can’t put your helmets on. In all seriousness tho, this girl hit it right on the head. And I would LOVE to see y’all play any halfway decent team from Texas, Cali, or Ohio, that’d teach y’all a lesson…you suck.
Hailey Vorbeck • Nov 16, 2011 at 9:48 am
kinda harsh brian…there is nothing wrong with being cocky, if you have a good season, then i’d say you have a perfect reason to be cocky. i mean, i don’t remember exactly but i think we only lost twice this year? i’d be cocky too! just because they lose in the play off game, that you lose to a better team doesn’t meant that the players suck. i can’t speak for anyone else but personally, being cocky about something i do, gives me more motivation to get better. you don’t go to mill valley anymore, so it’s not your team to worry about. you can agree or disagree with the article, it’s your choice but you don’t need to comment just to talk shit.
Austin Gebhardt • Nov 16, 2011 at 11:57 pm
Daniel, the I agree with the comment ” Don’t talk about a sport that you’ve never played”
But that could be said to every person on here who has taken a side, band can’t say that football isn’t hard, but football can say band isn’t, alot of the stuff we do for our teams is mandatory and for a grade, we know what we sign up for and we are the largest organization in MV standing at over 120 students, we are big supporters of the team. I for one don’t believe that you guys wanted us out, but I do believe that we put forth alot of effort too, not physical, but in time, practice, and musically. we can’t measure the effort that each person is comparing.
Vickie Callahan • Nov 16, 2011 at 12:41 am
Well I am certainly not afraid to put my name or express how incredibly proud I am to be the parent of a Mill Valley Jaguar and 2nd parent to the NHS President who I am equally as proud and love like a daughter. Perhaps many of you should be as proud of your school and ALL the activities that come along with these incredible years of your lives. Stop worrying about who gets more attention. And to you who wonder why parents keep posting. Well that would be because we helped pay for this school and like you, we are entitled to an opinion every once in a while.
I have to commend the journalist as she really did a very nice job in presenting her opinion but it is simply that. No more no less. A better way in my opinion to do it would have been to take a football representative and allow both opinions to run at the same time or at least give some perspective on the football program. Clearly this was geared more towards one subject matter. That to me is very sad. A healthy debate is never one sided.
How very unfortunate that some have chosen this forum to vent frustrations that clearly have been idling for a while and even more unfortunate that the “digs” you take on each other are nothing more than a pathetic attempt to hurt someone.
Regardless, I am the parent of a football player and wrestler and the family atmosphere that I have witnessed first hand in both these sports could never be denied. I am not a huge sports fan but I love my kids and I will always be there to support them in WHATEVER they choose to do. The coaches in both of these sports take a genuine interest in these boys and helping them to become better people not just better athletes. They don’t do this through money, they do it through their time and dedication to the sports they love. If you misconstrue the players pride and confidence for cockiness that is your opinion. I know a lot of these boys and my opinion is that you are wrong in that assessment.
Many times, these comments are meant to provoke the football team into defending their position and vice versas. Clearly it was the intention of the “opinion” article to get this brewing.
While I applaud the “freedom of speech”, you all have a whole lot to learn about building relationships, creating a unified school and letting go of things you just don’t have control over.
Go enjoy this time you have and let this roll off because 6 months, 1 year, 10 years from now this will not even matter. You know what? Mill Valley Jaguar Football, Cross Country, Tennis, Golf, Wrestling, Band, NHS, Basketball etc.. will still be going strong and many of your younger brothers/sisters will be on those teams. Don’t set the tone for them based on a one-sided opinion.
Andrew Knabel • Nov 16, 2011 at 3:29 am
Well said.
Vickie Callahan • Nov 16, 2011 at 8:47 am
Wow that’s what you took away from that? No actually what I am saying is “lighten up” enjoy your high school years and if you have a real solid issue take it up with the appropriate channels to determine if a change is needed. Stop reading stuff into these posting that doesn’t exist. You have an opinion it is respected but so do a lot of other people. Neither side of this should be taking cheap shots at each other on a forum. Yes it is an opinion just like the rest of this but it doesn’t make it the right or wrong opinion it is just an opinion.
Hugh Ebb • Nov 16, 2011 at 4:53 pm
How can you call for others to proudly support all activities when i go to many school events and i see a small representation of the football team there? and im not sure but i don’t think people have a problem with the football team getting attention because they deserve to have attention. its the special treatment they receive and as stated above no team should have the right or the desire to remove another team from their facility. and that’s also what i think people are referring to when they speak of ego because humble teams don’t threaten to take other teams equipment and remove it. You also said people should stop taking “cheap shots” at others when the first “Punch” was thrown by a football player. Also this is as you said an opinion article therefore she does not need to find other sources to give their opinion. Did you feel the need to personally ask anyone else their opinion before you posted. No it doesn’t make sense to. So why are you insinuating that Sarah should do that? I feel that there is alot of hipocracy throughout this thread.
Vickie Callahan • Nov 16, 2011 at 10:48 pm
Well Hugh thank you for putting your name on this. I completely respect that and shows good character!
I can’t explain to you why there is not more attendance at any one event. But I will pass on receiving the roll call information for each event.
You reference the “team” above but like everything else in life a few bad situations don’t encompass an entire team nor do a few bad apples destroy an apple tree.
It’s unfortunate you are misunderstanding my post as I am not defending either side of this. I believe you all are judging both sides prematurely and need to let a lot of this go. As a past state 1st place on the debate team (no I didn’t play football but only because they wouldn’t let me nor did the football team attend my debates), I can confidently tell you that a healthy debate is two sided and the two sides seldomly come to an agreement but a polished debate is open and welcome to other’s opinions even though they don’t agree and don’t take “cheap shots” at other regardless of who throws the first “punch”.
Why would I ask for others opinion of my post? I didn’t begin this but if I would have, I would have given the opposition of my opinion an opportunity to post along side me. If I am that confident my facts are correct I have no reason not to. Sarah’s a brilliant writer. She chose not to include an opposing opinion. That was her choice. I just don’t happen to agree with it.
If respecting, supporting and guiding my own children in what they do labels me a hypocrite, than I wear the title proudly!
Taylor – my sincere apologies for being a parent post but since this was addressed to me I will respond. Appreciate the fact that you want to keep this with the students and I will respectfully stop posting as long as questions are not addressed to me.
Hugh Ebb • Nov 17, 2011 at 12:20 am
I agree a few bad apples don’t destroy the tree that being said a few bad apples will lower the value of the tree. Also parts represent the whole so to continue with the food ananlogy would you eat a piece of bread with a spot of mold on it? Probably not because all though the rest of the bread seems fine you don’t know for sure so you throw it out. The same way a sport/club represents mill valley when they travel players represent the team so the few people who are giving football a bad name are giving the appearance that the whole football team is like that regardless of it is true or not.
Also I have changed my statements in other comments when I have been proven wrong I feel no shame in doing so and I apologize if any of my comments give off the feeling of attacking the football team or anyone else I am simply expressing what I believe to be true.
I mentioned the thing about opinions because you said a better way to have done it would have been to collaborate with and portray both sides. I disagree she gathered information and formed her opinion based on it. There is no need to wonder others opinions as long as you have examined both sides thoroughly.
I did not mean for you to think the way you guided your children was hipocracy I was referring to the thread particularly those few bad apples representing the football team where people expected to receive something when they didn’t give propotionately.
Hugh Ebb • Nov 17, 2011 at 7:54 am
The first statement above About you gyus wanting people to go to your games in large numbers and support you when youguys won’t come out in large numbers to support their activity both athletic and non athletic. Also the baseball field incident is something that would go under the category of egotistical. I don’t really know what you want me to show you tomorrow.
Hugh Ebb • Nov 17, 2011 at 8:04 am
Also there are peopne who are on your side making statements that have no facts whatsoever like “we work harder than anyone else” or. “NOONE cares about cross country” so you should probably address them first because they are hurting your cause more than I am.
Bailey Crosbie • Nov 16, 2011 at 12:36 am
I love this article.
I love journalism!
I love mill valley!
Im framing this article and putting it on the wall in the j-room.
i hope school isnt awkward tomorrow!
GO DARBS 🙂
Ethan Rice • Nov 16, 2011 at 12:20 am
I would also like to congratulate all of Mill Valley’s club and athletic teams. Everyone puts their work in and it pays off for everyone. But for those anonymous people commenting about us not winning, we had a record of 7-3, correct me if I’m wrong, but that’s a WINning record. Also, about the dry cleaning, it was offered to us by a company, the school didn’t pay for that, and neither did the booster club.
Greg Mason • Nov 16, 2011 at 12:09 am
i clearly remember quite a few times when we were kicked off the baseball field while we were practicing in order for the football team to use it. i also remember some of our baseballs being thrown over the fence by players as well as threats of throwing the whole bucket if we attempted to use our own field again.
bret holloway • Nov 16, 2011 at 12:01 am
As to the football team practicing on the baseball field, I have heard
no one was using the baseball field” On tuesdays, senior baseball players held a short hitaround to get underclassman involved with us before winter. Soon the football team would kick us off of “OUR PRACTICE FIELD” and as i was reminded, some football players threw our baseballs into the woods behind the field… so i guess i can go onto the “FOOTBALL FIELD” and get rid of the equipment they have? or is the football team only allowed to do this?
Hugh Ebb • Nov 16, 2011 at 12:00 am
Noone can say any other Sport/Activity works harder than the other because it’s all relative what may be hard for you may be easy for others and vice versa I don’t mind people defending whichever side there on but please stop saying ignorant things like that. Also to everyone who is saying calm down and stuff like that: what are you complaining about? Its not a big deal if there is a conflict at Mill Valley let people express their opinions.
