Bishop Amat's promising young big-man leaves school

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Beginning of the end of a dynasty.

(gIrLs) Second Round
Ventura 60, Bishop Amat 52

...Boy basketball is a mess, football a mess, and finally **the girls basketball team is now effected**...
Posted by: "a mess"
January 15, 2008 3:57 PM

...**Dont be shocked when the Girls basketball players of next year leave and play elsewhere**. The only stitch that was holding Amat athletics together is now sliding like all the rest. It is just a matter of time...
Posted by: matter of time
January 15, 2008 1:13 PM

...Amat is losing players due to not getting the players it used to, and having the success they have had in the past...Key word Past. It seemd like Amat is just going by reputation now and not winning programs. **The girls basketball team are now taking a turn for the worse and intrest in playing there will go down once they start to become a losing team**...
Posted by: Spectator at his last game
January 15, 2008 11:17 AM

Oberver, thank you the compliment. The Arsenal was started 7 years ago. Just until recently did we get Amat players. We currently have quite a few players from the SGV as well are various parts of SoCal. We currently have only have a few varsity players at Amat and could have some lower level guys once we select our teams. We are not a pipeline to Amat as we just started our 14U team a year ago. If you go our website you can see how varied our roster is with many schools. I know coach Nieto very well and a lot of other SGV high school coaches too. None of them care where you come from as long as you get it done. It is not what you have done as 14 year old but what you are doing as a HS player.

The Dukes were and still are a respectable program. Many of the best players who attended Amat happened to play for the Dukes. Was it a coincedence, no but they made the team because they were good not because they came from the Dukes. The Arsenal has now replaced the Dukes as the premiere program of the SGV. Contrary to everyone's belief, no they are not a pipeline to Amat. I think only a few play on the Amat varsity. Whether you love or hate Contreras you have to admit him and Roddy got good players to not only play for the Dukes but also Amat. Nieto does not seem to care where the kids play as long as they play.

Observer, How and why was the SGV Arsenal started and by whom?

Amat 73

I think you have this all wrong. I know what you are thinking, "that I am some crazy or disgruntled parent etc" I just happen to read the blog and thought I would talk about some experiences that I know of and have seen on countless occasions. You keep going off topic and adding different things like, coach's and there pay etc. Its a very well known fact through out the coaching fraternity,that all private schools pay less, and especially baseball! Why do u ask? Because baseball is a non Revenue Sport! Wy do u think that there are so many off campus coach's in Baseball?

Back to the other comment, I could care less about busting or tryong to tear down a school for there wrongdoings. Once again 73 I was just responding to a few here that always buy into the "Kool Aid" of how Amat is this special place and everyone is Jealous. THe place is special not just for the education but for the wrong doings as well. We could go on and on about this and you deep down will probably still think I am just trying to start a problem. I have never once made a personel attack on any one who responded or had a comment. You must remember that I am not trying to make you believe anything I am just stating facts that I have witnessed over the years. Remember this 73 I am in a different circle when it comes to these matters and I see things and have witnessed things you will never see as an alumni etc. A simple validation to my posts is this! The "Dukes" are not even close to what they used to be! Why is that you ask, Many others have witnessed and been on the other end of many of these topics we talk about today. You have heard of the SGV Arsenal I assume. I wonder how that was started and by who. Hmmmm... Maybe you should do yur homework before you start blasting people that actually have a valid point and are not just popping off about Amat because who they are. Most local kids turn there nose to the Dukes now as they and there parents know the routine and have heard or seen the crap that go's on. I have enjoyed talking with you about this, as I think you are a smart and Intelligent guy, but you have to sit back take stock in what has been presented and realize that what I speak is the truth and no matter how much you deny it Amat has been a very dirty school for years. The Location had nothing to do with the actions that your school has done. Would I send my son or daughter there u ask? Never ever even if it were free.

