The administrators are blaming Sleeman's supporters. Apparently if we had been arrogant enough to think the track should ONLY be named after our coach none of this would be happening.
How does that whole naming process go on for a whole year without "the other side" knowing about it. Were people being told to keep it hush-hush?
this all gives me yet another reason to hate anyone or anything from ann arbor...
sparty wrote:
this all gives me yet another reason to hate anyone or anything from ann arbor...
I hate anyone and everything from Ann Arbor AND East Lansing.
Upfront- I've known both men since they started coaching and have more than an idle interest in the outcome of this name-that-track situation. I don't know how this is going to shake out but the best possible scenario is if the B of E doesn't rush to a decision. It would be damn awkward if the track is named solely after Bryan in light of Don's many productive years and scores of supporters.
I like Ben Ingram's take on the situation: he sees the 'process' as a guide and not an absolute. That and nobody wouldn't want to see the track not named after both coaches when it is clearly the Right Thing To Do!
I don't think anyone was hiding anything. I believe the BofE will co-name the track after the Sleeman contigent goes through the process of petitioning for Don's name to be there also.
Westfield has won a lot more state championships as well as coaching awards than Sleeman. It isn't about the gender they coach- it's about how legendary they are. Look at the accomplishment lists.
pihoe wrote:
Westfield has won a lot more state championships as well as coaching awards than Sleeman. It isn't about the gender they coach- it's about how legendary they are. Look at the accomplishment lists.
although it's refreshing to hear someone from the girls team state the real reason they think the track should only be named for westfield - it's complete BS to compare the number of state championships between a boys team and a girls team. Boys sports are more competitive - most of those championship years there was only one other decent girls team in the entire state (cass tech) - the rest of the field was a complete joke.
YES, it was supposed to be kept quiet. unfortunately, it is now turning into some stupid men vs. women alumni battle aired out in the f'ing newspaper.
for my two cents, i think the xc course should be named after sleeman considering he designed it and has had more consistent success in xc and the track should be named after westfield because he has always been more of a sprint coach than distance.
i am annoyed wrote:
YES, it was supposed to be kept quiet. unfortunately, it is now turning into some stupid men vs. women alumni battle aired out in the f'ing newspaper.
Ha! Did you think that we'd just show up at the track one day - see a sign saying "WESTFIELD TRACK" - scratch our asses saying "wonder when that happened?" and go on our merry way? If so, that is even more insulting.
All you had to do was consult us like we mattered a damn and a solution probably could have been found. But, instead most of us didn't find out about this until two days before it went to the school board - after it had apparently been in the works for a YEAR! Yes - we're f'n pissed and we're going to use every resource at our disposal - including going to the press.
Public Policy 101 - make sure that all stakeholders are involved in the process. Over the last year you and the administration have acted like we don't exist. Why don't you just remove all our trophies and records from the wall - i have to say that's what it feels like.
When I graduated from Pioneer in 1987 the school board was talking about firing Coach Westfield for cheating. MHSAA disqualified the GIRLS cross-country team for intentionally running a girl that did not live in the school district. MHSAA actually disqualified the team after they had won the State Title. Here we are over 20 years later and they are now putting his name on the track. Great message to kids. If I still lived in Ann Arbor, I would be very vocal.
Oh my gosh - I heard about that in the 90s too. Good reason to be vocal.
it was supposed to be kept quiet so neither westfield nor sleeman would find out until it was certain. if either found out the effort was under way and then didn't receive the honor, how do you think that would feel?
i am annoyed wrote:
it was supposed to be kept quiet so neither westfield nor sleeman would find out until it was certain. if either found out the effort was under way and then didn't receive the honor, how do you think that would feel?
Right - because this group has shown how much it cares about anybody's "feelings". i know that several girls on the team thought we didn't belong on the same track as them - just like they don't believe our coaches name belongs anywhere on that track.
Westfield thought it was his job to make his girls feel special - but, it might have been nice for him to point out that we were out there working just as hard - competing against much harder competition and still kicking ass. maybe then this group wouldn't have been so self-centered to think they didn't need to reach out to us.
Class of 87 wrote:
When I graduated from Pioneer in 1987 the school board was talking about firing Coach Westfield for cheating. MHSAA disqualified the GIRLS cross-country team for intentionally running a girl that did not live in the school district. MHSAA actually disqualified the team after they had won the State Title. Here we are over 20 years later and they are now putting his name on the track. Great message to kids. If I still lived in Ann Arbor, I would be very vocal.
That was the only time that he got caught. Westfield has been stealing athletes from schools in the area for years. That situation back in the 80's has taught him to be a smarter cheat.
Now this thread is getting good. More trash, more trash, more trash....
typical Ann Arbor parental BS. Who the hell cares. With the Michigan economy, might be a better move to find a corporate sponsor to keep the lights on and grass cut, then put their name on the track!
Isn't Google in Ann Arbor?
I really don't know whether those accusations are true - when we won the state XC championship in 93' parents of other teams loudly accused us of the same thing as we walked up to get our state championship trophy. The truth was that everyone of our top seven had lived in the pioneer district since before we were in kindergarten.
HAHAHAHAHA!!!
I grew up there in 50s and 60s, it was full of sanctimonious do-gooders then and it's only gotten worse decade by decade. Couldn't wait to move away! Last time I was back in town on a business trip, I laughed and laughed to see all the obligatory liberal yard signs. Never seen so many! And the pc bumper stickers on the HS students cars. HAHAHA!!!
Glad they all live in one place. Kind of like a zoo!
You and every one else that follows the sport knows that it was 100% true in 1986 Cross-Country. MHSAA does not strip a State Title away based on accusations.