Greg Mason • Nov 15, 2011 at 11:48 pm
thats weird because i clearly remember quite a few times when we were kicked off the baseball field while we were practicing in order for the football team to use it. i also remember some of our baseballs being thrown over the fence by players as well as threats of throwing the whole bucket if we attempted to use our own field again. And so i want to get this straight, if i were to go to zero hour, i could use the weight room the way i wanted to? no structure and forcing different lifts on players of different sports that shouldnt be doing them? because it hasnt been that way in the past. we dont need to build everyone like a football player. I, along with many others, have avoided the weight room for just that reason. If that is changed now, great! but as of things i have heard it is all the same.
Devin Rudicel • Nov 16, 2011 at 4:04 pm
Greg, please keep in mind that every team is forced to share practice fields in the offseason. For example, the track team uses the practice football fields during the spring. We are not fortunate enough to have separate practice fields for each individual sport.
As far as the baseballs over the fence, I apologize on behalf of those guilty. Perhaps this is the “ego” the author is referring to..
As far as Zero Hour is concerned, it is open to all athletes of every sport. There is a strict structure and workout routine set in place by the coaches. These workouts are designed to increase athleticism. No athlete would be hurt by becoming stonger. However, you are a pitcher. Arguably one of the best pitchers on our baseball team. You fall under special circumstances. There are certain lifts that pitchers should stay away from. You are correct in saying that and it is wise that you have avoided these lifts.
However, the school weight room cannot be the free workout space that it was before. In our smaller weight room, there were significantly less athletes in there at one time. Now we have over three times the athletes using our weightroom. If every athlete was doing their own specific workout, some athletes who lack motivation, would simply be a waste of space and not benefit from their time spent in the weightroom. Also, the chaos of so many different things would be immeasurable. Chaos is typically a term that should be avoided in weight rooms. We simply must have structure to our workouts for safety, and the benefits of our athletes.
Good luck this year in baseball, I hope more student interest gets generated for the sport this year and as a result, more support at the games. We have quite a few talented athletes on the team, and Im excited to see what success the season brings.
Greg Mason • Nov 16, 2011 at 11:42 pm
Rudy,
thanks you for your recognition of the situation i have and thank you for the compliments (far better than i heard of the way you talked about me today, which by the way wasnt necessary, in no way have i attacked any individuals. If you want to talk bad, think about it first, and do it to my face, but as far as your reason, i do take back my comment about the dry cleaning, i was just commenting and i could actually care less about that).
I understand the circumstance with the field now and i understand the amount of players that you guys have. My main concern was how we were not able to get full use out of it, and the harassment, as well as damages (because we need a smooth and grassy surface) which obviously has no matter anymore because the season is over and the senior baseball players are the only ones who use it.
And yes i understand the means of the weight room and i agree a structure is necessary to avoid the chaos, but im just looking for a mild compromise where people with my circumstance (which there are plenty of, including other sports) could possibly use fitness or after school/zero hour to lift differently without causing a disruption, because i cant afford a lifetime membership and i for sure cant afford doing incorrect lifts. im just not sure how to make it work.
Cole Manning • Nov 15, 2011 at 11:39 pm
“OH WHY CAN’T WE BE FRIENDS? OH WHY CAN’T BE FRIENDS?”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DmYLrxR0Y8 🙂
Jordii Freeman • Nov 15, 2011 at 11:31 pm
Dang! i honestly can’t believe i just read almost every single comment on this article….
Weather you are on the football teams side or not, there is no need to put them down. It is pretty obvious to everyone that our school spirit is not as powerful as some other schools. School spirit comes from everyone, i personally think that the football team is what has gave our school more spirit. We had such a strong team this year, and only loosing 3 games is pretty impressive. Making rude comments about not just the football team but any specific team or club negatively influences the confidence they have in themselves. Opinions are good for everyone to have, and everyone has the right to express what they want to say.
Nobody should be upset with anyone. We should be proud of our football team, for representing our school and putting forth all the effort they did to prepare for every game this season. We should also be proud of our journalism staff for coming up with such great articles like this, that obviously interest there audience. And of course we are all proud of all the other clubs and sports we have at our school. Well done to everyone.
I honestly think everyone just needs to get a reality check, and realize that no school is perfect. And life is what it is… Football usually is favored at Schools… that’s just how it is. Not just at Mill Valley, but many other schools in the US.
Embrace that and be proud of our boys!!
Rachel Allen • Nov 15, 2011 at 11:19 pm
football players:
I strongly believe that you boys work extremely hard. yes, you guys bring in a lot of money, and you have had a good season, but this article is extremely right. at cool school, you guys would have gotten out early like the rest of us if somebody didn’t speak up. and, there are other sports besides you who get themselves out of bed in the mornings, just like you do. i’m sure this article wasn’t to talk on the football team. this is just what the rest of the school sees, and is probably suggesting what the Mill Valley Jaguar Football team can fix.
Greg Mason • Nov 15, 2011 at 11:19 pm
did we all forget to mention the fact that they get their uniforms and socks dry-cleaned after every game, as well as all new equipment this year, when it seems that other sports just keep the old stuff they have always had. I mean that can be understandable to a certain extent, but the baseball team has to sell pop and run the concessions at the games just to hopefully by one bucket of baseballs, that just doesnt seem to be a fair share of the money. i realize they generate more money than other sports, but a little sharing never hurt anyone.
Michaela Jamison • Nov 15, 2011 at 11:16 pm
I’m not sure who you are but I like you
Braxton Matlock • Nov 15, 2011 at 11:14 pm
I am sure they pay for you to go to school. My parents did. I am very thankful for that, and I feel it is necessary and right for parents express their concerns and/or comment on things related to the school their child is attending.
Michaela Jamison • Nov 15, 2011 at 11:10 pm
^I agree. However, our little corner of Suburbia is growing at a much more rapid pace than we expected. I dont think its that they just “dont want” to add a new theater or a new field or get new equipment, its that they cant give it to us all at ONCE, We just cant expect things to change for us right this second. I think what we all could use right now is some relaxing ocean sounds, a glass of milk and some nice sleep time:)
Michaela Jamison • Nov 15, 2011 at 11:14 pm
PS those who are dissing on Darbs. Quit it!!! It’s an opinion just because hers is different than yours doesnt mean she is wrong. Agree to Disagree and prance through a field of flowers
Ally Kelsey • Nov 15, 2011 at 11:07 pm
As a football videographer for the past 2 years, I have seen what goes on behind the scenes of the MVHS football team. I do agree, the team works very hard and has done very well this season. But I also agree that the team is handed many things at the school.
Every year I see posters with the senior football players on it. I see them around town as well. What about the other teams?
For all you AP11 English students… we read an article this year called “Anti-Intellectualism: Why We hate the smart kids”. Grant Penrod’s introduction was about a highschool football team winning the state championship, but so did three other non-athletic teams at the school. None of the student even knew that 1. the teams existed
or
2. they are just a bunch of nerd, who cares
Students at Mill Valley are exactly the same way. Many of our non-athletic teams are state chamions and have won many tournaments. Many may even have a greater record than the football team, but nobody knows because nobody pays attention to them.
As a part of the MVTV team, this year, only 2 non-athletic teams have been featured on the weekly show. While 2 non-athletic teams get a 3 min story, athletic teams get weekly updates.
Not even MVTV gives itself credit. Mill Valley took home 2 awards this year at the DUTV video contest and placed at another contest earlier in the year. Did the MVHS student population know that?
Mill Valley has many talented clubs/teams. Yes, the sports are very important at Mill Valley and are supported no matter what. But, do Journalism, Broadcast, and Robotics get the funding they need?
MVHS Booster club has purchased many things for the football team, like th Jaguar Head, but no other teams are being supported by booster club. Football is about all that gets funded Basketball, yes, has been funded int he past, but will it be as good this year after the big funding on the football team?
Will all the teams get new equipment like the football team? Who knows?
I just wish people would think about this stuff seriously.
Are all the teams getting funded fairly? Are all the teams getting recognized like they should?
NO.
Hugh Ebb • Nov 15, 2011 at 11:07 pm
Please stop. Your ruinining the point of view of the rest of us who actually have something competent to say about there special treatment.
Katy MacGill • Nov 15, 2011 at 11:06 pm
I think this entire article and all of its comments present what an entirely amazing school we have become. Yeah, we disagree and get offended but look how quickly tons of us have come to the defense of each other. I think it is really awesome. I think Mill Valley as done some awesome things this year at, football games, cross country, band, choir, a musical, Cool School, creating an awesome yearbook, Journalism, robotics and debate; its so rewarding to go to a school that creates this much success. Let’s give everyone credit for being amazing! Finish your homework and go to bed!
Hugh Ebb • Nov 15, 2011 at 11:04 pm
The booster club has said they will help your club/athletic if you run concessions for them the only problem I have with that is I’ve never seen the football team sell me anything. I’m not saying they haven’t I’m just saying I haven’t seen it. The soccer team hasn’t done it and we don’t get money so that’s fair and we get what we deserved.
Juliana Ayala • Nov 15, 2011 at 11:03 pm
It’s a sports issue for me, I mean come on, we still have our “Little Theater” when are we getting the “Big” one???
Knute holden • Nov 16, 2011 at 7:14 am
Well the reason they do do that is because the football parents have that paid for. Not the school. All the funding foe the dry cleaning is from the parents. Know your facts before you make an argument.
Kelsey Winscott • Nov 16, 2011 at 7:11 pm
I believe a “Big” Theater is needed. The… well.. LITTLE one is not going to be a option when we no longer fit on our “renevated” stage made of plywood that jets out three whole extra feet. Heck, we didn’t even fit in the wings this year.
Hugh Ebb • Nov 15, 2011 at 11:00 pm
I feel this comment had only facts in it.
Kelsey Moore • Nov 15, 2011 at 10:59 pm
Great article, Darbs! Well done.