Maybe Amat has learned a few things from some public schools, shoot I dont know, maybe this new coach wont be like the others who knows... Good luck with the Baseball and Football Programs as I think change has been long over due and hopefully they clean up there act, cause it has worn thin and if they cant clean it up they will never ever come close to what they once were !!

thanks

Observer,
First off I only stated " if it is true" then the parents knew what they were getting into. Now you say you have no affiliation with AMAT other than heresay from disgruntled people who have been wrong by the school. If you do have proof of grade tampering . money , and so forth why don't you and all your witnesses go to CIF and lodge a complaint against our dirty programs.If you had any idea of how Mnsgr works you would know he does not just throw money around for sports programs. As you can see by many posts from alumni he doesn't even want to spend money on qualified coach until now that it hurts the gate and consessions at the games which is the way to get his attention. So you and all your unhappy friends get together and pool your proof and go after our school in the ghetto as you had previously stated in one of your posts. It is evident there is something more going on with your hate towards AMAT.

Before you get all crazy again let me say this. I bet Amat is a great school to attend, but anyone who coach's, coached for say about 15-20 years or knows the SGV as I do and many others do, know that "Friends of the Program" was a very real thing through out the late 80's and all the 90's... Maybe you just were not aware of it. But It was there, and I bet its still there!

For: AMAT 73

I read your response, and if you had read the posts correctly, you would have read the part where I stated "I never played at Amat or had a child attend there" I am telling you of actual things that go on at that school. Regardless if a parent signs the papers or not. They still signed and knew what was going on as well, Does that make them any better, No it does not?
Listen to what people are saying and there experiences, I am here once again to tell you that Amat has run dirty programs for years, and it is finally catching up with them to an extent. I really dont thing you know anything that "really" happens behind closed doors at that school. Granted you might be an alumni or a parent of a child. But to say this does not happen or you have not seen this happen is fine. I am here to tell you there are many more Horror stories out there reagarding Amat and there Baseball program that you probably have no idea what Im talking about in regards to there last 2 coaches. The Duke players are pushed from day one to attend Bishop Amat, if they dont, those coaches find ways to get to the parents and to get to the other kids to Razz and harass, and yes Amat73 they bench you or cut u in some cases, and I have seen on Countless occasions during Tournaments once a kid has decided against going to Bishop, that child is no longer a starter or in the plans for the Dukes,not always but its happend many times. That school and program has treated many of those kids like garbage.

One more thing I sat in the stands and watched a certain coach from Bishop Amat that no longer coaches the baseball team, go watch a travel ball game and basically beg about 3 sets of parents to have there son attend Amat and transfer, one Kid attended Diamond Bar one kid attended Los Altos and the other kid played for South Hills. But I suppose you will tell me that never happend either, or I am jealous or something. By the way he made his rounds all summer that year.

Explain how they let and did not care if Kevin Bonilla their starting catcher left without trying to keep him. Pompous! what they had a Duke as the backup catcher. Frank Lopez a good hitter and fast as all hell. where is he...I know grades and those have come up ,but it was told to him he would not start let me guess a duke or a higher paying kiss ass dad took /errrrrrrrrr stole that from him.

Posted by: Joe Friday at January 29, 2008 1:52 PM

Hey Lancer

If you think that the Administration at Bishop didnt know you are blind not me. And yes it does, and it has, and it will probably continue to happen and kids will be judged by if they played for the Dukes, would you like me to go get about 10 former players and let them basically shut you up. Granted they all played there and were "STARS" but they will tell you a thing or two.

And I bet you think that Pete Carroll knew nothing about Reggie Bush either, By the way einstein Carroll and Mike Ornstein have know each other for years and knew that they were talking and Pete knew that Ornstein had been convicted for these things before. Take the Blinders of, I am sure you are a great guy but this stuff happens Daily! And I bet the Signature from the Vegas hotel that Bush stayed at during his Junior year under Ornsteins Credit acct didnt happen huh. I bet thats "crazy" too

you are probably a nice guy as I ahve said but you know nothing first hand about Bishop of the Sneaky tactics they play, maybe you are a parent but you wont see anything being a parent. Wake up man!!!

