My Two Cents
By Richard Silverman
Richard Silverman
Issue date: 1/29/07 Section: Sports
A test of character
Happy New Year sports fans. I hope this year brings you joy and good health. Because it's a New Year, I certainly wanted to write an upbeat My Two Cents about 2007 and the future of Kirtland's athletic program. However, lately, the way things have been going for the men's and women's basketball team's made be consider writing an article that trashed the program, the coaches, and, most of all, the players.
So, on January 3, when I first sat down to write this column, this was the state of the basketball program. The men's basketball team, along with the men's cross-country team, had been put on probation for violating the Michigan Community College regulation that prohibits providing free housing to athletes, because Sal Kabara and Jerry Follot of the Central African were definitely living rent free with a local Roscommon resident.
If this wasn't bad enough, the men's team lost six (6) players who either quit or didn't make grades. So, when the men suited up for their Jan.3 game against Wayne County, they dressed just five regulars, along with two local KCC students, Zeke Hayes and Gordon Jacobs, who had just walked on the team. Therefore, it wasn't surprising that that the men were blown out by a mediocre Wayne team.
And last, and certainly not least, coach Glen Donahue who was definitely one of the people who was most responsible for building KCC's athletic program was informed that his contract wouldn't be renewed for the 2008 season.
While all this was going on, the Lady 'Birds team wasn't faring much better. Over the holiday break, team captain Liz Stempke quit school and the team, and four (4) other players either left the team due to injury or poor grades. This pared the women's roster from thirteen (13) to eight (8). It also produced a blowout at the hands of Mott followed by 3 straight losses during the break.
Well, it's pretty difficult to find something positive and upbeat about all this; isn't it? However, never underestimate the ability of people who have character and who therefore, can make the best of a grim situation. I'm referring to that part of the human spirit that makes life and sports so rich, rewarding, and unpredictable. And this is exactly the spirit and character that the players and coaches demonstrated after the clock struck 2007.
Happy New Year sports fans. I hope this year brings you joy and good health. Because it's a New Year, I certainly wanted to write an upbeat My Two Cents about 2007 and the future of Kirtland's athletic program. However, lately, the way things have been going for the men's and women's basketball team's made be consider writing an article that trashed the program, the coaches, and, most of all, the players.
So, on January 3, when I first sat down to write this column, this was the state of the basketball program. The men's basketball team, along with the men's cross-country team, had been put on probation for violating the Michigan Community College regulation that prohibits providing free housing to athletes, because Sal Kabara and Jerry Follot of the Central African were definitely living rent free with a local Roscommon resident.
If this wasn't bad enough, the men's team lost six (6) players who either quit or didn't make grades. So, when the men suited up for their Jan.3 game against Wayne County, they dressed just five regulars, along with two local KCC students, Zeke Hayes and Gordon Jacobs, who had just walked on the team. Therefore, it wasn't surprising that that the men were blown out by a mediocre Wayne team.
And last, and certainly not least, coach Glen Donahue who was definitely one of the people who was most responsible for building KCC's athletic program was informed that his contract wouldn't be renewed for the 2008 season.
While all this was going on, the Lady 'Birds team wasn't faring much better. Over the holiday break, team captain Liz Stempke quit school and the team, and four (4) other players either left the team due to injury or poor grades. This pared the women's roster from thirteen (13) to eight (8). It also produced a blowout at the hands of Mott followed by 3 straight losses during the break.
Well, it's pretty difficult to find something positive and upbeat about all this; isn't it? However, never underestimate the ability of people who have character and who therefore, can make the best of a grim situation. I'm referring to that part of the human spirit that makes life and sports so rich, rewarding, and unpredictable. And this is exactly the spirit and character that the players and coaches demonstrated after the clock struck 2007.
Be the first to comment on this story