Great article by Pat Disabato

[The Outfit]

pat and Mike Tucker are SPOT ON! Too bad parents get in the way!

Bottom line is there is a huge difference between advocating for your child and becoming EGO driven because you believe what others are SELLING you!

Enjoy the read

http://www.chicagotribune.com/subur...t-disabato-column-st-0108-20170106-story.html

 

[ignazio]

"a deepening cesspool of selfishness, misguided player evaluations and lack of accountability"

Welcome to the movement, Pat.
#basketballsucks

 

[Anon1754760634]

Hate to tell you kids....but football is quickly "catching up"

 

[Cross Bones]

I guess I don't see the problem. Kid used his school choice to go to a prep school the same way he used it to go to Marian. Then Disabato uses his paper to basically take shots at a kid. This is shameful. I expect more Pat.

 

[The Outfit]

I guess I don't see the problem. Kid used his school choice to go to a prep school the same way he used it to go to Marian. Then Disabato uses his paper to basically take shots at a kid. This is shameful. I expect more Pat.

Why is it bad he told what he saw as an evaluator?
Why cant he be honest?

Life wont sugar coat anything! Its like school discipline these days!

5 warnings and then a detention.
Did u call the parent?
Parent argues athat YOUR WRONG AND YOUR BOSS BACKS PARENT!
I always ask if its good enough for kids how come its not good enough for teachers?
If kids get 3 tardies and a warning, 5 tardies and a wRning, 7 tardies and detention, 9 and in school suspension, 11 and outa school suspension. 13 and drop. But thats only for 1/2 the year

Do u think if i am late to my job making french fries at mcdonalds 11 times in 4 months they will let me keep my job?

Sorry cross bones- disabato did nothing wrong but calling it the way he saw it!

 

[Voodoo Tatum 21]

Why is it bad he told what he saw as an evaluator?
Why cant he be honest?

Life wont sugar coat anything! Its like school discipline these days!

5 warnings and then a detention.
Did u call the parent?
Parent argues athat YOUR WRONG AND YOUR BOSS BACKS PARENT!
I always ask if its good enough for kids how come its not good enough for teachers?
If kids get 3 tardies and a warning, 5 tardies and a wRning, 7 tardies and detention, 9 and in school suspension, 11 and outa school suspension. 13 and drop. But thats only for 1/2 the year

Do u think if i am late to my job making french fries at mcdonalds 11 times in 4 months they will let me keep my job?

Sorry cross bones- disabato did nothing wrong but calling it the way he saw it!

I might be missing your analogy. How does school tardies and detention relate to Pats one sided OpEd piece on a specific school and player? I'm fine with Pats analysis of his perception of the kids talent level. That said - the article was very one sided - written from the perspective of Pat and the school coach. There are always two sides to every story and every coin for that matter!!

 

[mc140]

Dad will move the kid again before he graduates.

 

[ses7363]

Way too many parents and kids think they are D-1 athletes but are not. A D-1 athlete is by far the best on the field or court. They also need the academics to qualify. Too many outsiders or "recruiters" or "evaluators" tell parents what they want to hear. Too many people blowing smoke into these young kids head. Wake up people. Not every kids is a D-1, D-2 or D-3 kid, some will just be quality high school players and that's it.

 

[McCaravan]

7 ppg isn't going to have your phone explode with D1 offers. Like Edgy said, it's going to happen with football, already is

 

[Cross Bones]

Why is it bad he told what he saw as an evaluator?
Why cant he be honest?

Life wont sugar coat anything! Its like school discipline these days!

5 warnings and then a detention.
Did u call the parent?
Parent argues athat YOUR WRONG AND YOUR BOSS BACKS PARENT!
I always ask if its good enough for kids how come its not good enough for teachers?
If kids get 3 tardies and a warning, 5 tardies and a wRning, 7 tardies and detention, 9 and in school suspension, 11 and outa school suspension. 13 and drop. But thats only for 1/2 the year

Do u think if i am late to my job making french fries at mcdonalds 11 times in 4 months they will let me keep my job?

