Evan Burgos of the Phila. Inquirer reports that Eric Futch's status for next week is "uncertain"? Are you kidding me?
He tried to get in the shade of the officials tent while meet management kept him out on the field in the hot sun waiting for an award?
If they don't allow him to compete next week, I'll hire the lawyer!!!
In my experience as a starter in the Del Val League, Eric has always been a gentleman. He was recenlty selected as a scholar/athlete in Delaware County.
P.S. Penn Wood ran 3:17 without him!
He's not listed on the performance list that is already online. What the hell happened?
Wow. This would be a shame for both the athlete, his team, and the fans who really wanted to see whether he would improve on last year's races.
That's just selfish of the officials to keep someone out like that. At the District 3 Championships there was a designated area for medalists to stay under the shade until the ceremony happened.
Eric had already run 8 races with two more to go. The officials and awards staff were holding medalists in the infield and in the sun for about 20-25min till they would finally announce results, and would not let them jog around for a cooldown around the infield or get underneath the tent that was sitting right next to the medal stands. Eric was tired after 8 races, and coach jordan told him to stay out of the sun, as any other smart coach would advise their athletes. I wont mention her name, but Ms "DOWN ON THE INFIELD!", barked at him to get out from the tent. The officials, especially Harry Lewis, acted as if they didnt know who Futch was. I ask them, did u watch any of the meet? The kid ran 8 races already and broke two meet records. How do you not know who he is? That's not the point I'm trying to make, but its the arrogance of these meet officials who think its all about them. They pushed and pushed and pushed Futch to the point where he was going to fire back, and then when he does, it's his fault for being disrespectful? As stated, he was tired, and didn't need to be talked to like some 5 year old after running like a MAN all weekend long. The officials obviously knew who he was and were trying to flex their muscle over a tired and vulnerable kid. Shame on them.
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IceMan21
Anyone in track and field knows you do not stay out in the sun any longer than necessary especially during a two day competition. I was at the event on Saturday and there wasn't any cloud cover. I also noticed the tent area was as always a little small. I didn't see the actual conflict, but I know I would not be all too happy to stand around with a two day racing schedule with multiple trials, semi and finals. Lets look at the big picture and move on to next week.
I'm also a little bummed about Pennridges Girls 4x800. Can someone tell me what the problem was. I missed the trials on Friday.
What a sad story.There are many great officals in District 1 but there are many who are often guided by their ego and the arrogance and in a few cases by their stupidity. Yes, it is very difficult to run a meet the magnitude of our D1 championship;however, some officials don't have a clue what it means to say " we are here for the kids" It will be very important that the new meet director advocates for the athlete.
Were the officials at the district 1 meet some of the same ones at the Henderson invitational? I know they weren't the friendliest......
The PIAA Meet seedings have been posted and it looks as if Eric Futch has been denied entry into the meet based on Article XIII, Section 8a of the PIAA Constitution and By-Laws.
An appeal of the disqualification based on misapplication of the rule needs to be submitted to the Executive Director of the PIAA. The rule applies to "Any Coach and/or contestant while Coaching or competing for a PIAA member school..."
At the point of the "infraction", Futch was not competing; the 200m had concluded and the 4x400m was not yet being contested.
Futch's behavior on the infield was unaccepatable. He took responsibility for his actions by apologizing to the meet director. He was held accountable by being disqualified from the 4x400m. Disqualification from the next contest is not warranted based on the wording of Article XIII, Section 8a. If the appeal is denied by the PIAA, then the Court of Common Pleas would be the next stop. Right or wrong, everyone is entitled to due process.
This is a tough one. Maybe they should simply have another tent to give cover for the athletes. Perhaps some nicer people working as officials too. However, he had a little blow up about the tent after the 300 hurdles and then he got into it again after the 200. Why did he try to get under the tent again? There were over a hundred athletes in the same boat, many running multiple races too, what made him think he would be an exception? It’s not easy to get ejected from a track meet. It must have been really out of hand since the police had to be involved.