Kelsey Moore • Nov 15, 2011 at 10:58 pm
Other sports may not be reading to kids, but I do know that every silver day myself and the rest of the COMMUNITY SERVICE class go help around at local schools. This Thursday and Friday, many seniors will be gone due to community service commitments where we will be helping veterans. Also, this weekend, a few students will be volunteering their time for the Special Olympics volleyball tournament. A few kids are even tutoring younger children in math and I personally have worked with kids who have trouble reading, due to english not being their first language. Please look at your school classes before stating that you “don’t see any other SPORT reading to younger kids”
Also, as a soccer player, that statement is appalling. Are you seriously saying other sports don’t work as hard? Wasn’t it established in the earlier comments that they do? If you need more proof than that, I will be happy to give you a complete list of injuries, practices, games, tournaments, early morning training sessions etc. associated with soccer, as I’m sure baseball, XC, and every other sport, team, and club could do for you if you just ask.
Hugh Ebb • Nov 15, 2011 at 11:51 pm
Becca I feel sorry for you. You are so ignorant and narrow minded it’s sad. Are you honestly going to sit there and think that other sports/activities don’t work as hard. Define hard work as a whole ill answer it for you “its doing your best to improve upon.” So all the other sports just go out there and mess around and don’t try to get better of course they do because we all have nothing better to do than to mess around after school and waste our time. And about giving back just like kelsey said we have a class at mill valley specifically designated for that are you serious. Also I know noone came to the soccer team with that offer because if they did we would have gladly done it.
Michaela Jamison • Nov 15, 2011 at 10:56 pm
Completely unnecessary
Coleman McCann • Nov 15, 2011 at 10:54 pm
With regards to this article, consider the source and file it appropriately. Enough said. Move on!
W.I.N.
Devin Rudicel • Nov 15, 2011 at 10:57 pm
Why Coleman? Why?
One step forward, two steps back…
Michaela Jamison • Nov 15, 2011 at 11:00 pm
amen
Andrew Knabel • Nov 16, 2011 at 12:00 am
I wish we could all get along like we used to in middle school… I wish I could bake a cake filled with rainbows and smiles and everyone would eat and be happy…
Kelsey Moore • Nov 16, 2011 at 12:06 am
HE DOESN’T EVEN GO HERE. 🙂 ahahahah
Andrew Knabel • Nov 16, 2011 at 12:13 am
This was supposed to be a general comment…but whatever.
Michaela Jamison • Nov 15, 2011 at 10:52 pm
Woah there
Blake Miles • Nov 15, 2011 at 10:42 pm
im glad that this websites blog is being put to good use for once. people are finally sharing their opinions about a controversial topic, which is what this site was made for. And for a couple high school students, the thoughts are actually pretty intelligent
Hugh Ebb • Nov 15, 2011 at 11:09 pm
Blake your arguments have been solid and you are open to other opinions that is refreshing.
Kendall Short • Nov 15, 2011 at 10:33 pm
It’s big enough to make a news article about. It’s also big enough to have people worry about others and not themselves.
Michaela Jamison • Nov 15, 2011 at 10:31 pm
Hahaha I’ve read all of these comments and this is probably the first time I have seen so many people from different spectrums of our school speaking their mind! Bravo to Miss Sarah Darby for evoking these reactions from our fellow peers!
NOW
I don’t think that this article was written to “bag” on the football team. I have as much respect for the football team as I do for any other team. However I do agree that they are awarded privileges. Whether they are fair or not is in question. The column did it’s job. Getting people talking about the subject.
The facts are presented here and nothing more. You formulate your own response based on what side if the arguement you are on. I can understand both view points. Football players you DO work hard and should be rewarded, but what the rest of the student body sees is that your accomplishments are of higher value than the forensics team, or the band, or the cross country team. It’s not necessarily anyone’s fault….it’s just….High School.
Kendall Short • Nov 15, 2011 at 10:35 pm
Bravo. You cracked the code! (no sarcasm)
EVERYONE READ THIS.
Daniel Buescher • Nov 16, 2011 at 1:36 pm
Michaela, i don’t think you could have said that any better.
Joel Hodgdon • Nov 15, 2011 at 10:27 pm
Good job Darbs, I have heard about this article all the way at KU! Great to know how far reaching and hard hitting the JagWire is. The topic may be controversial, but I know you did your best and were honest in reporting it.
Much love and rock chalk
Miranda Wagner • Nov 15, 2011 at 10:27 pm
Dear parents, grow up and post your names. Aren’t you examples or something?
Tim, I care about MV post-graduation because I invested four years there as a football fan and a journalism student, among other things. Being in college doesn’t make me too good to keep up with my fellow jaguars. 🙂
Lauren King • Nov 16, 2011 at 12:36 am
Amen.
Julia Buescher • Nov 16, 2011 at 3:09 pm
Same here. I still care about Mill Valley, even if I am in college. We spent 4 years there, Mill Valley is a part of us and will always be. I care about the high school, and it saddens me that this is happening and causing a seperation in the school
Kaitlyn Butko • Nov 15, 2011 at 10:27 pm
I don’t see this article in any way being out of envy. The focus is on the proportionate equality and I feel the parents should be able to recognize the journalist excellence this story represents and view this discussion appropriately. Football is a popular sport and has a following nearly everywhere in this country, yes. But that really has nothing to do with the article. Like it was said earlier, reread the article. It is not defaming football or the team.
Lexi Riedel • Nov 15, 2011 at 11:23 pm
This parent comment is really upsetting. I moved to Mill Valley last year from the Olathe school district and would have gone to Olathe Northwest and you should get your facts right. I may not have attended the school, but from growing up going to Raven football games I know their football team does not get glorified like ours does and that every other activity is equally appreciated. I love attending the MV football games just as much as everyone else, but I agree strongly with every point Sarah made in this article. Shame on you for putting down a students courageous journalism. And to say the journalism should ” go observe a few other schools at 200p” is totally uncalled for. Our journalism staff is leaving tomorrow for Minneapolis to recieve awards for their amazing work, so they clearly do their homework just like you should.
p.s. Grey Oaks people knew where Mill Valley was located because its in their backyard… that was an extremely illogical comment.
Braxton Matlock • Nov 15, 2011 at 10:24 pm
FIrst and foremost… The football team does work very hard, as has been stated in this forum multiple times. I do agree that the football team gains special treatment, at least from a financial standpoint. I do not know how significant that treatment is, but it did seem to increase towards the end of my time at Mill Valley. I could also be completely wrong. I am not in charge of or involved in any of the finances of the school.
As for the comments I have seen from players that say, “we work harder than everyone else…”, this is untrue. Everyone works hard at whatever they do. For example the band spends many hours rehearsing parts and practicing their specific instrument. Those involved in theatre spend many hours learning lines, songs, and characters. Students in choir spend many hours learning parts and perfecting their voices. Academic teams spend many hours becoming educated on different topics and subjects. Athletes of any sport work year round to become the best athlete they can be. I do not go around and say that I work harder on music than any team works on their sport, or individual on whatever their passion is. I have had my wrist operated on twice, and will have to again here soon because of my passion for music. Does mean I work harder than everyone else? No. Others work just as hard as I do for whatever their passion is, athletic, non-athletic, school related or something completely separate from school.
A lot of light is being shined on the few who hold themselves higher, however. I know their are many students on the football team who are very humbled and do not value themselves more than the next person. But you are going to run into this problem no matter what situation you are in.
I congratulate the football team for all of their accomplishments, as well as the band, choir, those in the musical, techies, cross country, baseball, soccer, wrestling and any other event related to Mill Valley. Keep up the hard work.
Great article Darbs. Props to you.
Kelsey Winscott • Nov 16, 2011 at 6:49 pm
Well said Braxton. It’s good to hear from you!
Devin Rudicel • Nov 15, 2011 at 10:24 pm
This is really disappointing…
Sarah Darby is the editor-in-chief of our award winning journalism program. She’s brilliant. Even though I strongly disagree with her opinion, I have the upmost respect for her intelligence. Ive had the opportunity to get to know her over the past six years.
Ive played football for Mill Valley for all four years. My top priorities are High School Football, Girls, and Breathing. In that order.
For a PARENT to assert that this article should be dismissed simply because she’s just some girl who really doesnt care about football is appalling. Adults should not fling personal attacks against kids.
Hugh Ebb • Nov 15, 2011 at 10:51 pm
I agree. Parents, I understand yore trying to defend your kids but please lets let them settle it themselves. It’s time for them to grow up formulate their opinions and defend them by themselves
Kendall Short • Nov 15, 2011 at 10:23 pm
Man up, put your name.
Mill Valley Jaguar Football team is a family and always will be. worry about yourselves, and we’ll worry about us.
By the way, you’re lucky you all don’t live in Texas. you guys would go insane.
W.I.N.
Hugh Ebb • Nov 15, 2011 at 10:39 pm
That comment was irrelevant. That’s like me saying your lucky you don’t live in england where the country doesnt sponsor an American football league.
Hugh Ebb • Nov 17, 2011 at 7:26 am
You act like your not pissing anyone off. I will stop commenting when you do.
Tim Thomas • Nov 15, 2011 at 10:22 pm
How would you have an opinion on this when you DON’T EVEN GO TO OUR SCHOOL? Again back people saying things about people that they don’t even know
Miranda Wagner • Nov 15, 2011 at 10:21 pm
Also note that the journalism staff (students) have to approve comments to allow them to be posted on the website. If they were trying so hard to tear down football, you probably wouldn’t be reading all sides of the discussion. That’s not the purpose here at all.
Taylor hunter • Nov 15, 2011 at 10:19 pm
Listen everyone, football might get treated better, but who really cares! It’s always been that way and always will be. Just let it go and watch the KU game!
Chelsea Rohr • Nov 16, 2011 at 2:53 pm
GO STATE!
Devin Rudicel • Nov 15, 2011 at 10:10 pm
I love Mill Valley.
Im proud of all of our teams, clubs and organizations.
Im proud to be a Jaguar.
I couldnt ask for a better high school experience.
GO JAGS!
