epicrdr

I am not really surprised that you agree with Birdie. I am sure no one else is either. I am a Signal Mountain old-timer and have a highly developed SENSE of community, SINCE I have lived here so long. As I stated in the post you pulled the aforementioned quote from, I have never needed to post before, but the amount of rancor the athletic programs have brought to this community was brought to head by this latest fiasco. I felt the need to let both the eagles jumping into the fray with foul mouths and unnecessary taunts and those on the other side know that there are many mountain residents that are appalled by the behavior of our neighbors. My children went to Signal Mountain Elementary and Middle and on to Red Bank. I have happily given money to the MEF and voted to bring the school to Signal. I feel this community needs its own school, however, I am dismayed that a few rabid fans are able to be goaded into acting like the entitled, obnoxious snobs that we (mountain residents) are all too often assumed to be. As for the quote, I stated clearly that I received this information second-hand, albeit from a SM parent. I did not profess to know it to be true. Again, your attack only illustrates my point. Come on man. I will stay out of the fray from now on, as it is clear that those who should listen are not capable of taking the constructive criticism. Signing off.

Wow Birdie, what a pity that you illustrated my point so quickly. Over and out.

I am tired of the "everyone else is doing it too" excuse. What my mother always asked many, many, many moons ago still applies today. If everyone jumped off a bridge, would you? I am sad to see the vitriol toward my community, but it seems that the addition of this school to the mountain and with it a winning sports program has brought out the worst in everyone. It is discouraging to hear my neighbors taunt and tease about sore losers when they seem to be unable to win with grace. I was once upset that my children did not have a mountain school to attend and I had to send them off the mountain. I was glad to contribute to the funds to build the high school. After seeing the changes in the attitudes of the community and the divisions it has brought between neighbors (I witnesses a verbal war between a SMMHS parent and a parent who chose McCallie for his son the other day), I am pleased my children graduated before SMMHS.

I have enjoyed reading CoachT for years, but have only just joined and have never posted. This topic, however, hits close to home - literally. I am flummoxed that this has not happened sooner. I have heard from friends with children at the school that there are a number of football players each year of the program thus far that DO NOT live on the mountain, use the NCLB rulings to attend SMMHS only to play football, and then return to their zoned schools for the rest of the year. While the investigators are here, perhaps they should ask about this practice as well. In addition, I am appalled at the attitude and behavior of the coach. His lack of ethical player management, inability (or refusal) to be a life coach for his players and his outright prevarications in past episodes are an embarrassment to my community.