In 1994, Media attorney Leo A. Hackett represented a Delaware County sprinter who finished 2nd in the 100m at the D1 meet but was DQ'd . He was able to obtain a temporary injunction allowing the sprinter to compete at the PIAA meet.
I have been to a lot of meets and worked my fair share and I have noticed one alarming thing. It is always the same officials and the big meets. The starters are great. They give the kids the benefit of the doubt and do a great job and the clerks are really on top of things. BUT the meet officials are getting older and more cranky by the day. There was a mix-up in the AAA boys LJ. When they read off the names/distances for the finals they skipped the #1 and #7 kid originally until one of the athletes spoke up. This is the D1 finals and there is more and more incompetence happening because those that are running the show are getting older and more prone to mistakes and attitudes. On that note - anyone know how I could go about becoming an official? PIAA.org??
futch is one the top runner in pa beside maybe magaha but he has been respectful enough they know how hard he works and what he could be doing beside sumthing positive so he should have a little more lead way in meet and they take him out the biggest meet of his high school carrer because he wouldnt move from a tent thats not fair what about the other kids that want the competition like ronnie gillespie in the 200 he wont get his rematch and bensalem 4x4 they wont get thiers also ryan hynes this is totaly unfair i think people will refuse to run unless futch does ino i will
Sounds like a bit of a prima donna
I agree that Harry Lewis is very respected and would never DQ an athlete just because he gave him a little lip. And I have heard also that the DQ was warranted, but to dump him from States seems a bit excessive.
In terms of teams/athletes not getting rematches. Gillespie is the reigning 200 champ so his defense is that much easier, the 300 HH is wide open now and in terms of the 4x400 - 3:17 w/o Futch is moving, but everyone is looking up at Swenson's 3:16. I see Bensalem finishing 3rd in the 4x400 (at best)
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patrackfan12 we will see about that first off swenson went 3:16 with only one day of work bensaelm and pennridge and pennwood went 3:17 when they had wayy more events and they had trial and finals for stiles holley and elijah and brad they had to run close to their pr just to make it out of trial so dnt compare a 3 16 to a 3 17 after about 4 hard races
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elijah48 - I hear you about the comparisons (let us not also forget about Wilson out of D3) but that is what makes track GREAT - it will all play out this up coming weekend. Good luck to all!!! On a side note - anyone think that Magaha can break Vandegrift's 4:03?
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dnantz78
Prima Donna indeed. Eric is obviously watching far too much profession sports. His behavior is typical of the egotistical and obnoxious Alan Iverson-esque athletes in today’s society. This attitude is prevalent in far too many people with an over inflated ego of themselves. It’s good he learns his lesson now before he gets out into the “real world”. Rules apply to everyone, even the so called “superstars”. IMO, his apology was too little too late and self-serving at best. I hope the PIAA has a spine and doesn’t cave.
The question now is whether Article XIII, Section 8a "Disqualification From Next Contest(s)" has been misapplied. If an appeal is submitted to the Executive Director, he will make that determination.
Futch and other athletes will learn two important lessons:
1) Unaccepatable behavior and trying to resolve problems by acting in an inappropriate manner will carry undesirable consequences.
2) There is an acceptable process by which we can settle disputes.
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borntoyog do u kno him ....... did ever talk to him ?, do u kno him? far from a prima donna he wors pretty hard dnt tlk if u dnt even kno what happened all i give him that he did wrong was at the wrong place at the wrong time
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adamz
He/Futch is entered in the 400ih for the Jr. Nationals in Bloomington,Indiana at Indiana U. the weekend of June 15-17,which serves as the qualifier for the World Jrs in Barcelona,Spain.
