Seems like a silly battle to choose to fight and throw in the towel on what you presumably put a little effort into.
Seems like a silly battle to choose to fight and throw in the towel on what you presumably put a little effort into.
I wouldn’t want you coaching my children. I was not impressed by your email.
I think your argument might have been stronger if you cited evidence/research of backing your beliefs. I am not saying you are wrong, just you say, to show you the science but cite none yourself.
You knew what the outcome would be, and you chose the outcome that you wanted.
While I'm 100% behind wearing masks inside and other close-proximity situations, I'm not in favor for wearing them while competing.
I don't understand why the hurdles and throwing events were exempt from wearing masks. That makes absolutely no sense to have such as strict rule with such a random exception. Rather than resign/be fired, I think I would have fielded an entire team of only hurdlers and throwers.
I'm as pro-mask as a person can reasonably be, but Brad Keyes is right on the money here and for all the right reasons. If they are going to have the kids compete, they can NOT be wearing masks. Just totally ridiculous. Being outside like that and RUNNING needing a mask...nah. Mask on while not racing or warming up or down.
Just nothing to do other than for him to say, "fire me".
bkeyes wrote:
Fred,
I’ll come straight to the point.
I will not put kids on the track and tell them to run any races while wearing masks.
I could play the ‘someone might get hurt’ card. I could ask what about the kids with asthma? I could point out that kids in the 400m and 800m sometimes end up throwing up at the end of a hard race. I could mention that occasionally they come close to, or even pass out. I could warn that wearing masks while exerting themselves to the limit of their physical capabilities could be dangerous.
But those excuses are the same ones used for these insane rules in the first place - someone might be hurt, someone might be sick - no matter how small the actual chance of it happening is.
No, the real reason I won’t do it is because it’s senseless, irrational, cowardice bs and I will not help cover that up.
I will not stand up in front of the kids and lie to them and tell them that these masks are doing anything worthwhile out in an open field with wind blowing and the sun shining.
…Please show me the science about how much the virus spreads outdoors.
I will not deceive them into thinking that these restrictions are somehow necessary or sensible.
…Show me the contact tracing data that shows spread between athletes, or anyone else, outside.
I will not pretend or try to convince them that they are at some grave risk and the masks are going to save them.
…Show me the data on infections, hospitalizations, and deaths for 14-18 year old athletes…
I keep hearing that we’re following the science. There is no science behind these restrictions. No, this is not about protecting the athletes, or even their families, it’s all about covering bureaucratic asses.
I will not try to convince these kids that what’s being done to them is right, fair, thoughtful, or sensible.
These insane policies are robbing kids of once in a lifetime opportunities for no valid reason other than irrational fears and going along with the sheep.
I will not take any part in these policies which are taking a bad situation and making it needlessly, and cruelly, worse.
If I am coaching the kids will not be wearing masks while running or racing.
I plan to be at our first practice on Monday unless I hear from you otherwise.
I had planned on simply quitting, but I’ve decided not to do that.
I regret putting you in this position.
Fire me if you must.
Sincerely,
Bradley Keyes
I applaud you for taking a stand against this stupidity and I am sorry they fired you (even though you knew that is what they would do). I think you could have been a little more tactful in your letter to the AD, though. Even if they didn't want to fire you over your decision to not require masks, you put them in difficult position since your letter could have been a little more professional in its language. And adding the "Fire me if you must" to the end ... well, that just put the final nail in the coffin. I think you should have simply told the AD that you are not going to require masks for your runners and if he disagrees with your decision, then you will have your letter of resignation on his desk Monday morning. It is always better to resign than to be fired. I believe your AD would have preferred this, too. Nobody wants to fire an employee but by refusing to resign you forced his hand.
The solution to token rules is token compliance. The OP should have just had his athletes wear thin Buffs or loose fitting bandanas. Or whatever mask Rupp wore for his allergies, obviously it didn't affect his performance.
trollin' along wrote:
I think you should have simply told the AD that you are not going to require masks for your runners and if he disagrees with your decision, then you will have your letter of resignation on his desk Monday morning. It is always better to resign than to be fired. I believe your AD would have preferred this, too. Nobody wants to fire an employee but by refusing to resign you forced his hand.