Sorry cross bones- disabato did nothing wrong but calling it the way he saw it!

Completely disagree.

The article is a hit job on a kid and his family. And why? Because they exercised their right to choose what school they wanted to send him to. Also, he didn't evaluate the kid's game at all. All he did was list some stats. I still don't know anything about the kid's game. And apparently neither does Pat or he would have given us some actual evaluation. You can see why he isn't a scout for a college or professional team given his current work as an "evaluator."

The school analogy doesn't work--at all.

You don't see other HS sports writers doing antagonistic hit jobs on kids while still being as you put "honest." If this kid is as bad as Pat suggests why even write an article about him? How many bad basketball players has he singled out before? I missed his article on Griffith going to IMG, I guarantee it wasn't a hit job.

No, this was poor work by Pat and I expect more from a person in his position.

 

[woody6]

http://coachscornershow.com/

The link above can take all you contributors to this thread to a twitter feed that will reveal some other reactions to Disabato's article. Enjoy!

 

[Corey90]

Dad will move the kid again before he graduates.

With the stats reported he won't be getting a basketball scholarship either? Not sure why Pat singled this kid out but the reality is a lot of what he is saying is true. I agree with Bones though Pat shouldn't of used his power as a writer to try to make a HS player and his family look like losers. It seems like the coach had sour grapes and went to Pat. Bones is also right there is always two sides to every story. Hell maybe the Dad got another job and they had to move?

 

[The Outfit]

I might be missing your analogy. How does school tardies and detention relate to Pats one sided OpEd piece on a specific school and player? I'm fine with Pats analysis of his perception of the kids talent level. That said - the article was very one sided - written from the perspective of Pat and the school coach. There are always two sides to every story and every coin for that matter!!

yeah yeah yeah its the coaches fault! Its the writers fault. Always someone else's fault!

Instead of playing his role and being there for his teammates he packed it up- blamed someone else and moved on.

Sad.

 

[ignazio]

Your point is outstanding.
That is it should be out standing in a field because it's the worst straw man argument I've heard in quite some time.
The point is not whether he should have "school choice." There is no one suggesting that he should not.
When you join a team, you have made a commitment to not only yourself, but to your team as well. There is nothing that suggests he had to quit his teammates, his coaches and his school, mid-season. But he quit on them, and he'll quit on his next team too.
Or as a wise man once said: “The first time you quit, it’s hard. The second time, it gets easier. The third time, you don’t even have to think about it.”
The only thing surprising about this whole affair is that someone is shocked that a basketball kid walked out on his team. Let's just stop pretending it's a real sport.

 

[Voodoo Tatum 21]

yeah yeah yeah its the coaches fault! Its the writers fault. Always someone else's fault!

Instead of playing his role and being there for his teammates he packed it up- blamed someone else and moved on.

Sad.

Never said it was anyone's fault. Only that the article was more like an OpEd piece from the school/coaches viewpoint. People are generally quick to judge. From my view, It would be nice to hear the other side of the coin Before I judge. Agree with you that quitting midseason looks very bad unless there was a very very good reason such as divorce/financial hardship/new job new location etc.

 

[Voodoo Tatum 21]

There is nothing that suggests he had to quit his teammates, his coaches and his school, mid-season.

That's exactly my point. The article was from School/coaches viewpoint in an OpEd piece with a point Pat was trying to make. In terms of the kid and family - Would be nice to have a glimpse of the other side of the coin before getting out the torches and pitchforks.

 

[Cross Bones]

yeah yeah yeah its the coaches fault! Its the writers fault. Always someone else's fault!

Instead of playing his role and being there for his teammates he packed it up- blamed someone else and moved on.

Sad.