This is for FrediunLancer!!

If you have read what I wrote awhile back you would have to understand that your experiences may be a whole lot different from others. Granted I dont know you or do I think you played sports at Bishop either, the facts are the facts when it comes to how "BISHOP" has been ran, and how I have seen it ran for over 20 years. I never had a child play there ever. I also have no ties to any school in the SGV. I do on the other hand, have first hand knowledge of these wrong doings over the years. I coached a very successful program for many years and have had a very close friend of mine coach there as well for many years. He would mention what was in it for the "New" kid once he transferred etc. On too your "Dukes" comment. This is for everyone Whether you like it or not they are a very successful Travel Program, with that being said they are also very dirty, sneaky, unethical, Whiners, Crybabies, and worst of all, they are basically running a farm system for Bishop, which is ILLEGAL and against CIF Rules. Once again you ask how do I know, I too ran a very successful Travel Club. I could probably give you a list of 10-20 kids that were coaxed an d told the only way to the Varsity is through the Dukes. The Dukes Coaches were on staff at Bishop, do the fricken math man. The Dukes raid other High schools during there games and after, one very successful ALL VALLEY and ALL CIF and ALL STATE player that I will not name was given Tuition,Books,$$,Equipment, etc. But here is the kicker - once he came up INELIGABLE during his Junior year, guess what came in the mail, A BILL, yup thats right those sneaky sons a you know what, sent him a Bill for the upcoming Semester for tuition. I think it was for $1650 dollars. He had never seen a Bill for almost 3 years. The moral of the story is he had to transfer and he became a stud elsewhere. Granted some kids are not or were not good enough and there will always be bickering, but the fact is for almost 20 years, if you didnt play for the Dukes you almost certainly got the cold shoulder from everyone. By the way one player was cut from the Team as a freshman and TOLD right to his face that I think u have more talent but I know the other kid from being with the Dukes for 2 years, so I have to cut you - Update the kid that was cut went to Diamond Bar and is still playing today, the other kid never played past his junior year. Bishop is a joke!

Amat and Duke Baseball suck, they deserve one another. Kids are playing more for the Arsenal now and the Dukes are a name of the past..well then again so is Amats name.

Back to the original topic, and that is why has this basketball coach at Bishop Amat lost another very talented player. Since he's been there at least 3 young varsity players have left and a number of playeres rumored to want to attend chose not to and ended up elsewhere. We know what the deal was in football - what's up with this coach in basketball?

This seems to be a reoccuring theme on any blog pertaining to Bishop Amat Athletics. The same people come in, having to bring up that their kid was either cut because he didn't play travel ball or that things were corrupt, etc etc. As an Amat alumni I would constantly see kids and parents become devasted because they weren't going to be able to be part of the "mystique" that so many people hope for when they send their children there or when they attend. These are the same people who post on these blogs. Needing to find some outlet for the frustration and denial that their child did not have the talent to compete at the next level. This is the point where all the excuses come into play (e.g it's because I wasn't a Duke, Bomber,Arsenal, it was the "fatman", kendrena etc etc). Some people do not want to accept that their child was not good enough, plain and simple. Sending your child to Amat is not going to immediately turn him into the next Lange or Simon and many think that because they are at Amat that they ARE that good already. Also those who say that kids were told they were not going to ever play varsity baseball at Amat because of not playing travel ball with a particular team is completel ridiculous. This type of action has never been in any Amat coaches demeanor and Observer you must be blind to not realize that if any such thing was in fact true that it would have trickled its way into adminstration and been dealt with. And AMAT ALUMNI NICE CAPS!! DID COACH KENDRENA FAIL YOU IN HIS BEGINNING OFFICE CLASS BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T PLAY TRAVEL BALL TOO??

Boy Amat Alumni, (the ALL CAPS ONE!!)

Let me guess, you must have been one of the one's that was CUT during Kendrena's very successful tenure at Amat right??