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j119rinker. So what if he makes it to the World Whatever in Spain. His behavior at districts was reprehensible, as a result, he's not making the state championships in Pennsylvania. It's a tough lesson with harsh consequences but it's one of those life lessons...the same rules apply to everyone, no matter who you are or who you think you are. Track programs turn out a few superstars now and then but they turn out way more upstanding citizens who benefited from the team experiences. I give him credit that he manned up and apologized for an overreaction. He's an awesome talent and a fine young man with a great future. We all get humbled from time to time, hopefully he learns/grows from it. I applaud the PIAA for enforcing the rules of conduct.
patrackfan12I have been to a lot of meets and worked my fair share and I have noticed one alarming thing. It is always the same officials and the big meets. The starters are great. They give the kids the benefit of the doubt and do a great job and the clerks are really on top of things. BUT the meet officials are getting older and more cranky by the day. There was a mix-up in the AAA boys LJ. When they read off the names/distances for the finals they skipped the #1 and #7 kid originally until one of the athletes spoke up. This is the D1 finals and there is more and more incompetence happening because those that are running the show are getting older and more prone to mistakes and attitudes. On that note - anyone know how I could go about becoming an official? PIAA.org??
@patrackfan12
It does seem that some of the officials out there are barely able to physically perform their duties. Some of them move so slowly, that I worry when runners are coming up the track, and some official is slowly crossing the track for some purpose. At some of the meets one official rides one of those geriatric electric chairs to get around. Seems like there must be a generation of men in their 40's or 50's that are not interested in being officials, so it is left up to those in their 70's and older.
The problem is that the officials generally come from the ranks of coaches and the lifespan of a dedicated track coach is quite long. By the time most of us retire to the officiating ranks, some of the physical ability is definitely diminished. Any younger people out there with the desire to become an official, check out the PIAA website. After observing Eric Futch over the years and officiating several meets he has been in, I find it difficult to believe that he was the only one at fault in this exchange. Unfortunately, he is the only one punished. Just saying...
Coach Bill
Out of curiosity, what would have happened if he left the medal area early and went back to his team tent? Could he have just picked up the medal after he was done racing?
More PIAA gestapo bullsh*t.
The PIAA officials are not the "bad guys". Futch acted inapproriately and was disciplined. Due to his actions, he was denied the opportunity to run on Penn Wood's 4x400m relay. He was in the wrong and admitted it.
The issue now is whether Article XIII, Section 8 "Disqualification From Next Contest" is being invoked improperly. The rule may not apply to Futch who was technically a non-competitor at the time of the alleged infraction. According to the PIAA Constitution, the Executive Director must decide if the rule was misapplied. If the Executive Director decides that the rule was applied correctly, then it is up to a Judge to decide. As in many administrative and legal proceedings, this is no longer about personalities and actions; it is about due process and the rule of law.
I disagree. We're talking about a high school kid who is, by definition, immature and prone to getting emotional. The officials are supposed to be the adults and the ones who don't let their egos and emotions dictate the outcome of the situation. Recognizing who the competitor was, and how much he had to lose, the official should have (a) gotten his coach involved, or (b) told him to walk away before he ended up getting thrown out of the meet and disqualified from the PIAA championships. I have seen many PIAA officials who seem to care more about exerting their authority than they do about the competitiors. I've seen officials at dual meets who seem more focused on making sure no one is cheering on the backstretch ("Pacing") than about anything else going on around them. I have seen officials disqualify relay teams at invitationals because the lengths of their shorts do not match. The officials need to understand that they are their to ensure a fair competition, not to influence its outcome.
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Clyde10
You may be right, however, this issue is now out of the hands of Futch and the D1 officials. It should have never gotten to this point but it did. It is in the hands of the Executive Director of the PIAA. The outcome will be based on his interpretation of Article XIII, Section 8a. Beyond that, the courts would be the final arbiter.