The only one assigning some sort of blame is Pat as far as I can tell. I don't even know what the "blame" you speak of is for. Point is the kid can choose where he goes to school and it's none of our business why they make that decision. I don't care if they chose the prep school because they have better lunch options. And to be honest, using your post, if the kid and family didn't like his "role" and wanted a different "role" then it's probably best he left.

You seem to have a deranged view that the student is there for the school and not the other way around. Once you fix that view you'll see the real problem.

Your point is outstanding.
That is it should be out standing in a field because it's the worst straw man argument I've heard in quite some time.
The point is not whether he should have "school choice." There is no one suggesting that he should not.
When you join a team, you have made a commitment to not only yourself, but to your team as well. There is nothing that suggests he had to quit his teammates, his coaches and his school, mid-season. But he quit on them, and he'll quit on his next team too.
Or as a wise man once said: “The first time you quit, it’s hard. The second time, it gets easier. The third time, you don’t even have to think about it.”
The only thing surprising about this whole affair is that someone is shocked that a basketball kid walked out on his team. Let's just stop pretending it's a real sport.

You are suggesting he shouldnt choose another school to go to by complaining that he exercised that choice. You seem to also be confused as to the nature of the relationship between school and student. As I said up there, the school is there for the student not the other way around, so the kid owes the school nothing. Now, unless there is some sort of contract the kid signed with his legal guardian there regarding this imaginary commitment you have dreamed up, I am going to disagree with your assertion and posit that at this juncture in life it's his and his parents' responsibility to do what is best for him and not his teammates, coach, and school.

Not sure how anyone could see otherwise. Did he consult those teammates before he decided to go to Marian instead of his local public school? I doubt it. He likely just made the decision that was best for him.

http://coachscornershow.com/

The link above can take all you contributors to this thread to a twitter feed that will reveal some other reactions to Disabato's article. Enjoy!

Yeah, tweets re-tweeted by Pat. Not quite the sample a pollster would be looking to sample. Look there's nothing wrong with a article stating that some people may have unrealistic views on their collegiate scholarship probability. There is a problem with an article singling out a kid and his family for choosing which school to attend.

 

[Cross Bones]

As I read the article again something struck me;

"Hurt is the fourth player from Marian Catholic to transfer since last season."

and

"I wasn't surprised that he transferred."

It looks like Pat, in Stevie Wonder fashion, missed the actual story here. It appears the players and parents are jumping ship on Coach Mike Taylor, and it doesn't even surprise him. Why? What has he done to the program that kids who have a lot of choices of where to go made the conscious effort to pick Marian Catholic, only to get there and meet the coach and play for him and subsequently decide that they simply can't stay there. Perhaps coach needs to take a look in the mirror and see where he is failing, because when your players are getting the hell out of Dodge at that rate, you are failing.

Maybe Pat needs to do some journalist work and look into the real story here and perhaps gain some credibility back.

 

[woody6]

Your point is outstanding.
That is it should be out standing in a field because it's the worst straw man argument I've heard in quite some time.
The point is not whether he should have "school choice." There is no one suggesting that he should not.
When you join a team, you have made a commitment to not only yourself, but to your team as well. There is nothing that suggests he had to quit his teammates, his coaches and his school, mid-season. But he quit on them, and he'll quit on his next team too.
Or as a wise man once said: “The first time you quit, it’s hard. The second time, it gets easier. The third time, you don’t even have to think about it.”
The only thing surprising about this whole affair is that someone is shocked that a basketball kid walked out on his team. Let's just stop pretending it's a real sport.

I have seen your "quitting" quote also framed in the following alternative way: "The best time NOT TO QUIT is the FIRST TIME."

 

[Corey90]

As I read the article again something struck me;

"Hurt is the fourth player from Marian Catholic to transfer since last season."

and

"I wasn't surprised that he transferred."

