“I never cursed in front of kids, I never threatened a referee. It’s unbelievable how someone who feels threatened by you because we’re in the same business, (basketball training) can create lies and it be released in the news…How can you have violated league rules and never received a technical foul?? How can you be suspended by the league, when the board is full of family and friends of the opposing coaches?? Not one of my parents complained, every complaint was from the board or a parent from the opposing team. What a joke the wcyl is, it’s sad because this lack of professionalism and lack of basic basketball knowledge is seting our youth up for failure. they’re kids depending on adults to teach them the correct way, the same as a first or second grade teacher. Because the leaders of the league, Carlos Ayon, and Tom Fraijo played middle school basketball. they have the responsibility of setting the foundation for the city of WC?? Ignorance is Bliss!” — A comment from Jelani Gardner in the comment thread of this story, which is our number one read topic today, check it out.
You remember Jelani Gardner don’t you? Bishop Amat and St. John Bosco phenom. Star at Cal Berkeley. He’s also a resident of West Covina coaching 7 & 8 year olds in the West Covina Youth Basketball League.This is an interesting read, apparently Gardner has been suspended for one year for allegedly using profanity and arguing with referee’s, yet he’s never even received a technical in a game and denies the use of profanity. Is this parents over-reacting to an isolated incident?
Is this one or two parents of kids who probably aren’t playing much making a bigger issue than this needs to be? Or is Gardner truly too much for 7 and 8 year olds? Gardner complains in the story about the league’s rule of not allowing players to double team a star player, saying the league is teaching them the wrong way to play basketball, which I completely agree with. Who makes rules like that and for what reason? In any case, read the comments portion of the story, makes me believe this is another case of one or two trouble-making parents over-reacting more than a coach who is over-bearing. What I also found interesting was listening to our reporter who covered the recent board meeting related to Gardner. She said it was so passionate and loud it was frightening. Maybe the parents can set a better example by discussing instead of shouting because I’ll tell you what, I’ve been to plenty of youth and high school games, and the people in the stands or sidelines are usually far worse than the coaches they complain about. Your thoughts?
