If the coaches are at the bar…who is in charge?

Defensive Zone · Post by **Defensive Zone** » Tue Mar 01, 2011 10:28 am

The reason I am starting this thread is just the other day I heard a story of a coaching staff which had a team in the Girls High School Hockey Tournament leave their team unsupervised while they went to the bar. I do not know all the details, but I do know that parents of the players had to get involved.
I would be naive to think this has never happened before, but I cannot help to think with the liability issues that are present at this day and age; this would not be a very smart move by any coach to leave a team unattended at a high school event. My guess, this happens more often then we think.
Set aside any safety issues that could arise, there are a few more thoughts that should be discussed.

James B Mcbain · Post by **James B Mcbain** » Tue Mar 01, 2011 3:30 pm

I guess I'm not seeing the problem?

allhoc11 · Post by **allhoc11** » Tue Mar 01, 2011 4:21 pm

There was a coach who got in some trouble for this last year, and it was part of the reason he was let go in the middle of the year. The hard part is there would have to be a lot more info to this story. Depending what hotel they stayed at, most the restaurants in the area are bars, so was the coach having a meal, were parents with the staff, was the whole staff there, or just part of the staff. It's a tricky situation, but I'm not sure a public forum where you can hide behind a moniker is the best place to sling accusations. If you are truly concerned for the well being of a student athlete, I would say you should go through the proper channels.

inthestands · Post by **inthestands** » Wed Mar 02, 2011 9:27 am

This is a confusing thread.

High school hockey coach goes to have a drink.

Leaves their team unattended, as opposed to staying in their room and having no idea what the players are doing.

Parents had to get involved?

I don't know details but........

While it may not be the best idea, at some point in time don't we as parents have to be responsible for teaching our kids good decision making behavior?

Often times these issues arise from a "hockey parent" having a problem with the coach for one reason or another. Usually stemming from a playing time issue, or line up disagreement.

Very unfortunate message board topics....

brookyone · Post by **brookyone** » Wed Mar 02, 2011 6:47 pm

If the coaches are at the bar…who is in charge?

I was gonna say the bartender.

ghshockeyfan · Post by **ghshockeyfan** » Wed Mar 02, 2011 9:26 pm

I don't think the coaches should be at the bar at any time they are in a coaching capacity. That would, in my mind, include the entire tourney if staying with team in hotel. Same would be true for a road trip, etc.

hockeya1a · Post by **hockeya1a** » Wed Mar 02, 2011 9:51 pm

ghshockeyfan wrote:I don't think the coaches should be at the bar at any time they are in a coaching capacity. That would, in my mind, include the entire tourney if staying with team in hotel. Same would be true for a road trip, etc.

Here is what I heard from one of the parents that was there.
the coaches coached a game, they all (the parents coaches and players went back to motel and ate) there were about several parent chaperones whose way was paid to watch the girls for the weekend and they said other parents were there too.
The coaches went out away from the motel to have a couple of drinks.
The girls were never alone according to this parent. the general feeling I got from this parent was A parent did not care for this coach and made a big deal of it. the parent that I spoke with really thought it was was blown way out of proportion and unfair. they have all moved on!

Defensive Zone · Post by **Defensive Zone** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 11:44 am

James B Mcbain wrote:I guess I'm not seeing the problem?

Sorry James, I should have explained myself further. I understood that the head coach went home after a game for the day/night; the assistant coaches went to the bar and left two parents to supervise the team. My point is that the coaches are employees of the school district, not the parents. The coaching staff is under contract and should be under the same rules as any teacher. Your thoughts?

allhoc11 · Post by **allhoc11** » Thu Mar 03, 2011 1:49 pm

[quote="
Sorry James, I should have explained myself further. I understood that the head coach went home after a game for the day/night; the assistant coaches went to the bar and left two parents to supervise the team. My point is that the coaches are employees of the school district, not the parents. The coaching staff is under contract and should be under the same rules as any teacher. Your thoughts?[/quote]

I would be interested to see how many districts have policies for overnight trips with students. I'm sure they have them, but as someone who coached HS sports for many years(15+), I've never seen one. I have my own personal beliefs that I don't have a drink when in the presence, or possible presence of any of my athletes (including out at a restaurant in the community I work in). I personally feel that if I'm asking them to make the commitment to stay away from drugs and alcohol that I can lead by example. That doesn't mean my belief is correct, and I'm sure each coach has a bit of a different take on how they handle this. I will say that every time that I'm at a team event (overnight, parent/kid gathering) I'm offered a drink, or a chance to go out and have a drink with parents, and I get some weird looks when I decline. Drinking seems to be a part of our culture, and is a big part of a lot of hockey trips (for parents). If you don't believe me hang out in a hotel full of hockey parents during a tournament.

EHSHack · Post by **EHSHack** » Fri Mar 04, 2011 12:24 pm

hockeya1a wrote:
ghshockeyfan wrote:I don't think the coaches should be at the bar at any time they are in a coaching capacity. That would, in my mind, include the entire tourney if staying with team in hotel. Same would be true for a road trip, etc.
Here is what I heard from one of the parents that was there.
the coaches coached a game, they all (the parents coaches and players went back to motel and ate) there were about several parent chaperones whose way was paid to watch the girls for the weekend and they said other parents were there too.
The coaches went out away from the motel to have a couple of drinks.
The girls were never alone according to this parent. the general feeling I got from this parent was A parent did not care for this coach and made a big deal of it. the parent that I spoke with really thought it was was blown way out of proportion and unfair. they have all moved on!

Why in the world would they chaperones? They are high school kids, not mini-mites....

SuperStar · Post by **SuperStar** » Fri Mar 04, 2011 12:46 pm

I agree. I can't believe this topic has gone on this far. SO lame

State Champ 97 · Post by **State Champ 97** » Fri Mar 04, 2011 2:35 pm

Something that all of us parents, coaches, teachers, chaperones or anything else should keep in mind;

The most dangerous way to start a sentence is "I heard..."

Dirty Coaches · Post by **Dirty Coaches** » Wed Apr 06, 2011 12:08 pm

ghshockeyfan wrote:I don't think the coaches should be at the bar at any time they are in a coaching capacity. That would, in my mind, include the entire tourney if staying with team in hotel. Same would be true for a road trip, etc.

This is a very valid point. So many bad things could come from this. Let's not forget what happened not too long ago when a coach from the South metro had some drinks and used his position of authority over some girls hockey players. I don't want my daughters around coaches like this - shame on them!