It looks like Pat, in Stevie Wonder fashion, missed the actual story here. It appears the players and parents are jumping ship on Coach Mike Taylor, and it doesn't even surprise him. Why? What has he done to the program that kids who have a lot of choices of where to go made the conscious effort to pick Marian Catholic, only to get there and meet the coach and play for him and subsequently decide that they simply can't stay there. Perhaps coach needs to take a look in the mirror and see where he is failing, because when your players are getting the hell out of Dodge at that rate, you are failing.

Maybe Pat needs to do some journalist work and look into the real story here and perhaps gain some credibility back.

Agree the coach should check himself if his kids are quitting on him. The fact he is in the article quoting to Pat about the situation seems he is completely out of touch with what he is doing or not doing as a coach. I do agree though quitting mid season is never good. This behavior may have a prolonged effect on the kid that he may struggle with the rest of his life.

 

[Cross Bones]

Agree the coach should check himself if his kids are quitting on him. The fact he is in the article quoting to Pat about the situation seems he is completely out of touch with what he is doing or not doing as a coach. I do agree though quitting mid season is never good. This behavior may have a prolonged effect on the kid that he may struggle with the rest of his life.

I mean, I would generally agree with not doing it mid-season. However I am sure there are a bunch of other factors they also had to consider that went into making that decision. I tend to give people the benefit of the doubt when making choices for their own life that they've considered what seems obvious.

I agree with the out of touch comment too. Imagine if I am an 8th grader deciding whether to go to my local public or one of the many private schools in the South side of Chicago or Burbs, I now know that if I choose Marian and it doesnt work for some reason (which I have plenty examples that it won't) I also now know that Coach Taylor will trash me and my family in the local paper. You already know who is no longer a choice for me. Doesn't seem well thought out by coach or Pat. If I was school administration I would probably look to have coach removed at this point.

 

[Corey90]

I mean, I would generally agree with not doing it mid-season. However I am sure there are a bunch of other factors they also had to consider that went into making that decision. I tend to give people the benefit of the doubt when making choices for their own life that they've considered what seems obvious.

I agree with the out of touch comment too. Imagine if I am an 8th grader deciding whether to go to my local public or one of the many private schools in the South side of Chicago or Burbs, I now know that if I choose Marian and it doesnt work for some reason (which I have plenty examples that it won't) I also now know that Coach Taylor will trash me and my family in the local paper. You already know who is no longer a choice for me. Doesn't seem well thought out by coach or Pat. If I was school administration I would probably look to have coach removed at this point.

"Doesn't seem well thought out by coach or Pat. If I was school administration I would probably look to have coach removed at this point."

I agree you comment it wasn't well thought out.

 

[GMAN81]

My first question would be: "why have four players transferred in the last year?"

Then my next question would be" "Did they all transfer for the same reason?"

 

[Corey90]

My first question would be: "why have four players transferred in the last year?"

Then my next question would be" "Did they all transfer for the same reason?"

Good question
Pat should of asked the coach before writing the article.

 

[crusader_of_90]

Completely disagree.

The article is a hit job on a kid and his family. And why? Because they exercised their right to choose what school they wanted to send him to. Also, he didn't evaluate the kid's game at all. All he did was list some stats. I still don't know anything about the kid's game. And apparently neither does Pat or he would have given us some actual evaluation. You can see why he isn't a scout for a college or professional team given his current work as an "evaluator."

The school analogy doesn't work--at all.

You don't see other HS sports writers doing antagonistic hit jobs on kids while still being as you put "honest." If this kid is as bad as Pat suggests why even write an article about him? How many bad basketball players has he singled out before? I missed his article on Griffith going to IMG, I guarantee it wasn't a hit job.

No, this was poor work by Pat and I expect more from a person in his position.

You are so full of crap! You can't type this with a straight face.

 

[Cross Bones]

You are so full of crap! You can't type this with a straight face.

100% facts. This is a shameful article that I am surprised the Southtown even published.

 

[MWittman]

100% facts. This is a shameful article that I am surprised the Southtown even published.

Bones:

I read the article twice and I completely agree with you.

