I wonder how the case is going with the two football coaches here in Lebo. I looked up the dockets and their summary trials have been continued. The next scheduled date is February 8, 2012. I am willing to bet they get off too. Here in Mt. Lebanon, we tend to look the other way if it pertains to sports. We just go after little old ladies from Pasadena.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45231508
ReplyDelete"Ed Dept. investigating Penn State . . . "
Bill Hook
That's fine, but it's too little too late. It seems this problem is rampant across the country. Remember, the victims are usually lack the age and authority of the offenders.
ReplyDeleteAccording to a recent (Nov. 8) article in the Chicago Tribune:
"Why is it that we can't stop this kind of crime? We are not working hard enough or smart enough to stop it before it happens with screening and background checks and, of course, working quickly after a conviction to make sure an offender can never coach again.
The National Alliance for Youth Sports urges its members to conduct standard background checks on all potential coaches and volunteers. However, it is not mandatory. In a video on its website, John Engh, chief operating officer, states that one false accusation of abuse can lead to "bad publicity," then mentions that "statistically speaking, most accusations from minors are true."
A background check, however, can only call up an accusation that has been entered the legal system. Most victims stay silent for fear of stigma, ostracism, blame or disbelief, according to the authors of the 2008 book "Preventing Child Sexual Abuse: Evidence, Policy and Practice." In their research, co-authors Stephen Smallbone, William Marshall and Richard Wortley state: "We simply do not know how many people may commit one or two child sexual abuse offenses, never get caught and never repeat it, although presumably this happens."
Carole Brown
In today's PG:
ReplyDeleteAcademic focus
In the light and shadows of the recent shameful Penn State scandal and other recent college scandals, perhaps it is time for all universities and colleges to focus on education and not on sports, recruitment, bowl games and the like.
Support the wonderful academic programs that the universities have to offer and make sports the recreation that they should be.
GINNY O'LEARY
Hampton
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/s_763137.html
ReplyDeleteDave Franklin
Congratulations to Mr. Hagy! Great athlete, seems to be an outstanding student and citizen and sincerely hope he continues to excel as his career advances.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry though Mr. Franklin, I seem to be missing your point! JoePa and Penn State has certainly produced it share of great citizens and outstanding athletes. Are you condoning child abuse or that adults should have unfettered access to children if their intentions "appear" to be honorable?
Certainly hope you're not making that argument.
I might just as easily make this argument...
"Unlimited power is apt to corrupt the minds of those who possess it" -- William Pitt (British Prime Minister from 1766 to 1778)
Giffen Good
Penn State has a wart in football and so does Mount Lebanon.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/s
Santoni
“Two Mt. Lebanon youth football coaches have resigned over an incident . . . Dalesandro said. "They didn't handle things well."
Good link, Mr. Franklin
Bill Hook
While I don't like to engage in debates with people who won't sign their name, I will simply note that the purpose of the link was to underscore the point Elaine made in her post. Specifically, that the emphasis should be on academics first. I thought it was appropriate to point out that the individual who just might be the best all around athlete to graduate from Lebo in the last quarter century (perhaps longer) selected a path based on academics instead of athletics. A path that does not come with an athletic scholarship like he would have received had he chosen Pitt. No doubt a difficult decision for a young man (and his family) in this day and age. Everyone in this community should be extremely proud of Luke.
ReplyDeleteDave Franklin
Mr. Franklin, just to ease your mind... no debate here. I absolutely agree with your point: "Specifically, that the emphasis should be on academics first."
ReplyDeleteNow that we are in total agreement, how do we get the school district to quit whining about state ed. budget freezes, Gov. Corbett and continuously looking for 5% department budget cuts and focus on-- how'd you say it-- "academics first."
Giffen Good
What does Luke Hagy have to do with coaches who "didn't handle things well?"
ReplyDeleteBill Hook
Excellent question, Bill!
ReplyDeleteGiffen Good