When all else fails, never accept that it might actually be true... BLAME SOMEONE ELSE.

You probably didn't make the Duke's either, right????

Let me see, over the last 10 year's, YES, about 50% of Amat players have played for the Dukes.... So what?? Doesn't that just mean that the BETTER Ball Players or SOME of the BETTER Ball Players over the years have chosen to Play for the Dukes and continued at Amat???

Funny thing is, if you look at Amat's last 4 CIF Baseball Champions... what is the ONE COMMON DENOMINATOR??? You GUESSED IT, Quality Travel Baseball.... The Dukes. Are they the same program now as they have been over the last 15 years.... NO. But in this day of Blogs... I guess it's really easy to hide behind a fake Blog name and criticize everything.

Too Bad you have to knock good programs/people that have been honestly only in it for the good of the kids... or did we miss somewhere where they made millions???

Oh, at last check.... Last Years CIF Champs from Amat... The C, 1b, 2b, SS, 3B, LF, CF and RF all at one time or another wore a certain uniform.... GUESS WHICH ONE???

Why You worried about ICKY's weight??? Shallow, man, Shallow...

If you ACTUALLY made it through Amat would surprise me!!

I wasn't attacking Jordan. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree was referring your comments to the behavior of his parents. I don't wish any ill will toward Jordan. I just don't like the uncertainty of his leaving. As far as his parents yelling goes, yelling at referees hardly constitutes as cheering for their son. It's annoying. I go back the to other blogger who heard his parents saying " That's it. We have had enough of this" Sounds like more of a problem with Amat's program and the losing than " Family issues". I do wish Jordan well at LaVerne Lutheran. I feel sorry for any kid who parents act like that. He seems like a good kid.

Boy it sure seems like the "amatobserver" is happy Jordan Salleys' parents are gone so they don't have to hear his parents screem at every game. You mistake it for cheering thier son on with the emotion of the game. But to attack Jordan by saying the apple doesn't fall to far from the tree. Where is that coming from and you should clarify that. That is the real gibberish. When the time is right for our family, we will make public our private life. I hope your whole life is not consumed with the negativity you diplay in your comments. You woke up today I hope and may you have more days you wake up. Be happy about something. Exhale, then smile!

The guys tepping in behind the plate are very good. I understand McClanahan and Murakami will share time behind the plate. The outfield could be Seymour, Amezcua and i think Rodriguez. I see the infield as Mistone, Reyes, Bergara and Fox. I think most coaches could careless when someone play but more of how do they perform now.

GLAD THEY BROUGHT IN NIETO, STOPPED ALL THAT DUKE PIPELINE BS. KENDRENA WAS INTO THAT WITH THE FATMAN CONTRERAS. WITHOUT LOPEZ AND bONILLA IS THE TEAM STILL STRONG ENOUGH TO CPMPETE FOR ANOTHER CHAMPIONSHIP? HAS TORRES LOST SOME WEIGHT?

There are many players on the Amat Varsity who never played for the Dukes:
Fox: Dukes
Mistone: Dukes
Lenhart: Dukes
Reyes: Bombers
Murakami: Bandits
Bergara: Angels
Zuniga: Sharks
Torres: Hurricanes
Seymour: Hurricanes
Hinojosa: Storm
McNitt: Storm
Paez: Phantoms
Martinez: Reds
Barrera: Reds

I don't think Coach Nieto really cares what team a kid grew up playing for. All that matters is that pitchers throw strikes and batters hit line drives.

I hope LaVerne Lutheran is ready for his parents screaming at every game. I have been at Amat games and witnessed this happen. Another blogger witnessed the parents saying they had " had enough" of the program. Then the family says its because of family reasons he is leaving? Something isn't right.

Why is this being spun this way? Why should anyone apologize for not knowing the situation? Small minds can grow? Are we speaking from experience? Insulting people by saying they have small minds isn't very mature. With a comment like that its easy to see the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. That is why this blog is interesting because it's open to speculation until someone explains what happened. Clear up the problem by saying on the blog or in the newspaper why he left. This way we aren't left to read some mindless gibberish from a family member!

