An apology from an EP fan

[hockeyrube]

offsides,

I take exception to my new label "basher". I have always prided myself on contributing honest, and heartfelt opinions to this forum. Just because I think that O/E is out of control, doesn't mean I am bashing anyone. It is simply one persons opinion. I respect all other opinions on this board, and would expect the same in return. The imminent change in the O/E rules will help to limit the vast swings in talent from one neighboring school to the other. Then all of you pro O/E'rs can be the complainers !!

Rube

[pondhockey]

Not to sure about the comment on the fan base.... I work at an arena with four varsity programs. Two girls and two boys, a public and a private. From what I see there is little in the way of fan support. Mostly parents and a few students. Fact is that in todays world, we have too busy of lives to go to all events the school offers. Both schools are small, and on any given night may have hockey, basketball, wrestling, dance, gymnastics, swimming, skiing, debate, band or any other school function. AHA also has the distance factor to deal with, they always have. On top of that kids have homework and jobs. When the playoffs start the kids come out. I wish we had more fans from both schools, it makes the game a lot more fun.
A few years ago, Richfield student section would be nearly packed and they were loud and obnoxious, the way student sections should be. Now they show up and sit on their hands.

So true about our students/parents with other student obligations being too busy to make games. At our home games we have good attendance, not great. It does depend on who we are playing.
Another reason as an example: Last year we played an out of town game somewhere in the middle of the state (no point in saying where) and the student fans were packed in not only on their side but on our side as well. They were having fun yelling and supporting their team. The problem was with a few of them yelling very inappropriate things at our lady players; in other words calling them "women with low moral standards" etc. Our A.D. attends almost all games and supervises our fans and if they get a little over excited he has them leave. Hence, our fan base isn't what it could be because of it being too strict. "Sitting on their hands" is a good way to put it Zamman.

I also want to beat the dead horse here with the obvious on the original subject here - these are just kids playing a game. I don't think they play because the uniforms are cute, lol; most play because they love the game and the social aspect of it. A couple will go on to play college hockey and correct me if I'm wrong (I'm sure you will!) that there isn't a WNHL out there so all that will be basically left after that is possibly coaching and some alumni games. My point is let's not let our adult ego's get the best of us. And trust me, I've been guilty of that as well. My players ARE the best in the state!

[offsides]

hockeyrube,

Sorry for offending you with the bash comment, however, I will stand by the point I was trying to make.

This morning, Jethrotull wrote an inflammatory post. You were the first to respond to that post and said "sadly I am not surprised at all". You made a clear assumption that Jethrotull was providing accurate info and you jumped all over it.

It's clear you are passionate in your beliefs about OE. I don't have a problem with that. I do have a problem about taking unverified accusations and stating that you are not surprised that they happened. EP has recieved many, many negative comments over the past few years. Being called unsportsmanlike and, in essence, cheap, has not been one of them.

[ilblade06]

this entire topic was immature.

[Bensonmum]

hotdog wrote

.... Lakeville is in huge trouble for next year with a 10% budget shortfall and there will be cutting in every aspect of the word! EP has large schools and smaller expenses because of it. I'm not sure if it was to build large programs and win state championships, but I could be wrong. Lakeville opening a new high school isn't the sole reason for their budget shortfall, but has anyone been to the new high school? It's very nice!

My business side says... EP Administration has saved tax payers a lot of money. I'm not an advocate of living in the Burbs; I prefer the confines of my small lot in the inner city. A larger school save money on overhead, but gives less opportunity for sports. We live in a Jesse Ventura world that wants their cake and whatever else they can get for free. Just a thought...

