Words worth listening to

    Jack Renkens was in the Denver area a few nights ago. The former high
    school coach, administrator and teacher is in his 15th year of crisscrossing the country educating parents and their high-school-aged youngsters about the college recruiting process.
    Along the way, he stopped to make a few points about fan behavior at high school sporting events. Because he sees his share of games, here are his thoughts on the subject.
    In his own words.
    “I love to go to games between teams that are 10-0 and 1-9. I sit on the 1-9 team’s side, and the parents hate everything. They hate the weather. They hate the traffic. Then they start hating the coaches.
    ‘I’m here to support Aaron, but the kids hate the coach.
    ‘Can you put up with this for another year?’
    “Then the game starts, and the team that’s 10-0 goes up 28-3, and they get up and start railing on the coach. This is a high school athletic event. What’s wrong with this?
    “If you, as a parent, say anything negative to a coach abut playing time, the only person who gets hurt is your son or daughter. Let your kids play, and keep your mouth shut. Your son or daughter will love you for it.
    “Kids – talk to your parents. They will listen. Parents – read the 11 rules about being a parent (including such things as appreciating efforts and a refrain from lack of disappointment in your child, be helpful but don’t coach, teach children to enjoy competition and try not to relive your athletic life through your child that creates pressure), then go in and be one.
    “A relaxed athlete is the best one. It’s playtime. Let them play, and let them coach.”