I am a member of the Salley family. I normally don't go on these sights but I recieved a phone call and it was suggested I take a look at some of the ridiculous speculation. Jordan is no longer at Bishop Amat for "personal family reasons"(one main one in particular). All of the response toward the matter from you blogers I hope is in wishing Jordan and his family well. Nothing else should really concern you especially if you don't have anything positive to say. It is always the people that don't know what they are talking and are not a part of the central core that give reckless opinion of no value. I hope you get back on here and apologize to the Salley family when you find out what really is the situation. Small minds can grow. I will pray for yours.

Diaz certainly didn't leave due to politics.

Her freshman year she was on JV and the varsity lancers were 35-0 and won the State Championship - and only lost one player to graduation that played much. So they followed that up with a 35-1 record and another State Title. Diaz would not have seen the floor until maybe her junior year, and maybe even limited time at that - because that team "struggled" with a 27-6 record in a year when they scheduled even tougher and eventually lost in the State Championship game.

She left so she'd get an opportunity to play and is doing a fine job under Gustafson - who is a great girl's coach.

Like the Girls basketball player from Covina in the sports page today. Diaz , she went to Amat her freshman year and now is staring as a senior over at Covina, wonder what her story is with the politics that go on there at Amat?

hmmm sounds familiar. My best friend is a graduate and he tried out every year for the baseball team. He came from East L.A. He was a left handed pitcher with a crazy slider and curveball. He never got a chance because he was told that he did not play for the Dukes. He went on to play college ball even though he never got a chance at Amat. What does that say?

I bet Amat Survivor had a son who played at Hollenbeck park. Am I right?

I can't blame the parents of Jordan for what they have done for Jordan. They decided to go this route for Jordan's future. C'mon, this is a 6'6 athletic and GIFTED kid, and his parents are doing the best they can to provide the best future for Jordan. And it seems they feel that this is the best for Jordan.
Athletes nowadays is all about improving your skills, and preparation for the next level. Perhaps I am going a little too fast by mentioning the "next" level but that is what most high school athletes are preparing for and working for. TRY to get FREE education which is hard to come by so if the athlete is given the chance then let us all be happy for him/her.
As for Amat's sports program and athletes, keep working and try to be the best you can. Raise your head and be proud wearing your school colors.

Observer,

You are right on there. My kid is graduating this year, I will not say from where, but he is a very solid baseball player and is getting ready to make his final Senior season a memorable one for himself and for us his parents. Bishop Amat is all hype and past history (we fell for it). Now on to the Dukes and why I write this, We enrolled our kid at Amat to play baseball, he played travel but did not play Duke baseball. He went to tryouts his freshman year and was instantly and I mean instanly overlooked and pushed aside, never given a chance because he did not come from the "farm" "the Dukes". There was some Fat man that cut him on day one. To this day I look at Amat with resentment over this, we transfered him out of Amat knowing he was a good ballplayer and that Amat made a mistake and we were not going to let this shake our kids confidence (altho it did a little). My kid went on to play freshman and with the Arsenal travel team and is one of the best players on his HS team. I wonder how many other talented kids got robbed with my son during this time. Politics at the private schools are huge. I am glad we took him from Amat and placed him elsewhere. By the way we pay no tuition and he has a 3.3 GPA.

