West Geauga coach suspended for Groupme message.

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Carol Danvers

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New West Geauga AD and Superintendent Richard Markwardt suspend coach for telling his players on GroupMe "it's time for a playoff football and he won't stand for anymore parent's or players antics. No more crybabies or quitters. You're either riding with me or go kick rocks". I've been told 2 players have actually cried on the sidelines during games and quit due to playing time, so I don't see a problem with the verbiage. Even so, I've heard far worse from coaches. Coach Sopkovich is a good dude and a man who loves God and football. I know Kirtland and Chardon coaches have nothing but nice things to say about him.

I guess the issue is the guy made a TIKTOK video professing his faith and the problem with schools teaching multiple genders in school. He took down the video. The school treasurer (Karen Penlar, married to a wife) never talked to Coach for 3 an a half years, but has taken exception with his stance and is making this guys life very difficult since the video came out. She wants him out. Throw in a couple parents who say Junior is not getting enough playing time and the Superintendent caved.

Lesson learned. Don't mess with lesbians, stay off social media and the squeaky wheel gets the grease.. My friend's kid is transferring next year. I really feel bad for this coach. What a mess....
 
 
Buckeye Elite said:
Those parents are soft
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Soft is a Kind word. People in general need to know that there’s social media and cameras Everywhere. Shut up , stay off social media and don’t be somewhere on camera where you shouldn’t be. Political correctness will get you Fired by the Spineless. Good luck to All the people out there. ?
 
Carol Danvers said:
New West Geauga AD and Superintendent Richard Markwardt suspend coach for telling his players on GroupMe "it's time for a playoff football and he won't stand for anymore parent's or players antics. No more crybabies or quitters. You're either riding with me or go kick rocks". I've been told 2 players have actually cried on the sidelines during games and quit due to playing time, so I don't see a problem with the verbiage. Even so, I've heard far worse from coaches. Coach Sopkovich is a good dude and a man who loves God and football. I know Kirtland and Chardon coaches have nothing but nice things to say about him.

I guess the issue is the guy made a TIKTOK video professing his faith and the problem with schools teaching multiple genders in school. He took down the video. The school treasurer (Karen Penlar, married to a wife) never talked to Coach for 3 an a half years, but has taken exception with his stance and is making this guys life very difficult since the video came out. She wants him out. Throw in a couple parents who say Junior is not getting enough playing time and the Superintendent caved.

Lesson learned. Don't mess with lesbians, stay off social media and the squeaky wheel gets the grease.. My friend's kid is transferring next year. I really feel bad for this coach. What a mess....
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You don't have to be part of the LGBTQ+ community to be an advocate for Transgender youth. In our household, both our bosses from different employers have transgender children. I wouldn't wish their medical, emotional, and day-to-day journey today on anyone, both children and parents. Know before you speak. Especially on social media.
 
I honestly don't think anything he said to his team on group me should be enough to get him in trouble. It sounds like he was sending a message about knowing your role and embracing it and mental toughness. Unfortunately in our society today the rule is "say it forget it, write it regret it". It is a sad statement about our times. Give it 10 years and we are going to have a country of insecure young adults who's feelings get hurt if anyone tells them a hard truth about anything.
 
Jaws31 said:
Sending group messages is how a lot of coaches communicate with their teams. Groupme is not social media.
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Then that's the problem. Saying in a group message "film after practice tomorrow" is one thing. Telling your team that it's playoff time, playing time complaints won't be tolerated and if you don't like it you can go kick rocks in a group message is a passive aggressive tactic and is always best handled in person.

In real life I would equate that to firing someone or asking for a divorce from your wife via text. Informative matters, sure. Personal matters, absolutely not.
 
wls_color said:
Firstly, why say that in a group message? Tell your team that before practice on Monday, in person. Especially if you're going to end it with "go kick rocks."

I've said it before; the educational field, including coaching, is getting harder and harder to be a part of.
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Teaching/coaching is very similar to being a police officer nowadays. Thankless job, that the general public believes is there to cater to their every whim. While they are both careers that are meant to serve the public, many have taken that idea and really ran with it. Our education system has been on the decline for a while now, but the engine is picking up steam.

