Pembroke can't field enough players for Holley's homecoming game Saturday

That is a great comment Mark, and absolutely true. Football will bounce back. I have coached youth football in Pembroke for years, and I still do. My personal preference is for football. And there are plenty of football players being developed for future years. This year was an anomaly, as far as numbers. Mr Funke was right on the mark with his comments. There are actually no players on the varsity soccer team who would have played football if soccer were not an option. I know this, because I also coach the varsity soccer team in their summer league. The issue at hand is, and has been, what options benefit the children the most. And right now, I feel bad for the kids in Holley. I just wish that some "adults" would learn to restrain their negative comments when they don't really know what they are talking about.

I believe the point Mr. Birkby was trying to get across is that if you are going to throw accusations out there or express your "opinion", then you should back it up with facts or at least intelligent reasoning for your perception on the topic at hand. It's easy to throw nonsense out there if you don't own it....which only stirs up the emotions of those who know better. Face it we all see things differently and if we don't know the whole truth, how can we possibly form an intelligent opinion? I'm guessing the person who called in is a frustrated football parent looking to place blame somewhere. I understand their frustration, however it has nothing to do with soccer. There is not one single boy on varsity soccer who would be playing football in the absence of soccer. That is a fact....not my opinion. It is what it is, no blame necessary. The thing I find upsetting is even if it was the reason....why does it matter? It's merely a sign of the times. Things change, including high school sports. Soccer has become very popular and if the kids want to play soccer over football then so be it. There are a lot of boys out there playing soccer who would not be playing anything otherwise. I commend our school for instating the program. It shows that they are truly taking the kids interests into consideration and doing what is best for them as opposed to trying to hold on to tradition. Tradition has it's place...however we need to accept change to grow. I feel awful for Holley with it being their homecoming game. I wish there was something that could have been done. I am quite confident Mr. Funke did everything possible to make it happen, however it was out of his control as rules come into play. I like football as well as soccer so it's not about being against football. Our son had no desire to play football however has a passion for soccer. It's nice to see him with all the other boys get a chance to be involved in a sport they are passionate about. They support the football team and want to see them do well. The only place pitting one against the other occurs is with the parents.....which is very sad. We're all part of the same school district and should support our kids and programs regardless of our own interests.

Yes, that is EXACTLY what I'm saying. The soccer program only affected 2 players on football, one who graduated last year and another who said he did not want to play, regardless if there was soccer or not. My point is, they weren't playing football when there wasn't soccer and yes, they were sitting out a whole sports season not doing sports. There were 2 kids who did x-country and didn't like it, my son was one of them. Both my son and the other kid had already decided they were not doing xc before soccer was instated. So now these boys have the opportunity to play something and not sit out a sports season. The interest is there and why not be fair and offer something the majority is asking for? Those are the facts and I agree people are entitled to their opinion but if you are going to state something publicly, you really should have something valid behind it... just sayin'

Nope I live in the city here, however... I read the first post and Mr. Birkby wasnt interested in what facts there were. He came across as a parent who wanted to pick a fight over anonimity, opionons are opinions they dont have to be backed by facts or not. I am of the opinion that oranges are disgusting, the fact is they are not to everyone, but thats my opinion. As for being a parent in Pembroke I am not and that is a fact, the chip on my shoulder is that everyone jumps on a person's opinion saying they are hiding behind anonimity Howard gave his justification, I find it hard to believe that not one of 50 boys would not go out for football if there was no soccer program. After all a team is not just it's seniors and I find it hard to believe that each of you claiming to speak for every one of these boys has asked them if they would have or not. So you are assuming an answer based on 2 or 3 of the team members opinions.

When someone in an argument uses something OTHER than the argument at hand.... (like speaking to a persons anonimity rather than their statement) Chances are they are weak in argument to begin with. Throwing around the words Adults ego and calling them chicken, then saying they should restrain their comments? Is the pot calling the kettle black. I am just one who will use his name and stand his ground for his opinion. So far no one here has proven themselves any more valid than the anonymous parent. But judging from the vitriol here from the soccer side of the argument seems like the anonymous parent's opinion is nothing new to them.

The same way I traced the source of your irritability to having this opinion aired to the public. By watching and making simple deduction. Doesnt make it accurate or a fact, but thats what makes this country great, the right to speak opinions without having to worry bout it. Must be this opinion is quite common, judging by the way the three of you have jumped up to the defense of the soccer program.

Just to make clear though the dictionary defines an opinion as....

o·pin·ion
   [uh-pin-yuhn] Show IPA

noun
1. a belief or judgment that rests on grounds insufficient to produce complete certainty.

2. a personal view, attitude, or appraisal.

3. the formal expression of a professional judgment: to ask for a second medical opinion.

4. Law . the formal statement by a judge or court of the reasoning and the principles of law used in reaching a decision of a case.

5. a judgment or estimate of a person or thing with respect to character, merit, etc.: to forfeit someone's good opinion.

1. 2. and 5. are the most aplicable seeing as how this isnt a professional matter nor a court of law.

I comprehend it just fine Scott. Apparently you cant seem to comprehend much though If you look to Howards clarification in the forum, he characterized it as a complaint, not a statement of fact. The whole jist of Howard's post in the forum was the article was posted to prompt a response from the district, a response to an opinion from a parent in the pembroke sd. Maybe that escaped you, but I read it clear as day including the fact that Howard made the choice to keep the comment anonymous. Kinda takes the wind out of the sails of your argument and taunt, doesn't it?

Now Mark that is what I am talking about, thank you for being a bit more civil. Being an outsider I can see both sides with some distance. In the article I believe the Football coach indicated that it wasnt the fault of the soccer program either. As a matter of fact he even said that he was unable to make the proper roster up due so some players out w sickness (I believe that was reported on the radio this am) But I do believe the parent that called Howard had a logical opinion. I took his side mostly because of the way Scott adressed the situation. He was acting in the very image that you other supporters were scolding. Adults should act like adults but the reality is they dont. I took up the football parent cause just because it didnt seem fair and Scotts comments rubbed me the wrong way. I sympthize with your efforts and I am glad for your successes, I watch alot of soccer online due to the fact that I rented out my house in Ithaca when I lived there to cornell students and most were european and soccer fans. I got hooked.

As I sit here though lest add another factor that might not be considered, maybe Howard can clarify but what if this wasnt a Pembroke parent but a Holley parent, still doesnt invalidate the opinion but does allow for some ignorance on the issue due to being outside the community, and just looking up articles.

Howard, on that point I agree with you. Unfortunately, those same people do not base those statements of feelings on anything tangible. It is their belief/opinion and that is fine. But have they talked to those soccer boys and asked if they would have played a different sport? Probably not. They are frustrated their program is failing and they are searching for answers. But when you actually talk to the team, families and coaches of the soccer program, you will know they are passionate about soccer, just as the football families are passionate about their sport. But again, you havent heard any soccer supporters bash the football program. We havent stated how the football program is holding back the soccer program. We havent talked about the huge disparity between the cost of maintaining the football program vs the soccer program... My opinion is that the football program should focus on keeping their own ducks in line and leave the soccer program out of their misfortune. Every sports program has rough patches. Their modified numbers are strong, in a few years they will be back to normal.