Two Sport Fan

Young man, Just simply look at my original post. I simply asked about the intensity and ask why we hadn't played as many games as other teams in our district. I didn't trash talk anyone or criticize anyone. I simply asked a question. Doesn't a fan or parent or even a infrequent game attender have a right to ask two simple questions without being belittled as a non supporter. Please forgive me for saying anything. I am sorry we are living in a sports environment in which questioning is branded as bad fanship. I see why Oakland and Riverdale dominate every year. Their fans are allowed to ask the hard questions. Yet a mom who supported the program when her son played and still has interest in it today simply ask a question and she gets ridiculed. Maybe that's the reason the former players of years ago no longer support the program, it's not about tradition and standards of excellence, it's about making sure no one's feelings get hurt.

Coach21, I simply asked what was wrong with the intensity of the team? I am sorry you are so sensitive about the Cavaliers. I am the mother of a Cav from 8 years ago. They played with heart and intensity. That has been the earmark of Cavalier teams for years. Maybe I saw them on a bad day. I hope they are intense, in fact I heard they won tonight and I am glad. Yet I probably won't be back to a game for a while if Coaches like you are so critical of anyone who simply ask a question without calling any names. Once you are gone I'll still be in Cookeville and I'll be supporting the Cavs.

I believe our Cavaliers play tonight against White Cty. I was looking at the 7-AAA standings and it appears that Cookeville has played less games than all but one team in our district. I saw them play against Crossville and they had no life and no intensity. Is the lack of games a picture of the lack of enthusiasim in the entire program. What has happened? All I heard was how good they were suppose to be? Hardly anything is ever in the paper-maybe because they never play. Oh well!!!!

Wow what a dissapointment. I went to my first Cavalier game today since the weather was wonderful and the game was quite a disappointment. I had been reading in the paper about their experience and talent and I saw everything but that. Errors, lifeless play, poor coaching decisions and players on the bench who were starters last year when I saw them play. What has happened to our Cavaliers? They allow their little pitcher to pitch nine innings before they take him out, errors all around, no enthusiaism-which is coaches job, no hitting and they just seeemd flat. They are playing a rival in Cumberland Cty. I hope they make a change or all the momentum gained last year will be gone.

AAAAA - As a CAV fan and Parent - we want you back! Watching you from the stands as you have supported the team these last two games from the sidelines have showed me that you are a TEAM PLAYER. Get well soon!

Can someone answer disgustedfan's orginal question on this thread- What does it look like for Cookeville this season. What can we look for? Any changes? What players will be standouts?

bhsOL- I remember that very well. I was standing at the fence on the goal line and saw the whole thing happen. What was so frustrating is that the ref was standing right there and still missed the call. Slow men trying to keep up with a game that has past them by. Oh well!

beethoven, that is a good post. I am not criticizing the head coaches ability to coach football. He has accomplished a lot. But he openly declares that he does not believe young men should play with the hopes of playing in college and stated that in a freshman parent meeting several months ago. As everyone knows some young men and women cannot receive academic scholarships but do have talent in sports. Just as guidance counselors help academic achievers obtain those scholarships, it should be the responsibility of coaches in high school to to everything in their power to help their players obtain athletic scholarships. Any athletic program that achieves with their players going to the next level, only brings excitment and talent to the program. By the way-I think Riverdale had 4 or 5 players off of last years team alone who went on to sign. Remember dissent is the highest form of patriotism!!!

Longsnapper-you know full well that the coach doesn't go over and beyond as some coaches do to help their players receive football scholarships. For example, how many Cookeville players have received football scholarships under his head coaching tenure? After coaching over 700 young men at Cookeville, less than 10 have received football scholarships. You were an all state player- and a great one at that, but their was another all state player your senior year on that team and he received nothing. Most young men are not all state material but they can play small college ball and without a coach pushing them and getting them exposure they will be overlooked by the players who have coaches that believe that part of their job is to promote and help their athletes move to the next level.

Stevie graduated this spring. A great young man and exceptional athlete, yet unforunately received no help from Cookeville coaching staff in the recruiting process, because head coach believes everyone should walk on if they are to play at next level. I have heard that he may have signed this summer with Maryville College-if so, good luck to him-he is a quality young man!!!

What happened to the Cavaliers tonight? Were they over confident or not prepared or was White Cty that better?

david, yes I understand your point and it's a good point-yet the umpires get paid for their services and the boys and parents received no financial gain, just the satisfaction that their sons efforts have been judged fairly and when this doesn't happen because umpires are unprepared it creates tension and problems.

umpire- It is a game but it represents hours and hours of practice for players and coaches. And it represents hundreds of dollars and many sacrifices on behalf of parents trying to support the program and getting their kids to practice. So parents and coaches and players have the right to demand excellence from their officiating crew. Constantly you see umpires inconsistent from game to game with the strike zone and in wrong positions to make calls. Yes there are some good umpires in Middle TN but there are some terrible ones as well. Who critiques the umpires? Who examines their performance? This game lost control not because of Coach Chaffin but because of umpires who allowed inconsistency to rule the day!! And yes parents get vocal when umpires who have nothing invested in a game perform inadequate, because they know the sacrifices their boys have made to get there. If as you said the umpires would learn from their mistakes everything would be okay but the next game with new umpires reveals more lessons that need to be learn.

If you think tonight was home cooking you need to get real. The umps were terrible on both sides and the Bearden coach cussed and yelled as much as anybody. He ran out on the field 4 different times. As I stated earlier both coaches were frustrated and they had reason to be.

I agree that it was a tough fault game and neither team could get any momentum with the poor calls by the umpires. They were the worst I have ever seen. But both coaches got in the umpires face, not just one. Both coaches were as frustrated as the fans. It's tough when coaches and players practice so long and hard and then umpires who do not know the rules or cannot keep up with the speed of the game control it's outcome.

I saw the kid from Cookeville #24 and he is a hitter and has a great arm. Being from Cookeville probably will not get the attention other well known baseball powerhouse players will receive.

Way to go Cavs!!! These young men have been playing together for years and they seem to have good chemistry, unlike last years team. It is still early in the season but we are excited about the good start. I understand they should have defeated Ootelwah but let that one get away in the last inning.

I heard game time is 6:30 p.m.