Bishop Amat will never ever come close to what it once was. The school is a dump and right smack dad in the middle of the GHETTO. They do not pay there coach's squat, most coach's use Bishop as a springboard for a higher paying job. This go's back to the late 80's and all throught he 90's. Anyone that is close to the program or has had a Son play Football or Baseball there knows they are a dirty program. I know for a fact on countless occassions of grade tampering, benefits, gifts, etc. Everyone around Bishop used to call it "Friends of the Program". From new bats and gloves to clothes to money and favorable grades. Why would you send your kid to a school that brainwashes the parents and the kids, especially during the OFFSEASON! I know again for a fact of many Baseball players over the years getting benched or cut or told to there face they will never play on the Varsity team cause they play Winter and Travel Ball elsewhere and not with the "DUKES". Then those same players have gone on to be all League, all valley, all CIF and recieve a scholarship. Football used to be even worse. 0 period Weight lifting was OPTONAL if you were a STAR. Bishop was ran like a college for so many years, with college like atmosphere came college problems. A certain High Profile QB a few years ago was booted out of there for cheating on his Finals, by the way that was his 3rd time getting caught. I know many Baseball players that never paid a penny to go there and recieved all the gear they wanted, and one was excused from a MAJOR FINAL because of a Cough cough HEADACHE and was passed anyway, right before the CIF Semi Final Game! I would never ever send my KID there even if it was free and they were ranked #1 Nationally. That school is so Dirty, That reminds me of the time the Baseball coach's would show up at Travel Ball games and Literally Recruit your kid to leave your High school and be promised a starting job right there. Before anyone starts yelling or saying BS etc. I have seen this personally and have witnessed these things for almost 20 years. SO save your comments youngsters with all your "you know nothing" etc. Just my 2 cents.

And by the way South Hills is not that far from becoming the new Bishop in terms of pushing the limits

Shoot Pin Win,

Altho Silva is not the same wrestler and is going at a higher weight class, our man has improved allot this year and is tearing it up. We've been looking forward to the rematch duel with Silva since last year. Our man is coming to wrestle hope yours is ready this time.

Sportswriter,

Thanks for clearing that up. Do you know if they are going to reschedule the dual?

Oaktown,
Be careful what you wish for buddy. I agree that they should have wrestled. Your boy is good and would have been a great match to watch. Silva is not the same wrestler he was last year. He isn't struggling to make 189 as we was a year ago too. That really took it out of him... We will see how it goes come league finals.

the san gabriel valley is a mess and the majority of the coaches from the sgv cause headaches to CIF because they can't follow the rules and deadlines. This trickles down to the athletes and that's why you don't have many athletes getting scholarships. The San Gabriel Valley is a wasteland of high school sports. I moved my family out as soon as I could. Things just get done much better here in the O.C. !
San Gabriel Valley = Wasteland
The O.C. = Real Southern California Representation

Does a couple of pounds make that much of a differance? They should have let them wrestle. Does it not come down to manuvers and skills in wrestling..I could see if someone was 5 to 10 pounds over but 2?...come on someone is punking out here. Amat nut up, maybe you guys did not want to see Silva get beat again by our boy.

The Charter Oak team was not ruled ineliglbe the CIF paperwork has two different dates about the two pound allowance. Siome paperwork say on the 15th of Hanuary an dsom says after the 15th neither team could come to a agreement and this has been fowarded to CIF

TONIGHT'S MATCH AT AMAT IS CANCELLED.

Due to a CIF rule. Charter Oaks team was ruled ineligible.

DUH FRED - WHAT DID YOU THINK THE FAMILY MEMBER WAS GOING TO TELL YOU??? THEY DO NOT WANT THEIR KID/FAMILY LOOKING BAD - SO IT WAS THE SAFE THING TO SAY TO YOU.

At Bishop Amat there is so much in-house fighting among the staff between the AD, certain coaches, and teachers that it rolls over to the students/athlete. I wonder does it have to do with all the nepotisms that occurs at the school.

The AD doesn't hold himself responsible for the sports program (other than baseball) or lack of experience of some of the coaches. The coaches cannot relate or do they care to develop any of the student/players which leaves the players in the wrong directions. And we all know about today's athletes and parents. Boy basketball is a mess, football a mess, and finally the girls basketball team is now effected.

Fred when are you going to get the real story???? The writing on the wall go and "dig". What a mess at a school with so much history and again, we wonder why so many students are bailing out!

With Finals coming up and grades coming out, this will make and break the staying or leaving of kids at Amat. Some athletes will find out if transfer is needed to public school if they are not cutting it in the classroom over at Amat.