i find it real funny how even a convicted felon even gets a appeal for harsh crimes like murder and or rape,and here this kid Eric Futch didn't throw a punch,didn't kick or spit on anyone,his only crime was wanting to stay cool in the shade where the ignorant judges where cooling themselves.i thought the PIAA HAD A BOARD THAT HANDLE APPEALS,how is it possible that one person can make this decision without talkn it over with board members let alone talkn to Eric to hear his side.SOUNDS REAL FISHY TO ME AND ALOT OF OTHERS!!!!!! Those that know Eric knows his character. According to Sundays Daily Time the chairman of District 1 stated he would be a advocate in Eric appeal case but he did a about face and wrote up a bogus COMPLAINT to the PIAA Chairman who seems to have taken his side without any investigation.It would be a nice show of solidarity if all track participants who know and ran with and or against Eric BOYCOTTED the States if he isn't allowed to run.Both Chairmans of DISTRICT 1 and the PIAA need to explain their reasoning for this injustice. The kid already ran and set meet records at this meet and now he can't defend those titles @ the states because he refused to remove hisself from under a freakn tent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AT time of his ejection (bein escorted of field by police like he stole a bunch of medals) he wasn't even competing in any events so why not let him run?
I've been to this meet many times and for the most part the officials act like bullies. They will aggravate (make an athlete stand in the sun waiting for awards) and not be the least bit sorry for their actions. Then when an athlete or coach acts out over an officials bad behavior they are right there to punish. The officials put this athlete in a bad situation. This boy had every right to be upset for having to stand around in the sun. Did anyone say,"I'm sorry for keeping you in the sun"? Or how about,"Son I know you want to get out of the sun. I'll get you on your way ASAP." Knowing the M.O. of most of these guys I doubt he was treated courteously. I'm guessing it went something like this: kid stands under tent and official barks at kid. Kid gets attitude after getting yelled at. Later, other kids are under "officials" tent. Kid is annoyed and ask,"what's up with that?" Official says"that's it you're outta here" Both H.Lewis and C.Lewis have been around a long time. They would not be happy at all about their athlete being force to stand around in the sun on a hot day if they were this kid's coach. Eric Futch was not looking to cause trouble. The D1 officials despite their many years of experience could not see that the awards ceremony was putting athletes in a very bad situation. The D1 response: You don't like it... TOUGH! You(athlete) think I(official) am a jerk...TOO BAD! You got something to say about it... BYE BYE!
pa.milesplit.com/articles/86562-delco-daily-times-....
The first story really makes the officials look awful. I hope the PIAA reviews this in the spirit of mercy, figure that the conduct Futch is 'accused' of was away from the track and not deserving of the next-meet rule, and chalk it up to heat and poor logistical conditions, and people being people. I appreciate the article-first person reporting and Don's post--gutsy. I hope the officials' community doesn't interpret this as a bashing of all meet officials!!
FYI Christine Dixon-Anderson and Charles Lewis are not PIAA Track and Field Officials
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annabw
I did not refer to the meet officials' origin, referring to the story-if the story is wrong then I stand corrected. Obviously this particular meet is run by D1 officials (and there are PIAA observers typically at these meets) and the PIAA has final say so that's why that institution was mentioned. From all the posts I've read it's in the hands of the PIAA at this point.
Is he allowed to appeal? On one of the stories they said he is not allowed to appeal. If you ask me this is completely bogus and unfair on Eric's part.
This is a bad look for the PIAA...This is some Bull at the end of the day...Some of you guys are talking about this kid like he put his hands on somebody...The kid did the right thing by walking away coaches tell there kids to do that all the time i know i do...I know if it was one of you guys kids you would be fighting for them!!!!...Well i would hope you would
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dewey1320
Yes, but again, we've sen it at our meets and invitationals, Dewey: coaches/officials can be morons. It should be about the kids but all too often it isn't.
One of the things that is missing in the opinions that I am reading is that there was an eyewitness behind the scenes and that witness happened to be a reporter and what he details is what amounts to a conspiracy to take Futch out of the equation. Regardless of what Futch is suppose to have done that does not excuse the alleged plot to get rid of him. Now lets look at the reporter. He gives quotes from all parties involved and from what I am reading this really stinks if what he wrote is true. What he details is officials planing how to expel him and that is very disturbing if true. Now this reporter should be given great weight for three reasons. 1. He was there. 2. He is putting his reputation on the line as a reporter. 3. He is putting himself in legal jeopardy if he made this up. The 3rd point is why this case should be adjudicated quickly because if I was the one he was quoting and I did not say what he wrote; I would be suing him and the paper for liable. I personally cannot see a reporter risking his career and his financial well being for a high school athlete. Just on fairness because of this reporter Futch should be immediately reinstated and allowed to compete because the reasons why he was DQ is now tainted. I think this part of the story should really be looked into and if it turns out to be true. None of the offending parties should ever be in a position of power over athletes ever again including coaching athletes.