Tim Thomas • Nov 15, 2011 at 10:01 pm
I’m sorry but what was the basis of writing this article? The only purpose of bashing the football team here is simply to bash the football team. What gain is going to come out of writing this other than to cause problems? A lot of the reason why myself and the rest of the football program put in the work we do is to benefit the school! We do it so that the school can have some pride (and I’m not saying that pride is lacking, nor am I saying no other sport or activity is capable of doing this as well). I see a football program as something for the school to be proud of, not something to have a vendetta against. I am commenting on this article because I feel I can give an accurate opinion on this issue unlike so many other people currently writing comments. I was once in band, and I am currently a varsity member of the football team. As a band student, I constantly heard complaints about not wanting to play at games. However, the moment just a little bit of their playing time is taken, a giant uproar is caused. There will be complaints when the band has to play and complaints when they don’t, so there’s no reason in even arguing about that. I am also an honor roll student and take AP courses. I see both sides of people in this world on a daily basis. I see the “academics” and I see the “no good, dirty rotten football players”, and I can honestly say that the “academics” are those that view themselves as so high and mighty. Believe it or not (and in a way this sounds harsh), football players do not only concern themselves with the other students at this school. However, the other students I know constantly bash other students and talk about themselves in such a brighter light than everyone else. I hear more negative things about other students in a single block than I do in an entire weekend of hanging with members of the football team. So as for the “ego check” we need to receive, why don’t you worry about yourself, because I see no problem with us there. These “high and mighty” comments are ridiculous and are completely based on some fictional idea of what football players are like. We (the football team) do not view ourselves as superior in any way. In order to have any backing in the argument that we think we’re so much better than everyone, one would have to actually get to know one of us. I feel that people that are commenting on this article do not have the right to say the things they are because they do not truly understand what they are talking about, or who they are talking about. By the way, my brother was a member of the cross country team. I really enjoyed watching him run and I have a great deal of respect for the sport as well as the kind of work that goes into participating in it. Many of the other members of the football team feel the same way, and have nothing but good things to say about the other programs at this school. When people start bashing on something that we feel so passionate about, it sometimes causes us to feel extremely offended and maybe say things like said above about the band not putting in work. That was simply said because the player who said it was likely offended and was acting on impulse. Myself and many others care a lot about the school and a lot about the football program, and when we see what feels almost like an attack on the football program, we are hurt. Naturally we are going to defend ourselves in this argument. If the football team ran through a big banner that said “Journalism Sucks” (which is the vibe given off by this article towards the football team) the journalism team would defend themselves as well. Congratulations Sarah Darby for this “so brilliantly written article”. The football team really appreciates what you have to say. Really pepping up school spirit with this one.
P.S. The fact that college students are concerning themselves with high school issues is really dumb
Devin Rudicel • Nov 15, 2011 at 10:16 pm
Tim, this does not help our side at all.. The article does not bash the football team. It does not suggest we do not deserve praise for our efforts. The journalism staff has written 19 stories about the football team this school year! Journalism does not hate the football team.
The comments, however, represent a more bitter opinion towards the football team.
But dont think that our journalism program is trying to tear down our program.. They help it along with photographers on the sideline, articles in EVERY issue of the JagWire, multiple posts online.. Its not the journalism departments fault for the ignorant comments of a select few.
Hugh Ebb • Nov 15, 2011 at 10:22 pm
Okay so many people are twisting sarahs words. She never said the football team sucks if that’s the message you get out of it then okay but she never said it. I wonder why sarah wrote this article hmm its probably because she hates the football team no obviously not because I see her cheering you guys on at the games. Your also talking about the football players acting on impulse and saying things that aren’t true SOOOOOOOO why are you getting mad when people bash on the football team as really cocky. And all I’m saying is I see a lot of comments about football players being cocky and many more people think it who haven’t commented on this article if a majority of people are saying the same thing its probably because they all have a personal vendetta. No highly unlikely its probably because you guys earned that title just like you earn your special treatment and you guys aren’t in the wightroom everyday thinking gotta win this for the school if we were talking about winning stuff for school let’s look at girls track something like 11 league championships in arow.
Tim Thomas • Nov 15, 2011 at 10:27 pm
I’m referring to comments, not to the article itself
Henry Midyett • Nov 15, 2011 at 9:57 pm
Who is this intelligent outspoken powerful human being? Hopefully someone I know. I agree with this comment 100%.
Kendall Short • Nov 15, 2011 at 9:56 pm
Then knock us down? We’re a family no matter what. Don’t bag on the football team that didn’t get a state win. You have no idea how hard we worked in that game.
How are we cocky? We are confident and we believe in ourselves.
Hugh Ebb • Nov 15, 2011 at 10:07 pm
I will say there is a very very fine line between the two.
Ryan Magee • Nov 15, 2011 at 9:54 pm
I would understand if they made an effort to support their opinion, but whoever it was just said that to get a cheap-shot on the football team.
Zach Callahan • Nov 15, 2011 at 9:52 pm
Alright, you were allowed to share your opinion. So I can share mine.
To all the anonymous people, either leave your name or don’t say anything, if you believe in what your saying that much, you shouldn’t be scared to let people know.
I understand that you think the football team get’s special treatment, but after righting a whole freaking article bashing on us, where is our side of the story?
First, the cool school thing shouldn’t even be a issue. You all complain how we got to show up late, when the truth is, we stayed until the end of the day just like the others who showed up late. I fail to see any special treatment there. Yes, our coach ASKED if we could show up late, the cross country coaches did not. The football team has no part in that. Not to mention we had a game THAT NIGHT and not the NEXT DAY. Don’t get me wrong, I want to give a big congrats to the cross country team for there success, I am sure they earned it, but the truth of the matter is, football is just a bigger sport. Also, with our “special treatment” of getting mentioned at the Cool School event, that was because we go down and read books to the Horizon students when we could be using the time somewhere else. That segment was chosen by the staff and student council, not by the team. Not once did we mention the football team and the season.
Second, this whole 12 to 1 ratio thing is just ridiculous. There is a 9 to 1 ratio for girl’s basketball, so I expect to see an article for them soon. I don’t understand why a ratio matters, I apologize that there is numerous positions on the field that need to be taught and need coaches to teach them. I’ll be sure to work on changing the game.
Third, whoever brought up the baseball fields needs to realize we don’t use them during baseball season. We use our practice fields plus the baseball field. I saw no signs saying stay off, or signs of renovation. They were put to use during the baseball teams off-season.
Fourth, the weight room is open to anyone who wants to use it. Including before, during, and after school. Let me know why it’s the football team’s fault that people choose not to use it? If you complain about it, why not shut up and get in there and see that our coaches, who are in there to make EVERYONE better will not care. That weight room was built for the WHOLE SCHOOL and not the team.
You guys who think we get special treatment need to step back and look at what your saying. Taylor, we can talk when you look at the schools history and find a season when we aren’t over a .500 winning average.
Football is america’s sport, and you can take one of your polls to see it. So where is your article bashing on the NFL?
I apologize that you all hate the fact that this is the truth, our team brings in the money. We have thousands of people showing up for games. Is that our fault? Absolutely not. Our other teams put in work and we understand that. What you don’t realize is that football being number one is the freaking society we live in. Our team has nothing to do with that. Like it has been said, before you can open your mouths and say anything negative towards this team, you need to realize the hard work we put in.
This ego-check thing you have going around, is actually kind of funny. I just want to say sorry that we take pride into something we put numerous hours of blood, sweat, and tears into.
Oh, and if a team wants to use the JAGUAR (not football helmet) head, go right a head. NOBODY is stopping them.
Bottomline, if you want to state all of this criticism about the football team, you should follow it up with either positive insight or criticism for every other freaking organization in the school.
What I am trying to say is, we have plenty of facts to prove this story wrong, and plenty of facts to prove that we do so much for this school and community. Well, thanks for the input, we will be sure to look into to it.
W.I.N
Devin Rudicel • Nov 15, 2011 at 10:03 pm
Zach, re-read the article. The only thing that somewhat attacks the team is the ego-check. I think you addressed that with comparing ego to pride. We have pride in what we do, just as every other team, club and organization should.
The comments, however, are where you will find the personal attacks on the team. The comments hold the vague inaccuracies about “special treatment”.
The article seems to have no problem with the popularity, it seems that it is only a select few individuals. To that, we can only say, To each, their own.
I agree with you and I think its disappointing to see so much negativity from the comments directed at our team. After all, our team is representing Mill Valley at times. Had we won State, I’m sure these same people would have no problem claiming our success as their own.
Lisa Harris • Mar 1, 2012 at 4:20 pm
Love this response. It’s FOOTBALL! It’s what we all love.
It’s like picking on your brothers or sisters just because they got a bigger cookie than you did. Support our Jags!! Stop with all the petty stuff. It’s ridiculous.
Anna Hughes • Nov 15, 2011 at 9:45 pm
Even if you aren’t on the football team’s side, there is no need to put them down. Everyone at the school can agree that our school spirit is not that of some school. However, school spirt comes from everyone support for a sport/club. Making rude comments about a certain team negatively influences the confidence they have in themselves. In other words, comments like that aren’t getting them any closer to victory.
Devin Rudicel • Nov 15, 2011 at 9:44 pm
Hey everyone! Lets all take a minute here and put this in perspective…
Theres a real issue at Mill Valley. Its the cover story to this week’s issue. Take a minute and read about it…
https://www.mvnews.org/features/2011/11/15/illegal-usage-of-adderall-heightens-with-teens/
Mr. Holden • Nov 15, 2011 at 9:55 pm
Rudy You’re gonna be the President one day!! Very Impressive
Ryan Magee • Nov 15, 2011 at 9:40 pm
It makes it even better that you won’t use your name.
Ryan Magee • Nov 15, 2011 at 9:39 pm
This had to be the worst response to this article I have ever read.
Devin Rudicel • Nov 15, 2011 at 9:38 pm
Thanks for your in depth analysis and significant contribution to the discussion at hand!
Your comment was SOOO close to making sense. Keep trying. You’ll get there.