Had DiSabato expressed his displeasure with the dynamic he describes instead of fixating on one certain transfer and revealing the particulars of conversations MC's head basketball coach had with this young man's father, we may have had an informative piece.

Instead, we were treated to a journalist capturing a young kid in his crosshairs.

 

[LHSTigers94]

NO ONE transfers mid season just because a better opportunity presented itself. Transferring is a lot of work and there are several unknowns when making a move. Not all situations are better and MOST parents know this. What disappoint me is Adults that feel like they OWN kids and families simply because they attended their school .

 

[DigitalCy]

Sounds like Marian Catholic has a real problem as a institution when it comes to athletics. Not only has the basketball team lost many players due to transferring, the football team in the last few years has struggled to keep players and coaches around. When they brought in Jerry Verde (MC alum) he was able to recruit a ton of talent into the school. With strong freshman campaigns in 13 & 14, many of those kids transferred to HF and we all know how HF has been the last few years. What was more surprising is when Verde left for Evergreen Park after 3 seasons. Pretty shocking for a proud alum to do that so quickly.

It seems like MC administration needs to take a real hard look at themselves in the mirror. It's a great school with beautiful facilities, but there is something amiss right now with the community/culture there

 

[USD24]

Sounds like Marian Catholic has a real problem as a institution when it comes to athletics. Not only has the basketball team lost many players due to transferring, the football team in the last few years has struggled to keep players and coaches around. When they brought in Jerry Verde (MC alum) he was able to recruit a ton of talent into the school. With strong freshman campaigns in 13 & 14, many of those kids transferred to HF and we all know how HF has been the last few years. What was more surprising is when Verde left for Evergreen Park after 3 seasons. Pretty shocking for a proud alum to do that so quickly.

It seems like MC administration needs to take a real hard look at themselves in the mirror. It's a great school with beautiful facilities, but there is something amiss right now with the community/culture there

They did win state in girls volleyball

 

[GMAN81]

While I wonder what's going on at that school let's remember not to let the parents off the hook here. I have been saying for 20-25 years that 90+% of the parents I have ever run across who have kids playing sports are not objective when it comes to their kids' talent.

Many of the parents, when they hear something negative about their kid's game, become offended and take it personally. If I had a dime for every time I witnessed this, I'd have a whole bunch of dimes. So, in many cases, if they aren't hearing what they want to hear about little Johnny Appleseed and Suzy Snowflake, they take their kids and go somewhere else. This is exactly how so many of the crappy travel teams out there got started. And this is also exactly why some of these kids today can't handle losing in life.

I don't agree with how the article was written and names shouldn't have been used. I think it was unprofessional of the writer and coach to air out dirty laundry in public.

But, that still doesn't excuse how way too many parents act when they hear something about their kid's athletic ability they don't like.

 

[NNFAN]

Agree with Bones, Voodoo, and MWitt. The story may be spot on but it is totally one-sided. Did the writer reach out to the player, father, or family member to get their position on the matter. Why not research the other three transfers in the last season. It looks like he jumped to several conclusions. This is the problem with the media today (television and print)... lots of opinions and little research. A newspaper writer has an obligation to be fair and balanced, especially when editorializing about a high school student (a minor). He may be right, but the story was still irresponsible. Journalism 101.

 

[NNFAN]

While I wonder what's going on at that school let's remember not to let the parents off the hook here. I have been saying for 20-25 years that 90+% of the parents I have ever run across who have kids playing sports are not objective when it comes to their kids' talent.

Many of the parents, when they hear something negative about their kid's game, become offended and take it personally. If I had a dime for every time I witnessed this, I'd have a whole bunch of dimes. So, in many cases, if they aren't hearing what they want to hear about little Johnny Appleseed and Suzy Snowflake, they take their kids and go somewhere else. This is exactly how so many of the crappy travel teams out there got started. And this is also exactly why some of these kids today can't handle losing in life.