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dnantz78 the problem is....in a perfect world yes but the fact is....The Same Rules DO NOT APPLY....I have been around the PA T&F scene for some time now as an athlete, coach and offical. I have witnessed first hand how coaches and officials talk to althletes. I have seen switches in seeding for better lanes and DARE I SAY IT...violation calls on teams that weren't called on another team that did the same thing. I have also seen Penn Wood track team be the target of many injutices. What is said by the officals or other coaches? I didnt see the other team. I was at this track meet on Saturday. I too can attest to how poorly it was run, how hot the condotions where, how agitated people were getting, adults and athletes alike. In over hearing Mr. Lewis speak about this incicent; it seemed to me that he was more annoyed that Eric didnt know who he was as the meet director. Eric simply walked passed him to get a drink of water after falling his coaches instrutcions to stay hydrated and out of the sun. Calling secruity to escort him off was over the top. And for it to be said that they did not know who he was was A LIE....everyone knows how ERIC FUTCH is. Do I agree with his reaction to the situation No...however this is a prime case of a athlete holding in and holding back and then the straw hit the camels back and he exploded. He did apologize for his reaction and that is important.
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borntoyog..I respect that this is your opinion. I just wanted to give my opinion as a person who actually KNOWS Eric Futch. Prima Donna if far from his personality. I would even say that he lack confience in his abilty at times. Seeing him interact with other athlete on his team as well as from other teams Eric offers help and pointer where he feels they could benefit. Eric also accepts direction from others without have a chip on his shoulder. Again I say this because I know him. This is not the first that i have heard this comment and is not the last I am sure. I will coninue to defend him on this issue. Thank You for letting me share.
Did you notice how PennTrack changed the header to the Delco Times story from "The Real Story...." to "One of the Stories..."? Did someone get a threatening phone call from the PIAA, perhaps?
When will a responsible adult, who is not protecting his/her ego, get involved and put an end to this ridiculous situation? Let him run.
@ darthjedi
Your post is exactly stating in different words what I said above once I read the stories from this morning. I was not placing myself or my opinion into the mix except to ask the PIAA to get this looked at quickly if this first-person account of the directors' conversations have any merit.
i think all the negative ppl on this post who don't know Mr. Futch need to get to know him before u pass judgement,how controversial is todays article in the Daily Times looking for the so called heads of the PIAA AND ANY OTHER IGNORANT PERSON WHO HAD ANY DEALING IN THE SITUATION? As the saying goes watch who u speak around because u never know who is listen and taken notes. I commend the reporter for coming out with this article because it shows true character of what really goes on and what is being said behind so called closed doors.How many other incidents like this have taken place but know one eva came forward.I truly doubt that this report would jeopardize his career printing this article if it wasn't true. Its a shame we still live in a society in which some people think that because they have a lil authority that they can stretch the truth. PIAA SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF ITSELF!!!!!!!! And u suppose to be for the student athlete.
sverige55@ darthjedi
Your post is exactly stating in different words what I said above once I read the stories from this morning. I was not placing myself or my opinion into the mix except to ask the PIAA to get this looked at quickly if this first-person account of the directors' conversations have any merit.
@sverige55 Sorry for not crediting you first; I did not read your comments but I am glad to see someone else looking at this part of the story.
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trackstarz85
In his article, "Futch Incident was Case of Official Misconduct," Anthony J. SanFilippo shares what he claims to have overheard in the press box regarding officials' comments tied to the subsequent suspension of Penn Wood track and field athlete Eric Futch from this week's State Championship Meet.