Shannon McGraw • Nov 15, 2011 at 9:28 pm
After reading the comments over this issue, I have found myself wondering if anything will be done about this..but what exactly would be done? Football is apart of our culture and is widely popular through out our student body.
Yes, other sports and the student body are upset with how their image is hidden behind the football team. But most of the student body still went to the football games on friday..
In my view, everyone at mill valley just needs a reality and ego check. Everyone thinks their sport/activity is the best or number one, but in retrospect mill valley as a whole is award winning.
Why are we waisting time on tearing each other down, when we could be working on making each other better?
There is constructive criticism for both sides of this argument, and everyone should take into account all of the opinions.
Hugh Ebb • Nov 15, 2011 at 9:34 pm
I personally don’t think soccer is “better” than football or any other sport we all deserve proportional treatment. Meaning the football team gets the equipment it needs and every other activity gets what it needs.
Shannon McGraw • Nov 15, 2011 at 9:39 pm
Yes, that’s exactly how everyone should view things. But its obvious people think otherwise right now.
Blake Miles • Nov 15, 2011 at 9:36 pm
people arent necesarilly tearing eachother down, thier just putting their input in and sharing their opinions. i appreciate the openess of their thoughts that people have been giving
Shannon McGraw • Nov 15, 2011 at 9:44 pm
I have read through most of the comments, and its pretty clear that some people are upset or angry from both sides. But there are also people like you, who are willing to listen, which is my whole point on conveying opinions effectively.
Devin Rudicel • Nov 15, 2011 at 10:11 pm
Agreed. Just because there is a disagreement, doesnt mean it is a personal attack.
Kaitlyn Butko • Nov 15, 2011 at 9:40 pm
That’s a really great way to sum it all up and I think that is excellent advice.
Shannon McGraw • Nov 15, 2011 at 10:10 pm
thank you!
Joe Vincent • Nov 15, 2011 at 9:22 pm
Go Tennis!
Ty Smith • Nov 16, 2011 at 9:58 am
Mill Valley Tennis Team definitely needs to use the giant Jaguar head at ALL of our meets! Someone needs to tell Mr. Ammerman to read this.
Halie Kramer • Nov 15, 2011 at 9:22 pm
if you look back on the season we did great and a great football team gets a lot of popularity. it’s not the football teams fault that the majority of our school prefers to go to football games rather then cross country meets. the football team puts theme selves out there and says hey come out and support us. no other team then basketball does that and basketball is almost if not as big as football. the other teams have the option to make themselves popular and choose not too. but you can’t make the students interested in the other sports if they just arn’t interested in going to the event.
i love this article.
Hugh Ebb • Nov 15, 2011 at 9:31 pm
Yeah because I’ve never tried to rally support for the soccer team right WRONG. The football team gets more fans because there are more players simple as that.
john poorman • Nov 16, 2011 at 1:23 pm
the football players get more supporters because a football game is a community event. i see my neighbors there. a cross country meet is more family oriented to show off what you have improved on from meet to meet, also our goal is to medal and win the meet as a team.
Henry Midyett • Nov 15, 2011 at 9:22 pm
I feel that the football team has deserved everything that we have received. We work hard for all the success that has been brought upon us. People might say that we get special treatment because we’re on the football team. But they don’t know that we work hard before, during, and after school everyday to get that treatment. Everyone on the football team knows that nothing is given to us, we earn it with our hard work. Everyone else in our community who doesn’t experience the things we do, don’t realize how much dedication goes into this sport. Although we get more attention than any other sport, that is due to the fact that we draw the biggest crowds and the largest revenue. I’m disappointed on how multiple people have “dogged” on the football team and then will be cheering for us in the fall. At least we know where we stand with the school.
Hugh Ebb • Nov 15, 2011 at 9:58 pm
“We deserve the treatment we get” I agree you guys definitely work hard and so does every other activity why don’t they get the things they deserve for working hard????? I would also like you to describe what you meant by treatment if you would please.
Knute holden • Nov 15, 2011 at 9:19 pm
If you have a comment, put your name and stop hiding behind a computer screen. Have some real pride in your school. Dogging on other clubs/activities/sports is not having pride or school spirit.
Austin Gebhardt • Nov 16, 2011 at 11:41 pm
Tell that to some of your teammates, I understand you guys take time out of you day Knute, I respect you guys, my brother is on the team, I’ve seen how it affects him. But you have to consider that even activities like Drama, Band and even Robotics takes time out of their day to make the school a better place (Example: Wizard of Oz sold out, the Robotics team spent their entire winter/ spring break working towards their regionals tournament, thats alot of time, and Band takes the time to go to every home game, even important away games(even outplaying the opponents band) just to bring our Jag Spirit to other schools, to show everyone at MV is for MV, the band has also been asked to play for the Governor, a Senator’s anaugeration, the opening of state highways, and have won many prestigious awards at state and other events spanning across KS and MO
Kaitlyn Butko • Nov 15, 2011 at 9:16 pm
This is a discussion forum and should not be meant for the purpose of person to person fighting. If people feel more comfortable remaining anonymous, then that is their decision. I’d have to say all those commenting anonymously have done so professionally and therefore are most likely not naming themselves for the reason that Hugh said: fear.
Taylor hunter • Nov 15, 2011 at 9:20 pm
I’m with Hugh. Some people are actually being mature about this unlike some of the football players
Devin Rudicel • Nov 15, 2011 at 9:27 pm
Taylor, you are again being inflammatory, ironically, in a comment on others maturity level in discussing the issue.
Keep in mind your own tendencies when commenting on the behavior of others.
I agree, there are quite a few comments that agree with my opinion, but are immature or an angry rant.
But youre just throwing fuel on the fire. I respect your opinion and your right to express it. But good lord, dont just try to piss people off!
Taylor hunter • Nov 15, 2011 at 9:33 pm
All I’m saying is that when a player is cussing on here, it doesn’t look the best for the team
Taylor hunter • Nov 15, 2011 at 9:12 pm
I’m not taking anything away from our football team because I understandthat they do bring in money and all, but why not focus on sports/organizations that are actually winning? People go to the games because we love football and we love mill valley. It has nothing to do with loving our team. Win a playoff game and we will talk….
PS. Congrats to the cross country team, the dance team, the cheer team, the debate team, and any other sport/ club that has actually won something this year
Devin Rudicel • Nov 15, 2011 at 9:23 pm
Mr Hunter, Your comment “Win a playoff game and we will talk…” That is inflammatory, uncalled for and unbelievably immature.
It is on the same low level as the comments that suggest other teams do not work as hard as the football team.
As a refresher, our record was 7-3. Those are seven wins, Mr Hunter.
Also, congratulations to your soccer team with a very impressive 11-6-1 season and a deep playoff run. Your efforts clearly paid off with an exceptional season. Congratulations.
Taylor hunter • Nov 15, 2011 at 9:28 pm
I believe that football players work extremely hard and I am not taking anything away from your season. I just feel that other sports/clubs are not treated as fairly as the football team.. I will be there in the fall cheering you on just like every other year
Hugh Ebb • Nov 15, 2011 at 10:30 pm
I agreed with taylor girls track isn’trepresented and it’s the most successful sport at our school. Also the non athletics like journalism and quiz bowl should get there spotlight too.
Hugh Ebb • Nov 15, 2011 at 9:04 pm
I feel that people are afraid to speak out because of fear of being ridiculed/excluded
Mr. Holden • Nov 15, 2011 at 9:12 pm
Thats part of making a statement. Dealing with people who don’t agree with you!
Knute holden • Nov 15, 2011 at 9:00 pm
The problem with it being a good article is that all the facts are incomplete or incorrect. It’s ignorant. This article is going to have a lot of people pissed off. This is a direct insult towards me, the football team, and all of it’s supporters, which some of you obviously aren’t supporters. Words can’t explain how disgusted I am of this article.
Hugh Ebb • Nov 15, 2011 at 9:06 pm
Words can’t explain how disgusted the rest of the school is with the football teams special treatment I agree that it isn’t as bad as people say but is still bad enough to get the attention of the journalism team.
Devin Rudicel • Nov 15, 2011 at 9:15 pm
Mr. Ebb, I have found that there are few things words cannot describe.
To describe your comment, I will chose the words, “vague” and “inaccurate”.
What special treatment are you speaking of? I would hope you are not insisting that every student, involved in a sport or not, should have completely equal treatment?
In the spring, the Boy’s tennis team will often miss the majority of the school day to compete. If you’re calling for No Special Treatment were to be applied, I would receive the day off as well! I would have the equal opportunity to sport the farmer’s tan that members of the Tennis team often sport after a long meet.
Hugh Ebb • Nov 15, 2011 at 9:27 pm
The very notion that all sports deserve the same treatment is quite ludicrous and frankly ignorance. I don’t believe that activities should be treated with equality if you are referring “treatment” itself and I cannot be quoted as such. However I do find the effort by the school to treat all extra-curricular activities FAIRLY is quite shallow and pedantic. The treatment the football team recieves should be the same treatment other activities get PROPORTIONALLY.
Devin Rudicel • Nov 15, 2011 at 9:32 pm
Again Mr Ebb, please help me understand you fully. I still am not grasping what special treatment the football team receives. Could you help me understand that further?
Hugh Ebb • Nov 15, 2011 at 9:41 pm
Okay someone said you guys were in the gym running plays after 12 when you were supposed to be in a long term seminar. Did the cross country runners get to go over there strategy no they didn’t and you can’t say there is no strategy for cross country because there is for every sport. I can only comment on that “special treatment” because a football player said it and it is a fact. But the journalism team decided that enough people thought the football team received special treatment to write about it noone wrote about how the quiz bowl team was getting special treatment because noone feels that. These opinions that are being said aren’t made up after reading this article they were formed long before this article was posted and you can tell that by how they are written. Also it is not just students who feel the football team geets special
Devin Rudicel • Nov 15, 2011 at 9:50 pm
Ahh.. Thank you, I now understand.