I'm all for fiscal responsibility to the taxpayers. I didn't realize that EP maintaining a campus for 3200 students was a money-saver, but I guess that makes sense. A smaller percentage of the kids get to participate in extra-curriculars, so per capita the residents are paying for less. But when I think of the average kid attending a monstrosity like that, with almost no chance of playing varsity sports or getting a part in the school play or joining student govt, etc, it makes me think 'Yuk', no thanks. I wouldn't want my kids there--they'll be thought of as a 'number' soon enough when they go away to college.
I've only seen EP play once--also the Stillwater game at Wakota. They seemed perfectly well behaved, as did Stillwater. Two areas of their game that really impressed me: their forecheck was the most aggressive I've ever seen at the HS level, and they have some snipers that can really bring it.

[Strategic Aims]

No one liked Roseville in the day they were dominant, So St Paul like wise, now EP, I hope some day my daughter plays in a dominant program with good coaching and fine community support.

[puckfan11]

I thought I would add a brief comment to this topic. My daughter's team played EP last night and I didn't see anything but fair play. We came from the southeast side of St Paul and likely EP wouldn't see us again, so they could have beat up on us if they were that kind of team. EP is a great skating team that comes at you hard and makes you work for any opportunity you may get. Our team has a losing record so we are not considered a formidable opponent, however any physical play was pretty much equal by both teams. I didn't see any deliberate shots at our players and would love the opportunity to play them again, as our players had to work their tails off. You have to play the best in order to someday be the best.

[Slapshotdude]

Eden Prairie's fan attendance at most of their sporting events is very good. Football, Basketball, Volleyball and Boys Hockey all draw excellent crowds. The girl’s hockey team has the lowest attendance of them all. This is odd because they have had great success in years past including this year. I personally do not go to see them because I only know a few of the players and parents. OE has put a lot of unknown players on the team and this could be the reason they are drawing small crowds. Sorry I do not buy into the "to much success equals less interest" argument. Fans either go to see a good game, go to see friends or go for school spirit. The school spirit gets tarnished when the players are not from the town. Also if there are no friends on the team, many will skip it. So that leaves the parents and a few fans that just want to see a good game of hockey.

[gopher9]

Eden Prairie's fan attendance at most of their sporting events is very good. Football, Basketball, Volleyball and Boys Hockey all draw excellent crowds. The girl’s hockey team has the lowest attendance of them all. This is odd because they have had great success in years past including this year. I personally do not go to see them because I only know a few of the players and parents. OE has put a lot of unknown players on the team and this could be the reason they are drawing small crowds. Sorry I do not buy into the "to much success equals less interest" argument. Fans either go to see a good game, go to see friends or go for school spirit. The school spirit gets tarnished when the players are not from the town. Also if there are no friends on the team, many will skip it. So that leaves the parents and a few fans that just want to see a good game of hockey.

I dont buy a word that you said! Im not sure if you are from E.P. or not but what about the football team. They are not all homegrown!! And they Pack the stands. Girls hockey just does not draw that many fans regaurdless of what school you attend!!

[Slapshotdude]

Maybe it's because we shop at different stores. I'll bet Gopher9 only goes to watch his/her kid or friends like most do. If not, that's his/her business. I stand by what I said.

[hotdog]

[quote="Slapshotdude"]Maybe it's because we shop at different stores. I'll bet Gopher9 only goes to watch his/her kid or friends like most do. If not, that's his/her business. I stand by what I said.[/quote]


Immature topic, end it please!

[gopher9]

AMEN!

[Slapshotdude]

I guess the truth hurts. Throwing out "immature" comments only proves my point. You see we are talking about public schools, not privates. Private's run their affairs as a business. They are in it to make money and give a high level of education, and for most, a Christian education. Publics are run completely different, as we all know. They have to "by law" give an equal opportunity to all students, including transfers. I believe many out there that are frustrated with OE have an agenda, as they know someone who has been push out of sports by OE's. On the other side, reading this forum has led me to believe that many of you "including Gopher9" are the parents of transfer students and will go to great lengths to justify their reasons for OE'ing their children. EP has very successful history in competition. Kids have grown up there and been able to represent their town with pride. The last few years they have been delt a hand that is causing a lot of outcry in the community. The only ones out there that are defending the OE's seem to be ones that are the OE's. I read somewhere on this forum that only 10% (or less) of the student body in any given public school plays sports. The other 90% percent of the population are the ones that need to be convinced this is a good deal for them. Seeing small crowds at games could tell you that they are not happy with the way things are going. Just the fact that this is such a "Big Deal" on this forum of predominantly OE backers is turning out to be really bad press for the issue. By the way “Amen” is a way of confirming your beliefs in God. Using it in way to slam others is offensive and immature.