Job Responsibilities and Duties:
- make sure they wear their mask
- cater to each individual student/parent/family
- don’t set all-encompassing rules, someone will be offended
- coaching wise, make sure every kid plays the same amount, even if it’s a safety liability
- if a student/player wants anything, get it for them, this is a customer service position btw
- if a student/player is on the phone, wait patiently for them to finish what they’re doing, taking their phone or asking them to put it down may be a trigger
- coaching wise, be prepared to be an intervention specialist also, we don’t have the money to hire one for athletics, so that is also your job
- if we get any sort of parent complaint, know that there will be a full and thorough investigation and that we will likely side with the student/parent/family
- if a player or student makes a mistake, DO NOT YELL, could be a trigger. Instead, call a meeting with the parents/guardians and discuss what the student/player could do differently (not “better”, don’t say “better” that could shame a student/player in front of peers)


That is just a few sarcastic comments but they are very true nowadays if you’re in/around the educational field at all.
 
GridironGod said:
I honestly don't think anything he said to his team on group me should be enough to get him in trouble. It sounds like he was sending a message about knowing your role and embracing it and mental toughness. Unfortunately in our society today the rule is "say it forget it, write it regret it". It is a sad statement about our times. Give it 10 years and we are going to have a country of insecure young adults who's feelings get hurt if anyone tells them a hard truth about anything.
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We already live in said country.
 
GridironGod said:
I honestly don't think anything he said to his team on group me should be enough to get him in trouble. It sounds like he was sending a message about knowing your role and embracing it and mental toughness. Unfortunately in our society today the rule is "say it forget it, write it regret it". It is a sad statement about our times. Give it 10 years and we are going to have a country of insecure young adults who's feelings get hurt if anyone tells them a hard truth about anything.
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Sorry GridGod, we’re already there, no need to wait 10 years.

I’ve mentioned this book before on other threads, but if you get a chance, read “The Coddling of the American Mind”.

Here is a link to the article that spurned the book: https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theatlantic.com/amp/article/399356/

The book is excellent and has been amazingly accurate in its predictions.
 
Anybody over 22 should not be posting on Tik Tok. 1st of all it is run by the Chinese which means the Chinese Government has a hand in it so why would any intelligent person be ok with that? Second as mentioned above an employee in a public school is basically in a political position so it needs to be treated like one, that means very neutral communications because you don't who will gain access to any correspondence or speech. This covers off the clock behavior too. Is it right? Probably not what it should be but then again it is the current rules and well known so if you like public school salary and benefits it is something that needs to be taken into consideration.
 
Auggie said:
Anybody over 22 should not be posting on Tik Tok. 1st of all it is run by the Chinese which means the Chinese Government has a hand in it so why would any intelligent person be ok with that? Second as mentioned above an employee in a public school is basically in a political position so it needs to be treated like one, that means very neutral communications because you don't who will gain access to any correspondence or speech. This covers off the clock behavior too. Is it right? Probably not what it should be but then again it is the current rules and well known so if you like public school salary and benefits it is something that needs to be taken into consideration.
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This ^

It's already been proven the CCP runs TikTok and yet here we are still allowing this propaganda platform to exist in this country. If you have any intelligence you will rid yourself of this garbage immediately.
 
Hazardous Whippet said:
This ^

It's already been proven the CCP runs TikTok and yet here we are still allowing this propaganda platform to exist in this country. If you have any intelligence you will rid yourself of this garbage immediately.
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I agree with you, however, is it because it’s Chinese operated or because it’s actually detrimental to society? Because Facebook, Snapchat and others are in the same boat, just not operated by the CCP (we think).
 
thisisinsane said:
Sorry GridGod, we’re already there, no need to wait 10 years.

I’ve mentioned this book before on other threads, but if you get a chance, read “The Coddling of the American Mind”.

Here is a link to the article that spurned the book: https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theatlantic.com/amp/article/399356/

The book is excellent and has been amazingly accurate in its predictions.
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Have not read it yet. But ribbons for participation. Because little Joey might develop a complex if he can't win or get an A. Well this little Joey back in maybe about 94' got a ribbon for participation. Lost in the first round, battled back took 4th. Not only did I throw the ribbon out I threw the medal out too. I just don't get it. But its the world we unfortunately live in now
 
wls_color said:
Then that's the problem. Saying in a group message "film after practice tomorrow" is one thing. Telling your team that it's playoff time, playing time complaints won't be tolerated and if you don't like it you can go kick rocks in a group message is a passive aggressive tactic and is always best handled in person.