After 12, the coaches were assigned to all the players as our study hall supervisors. While the rest of the school was released from school, free to do as they please, the football team was with Mr Applebee and Mr O’Neill. They were in charge of supervising our “study hall”. We spent this time lifting weights and installing plays. It was as if we had Fitness during this extra study hall. While this is not a traditional study hall, it was what came as a result of us not being there at the designated time for early release. Personally, I dont view this as special treatment. We were required to stay in school due to the fact that we were not eligible for early release. What we did with that extra time, did however, relate to our game that night. It was different, but they did not let us leave any earlier.
Brennan Mense • Nov 15, 2011 at 10:45 pm
All I will say is go see football in Texas THEN tell me that they get special treatment
Devin Rudicel • Nov 15, 2011 at 9:07 pm
Cmon Knute.. Read it again. Its not an attack on the football team.
We discussed this at team meeting; no one can imagine the work we put in. They have no idea simply because they dont see. Although it can be frustrating, you cant expect them to understand.
And that applies to every sport and activity. No one truly understands what kind of effort goes into every sport and activity. ALL sports work hard. ALL athletes push their bodies to the limit for success. It is IMPOSSIBLE to compare efforts or different sports. To highlight the most heated of the debates, cross country runners train in a completely different way that football players do. It would be pointless for them to have a weight training program similar to ours, just as it would be ridiculous for the football team to run mile after mile after mile.
No one understands your individual sport unless they are on the team with you.
It is impossible to compare the efforts of any two sports.
Miranda Wagner • Nov 15, 2011 at 10:18 pm
I love how even parents won’t post their names on here. Really, aren’t you supposed to be role models or something?
@Tim, I am a college student, and I’m keeping up with this because I invested in Mill Valley for four years, as a football fan and a journalism student among other things. I still love you guys and the school. Going to college doesn’t make me too good for keeping up with my fellow jaguars. 🙂
Miranda Wagner • Nov 16, 2011 at 1:45 am
Whoa Knute sorry to accidentally reply to your post with something completely irrelevant…that was weird
Devin Rudicel • Nov 15, 2011 at 8:50 pm
It seems to be a common misconception that the football team wanted to limit the times that the band can play during the games. This simply is not true. I refer back to the article “New Changes Shape Football Games”, coincidentally, by the same journalist. Coach Applebee is quoted as saying:
“The change is adding to what the band does,” Applebee said. “There is zero change to what the band is doing. We love the band. We appreciate all the efforts they put out and the music they play.”
Speaking on behalf of the football team, We LOVE the band. There is no feeling more rewarding than standing in front of the student section after a hard fought victory singing the fight song with the student section and the band. The friday night experience would be lacking without our band. The music clips were intended to be in the short spots where the band does not play, and never to keep the band quiet. We are incredibly thankful for our talented musicians and their exceptional direction.
To respond to the 12:1 ratio of coaches to players on the football team, this number is accurate. I can assure you, however, each coach is absolutely necessary. To keep this ratio in perspective, the girl’s basketball program has a 9:1 player to coach ratio. To assert that the band should have a more equal student to sponsor ratio is absurd. It would be wasteful to have 5 band directors during a band rehearsal. Sheer size is not the only factor in determining staff number.
Also, as it has been said above, the football team did arrive later, but STAYED until 2:55 along with any other student who didnt arrive on the normal time. We did not receive special consideration. I dont know why the Cross Country team takes this so personally… Had their coaches asked for a later arrival time, I’m fairly certain the administration would have granted the same courtesy. (On a side note, congratulations to all our cross country runners and their fantastic, award winning season).
The football team as a whole was NOT featured on the KCTV5 segment. It was simply those select few who read to the school children. The segment focused on their community service, NOT their affiliation with the team. (That was reserved for KCTV5’s Team of the Week).
Read this article again. Closely. It never asserts that the football team does not work hard. It does not imply that we dont deserve the support from the school and community that it receives. Do not take her words and twist them to give them false meaning.
When the inaccuracies have been cleared up, it is time to step back and remember, this is an OPINION piece. Everyone has their opinion. Let them express it, while you keep an open mind. Believe it or not, there are actually people who may disagree with you. Get used to it.
It needs to be said that this article is incredibly well-written. Our journalism staff is exceptional. They have every reason to be as proud as they are of their achievements. Let us not take for granted the fact that we are currently using this website as a forum for open discussion. That is incredible and the hard work that our journalism staff puts in is outstanding.
I think it is a testament to the author’s journalistic abilities to write an article that this many people wish to respond to. This is what student journalism is all about.
Mike Rice • Nov 15, 2011 at 8:58 pm
Actually the Booster Club will be bringing the Jaguar head/tunnel to the basketball season. Coach Bogart and the basketball team are excited to have this feature in some of their games. Although the Jaguar head is large the tunnel will still work. All Coaches and Club Directors have an open invitation to utilize the inflatable as they see fit, the more the merrier!!!!! We have met with Coach Bogart and discussed many exciting activities to generate interest and support for basketball this winter.
Katy MacGill • Nov 15, 2011 at 10:55 pm
I’d just like to say, as a band member, that the music clips played at the football games did in fact interfere with time that we could have been playing. I think that the football team and the band need to communicate more efficiently on when we can play the music that we practice for the football team. Thanks for the appreciation! I’m sure Ms. Steiner and the rest of our band family would appreciate a card or something from the football team thanking us for all the hard work we do for you guys!
Julia Buescher • Nov 16, 2011 at 1:28 pm
Devin makes very educated points. He was on the football team and he took the time to step back and read the article for its meaning.
Sarah wrote a very well written acticle that obviously sparked many people’s opinions and feelings.
EVERY team, club and other student organization works hard, the work and time they put in is different. Girls Track has won 11 leauge championships and girls basketball had very successful season last year. However, girls sports never receive the amount of support that boys receive, and that is just how it is in our society, WNBA for instance.
As a former student. I am bery disapointed to see the immaturlty of not only the students but the parents, Before everyone starts to physically and verbally fight over an opinion acticle they need to read it for its meaning. It was not written to “bash” the football team, it was written to shine light on a topic that seems to be a problem in many minds.
To the comment above me, a card is not needed. Everyone knows you work hard, but you do not do it for the football team. You do not play in the band to be a part of the “Friday Night Lights” experience you do it because you enjoy playing, am I right? The teams play the game, the band plays the music, the cheerleaders cheer. the dancers dance, and journalism wites and take picures. There are many groups of people that play into not only football season but basketball as well
Austin Gebhardt • Nov 16, 2011 at 11:28 pm
Coach Appleby spoke on behalf of the whole team, but some of the teammates aren’t following in their coaches footsteps. I respect all of the well-mannered, well-spoken players (ie Rudy) and I respect Appleby. But when a player comes into a debate with short-sited, elementary argument I can only ask myself, “If they are a family, why don’t they respect the one who has brought them to what they are today”
Mike Rice • Nov 15, 2011 at 8:49 pm
Actually the Booster Club will be bringing the the MV Jaguar Tunnel to Basketball games as requested to do so. Althought the Head/Tunnel combo is large and may not fit as a combo unit we can just use the tunnel. Coach Bogart and the basketball team is excited to have this added feature to some of his games. Each Coach and club Director can use the tunnel/head combo as they see fit, the more the merrier!!!!!!
Reid Chapman • Nov 15, 2011 at 9:06 pm
Good to hear, that should clear up any doubt with that. That thing is huge so thinking of it in the tiny space probably was hard to vision but that will be very cool to have at bball games.
Devin Rudicel • Nov 15, 2011 at 9:08 pm
GO JAGS!!
Hugh Ebb • Nov 15, 2011 at 8:44 pm
There are plenty of other sports that work hard in the offseason, every sport does. Soccer players do after school weights and they play year round most people just don’t see it and I can only comment on soccer because that’s what I play. Also I think its true that the football team brings in the most revenue for the school but its because of the number of participants. If you look at the numbers there is a 92 man roster and that is the most of any sport and that means that more parents and grandparents are coming to see their kid. Also its true that the sport should determine how many coaches it has. Football has reciever coaches and line coaches and things like that why doesn’t the soccer team have a defense coach and an offense coach for both teams, why don’t other sports have specific coaches for specific skills why is the grass on the football field better than the grass on the soccer field. There are clear favorites when it comes to extracurricular activities. I’m not saying the football team shouldn’t have the things they have I’m just saying other sports and activities should get what they need to be successful to. If you look at non athletic activities like forensics, debate, and quizbowl they are highly sucesssful because they need very few things to perform at their best. Its not like the things other sports are asking for is outrageous I know the only team the soccer team asked for was a better field we didn’t say turf or anything like that just for the school to take care of it better. There is lots of favors done for the football team and it is unfair and it isn’t right but as long as we have people who continue to think that a sport deserves better because they bring in more money it will stay that way. Also noone accused the football team of being lazy because we know you guys work hard. Why should we go to watch to see all the hard work you guys put in when very few of the football players go to watch other sports don’t be a hipocrit. All I’m saying is there were a ton of people at the homecoming game and you lost that then you lost the next game and people were getting tired of going outside in the cold to watch there team lose. I agree there is a lot of rumors going around about the football team that aren’t true but noone gets a bad reputation if they didn’t do something wrong to warrant that opinion its not as bad as people make it out to be that being said its still a huge problem. I have no problem with the football team getting things like new uniforms and other equipment I have a problem when other activities need new equipment too and aren’t getting it. There should be a budget for each sport based on the estimated costs football should get more funding because they have more people and equipment but they should find a cost per player/participant rate for every sport and give them the funding they deserve.
Reid Chapman • Nov 15, 2011 at 8:52 pm
Well played Hugh. You ever thought about becoming a lawyer?
Hugh Ebb • Nov 15, 2011 at 10:05 pm
That is my fault for not examining the facts on the purchase of equipment. Does this mean that if the Soccer team wanted to we could get some funds together and have a well groomed field?
