What has to be done for sports in Franklin Clunty?

i have my opinion. we need new direction. It seems like Ch. ED. didnt care who M.R. hired. And most hires were golfing buddies or just buddies.

Believe it or not, we had some excellent coaches apply here, as recently as last year. We had a man apply for the girls basketball job a few years back named Jack Harlow, but Cholley or Wendy didn't want him. We had four football coaches apply last year that had won state championships, two that had won multiple state championships, but we hired one with a losing record.I hear that in Franklin County it matters not whether you win or lose but how you hit it off with the AD. That why we have teams that can't beat Culleoka and Unionville.

Sal Minella wrote:

That why we have teams that can't beat Culleoka and Unionville.

Very sad but true!!

Former Coach wrote:

<quoted text>
JACK HARLOW DID NOT APPLY. REMEMBER HE WAS RELIEVED OF HIS COACHING DUTIES BY PATTY PRIEST AND THE SCHOOL BOARD.

I dont know if he applied but I do know he would be interested. At present the AD thinks more about appearances that what you can do as a coach.

It would be interesting to know the cost of athletics in Franklin County and the number of coaches that are employed directly in the major sports. I am sure the figure would be mind boggling. FCHS was a leader in the old CTC conference in all sports many years ago; Huntland also did well in the old Duck River conference. Wonder why these days of glory cannot return?

Let's clear the air on Jack Harlow. Jack was not fired by Patty Priest but by a loyal school board that fired him on Ms. Priet's recommandation for administering a pain killed that had been approved for over-the-counter sales, but ther effective date had not passed when the incident occured. Albert Williams and, I believe Scott Smith voted against dismissal, Gary Smith, J.D. Jackson and Sam Reiben in favor.

When Lisa Crabtree was released as coach, Jack Harlow and John Wild were among those that applied for the job. Both had impressive records and both had muliple trips to the state tournament. Before the choice was made, Jack Harlow withdrew his application. Dr. Edmonds said it was to spend more time with his family. For some reason, few people believed him. Harlow never addressed what had actually happened.
Whether Jack Harlow could have done a better job with the team than John Wild is pure speculation.

If you can honestly say that Jack Harlow wouldn't have produced better results with these girls than John Wild, you can kiss my dago posterior.

If my memory serves me correctly the drug dispensed was Motrin; not something I would consider a drug at all. It was a tragic thing for FCHS girls BB when Jack got the axe. He did a super job for FCHS. I don't think the Motrin pill was the root cause in his demise.

The tale is told that Harlow got in hot water with a parent after telling their daughter she'd have to lose weight if she expected to start the next season. Unfortunately, the girl's father was a druggest. I say he was a druggest because his license had been pulled at the time for multiple prescription pill violations. But he had backed Patty Priest in the previous election. Oh, for the joys of having an elected superintendent!

Sal Minella wrote:

The tale is told that Harlow got in hot water with a parent after telling their daughter she'd have to lose weight if she expected to start the next season. Unfortunately, the girl's father was a druggest. I say he was a druggest because his license had been pulled at the time for multiple prescription pill violations. But he had backed Patty Priest in the previous election. Oh, for the joys of having an elected superintendent!

As I recall, you are exactly 100% correct. Jack world have had FC in the state touraments several times! Politics rules in FC!!

I have been to three baseball games this year and I can tell you the coach is doing the best he can with a young team. Some of you are simply IDIOTS! You talk about the Good Old Days as if FC is overflowing with talent. It just ain't so! I tell you what, if you guys want to coach so bad, go back to college, get a degree in education, apply for the job. I'm sure Coach King would love for some of you to put up or shut up!

Coach, your a class act, keep up the good work!

I listened to last few baseball games on the radio and the last was a good, hard win for our team. The one before was lost by only one run. Many know you fellows play hard for your team and school, and we're proud of you!!!!

You guys do a great job on the field and show well developed sportsmanship and talent. I wish you 'Good Luck' at your next games. Win or not, you fellows are working hard and we appreciate your efforts as you stand tall representing FCHS.

Regarding spring training for fall sports: Will someone please tell us why several male students have been sent to ISD class next week because they skipped three or more 4th block classes this week so as to work out in the weight room?

How can a student simply NOT attend their 4th block academic class, but instead head off to another part of the bldg or campus to work out? Which adult or adults monitor the weight training room and don't the teachers overseeing the weight room know which kids are skipping class while exercising that time of the day?

Isn't it true that students aren't allowed to use aforementioned equipment if unsupervised by an adult?

I love watching kids participate in all forms of school events because these group efforts produce lots of school spirit for players and participants. Be it baseball, another sport, chorus, drama, band, FFA or anything else that carries the name of one's school...... all students in these activities deserve a loud round of applause for their efforts. Friends and family cheer students on the field or on the theater stage.....each FIELD of PLAY ultimately promotes positive feelings of acceptance and personal accomplishment alike. Team events don't always mean sports, yet all kinds of 'organized group participation' build skills needed in adult lives.... as do core subjects.

Seems skipping core subject classes so as to visit the 'work out' room doesn't help much towards a student's ACT scores or GPA, now does it?

Something seems amiss in this picture regarding skipping academic classes for weight training, and it seems this issue needs to be addressed before it occurs again.

Kids do attempt to skip class from time to time and there is nothing new about this and it certainly is not new to our school. It is also not newsworthy or blog material. The boys in question were caught and dealt with because our coaching staff was proactive. Coach Brewer has a tough and demanding weight room program and we are proud of the 70+ boys who are doing what is right every day. Your post does not reflect the reality of what is happening at FCHS. I assume you are a teacher at the school? If so come talk to me face-to-face like professionals.

Blogs can be fun but attacking the school leadership is not productive or ethical. If anyone would like to talk to me about my program send me an e-mail at leeatkins@hotmail.com. Communities that work together can accomplish great things. Backbitting and name-calling is unworthy of our profession and our school.
One last thought: I do not have time to read these message boards on Topix but I do believe in freedom of speech. I moderate several sporting message boards on other sites and I do not think many of these threads are helping our school or student-athletes. Our coaches are not going anywhere so join with us to help support these programs

One more thought: I believe in academics and I have a great record in academics with a masters degree in education. Students are not allowed to skip class at any time to lift weights. If a player of mine skips class he must answer to his parents, He must also answer to me and the administration. Both of my sons graduated with honors. My oldest son graduted from WEST POINT and recently returned from a tour of duty in Iraq with the Bronze Star. We are a military family and we focus on public service with an emphasis on academics and doing what is right.

Well, hmmm. Coach Atkins. This did not just happen on one day. Positive comments only?
O.K. We got it.

Give the coach a break. After all he has only been here a short time. You must remember he came to a school that did not have the discipline to be a winner. Let's hope he can turn it around. There should have been more examples set. The kid that brought the gun to school, no matter what his athletic skills where, should have finished his education in reform school!!

Coach Lee did not answer how these guys managed to skip class more than once. The coach does not have the right to mandate what is ethical on a free speech blog.

11 points average per game is pitiful, espescially against a weak region and even weaker non-region schedule. 3-7, geez. how much worse can it get?