In real life I would equate that to firing someone or asking for a divorce from your wife via text. Informative matters, sure. Personal matters, absolutely not.
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Probably put it in writing so that the parents who are complaining can see it. Not saying it's right but that's my guess as to why he did it.
 
joeyb77 said:
Have not read it yet. But ribbons for participation. Because little Joey might develop a complex if he can't win or get an A. Well this little Joey back in maybe about 94' got a ribbon for participation. Lost in the first round, battled back took 4th. Not only did I throw the ribbon out I threw the medal out too. I just don't get it. But its the world we unfortunately live in now
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For sure. Everybody wins didn’t end up making everybody “winners”.
 
thisisinsane said:
I agree with you, however, is it because it’s Chinese operated or because it’s actually detrimental to society? Because Facebook, Snapchat and others are in the same boat, just not operated by the CCP (we think).
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The difference is US social media companies are driven by profit and will adhere to rules to protect its business interest, Tik Tok appears to have more nefarious interests... There are servers in China that probably have all this content neatly tucked away for future use. 20 years from now some rising business leader that has a particular proprietary technology that China wants can send them a copy of a silly post from their youth and use it to their advantage.
 
The best part of all of this is that if you do not win as a coach there will be people calling for you to be fired. So the message is be nice and play everyone and don't be tough on anyone, and don't push athletes to meet their full potential if it hurts their feelings. Also, win the league, win the region, win the state championship or we will fire you. You want to talk about an impossible and thankless job. It is getting harder to find head coaches and the head coaches that are often have a very difficult time finding good assistant coaches. I realize coaching is service but for the roughly $.10 an hour these individuals make who would want the job.

For those who pointed out we are already at a point of spoiled kids who cannot cope with the real world I believe you are right. Unfortunately, my 10 years from now comment was way off.

People always wonder why the MAC schools win championship after championship. I don't think it is a secret, I have heard over and over that the parents in those communities don't play these games. They are onboard with the coaches and guess what, their children will be more successful and better off for it!
 
Jaws31 said:
Probably put it in writing so that the parents who are complaining can see it. Not saying it's right but that's my guess as to why he did it.
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I guess I don’t necessarily agree with those that think he shouldn’t have put it in writing. I understand that hat you’re saying, but the man didn’t say anything wrong or that merits discipline. Parents want these teachers and coaches raising their kids for them (not all), but only as each parent sees fit. More and more parents want to be the “foreman” while the carpenters (teachers) and electricians (coaches) do the work.
 
GridironGod said:
The best part of all of this is that if you do not win as a coach there will be people calling for you to be fired. So the message is be nice and play everyone and don't be tough on anyone, and don't push athletes to meet their full potential if it hurts their feelings. Also, win the league, win the region, win the state championship or we will fire you. You want to talk about an impossible and thankless job. It is getting harder to find head coaches and the head coaches that are often have a very difficult time finding good assistant coaches. I realize coaching is service but for the roughly $.10 an hour these individuals make who would want the job.

For those who pointed out we are already at a point of spoiled kids who cannot cope with the real world I believe you are right. Unfortunately, my 10 years from now comment was way off.

People always wonder why the MAC schools win championship after championship. I don't think it is a secret, I have heard over and over that the parents in those communities don't play these games. They are onboard with the coaches and guess what, their children will be more successful and better off for it!
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Hard working, religious(so no one is offended lol) communities. It's a culture. You work hard and good things will come. If you fail(lose), you get back up and work harder. It's the backbone of this country. That backbone is sadly becoming a jellyfish.
 
Auggie said:
The difference is US social media companies are driven by profit and will adhere to rules to protect its business interest, Tik Tok appears to have more nefarious interests... There are servers in China that probably have all this content neatly tucked away for future use. 20 years from now some rising business leader that has a particular proprietary technology that China wants can send them a copy of a silly post from their youth and use it to their advantage.
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Don't act like our social media companies don't have nefarious interests. Wasn't that literally the entire point of the 60 Minutes with the Facebook Whistleblower? Wasn't she testifying before Congress yesterday to discuss how Facebook was breaking rules? Didn't Facebook shut down all it's platforms on Monday and lock out its own employees so that they could scrub any and all incriminating evidence from its servers so that if any subpoena or warrant comes from this Congressional hearing, they can deny any wrongdoing, cooperate fully, and have plausible deniability because they didn't tamper with evidence after such a subpoena? Hasn't Zuckerberg been called to testify numerous times in front of Congress for its nefarious interests?

Group me is owned by Microsoft, who has had its own issues with breaking rules and having nefarious interests. Tech companies are all about collecting as much data as humanly possible from us, and we allow all of it. Don't think for a second that all of this data couldn't be mined/hacked/stolen by someone to be used against the American people. It already happens to individuals regularly. All of these companies have nefarious interests, and it is all about money!
 
I don't think he's being punished as much for that message as he is for his perceived poor judgment and stances some in the administration find objectionable.

Remember the good old days when a coach could only yell at his players in practice?
 
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