Dad sues after son kicked off track team

[HanSenSE]

And, yes, dad claims kid may lose chance at scholarship.

http://articles.philly.com/2013-05-28/news/39559504_1_son-catholic-school-track

 

[Shoeless Joe]

"Participation in extracurricular activities is a right," Mears said.

No it's not. **** off.

The whole story is a little light on details, but if the kid is good he isn't getting kicked off the team for missing practice because of a funeral or for being injured. He, along with his dad, was probably told to take a hike because he came in as a freshman proclaiming he knew more than the coach.

 

[Here me roar]

Lost exposure? There are AAU track teams everywhere. Plenty of exposure to be had.

 

[Alma]

"Participation in extracurricular activities is a right," Mears said.

No it's not. **** off.

But the education is. Or at least I presume it is in the state's constitution.

Which brings up the question: Why is math class one thing and the track team philosophically something different? They're both paid for by taxpayers.

Imagine, for a second, that a person is entitled to Social Security, but not the "Elderly Enrichment Program" because the program would surely be less fun if every last elderly person was allowed to be in. So there was a tryout program to determine the most interesting elderly folks who get to be in.

Your mom didn't make the cut. But your taxes are paying for the program. Are you cool with that?

 

[Shoeless Joe]

The key term marking the difference between math class and activities is "extra" curricular. I'd call having the opportunity to participate a right. That doesn't guarantee you will get to. You have to earn that privilege.

 

[User 11148]

Why is math class one thing and the track team philosophically something different?

How is it that you missed that "extra" part in "extracurricular"?

 

[Alma]

Why is math class one thing and the track team philosophically something different?

How is it that you missed that "extra" part in "extracurricular"?

Meh. "Extra" is just some word. It's a dodge, really. Taxpayers still pay for it and the bonus salaries teachers get for coaching it.

 

[Alma]

The key term marking the difference between math class and activities is "extra" curricular. I'd call having the opportunity to participate a right. That doesn't guarantee you will get to. You have to earn that privilege.

Other than the word "extra" what's the fundamental difference between math class and track team? You have testimony after testimony across America as to the learning value of sports.

 

[User 11148]

Other than the word "extra" what's the fundamental difference between math class and track team? You have testimony after testimony across America as to the learning value of sports.

You're being silly.

 

[HC]

The key term marking the difference between math class and activities is "extra" curricular. I'd call having the opportunity to participate a right. That doesn't guarantee you will get to. You have to earn that privilege.

Other than the word "extra" what's the fundamental difference between math class and track team? You have testimony after testimony across America as to the learning value of sports.

Don't students have gym class as an equivalent to math class?

 

[Bob Cook]

The key term marking the difference between math class and activities is "extra" curricular. I'd call having the opportunity to participate a right. That doesn't guarantee you will get to. You have to earn that privilege.

Other than the word "extra" what's the fundamental difference between math class and track team? You have testimony after testimony across America as to the learning value of sports.

Don't students have gym class as an equivalent to math class?

Illinois is the only state that required PE all through high school. So in most cases, no.

Also, I know of few schools where anyone is cut from track or cross country. A rare case is my old high school, which I'm told has cuts because 150 kids go out for cross country.

In this case, it sounds like the dad is a major asshole. And as others have already said here, if the concern is a scholarship, there are plenty of venues where he can run and get attention. It's not as if a college coach is going to say, "He's fast, but, sheesh, he's not running for his school team." Although after seeing this dad, I wouldn't blame some college coaches for passing. I feel sorry for the kid.

 

[dieditor]

I loved the line about what the dad was seeking in damages. Those varsity letters mean a lot when you have to sue to get them, huh? Oh, and $40 million on top of that.

 

[Brian]

If this kid wins the lawsuit, he will be soakin' it up in a hot tub with his soul mate.

 

[Tarheel316]

Why is math class one thing and the track team philosophically something different?

How is it that you missed that "extra" part in "extracurricular"?

Meh. "Extra" is just some word. It's a dodge, really. Taxpayers still pay for it and the bonus salaries teachers get for coaching it.

Are you saying that everyone should make the team?

 

[hondo]

Why is math class one thing and the track team philosophically something different?

How is it that you missed that "extra" part in "extracurricular"?

Meh. "Extra" is just some word. It's a dodge, really. Taxpayers still pay for it and the bonus salaries teachers get for coaching it.

Are you saying that everyone should make the team?

Yes. And everyone should get a trophy. And a scholarship.

 

[MTM]

Why is math class one thing and the track team philosophically something different?

How is it that you missed that "extra" part in "extracurricular"?

Meh. "Extra" is just some word. It's a dodge, really. Taxpayers still pay for it and the bonus salaries teachers get for coaching it.

I don't know about other states, but in California taxpayers contribute little to athletic programs. Other than upkeep for the fields and the small coaching stipends, athletic programs raise their own money, even to reimburse the school district for busing.

 

[MCbamr]

Why is there not a word in this about the younger son who got kicked off the JV team? They work just as hard!

 

[Mark2010]

Hate to see stuff like this.

But, the more I think about it, if it's a public school, how can you legally not offer equal access to everyone? How can you say to one person "you can't play" if you allow others to play? If you have to have 8 different sub-varsity basketball teams to accomodate everyone, so be it. Equal access under the law. This seems ripe for a court decision.

 

[MTM]

Hate to see stuff like this.

But, the more I think about it, if it's a public school, how can you legally not offer equal access to everyone? How can you say to one person "you can't play" if you allow others to play? If you have to have 8 different sub-varsity basketball teams to accomodate everyone, so be it. Equal access under the law. This seems ripe for a court decision.

So are you saying their should be four separate casts of "Grease" because that many girls want to play Sandy?

And there should be three bands to accommodate everyone who wants to be drum major?

Everyone is guaranteed equal access to classroom education, but everything else is a bonus.

 

[LongTimeListener]

Hate to see stuff like this.

But, the more I think about it, if it's a public school, how can you legally not offer equal access to everyone? How can you say to one person "you can't play" if you allow others to play? If you have to have 8 different sub-varsity basketball teams to accomodate everyone, so be it. Equal access under the law. This seems ripe for a court decision.

He was not disallowed from being on the team. He was kicked off the team for what sounds like disciplinary reasons and habitually not coming to practice.