Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 14, 1993 TAG: 9303120049
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
PARENT'S BELITTLING SPOILED THE GAME
Something has truly happened to interscholastic athletics.Recently, I attended a New River District boys' basketball tournament in a professional capacity as a high school athletic trainer. The game involved Radford and Christiansburg high schools.
Now, I realize there is a considerable amount of rivalry between these two teams on the court, but off the court the animosity tends to dissolve.
Unfortunately, I had the displeasure of sitting near a former Christiansburg High School parent who has long since transferred her son to Radford High School.
As the game progressed, she moved closer and closer to the Christiansburg bench, at the same time increasing her level of boisterousness and belittling the Demons.
There is a distinct difference between harassing the opposing team and verbally abusing and humiliating them. All her comments and criticisms had very little to do with basketball. Instead, her verbalizations contained subject matter of a personal nature that I found very offensive and immature.
This was not the time or place for her to vocalize her hostility for Christiansburg High School, and definitely not the way a mature adult would handle it.
Both teams have very respected and reputable athletic programs, with inspiring coaches, dedicated athletes and supportive, self-sacrificing fans. I would hate to see the reputation of either of these schools blemished and/or compromised because of the childish, petty actions of one individual.
I would like to commend both teams, athletes and coaches on their maturity, composure and sportsmanship in a very competitive, emotional game. Both teams played to the best of their abilities and should feel proud of their efforts, regardless of the outcome.
To conclude, I hope that for the remainder of the year, and years to come, that we remember the athletic competitions are for everyone to share through the victories - and the defeats.
From the coaches to the athletes to the fans, we are all in this together; therefore, we cannot allow one aspect of the whole to tarnish the remainder.
This is the time for the high school students to be in the limelight. Do not deprive these courageous athletes their time. Let's support them for their efforts, not ridicule them.\ Beverly Biancur\ Head athletic trainer\ Christiansburg High School