My name is Bill Lott. I am the head coach for West Chester Henderson girls' cross country and track and field teams. I am also the announcer at the District One Track and Field Championships and, as such, sat in the same press box as Mr. SanFilippo. Having read Mr. SanFilippo's article, I would like to hear his tape of the conversation (no sarcasm intended) about which he reports took place among Harry Lewis, Ron Lopresti, and Christine Dixon-Anderson because, as one who sat in that press box, the bullet-points that Mr. SanFilippo outlines under "And here's what you were never supposed to know:" are laced with embellishments, misconstructions, and/or fallacies.
Reporters are people, too, and sometimes can be as much a part of the "he said, she said" conundrum to which Mr. SanFilippo initially refers.
(I have put my name out there; should anyone choose to reply to my post, I respectfully request/suggest you do the same, rather than hide behind a user name that cannot be traced.)
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run4ever
Bill, my name is Rich Nicklas. We have been friends and colleagues for many years. I have a lot of respect for you; much more than I have for some journalist who I have never met. Could you be more specific about the "embellishments, misconstructions, and/or fallacies"?
After reading SanFilippo’s article I am now convinced that there was a second official on the grassy knoll who had it in for Futch.
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MDunbar64
I know who you mean. What is his title at the D1 Meet? At-large Grand Poohbah???
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run4ever
Bill, I would also like to hear what you have to say, if you feel it is appropriate to put it out there. I also have tremendous respect for you and your opinions.
However, I just can't see how only Eric was at fault. I have witnessed officials losing their cool through my years covering the state meet and this is not surprising as we are all human and prone to these slips of professional decorum from time to time.
Respect is earned though, not just expected. I have been treated poorly at these meets as well, as though I am getting in the way. But that isn't what matters. All I care about is getting that interview so that athlete can show their children someday that they were a state titlist, and their child can see how proud they were then and how positive an event it was in their lives. I wish I had this amount of coverage when I was an athlete, would be cool to show my kids now.
After all, we are all there for the kids.
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AaronRich
Your point is well made.
Coaches, officials, and administrators need to realize that if it were not for the athletes, we wouldn't be here; all of our efforts should be for them.
We are supposed to be educators but the lesson coming out of this affair is an embarrassment and a blemish on HS track in Pennsylvania.
Penn Wood's Splits
Merriwheather 49.9
Hunter 48.7
Richardson 51.0
Stiles 47.7
I can't help but think that there may have been some who thought that Penn Woods 4x400 would be dead without Futch. He his a superb athlete but the times show that he is surrounded by other great talents on his team. In a pinch they Stepped up BIG TIME. Penn Wood is truly a force to be reckoned with....hmmmmm that may be the problem
Big brother has censored some of what I've read in the past 20 minutes already, but that points to something larger... I hope. We are all passionate about this sport, otherwise we wouldn't be reading these posts or feeling the way we do right now, hours away from 2012 states. Whether you're a coach, official, spectator, or athlete - I can only hope we all want the same thing. Participation in good spirit & competition.
Was an error egregious enough on athlete? Was error flagrant on official's part?
There are always things we can improve on... I hope the powers that be take a real hard look at themselves, the facts (or supposition) out there, and let the kids do what they do best: jfr.
I can't believe how much negative attention this story is getting.
Let's just take a second and think about this logically. These officials are people, yes they are capable of making mistakes but they are out there volunteering there own time to help this sport. How many people here can say they have taken time to volunteer as a official to help a track meet, (before anyone turns that on me I can say that I just volunteered at a league championship in my own free time). They do not have vendettas against athletes.
Should the meet have had a seperate tent for athletes? Maybe they should have. They possibly should have adjusted the awards ceremonies if they had a computer glitch that delayed the presentations.