A letter of resignation would have gotten no reaction. It's people not speaking out and pushing back that has allowed the powers that be to implement these insane rules in the first place. They won't listen unless one of two things happen - their budgets are threatened (or their jobs are at stake) or they face some very public embarrassment. Of course the school board and the AD would have preferred I simply walked away quietly then most parents and voters would know what's really going on and wouldn't express their frustration and anger.
It is definitely not always better to resign than to be fired.
You sound more like a politician than a coach.
bkeyes wrote:
It's people not speaking out and pushing back that has allowed the powers that be to implement these insane rules in the first place.
They won't listen unless one of two things happen - their budgets are threatened (or their jobs are at stake) or they face some very public embarrassment. Of course the school board and the AD would have preferred I simply walked away quietly then most parents and voters would know what's really going on and wouldn't express their frustration and anger.
It is definitely not always better to resign than to be fired.
1. You quit. You knew you were quitting.
2. Don’t you think that “insane” is a bit of an overstatement?
3. Have you realized the irony of the “very public embarrassment” bit? Who is it that you think should be embarrassed in this scenario?
Yeah, I became an adult. Then, a father. Became a leader.
Then, something occurs that tests our creed, morals, etc.
I too took a forced step back.
Know that your conscience will be clear. Standing your ground will lead to a power no one can take from you.
deuces former coach wrote:
I wouldn’t want you coaching my children. I was not impressed by your email.
Agreed. Self-indulgent rant from a child. Not a leader.
And what or who exactly do you lead while you are "under a bridge"?
Everyone can throw stones at glass houses, this coach actually acted on by using common sense and said enough is enough.
If that makes you feel bad then so be it. And to the person saying that they wouldn't want him coaching their kids, I'm sure he probably wouldn't want to coach your kid anyway and deal with you as a parent.
We live in the softest generation of history and the ability to use critical thinking skills, common sense and be accountable for ourselves has been thrown out the window.
Thank you for taking a stand! The reason why politicians and people in power have been able to continue with these mask mandates and restrictions is because people are too afraid to take a stand. They say they don't agree with them or are against them, but just go along with them anyway.
A lot of people say "its' just a mask", but it's not. It's telling those in power just how easily people will be like sheep and follow along and just how easily our kids can be indoctrinated. This is not going to end well for future government control for whatever "good of the people" reason they claim.
Facing reality wrote:
And what or who exactly do you lead while you are "under a bridge"?
Everyone can throw stones at glass houses, this coach actually acted on by using common sense and said enough is enough.
If that makes you feel bad then so be it. And to the person saying that they wouldn't want him coaching their kids, I'm sure he probably wouldn't want to coach your kid anyway and deal with you as a parent.
We live in the softest generation of history and the ability to use critical thinking skills, common sense and be accountable for ourselves has been thrown out the window.
Nothing wrong with taking a stand - the language and the way he approached it is why I pointed out that it was childish and self-indulgent.
Yusef Scummm wrote:
Prediction: Although you mean well, you will regret posting this.
Look up risk vs reward.
This. The guy didn’t do anything to make a positive change or even propose any solution to a problem.
Presumably, the worst-case scenario has played out. The guy got fired and affected nothing.
What in the world would the best-case scenario have possibly been though?
Whiskers wrote:
Yusef Scummm wrote:
Prediction: Although you mean well, you will regret posting this.
Look up risk vs reward.
This. The guy didn’t do anything to make a positive change or even propose any solution to a problem.
Presumably, the worst-case scenario has played out. The guy got fired and affected nothing.
What in the world would the best-case scenario have possibly been though?
It’s still playing out. Expect a gofundme to pay for his private coaching program. I’m sure everyone on letsrun making over 250k a year will be jumping to contribute. You angry white men are funny.
You're right. This is dumb. There shouldn't be spring sports. It's too dangerous with the covid situation at hand. Next year by the time kids have been vaxed we will be all good then.
2600 bro wrote:
Masks while competing in a track meet is a useless/stupid idea.
But you did this just for attention, not like you actually wanted to keep your job. There were thousands of better ways to handle this than a self-victimizing open letter.
Could've approached it with the kids like: "sometimes you are required to do things that make no sense, that are annoying, that seem unfair - that's life - let's follow the guidelines but keep working to get them changed."
And how exactly do you work to get something changed without taking a stand against it? Anyone disparaging the man who started this thread is a diaper face fear monger who can only listen, no thinking allowed. I commend you, Coach Keyes for having the correct point of view and the balls to do something about it.