DBHS Student Publication.

The Bull's Eye

DBHS Student Publication.

The Bull's Eye

DBHS Student Publication.

The Bull's Eye

Letter to the Editor: Daniel Roubian

Please know that the disturbance at the end of the Diamond Bar versus Diamond Ranch football game was set in place well before the game started. When the football coach and staff of Diamond Ranch did not have their team do their run-through first, the coach set the tone for the game; in essence telling his players that they did not have to be good sports or display positive sportsmanship. He gave them the message that they were beyond the rules of the spirit of the game.

From high school to college to professional football, the visiting team does their run-through first before the home team. It is customary. It is good sportsmanship. It is displaying upright citizenship.By following this tradition, it shows young men that they need to go beyond the written rules and regulations of a game and do what is right. Sadly, the Diamond Ranch coach and his staff did a disservice to the young men on his team by allowing them to “wait out” Diamond Bar until Diamond Bar was forced to do their run-through first, thus telling them they are outside the bounds of good behavior and sportsmanship. This was not the first time Diamond Ranch pulled such a low-level stunt.

You see, this is no small incident because when the visiting team comes out first it enables the home team to get the last cheers from its fans before the game begins. Believe me, I am not a “homer” as I was the newspaper advisor for 12 years and at times at odds with the football program. If Coach Maine allowed such a poor example to be set for our players I would be the first to be offended, yet thankfully he does not.

I am not a coach or connected with the football team other than to lead them onto the field with my motorcycle. So I waited and waited until our Athletic Director, Kurt Davies, signaled me to go ahead.Our AD was essentially forced to go first because he was worried about delaying the game any longer or possibly being penalized by the referees.

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Are not football coaches and staff responsible for teaching young men the spirit of sports and to do what is right beyond the rules? Is not good citizenship going beyond obeying laws and regulations and doing what is right in the spirit of being a positive force in society?

After the goading atmosphere was set by the coaches of Diamond Ranch, it trickled down to their players that it was okay to perform late hits that were just “early” enough for the referees not to call a penalty but players, coaches, and fans knew that these hits could have been avoided. In essence, they also let their players know that is was fine to “trash talk” beyond the boundaries of a high school football game.

I am not defending the actions of our players but it should be known how the coaches of Diamond Ranch created an environment of goading and poor sportsmanship and their players responded in kind.

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