I don't agree with how the article was written and names shouldn't have been used. I think it was unprofessional of the writer and coach to air out dirty laundry in public.

But, that still doesn't excuse how way too many parents act when they hear something about their kid's athletic ability they don't like.

Somebody told me that Johnny Appleseed and Suzy Snowflake were spotted living in a van down by the Kankakee river until Suzy's ultimate demise (linked).

 

[GMAN81]

Agree with Bones, Voodoo, and MWitt. The story may be spot on but it is totally one-sided. Did the writer reach out to the player, father, or family member to get their position on the matter. Why not research the other three transfers in the last season. It looks like he jumped to several conclusions. This is the problem with the media today (television and print)... lots of opinions and little research. A newspaper writer has an obligation to be fair and balanced, especially when editorializing about a high school student (a minor). He may be right, but the story was still irresponsible. Journalism 101.

I agree especially with the irresponsible journalism we are surrounded by. Most people out there writing news and reading news on TV aren't my idea of journalists.

 

[pjjp]

I agree especially with the irresponsible journalism we are surrounded by. Most people out there writing news and reading news on TV aren't my idea of journalists.

Yes, be on guard. I have it on good authority that there is a tremendous amount of "fake news" out there.

 

[Corey90]

While I wonder what's going on at that school let's remember not to let the parents off the hook here. I have been saying for 20-25 years that 90+% of the parents I have ever run across who have kids playing sports are not objective when it comes to their kids' talent.

Many of the parents, when they hear something negative about their kid's game, become offended and take it personally. If I had a dime for every time I witnessed this, I'd have a whole bunch of dimes. So, in many cases, if they aren't hearing what they want to hear about little Johnny Appleseed and Suzy Snowflake, they take their kids and go somewhere else. This is exactly how so many of the crappy travel teams out there got started. And this is also exactly why some of these kids today can't handle losing in life.

I don't agree with how the article was written and names shouldn't have been used. I think it was unprofessional of the writer and coach to air out dirty laundry in public.

But, that still doesn't excuse how way too many parents act when they hear something about their kid's athletic ability they don't like.

Agree Dr. Right down to the Johnny Appleseed and Suzy Snowflake take. That said we also agree about the irresponsible reporting.

 

[The Outfit]

Man did i open a can of worms.

Dave Mattio is rolling over and sayin kiss my @$$! Anyone that new him would tell ya and those that transefered- dont let the door hit ya where the good lord split ya!

Marian Catholic is inches from dominating the southside burbs like they did when they were an independant! Does the current coach have it to bring them back? Mele might! Not sure!

Verde musta got the cats meow to leave crete... was the Pension/benefits so much better that he jumped back?

 

[LHSTigers94]

Adults have so much passion for High School sports in Illinois that somewhere people feel like they own people. I find it interesting when journalist feel that it is their responsibility to write about others lives and their choices. Spending more time on a kid that left versus time put on the kids that are there says a lot to me. Once people realize that it take a ton more than a transfer in to win state and a lot more than a transfer out to not make it to state the world will be a better place.

The power of the pen.

 

[mullin17]

Whether you agree or disagree with the content of the article, Pat Disabato's article achieved what he wanted it to do. Generate discussion for both sides=publicity for the Daily Southtown.

 

[LHSTigers94]

Whether you agree or disagree with the content of the article, Pat Disabato's article achieved what he wanted it to do. Generate discussion for both sides=publicity for the Daily Southtown.

I haven't visited the daily southtown outside of reading this article. Why would a journalist want a discussion about the decisions families are making for their benefit? I hear so much about sports being extracurricular activity that in not guaranteed for a student but yet we get articles like this. Is sports larger than life or not. A kid transfer during the middle of the season, so what. There are kids that quit or get cut in the middle of the season for behavior reason however that is okay because it fit the agenda. There is a strong sense of ownership when I read this article where it should be the other way around. Families pay taxes so schools can exist. Its their choice on what they want to do.