Jillian Mullin • Nov 15, 2011 at 8:36 pm
Such a well written and relevant article, Darbs!
You make me proud to be a journalism student.
Keep it up!
evan applegate • Nov 15, 2011 at 8:25 pm
this is not what our school needed as a football player i saw the XC team running on my way to zero hour they were puting in work to but im sure they got out of school early some days for meats where no one else did??? huh…. and u see other schools with blow up heads that are just for football???? huh …. any one can use ours. and the cool school thing she did NOT get her facts stright yes we got ther at 6:15 but what time did we get out 2:50 when every one else was out haveing fun were were in the gym runing over plays. and for zero hour any one can come if they want to put in the work alot of basketball kids are showing up this past week but u wouldnt know that because ur prob asleep and theres kids there that dont do any sports there there just to get fit. and they day of the bonfire football was on school grounds for 14 hours from zero hour to school to pratice to the bon fire im sure there are people that put in just as much work for every team and as the coaches thing gos thats just not right do u see any other school that has 8 band teachers ??? but tell me do u see other schools with alot of football coachs yes. i know other team work i see it i know i couldnt do what some of them do and i respect them for that but this i uncalled for and is like a slap to the face to the football team coaches and every one that has done stuff for the football team… but i will say this is a good artical
Hugh Ebb • Nov 15, 2011 at 8:53 pm
About the fact you said football was running plays in the gym after 12 when everyone else was in a long term study hall??? Also other sports put in more work than football year round top 2 probably soccer and volleyball why because there is this new idea that just came out I think 2 months ago called CLUB. I know for a fact soccer is year round and football is not. I can’t comment on how long/often other sports play when it is not highschool season. I have personally been at training facilities with my club soccer team where I have seen MVHS football players and they are in our sessions doing the same workouts as us FACT.
evan applegate • Nov 15, 2011 at 9:39 pm
the whole school was in a long term studdy hall if i remember 98% of the school left and the kids in the study hall were not at the cool school thing and we were we had to stay longer than any one else. and im not dogingon any other sport i know u guys put in work i know there is such thing as club because i PLAY it for basketball and u saying im dumb because i dont know about club is not cool and makes u look like a jerk and the way football is set up i is about 10 months out of the year.
and u guys make it sound like we are saying we work harder than u all we know is we work hard and we all know that u do to i see XC running but u know where im going when i see them running im going to work out and do the same as them and i know soccer runs up and down that hill and i know it sucks but we all put in our dues and we all play a sport and we have fun at it
Hugh Ebb • Nov 15, 2011 at 9:48 pm
It seems to me that you are implying that I said. Everyone was there I meant everyone in the whole school at the time was in a long term study hall that’s my bad for not explaining myself. Also NOWHERE in my comment did I say you or anyone was dumb YOU took my words and INFERED/ASSUMED what I meant. If you take my comment and feel it to be me calling you dumb that’s your opinion and youj are entitled to it but let’s not forget I never said it YOU ASSUMED that’s what I meant.
evan applegate • Nov 15, 2011 at 10:36 pm
ok ur right im not going to fight with u. u voiced ur opinion and as well i did i disagree with some thing u said and i sure u do to
Isaiah Gum • Nov 16, 2011 at 11:41 am
The football team stayed at school for 14 hours? As did I. Went to school at 7:30. After school I had soccer practice which was a friday. Every Friday we do conditioning so we have from 3:30 to 5:30, where all we do is run. Then at 6:00 I had to be at school for band to get warmed up and practice a little just so we had to come play for the football to help bring school spirit. But no. The football team doesn’t want the band to play anymore do they? Come on. Show some respect. At 10:00 I was at home tired from running and carrying around a snare drum for people who don’t respect it. Also this wasn’t just one time. This happend every friday the football team had a home game.
Andrew Knabel • Nov 15, 2011 at 8:03 pm
Great article. Good job, Sarah.
Blake Miles • Nov 15, 2011 at 7:53 pm
I dont care that someone is sharing their opinion, but that means we can share ours too. You get what you put in. So if we put in the work that we do we should be allowed to a few things. Thats how life works and i honestly dont think the football team has recieved any special treatment. We are trying to be the best football team we can be and make something of ourselves in our time at Mill Valley and we will do everything we can do to achieve that.
Blake Miles • Nov 15, 2011 at 8:37 pm
im saying we could be and it shouldnt be a big deal. but i personally, dont see any valid points to the special treatment we supposedly get. i would like to hear some good reasons why people think the team is treated specially so i can explain though.
Blake Miles • Nov 15, 2011 at 9:11 pm
i was informed that price chopper and our sponsors payed for the inflatable completley. Alot of the new equipment we received was purchased by our parents( my parents bought my new helmet and pads). And we havent got out of classes early all season because of our game time being at 7:00
Blake Miles • Nov 15, 2011 at 9:32 pm
Athletics dont get special treatment as a whole necessarily. Any student who thinks an athlete is being treated specially, has just as much right to be an athlete themselves and recieve the same treatment. Every indiviudal has the option to be involved in school activites or not; and their is pros and cons to each.
Chloe Wistuba • Nov 15, 2011 at 7:51 pm
Up until two years ago very few students wanted to come to the games, or participate in Spirit Week. Football season is what the majority of students wait for because of the fun atmosphere cheering on our Jaguar boys.The Jaguar head is set up by parents who volunteer their time to put it up every friday night. If someone else wanted to use it all they need is volunteers there are no restrictions on it. Every friday night there was a football game and no other sports were being played, but throughout the rest of the week the tunnel could be used. Football has brought so much school spirit to our school this year such as the senior girls and guys dressing up in wacky costumes to get people fired up and be proud of our school. More people showed up to the away games to support our boys and even made signs to show how much we love them. As far as your comment goes towards the amount of coaches for football, each position has its own coach due to the complexity of the game. Would your solution for the band be to have a separate director for each type of instrument? Its very easy to single out the football players because of their high profile and large numbers. My other question would also be are there other groups or clubs in Mill Valley that get “special treatment” that we dont know about? By looking into this, then there would be a better understanding for both sides of this issue. Football expands over all 4 grade levels and I know there is a very active parent group who constantly try to find ways to promote the football spirit in our community. This goes way beyond our four walls. You can’t blame the parents for being excited and proud of their hard working and determined boys. If you feel that there is preferential treatment then take it up with the administration. Don’t blame the football team…
Chloe Wistuba • Nov 15, 2011 at 10:08 pm
it’s just in the past 2 years it has been getting better. I’m glad we have school spirit at mill valley and i wish that it continues to grow.
Ashley Bohn • Nov 16, 2011 at 12:27 pm
completely true! Steiner is the best, and does so much for her students as well as the school. She creates an atmosphere that allows her students to have a good relationship with her. By far, she is the best teacher i have and will ever have for the rest of my school career. Thanks for all you have done steiner!!!
Aleksandra Milewski • Nov 15, 2011 at 7:39 pm
Very well-written, Sarah – and props to you for writing about such a controversial topic. Keep the comments coming!
LJ Hatch • Nov 15, 2011 at 7:17 pm
The football team has done nothing but work their a$$ off all off season and we were rewarded with a winning record and a trip to state. The school spirit here at mill valley sucks! The band doesn’t work at all and shouldn’t be saying a word about the football team. All the people who complained about the cool school thing need to learn that life isn’t fair and people need to get their facts straight. The jaguar head was offered to coach bogart and he said no. Our cheerleaders could run out of the jaguar if they would just ask. I’m not angered by any one person I’m just disapointed at how our school let it get to this point.
Misty Adkins • Nov 16, 2011 at 12:14 am
“The band doesn’t work at all.” I think people forget that music programs go to competition as well. I’d Ike to see you march while playing an instrument, especially a heavy one like a percussion instrument or a tuba. I don’t personally do it, but I can tell you that I your statement was false.
Taylor Hunter • Nov 16, 2011 at 2:17 pm
That comment is exactly why people are bad mouthing the football team
Stephen McEnery • Nov 16, 2011 at 2:25 pm
Have you ever noticed that people only ever say “life isn’t fair” when it’s unfair in their favor? Regardless, football is not and has never been our most successful sport, just the best funded. It certainly deserves recognition as a positive school activity (and a great source of money for the school) but to say that football and football alone makes school spirit is myopic and dismissive. The attitude of entitlement and superiority – or at least the perception of this attitude – is the actual subject of the article and the real bone of contention here. Nothing in the editorial was breaking news, it just hit a nerve when someone actually said what many have been thinking out loud.
Kelsey Winscott • Nov 16, 2011 at 5:46 pm
I agree with you Stephen. A reason why the football team is favored by the administration is only because of the money the school gets in return. The money the school gets from football seems to make our “dear” administration forget other activities like Cross Country or even non athletic activities like the musical. For example, after complaining to the admistration nearly two months about the lack of shows, we were denied anymore shows multiple times because it was resoned that the musical was not as “popular”. Then after numerous complaints from parents, students, and staff, more shows were only concidered after all four of our nights (aproximently 1,400 tickets not including the fold up chairs that were added) sold out in three days. The school realised they could make some money. The department was offered two more shows… five days before our first show. This was not nearly enough time to rescedual our practices that start at 3:30 on dress rehearsals days and run until 10:00 (this does not inclued the Saturday and Sunday practices). In the end we where denied the right to make a profit from months of practice. Without a doubt, there are other accounts of favoratism toward a profit in the school and stories of how clubs and activities were denied a voice because the are not the money makers. And then, when students say that a single sport rules the school, salt is added to our open wounds. It stings. The result is a deep disrespect for an organization that works just as hard as everyone else, not any more and not any less then everyone else.
Tyler Hinnen • Nov 16, 2011 at 7:31 pm
Wow, you just ruined any credibility the football team had with that. The football games would be NOTHING if it weren’t for the clubs helping in the concessions, the hard-working band and the robotics team all supporting Mill Valley as a whole, not just the football team. Mill Valley’s school spirit sucks? I think not. You are the only one with no school spirit. The only reason any students of Mill Valley would not have school spirit is because of people like you think you are so much better than everyone else. We all know you deffinately not better than most students if Mill Valley.