[hockeygod]

I support OE, My kids go to a private school, But the bottom line is that as long as we are a free country no one has the right to tell anyone where they can work and I feel that right should be extended to kids to....for whatever reason they want to transfer.

[titleist]

My question to all of you is this, are you sending your kid to a different school for athletics because, 1) only players on winning teams get scouted, or 2) championships are the most important thing in a high school athletic career?

If you answered yes to either one of these, you've completely missed the boat, and are living your dream through your child.

If you want to send your kid to private school, so be it, hopefully it is because you want the added religious segment to the lower teacher to kid ratios. But to transfer from public school to public school for athletics, tells me it really isn't for the kid, it's for the parent.

[Slapshotdude]

I support OE, My kids go to a private school, But the bottom line is that as long as we are a free country no one has the right to tell anyone where they can work and I feel that right should be extended to kids to....for whatever reason they want to transfer.

Most would completely agree with the quote above as I do, but there are rules that need to be followed to make sure nobody is negatively impacted by the actions of others. Having rules restricting OE eligibilty is not going to far. Right now you are allowed only 1 transfer without consequence. The MHSL does not evenly divide the talented teams in section playoffs for a reason and they should not allow one public school to load up with OE's to be successful.

[hockeyrube]

slapshotdude and titleist,

very, very well said. Finally, I feel like a few of us are "getting it"

[gopher9]

slapshotdude and titleist,

very, very well said. Finally, I feel like a few of us are "getting it"

WOW! You guys must live in a perfect world!

[Slapshotdude]

WOW! You guys must live in a perfect world![/quote]

Pretty tough to get closer to it with cynics around. Get it?

[gopher9]

WOW! You guys must live in a perfect world!

Pretty tough to get closer to it with cynics around. Get it?[/quote]


One who believes that only selfishness motivates human actions. Ha Ha

Funny!

[Slapshotdude]

Well........ that's not a correct definition of cynic, close but you left out a few things out. Try looking it up in "Adult" version of websters.

[hockeygod]

If I work for 3M am I working for an all star team? rather than working a 4 person company? They don't give trophy's out in the work place for being with the best team so they give money instead. The girls should have the same rights as me to go wherever they want to, it should be up to the individual coaches to make sure it's fair. There should be severe punishment to the coaches for recruiting but who's so important that they can decide whats best for the kids in the comuniity. OE should be a decision between parents, kids, and the schools involved.

[Slapshotdude]

I would like to personally challenge Gopher9 to actually discuss his/her points of view on the subject of OE's instead of listening to his/her short little pointless comments.

[hockeyrube]

hockeygod,

With all due respect, I believe you are oversimplifying the issue.

You cannot reasonably compare an adult who works for a corporation "at will", with some kids playing HS sports. It's a stretch at best.

The girls do have rights - the right to a free education thanks to the taxpayers. They have the right to school choice (O/E), thanks to the MN legislature. They also have the right to play HS sports. Just because some think that O/E has gone too far, and is being exploited for purely athletic reasons, and needs to have a few minor restrictions placed on it, does not mean the girls will lose their rights and freedoms.

As for coaches being caught and punished for recruiting..... look at the MSHSL rules on recruiting and then tell me that you could possible prove a coach was guilty of recruiting - it is virtually impossible.

[xk1]

What if we said a coach was guilty of recruiting if more than 1 transfer showed up on a squad? (needs more work, just go with the concept here)