HighSchoolHockeyForums.com

JJ, I agree with your assessment of A14.

FWIW - I was the "Site Coordinator" and basically in charge of the JV "Tournament" in question. This being the case, I may have a unique perspective on all of this.

#1 - Typically JV doesn't get an anthem (although being as patriotic as I am I think they should). They may not have known what to do if they weren't anticipating it. Not a good excuse, but something that should be considered.

#2 - Related to #1 above - It may not have been communicated beforehand that there would be an Anthem.

#3 - I saw this happen. I assumed #1 & #2 were the issues. Not a blatant disrespect or intentional desire to be anti-American.


I'm about as patriotic as they come. I've never served our country as Veterans have, but I owe all my freedoms to those that have served and many have died or given other great sacrifices so we have these freedoms. I speak to my team about the significance of the name of our arena (Veterans Memorial Community Center), and also have detailed info. about my expectations when we show respect for the Anthem and how we conduct ourselves during this period of time. I'm so overcontrolling and concerned about this that I personally have my players hold the line until I verbally release them each game! We actually take time to practice this at the beginning of each season, and also have very specific expectations of our players.

Many teams leave the line before the Anthem is done, among many other things, that would get players a seat next to me or in the stands if they did them on my team.

This "expectation" is in my team guidelines that all players must sign before the season:

 Show respect for your country when the national anthem is being played. Many people died so that we have the luxury of playing this great game on the free soil of the United States of America. (This should be ever more relevant in the wake of national tragedies in recent years)

This all being said, I understand the context of what transpired the other day for Holy Angels JV team. I always try to judge people on their intent, and not always the possible perception of that intent, and in this case I don't believe that Holy Angels or their JV team in any way, shape, or form meant to disrespect our country or the Veterans that fought/gave their lives so that we can all be free. I do believe that this won't happen again however.

ghshockeyfan probably had the healthiest response to the issue and if all teams took the thoughtful approach to the national anthem there would never be an issue. Maybe I was too quick to jump to conclusions but as a vet it rubbed me the wrong way.

anderc14 wrote:ghshockeyfan probably had the healthiest response to the issue and if all teams took the thoughtful approach to the national anthem there would never be an issue. Maybe I was too quick to jump to conclusions but as a vet it rubbed me the wrong way.

FWIW - I probably could have done a better job (being in charge of the event) of ensuring that it was communicated that an Anthem was going to be played. I actually requested this (an Anthem) of our announcers as I think it's the right thing to do at any event for all the reasons we've just discussed (again, an unusual request for a JV game, but this was my preference based on what I think is patriotic and fitting).

Also - I should add that when I was watching what transpired I actually got upset at first too as my immediate reaction was the same as anderc14's. Although, I did think a bit about this now and I understand what likely happened in the proper context - A communication error (mine as much as anyone's) & kids that didn't know any better in an unusual situation.

I also know the Holy Angels coaches & players pretty well - JV & V - as I've coached with them during the off-season, and I know that they wouldn't have intentionally ever condoned nor promoted what happened as coaches.

And, lastly (and I'm not proud of this fact by the way), as a 22 year old head V coach a number of years ago, I watched in horror at my first game I ever coached as my team didn't know what to do for the anthem. We spent so much time coaching a first year team built from scratch about the game that we forgot a critical item in preparing for that first game - proper conduct during the Anthem. Having had this experience, I too learned the hard way and vowed to never have such a disgrace ever happen again on my watch.

In general, I think this (Anthem preparation) can be a learning experience in that you can use it to explain to the kids how fortunate they are and give a lesson on the meaning behind the Anthem & those Veterans that fought/died for our country. I talk about this every year as many young players need this lesson I believe (as did I as a youth).

ghs, I'm continually impressed by your reasoning and the thoughtful approach you bring to this board and to the girls' high school game in general. As they say, "you are a credit to your profession" and I wish you the best.

MNHockeyFan wrote:ghs, I'm continually impressed by your reasoning and the thoughtful approach you bring to this board and to the girls' high school game in general. As they say, "you are a credit to your profession" and I wish you the best.

THANKS!