That being said as a athlete the individual should have known better then to aruge with the official. He shouldn't have tried to sit under a tent he knew he wasn't supposed to be under. Would he have wanted to sit down out of the sun yes but rules are rules. How many athletes were on the infield? How many wound up in a arguement with the official? But he still could have been fine had he elected to end it at that. He had zero reason to go and mouth off to the official after the second race. If he was upset about something then this is the time to use his supposed advice from his coach to walk away from a situation. Walk away and tell his coach if he really had to get it off his chest and let the adult handle it.
By putting himself in that situation he broke the rules which are now being enforced. A unfortunate situation yes but one that was enforced by the meet director and it was the correct course of action.
Bill,
I am going to address the situation in general as opposed to your specific comment about the overheard conversation ( so, I don't think I am hiding behind a screen name)I respect you as a coach and we have had many conversations that has led me to believe that not only can you bring along 4 x 800's;you are a logical,honest,compassionate person. I have watched you clerk in hundreds of indoor events and you don't lose your cool;you are always there for the athlete.But like you,I have been around D1 for many years and like you have served on the track and cross-country steering committees.
Sadly, the incident should never have happened; our athletes were not taken care of properly this weekend: the disqualification in the 4x800 and the consequent change of interpretation (Pennridge,you can"t blacken out the logo.....then later teams were allowed to use that technique to be legal)was one incident. The entire awards debacle never accounted for sun,heat and multiple events....... the steering committee, the meet director, and the officials in the awards tent "ALL" need to accept some amount of responsibility for not being proactive. And finally, you and I both know there are a few
individuals whose ego and often arrogance prevent them from doing what is best in a given situation. I suppose even if the reporter embellished his story there are enough apparent"wrongs" with last weekend to merit much conversation. And do I understand correctly that a new meet director was appointed (as opposed to being voted in by the steering committee)? What a shame for a district that has so many great officials,coaches and athletes.
Even the 'official' PIAA ruling makes no sense. It reads like Futch was kicked out for wearing a sweatshirt and because he didn't acknowledge the almighty meet directors presence.
Officials could literally kick out dozens and dozens of competing athletes for these same violations at ever high school track and field invitational I've attended.
They knew who Futch was (sweatshirt or no sweatshirt) and kicked him out to prove how important they were.
We need more meet directors and officials who are out there for the kids...to ensure fair and legal competition...not to lord over a bunch of 16 year olds and show everybody how big and important they are.
rnicklas@
AaronRich
Your point is well made.
Coaches, officials, and administrators need to realize that if it were not for the athletes, we wouldn't be here; all of our efforts should be for them.
We are supposed to be educators but the lesson coming out of this affair is an embarrassment and a blemish on HS track in Pennsylvania.
@rnicklas I was a victim of some unfair officiating back in 1990 indoor MOC. I overheard some officials saying they wanted me tired out from the long jump so I would not be a threat in the 60 and what's ironic is that Pennwood was at the center. Only in this incident the officials wanted to help Pennwood. After taking my first jump I wanted to pass or resume until I finished the 60. I was told that I could not pass my jumps to concentrate on the 60 and come back which is not in any rule. I was shutdown when I wanted to respectfully challenge their assertion. That cost me in the 60. When I was interviewed by an Inquire reporter after the meet I told him what I heard but he cut out that part of the interview. That behavior handicapped to 60 finals and what real athlete wants to win against a weakened competitor.
I do not think all Coaches, officials, and administrators or a majority for that matter have an hidden agenda but the overall atmosphere of track and field in this state is not "athlete first" This is evident by some of the comments post here from a variety of people. It took me to compete in other countries to see how bad we treat our athletes here. I hope many of our elite athletes get a chance to compete overseas so they have something to compare.
