DiscoGary wrote:
Everyone talking about the times his students ran is missing the point. Newton's legacy is not the championships he won, it's the character and work ethic he instilled in thousands of young men. His contribution to society is hard to measure.
On purpose, I didn't talk about that. York has good marketing.
80% of his athletes learn character from what the man has to say, but 20% learn from the man himself. That first group learns about committment to a cause, putting others before yourself, and where things like running, school, and work fit in life's balance.
That 20% though, learn that you can get what you want when your the best. They learn that they are the best, not what it took to become the best. They learn that the rules are a suggestion, and it's not breaking the rules if you don't get caught. They learn the importance to wearing a different face for your in group and out group; Newton could lead a PhD program in that. They learn that domination of your peers, not leadership, is to be strived for.
There are two lawsuits against Newton that I am aware of. I could, and many others here could, tell stories of the nefarious tactics he would send his kids on. Sending JV runners to instigate a fight and DQ with other competitors. Knocking kids off the bridge at Detweiler. Encouraging athletes to and engaging himself in shi t talking before and during the race (but not after. Remember kids, sportsmanship and whatnot). Illegal recruiting tactics. Illegal summer contact. Illegal transportation to meets. Eligibilty/grade manipulation. Credits/class hours manipulation.
York has good marketing. But I could teach kids more about character from watching what York does and doesn't do than most kids learn as a part of York itself.