Austin Gebhardt • Nov 16, 2011 at 11:19 pm
As a senior in band, I can definitely say that band work as hard as the football team, not physically but musically. A football player such as yourself couldnt come in to band for a year and prove that we don’t work at all. But on your side, a student from band couldn’t join the football team and push as hard as you. Your opinion is your own, but in a maturity level, push yourself to think of things like this. You are substantially a harder worker in football, and I am a substantially hard worker in band. We spend the same amount of time in our activities, but you can’t what I do to what you do because they are different activities, by which neither of us have been active in the others
Ethan Rice • Nov 15, 2011 at 6:31 pm
And as to the Cool School, the football team was favored in no way. We had one, thirty second segment, about reading books to elementary students, which is not an athletic event. Also, the football team relies heavily on the student body, this article does nothing but bad mouth the football team, and the football team has never once said anything negative about any other club or team.
Kendall Short • Nov 15, 2011 at 7:00 pm
Also, about the cool school thing, we were able to arrive late, yet we still had to stay until the end of the day. Arriving an hour later than others affected no one. Also, us not being able to wake up early? We wake up earlier than everyone in the morning to work out and represent our school well by training to be successful, so we are highly capable of waking up on time.
With the weight room situation, we do every lift in the book trying to allow everyone to work what they need to be successful. So with that being said, every sport is accommodated if you actually work hard enough and take it seriously.
Instead of someone talking negative about our football team, maybe people should stay in the stands during games, notice the work we put in almost every day in the offseason and during for a year to get ready for the season, and talk positive, instead of putting this on the schools news website for everyone to agree with and bad mouth our team. this will not do anything good for the school, it will spark something and divide our school more than it already is.
LJ Hatch • Nov 15, 2011 at 7:39 pm
No other sport works as hard as football, I’ve been apart of the basketball team and baseball team and it doesn’t evan compare. Lifting weights in the mornings has made me better at everything I do, expescially my favorite sport baseball. The sports at mill valley haven’t very much success at all in the past. We lose to teams we shouldn’t (bonner springs in baseball) and we have never beaten a team that we were not supposed to beat. The student body doesn’t know what gos on with the football team and I don’t believe they ever will because they don’t dedicate themselves and don’t know what its like to have all your hard work pay off?
Kaitlyn Butko • Nov 15, 2011 at 7:10 pm
To your first point, an athletic team reading to elementary school students relate to athletics, because the team did it. When the event is designed to show non-athletic clubs and the football team is featured, whether they are playing football or not, that shows preference.
To your second point, I don’t think the point of this is to bad mouth the football team at all. The point is to illuminate the issues surrounding the football team and the journalist’s viewpoint on how that affects the school community as a whole. This is factual information, and it doesn’t shine the prettiest light on the football team because certain things regarding the football team are not good. The job of a journalist is to garner factual information and display it, and that was done very well in this article.
Kudos to Sarah Darby for stepping up and saying what needed to be said, because this seems to be an issue that the student body would be talking about, whether it became published or not. The difference here is that she did it professionally.
You have the full right to disagree with her opinions, but it’s sure hard to deny that that is one hell of an article.
Brennan Mense • Nov 15, 2011 at 6:27 pm
The football team runs the entire school. Without it, the school loses thousands of dollars every week during the fall.
Also you imply that either the football team doesn’t need 1 coach for every 12 players or that every other organization does. The truth this, our 90+ member band doesn’t need 8 teachers, we need 2 or 3. With every sport and every activity, the amount of coaches or teachers varies. If our football team had only one coach, Freshman, JV, and Varsity would all go 0-9. If our teams go 0-9, no one comes to the games, there are no extra playoff games, and quite simply, no one wants to have a crappy football team.
Whether you want to admit or not, its all about money, and football brings and money, so if you’re going against it, you got a lot of people to deal with.
Hugh Ebb • Nov 15, 2011 at 9:09 pm
The fact that you said they run the whole school proves the point of this article no group should run the school it should be a collective working together to represent mill valley as a whole.
Misty Adkins • Nov 15, 2011 at 11:55 pm
Well said, Hugh.
Ethan Rice • Nov 15, 2011 at 6:25 pm
And as to the Cool School, the football team was not favored. We had one, 30 second segment about reading to elementary students, which is not an athletic event.
Wade Hanna • Nov 15, 2011 at 7:23 pm
The administration at Mill Valley and Horizon Elementary plan to keep this reading program going throughout the year including basketball and possibly baseball. The elementary school kids are the ones benefitting from this program.
Wade Hanna • Nov 15, 2011 at 7:57 pm
Football is naturally a sport that receives a lot of attention, it is nothing new to our school, or our team. The jaguar head is difficult to use at many sports or events and i realize that, but the football team did bring in plenty of revenue to help the Booster Club buy the jaguar head. Also we have already used the jaguar head at several assemblies including the cool school day, so we know it could fit in the gym if basketball wished to use it. Boy’s soccer could have easily used it as well, and there is still the girl’s soccer season that could ask to use it.
Ethan Rice • Nov 15, 2011 at 8:24 pm
Plus, no one said that cross country isn’ a “real” sport, football is just a more popular sport. All that was said is the football team puts in more time than any other activity, which is true. We put in thousands of hours before, during, and fter school, during the summer, going to camps, summer practices, the list is endless.
jason biesma • Nov 15, 2011 at 10:02 pm
haha football puts in the most hours? If I remember correctly I think I saw the football players walking into the school when I was leaving from cross country. After we run 5 miles a day 5 times a week every week over the summer waking up at 6 in the morning. You dont want to go there with cross country.
Devin Rudicel • Nov 15, 2011 at 8:34 pm
Basketball games. I would be shocked to not see the Jaguar head at the highest attendance winter sports.
If I remember correctly, the jaguar head was also used at Cool School, and the homecoming assembly, which highlighted ALL fall sports.
Devin Rudicel • Nov 15, 2011 at 9:01 pm
Anon #1: Specifics of their entrance could be worked out. Regardless, the jaguar head is there if they so choose. If not, that’s their choice.
Mr. Anonymous: Mr.* Bogart. I assume you’ve never had him in class, as that is his pet peeve. But you are absolutely correct in saying that Coach Bogart is a very no-nonsense type of coach.
The point I wish to make is that the head is Available for whatever team wishes to use it. Whether or not the coaches choose to take advantage of that opportunity is solely up to them. The design of the head was approved because that is the mascot of the entire school, giving anyone who wants to use it the opportunity.
Also, i find it absurd that you ask me to “quit trying to defend its purpose”. That is precisely what this forum is intended for. I am not making this up to simply save face. These are facts.
I would also encourage all users to abandon the “Anonymous” tag. Its a forum of opinion. Embrace your opinion. Be proud of what you have to say. Mr. Anonymous, you have great points, that even though they are contrary to my personal beliefs, I can recognize merit and thought.
Wade Hanna • Nov 15, 2011 at 9:34 pm
And it wouldn’t be “5 guys running through the tunnel.” Our whole team ran through not just the 22 starters. There would be all of the varsity basketball players running through and would look fine especially since the gym is a smaller area.
bret holloway • Nov 15, 2011 at 10:35 pm
ethan, then why was the whole football team on camera, instead of just the seniors that go and read to the kids..
Knute Holden • Nov 15, 2011 at 5:51 pm
All the football team ever does is help the school earn the recognition it has been getting. Starting with the band/music, the football experience is created by the football team, and the football team only. If there were no football game, there would be nowhere for the band to play. As far as the weightroom goes, zero hour, after school weights, and fitness, are open to anybody at anytime. The fitness teachers are there to build athletes, not just football players. At the Cool School event, we were allowed to come late at 6:15a.m, but we also stayed until 2:50p.m, but you wouldn’t know that because you had already left. We wouldn’t have had the Cool School event if the football team wasn’t getting team of the week/game of the week, every other week. Which the school voted on.
The Jaguar head was purchased as a jaguar head, rather than a football helmet, so anyone could use it. All you would have to do is ask for it. They have never said “You can’t use that.”
For the person with the Anonymous comment about the use of the baseball field, the football team using the grass, offseason for that matter, has no bearing on the renovations for a home field. Not one person, the whole year, has been down to the baseball field to work on renovations.
It’s good to know what you think of your schools football team.
W.I.N
jason biesma • Nov 15, 2011 at 10:06 pm
Until the football team actually wins a playoff game, the should not deserve any sort of special treatment.
Lisa Harris • Mar 1, 2012 at 4:06 pm
Well said, Knute. Most people who are not a part of the football team don’t have any idea how much hard work goes into it. They don’t see behind the scenes that everyone’s fun Friday nights wouldn’t happen at all if there weren’t players busting their behinds to make it all happen. I am so very proud of our Jaguars. And, if a little recognition goes a long way, our home team deserves more. Don’t divide and conquer. We are a family at Mill Valley. SUPPORT YOUR OWN TEAM!!! JAGS!!
Miranda Wagner • Nov 15, 2011 at 3:35 pm
I think this is the part where we chant your name to the tune of a popular song…
Really, fantastic story. I’m so proud of you. You gave a very well-rounded evaluation without backing down from your true thoughts. Keep kicking butt.
Austin Becker • Nov 15, 2011 at 3:17 pm
Nice article! Well said.
Allie Love • Nov 15, 2011 at 3:08 pm
Way to go Sarah Darby. This is exactly the kind of hard hitting journalism that this school needs. You wrote on a topic that matters to your audience, and it has generated an emotional response. And for that, I applaud you.
Carly Granato • Nov 15, 2011 at 10:00 am
Well put Darbs! Couldn’t agree more.
Rachel Mills • Nov 15, 2011 at 9:55 am
Great story, Darbs! Very well written and factual. I applaude you for giving your opinion. KUDOS!