There where two meets I can point to in the past 25 years in the US (I know there are many more) that were completely athlete centric and could be a model on how to run a meet. The first was the 1989 TAC National at the U of Texas Arlington. At this meet they kept all waiting athletes in an air conditioned waiting area and escorted the athletes out to their event just before they had to compete. All long running events ran at night with misting fans at each turn. Officials treated each athlete regardless of talent like rock stars. We were all treated better than the concierges treated us at the 5 star hotel where we were staying. The meet director had a story board for the meet and on that story board they mapped out every event and executed each scene on the story board as if it were a movie production and at the center of each cell on the board was the athlete. The second meet I really remember was the Region 2 USATF Championship meet sponsored by the USATF Three Rivers association. The meet director also competed in Europe around the same time I did and wanted to bring some of what she liked here. She (I really wish I could remember her name so she is properly credited) had a basket system for the athletes so every athlete could keep their gear on until they had to run. There were basket runners that took the athletes baskets to the finish line so they did not have to go find their gear. Example:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7M13p99OFnM . This is standard practice in most meets of any size in Europe. If there was a problem she wanted resolved quickly and gave the benefit of the doubt to the athlete and went out of her way to make sure an athlete was not DQed if she could help it. What I really found interesting is that she waived any challenging fee that is required if a coach wanted to challenge a decision. This lady had to run a 3 day meet with more competitors than D1 AA and AAA combined and kept her cool in the face of challenging circumstances.
What I really can't understand is why PA cannot be the leader in the US on how to run meets since we are one of the biggest power houses when it comes to turning out elite track athletes on both the men and women's side.
The one thing I hope comes out of what happened to Futch (first and foremost; he gets to compete) is that Athletes and their coaches get a seat at the table of any discussion on how meets should be run and some sort of Bill of Right for the athlete. Until athletes demand this we may see more incidents like this in the future.
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darthjedi
In 1989, officials at the Indoor State Meet barred an entire team from competing at Indoor States the following year due to the behavior of one of that team's coaches.
With another appeal today at 11am, I would be shocked if they upheld the suspension. THe PIAA and the D1 officials are getting killed over this, even on national sites, and they probably don't want this dragged out any further.
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rnicklas What team was that? The 89-90 season was the first and last time I competed indoor in high school because I was a senior so I am not familiar with the 88-89 season.
adamzteh national pub is making piaa ansy, but i can't see them redoing the heats
BUT i smaell a compromise coming, they may well let futch run the 4X4
who knows exactly what happened
but it's RADNOR v PENN WOOD and i smell a rich rat here who wants to put a KID in HIS PLACE
read between the LINES HERE, moeny verus a kid without money, who was tooo uppity
@adamz The principal at Radnor was my high school track coach and knows what happened to me (from my previous post) when I was a victim. I sent him an email yesterday pointing to the Daily-times article. I also copied the district superintendent. He got right back to me and said he would be looking into it with his AD. I don't know what will happen but I felt that if I could help in any way I needed to do something. One thing I will tell you is that Radnor's principle is one of the most honorable people I have ever known and owe him a lot. When he was my coach he went out of his way to help me especially in my only indoor season as we did not have an official team and I was the only athlete. So from what I know of him, money/class/economic status play no part in his involvement and if he is involved in anyway he will be fair.
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rnicklas That is interesting because Coach Bantum was my club coach. Talk about an advocate for athletes; before he pasted away in 91 he was all about athletes no matter what team they were on. I could just imagine what he would do if he were still here with us.
Now, that he is in does the last entry get cut?
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adamz
The individual races in which Futch competes at Shippensburg will be reseeded.
Indoor States is not conducted by the PIAA.
Tip of the hat to the PIAA for stepping up and doing the right thing.
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righturn
No one gets cut; all the athletes who qualified for the State Meet and did not scratch after their district meet will compete.
Worth recognizing again is the fact that the Penn Wood 4x400 ran a 2012 team PR of 3:17.76 without him. Talk about picking up your teammate. Very impressive. Stuff like that is what makes sports so rewarding.
Did I see E. Futch wearing "Superman" socks with an "S" and an actual cape danggling from the back of his gastroc prior to the 300 m hurdles or was I just imaginging that? That must have been a figment of my imagination because he is so not cocky.
It looked like someome from the sidelines advised him to duck inside a phone booth to tuck his "cape" into his socks and turn back into Clark Kent. Looks like he started copping an attitude with them (coach, offical???.
Very classy, very classy...