With Finals coming up and grades coming out, this will make and break the staying or leaving of kids at Amat. Some athletes will find out if transfer is needed to public school if they are not cutting it in the classroom over at Amat.

wrestling suxs

Where is the wrestling blog...With its header and all..like the other sports here?

Dont be shocked when the Girls basketball players of next year leave and play elsewhere. The only stitch that was holding Amat athletics together is now sliding like all the rest. It is just a matter of time. I believe the only thing that can give Amat the much needed shot in the arm to boost athletics back is they better be really selective in their hiring of their next football coach, to the point that this coach not only has a coaching staff as followers but he also brings kids with him as well to play for him and Amat. That is the key not only coaches but a few stud players that follow him. Then it is on to winning and getting intrest back in that sports program.

His parents are behind this. They are always yelling at his games. This is a case of parents being too involved. I feel sorry for the kid.

regardless what religious affiliation this kid is, God Bless him and his family. good for him that he didn't go down with the sinking ship that is AMAT Athletics. I'd jump ship too if I was an athlete there. Welcome to the La Verne Lutheran Family Jordan Salley!!!!!!

Looks like religious affiliation means nothing and success means everything. Is this kid Catholic or Lutheran? This is ridiculous.

Good news wrestling fan, Steve Ramirez is covering it

I know this is not on subject.

There is a good dual match at Bishop Amat this evening 6pm. Come see your Div. 5 CIF champs wrestle against Charter Oak. Come support!

Unfortunately, the only real surprise is that Jordan stuck around to start his sophomore year, given the one-time out that CIF allows after the freshman year. We thought he might be a Tartan (they live in Glendora) but I truly believe that the family believes in private education. Now that La Verne Lu is making a play in their division in basketball and the City of La Verne has approved that huge building initiative (although that could take years) the school becomes a more viable option.

Not that anything that the family member told Fred is untrue, but if the basketball experience was more rewarding, I think that they would have stuck it out. However, the boy's basketball situation is FAR worse than the football situation will ever be and further emphasizes that *coaching matters*. Look what has happened in Girls' Soccer. As stated, athletes don't just show up on your doorstep anymore - we need something exemplary to offer them. The coaching replacement for the previous very successful coach has not met the standards set before him either. The proof is in the numbers and is tough to argue. Hopefully that upgrade is on it's way too.

I do not know what his parents told you Fred I was sitting behind them at a home game for Amat and they said "thats it! we have had enuf of this!". Their blow loss to Bishop Montgomery was the final straw. Amat is losing players due to not getting the players it used to, and having the success they have had in the past...Key word Past. It seemd like Amat is just going by reputation now and not winning programs. The girls basketball team are now taking a turn for the worse and intrest in playing there will go down once they start to become a losing team. Amat, in all sports, not just football are not getting the kids that have athletic talent to enroll there anymore. Winning breeds intrest to come play for a winner, Losing breeds defection or no intrest at all. The ones that have come to Amat to play have come on the schools history of winning only to find out it is not there anymore so they seek greener pastures. That in a nut shell is going on at Amat right now. The baseball team also will not go back to back and will not win it this year. They too will start to hit a low. The hiring of a new Football coach better be at the highest level because if they decide to go cheap once again , look for all athletic programs at Amat to become just normal.....the supremecy is over in sports but it is still a fine school for education I must admit.

In this particular case with Salley, he left because of family reasons, not anything that had to do with the program. I know this because I spoke to a member of his family, and though our conversation will remain private, I have good reason to believe he was being up front and telling the truth. As far as all the defections at Amat, I hear so much speculation but it wouldn't be fair to comment at this point. Maybe I have to talk with the Monsignor and listen to what he has to say about the state of Amat before I can share my opinions.

Another AMAT defector.
What's going on over there Fred? Is it Monsingor? Is it the Athletic Director? Why don't any athletes want to stay ay AMAT anymore?

Please let us know your opinion Fred.