Go Bears, Go Ben Smith!

[texas23]

Before their individual match in the state duals championship Saturday night, each Bradley Central wrestler offered up a silent salute to Bears assistant Ben Smith.

 

"Hey, coach, this one's for you."

 

Smith was unable to attend the team's astounding dismantling of Soddy-Daisy to take the Class AAA state championship and was relegated to sitting in the parking lot in the cold Bradley Central bus on which the team had traveled to the Williamson County Agricultural Expo and around Franklin and Brentwood.

 

If the dual loss to Soddy-Daisy 17 days ago didn't offer enough prodding to arouse a hibernating bear, the ejection of the adored assistant coach certainly did.

 

"I have coached a number of dual meets, maybe 500 or so, and I can't remember more of a total team match," Bradley coach Steve Logsdon said," I was expecting a nip-and-tuck battle, a brawl, a nail-biter."

 

How good a performance was it? Consider that Soddy-Daisy beat Cordova 64-10, Independence 62-3 and Science Hill 65-3 to reach the final. Bradley then avenged the regular season loss to the Trojans by 44-15.

 

Smith was told by TSSAA officials and his athletic director, Turner Jackson, that it would be best that he not attend the final after his verbal sparring with a mouthy fan threatened to turn ugly. The fan made a disparaging remark to one of the Bradley wrestlers and from that comment and Smith's reply of "don't talk to my wrestler," the situation deteriorated, threatening to draw in Bradley fans, who heard the exchange, and fans from the other school (Ravenwood).

 

For his part, Smith's defense of his wrestler and his seat on the team bus while the team was wrestling for a duals championship have installed him permanently among Bradley County wrestling legends.

 

After the Bears won, they had to pose for a team photo, which Logsdon told them to do in a gentlemanly matter. He then added, though, "Our real team picture will be taken outside by the bus with Coach Smith."

 

While he couldn't attend the final, Smith was instrumental in the Bears' preparation for the finals match.

 

"Just say that he talked to the team before we left the hotel and did a wonderful job," Logsdon said. "They wanted to do it for him."

[Bobvark2]

On behalf of the entire Ravenwood wrestling team; We would like to apologize for the words and actions of one of our parents. Please note that this is not tolerated and our administration will be dealing with him. Unfortunately I did not know about this until the Finals when I finally had a chance to sit with our parents. Please know that we hold Bradley in the highest regard and have the utmost respect for everything they have done. If either the wrestler his parents or Coach Smith could contact me I would like to apologize to them individually on behalf of our team. I have just sent Coach Logsdon and email with my contact information. I hate that he had to miss the finals because of the actions of one of our parents.

 

Finally my understanding is that it was the actions of one fan, please contact me directly if you know the identities of any others that may have been involved (according to the article it says fans).

 

Thank you, and please contact me directly if you have any further details.

Coach Josh Peck

Ravenwood High School

[maj]

On behalf of the entire Ravenwood wrestling team; We would like to apologize for the words and actions of one of our parents. Please note that this is not tolerated and our administration will be dealing with him. Unfortunately I did not know about this until the Finals when I finally had a chance to sit with our parents. Please know that we hold Bradley in the highest regard and have the utmost respect for everything they have done. If either the wrestler his parents or Coach Smith could contact me I would like to apologize to them individually on behalf of our team. I have just sent Coach Logsdon and email with my contact information. I hate that he had to miss the finals because of the actions of one of our parents.

 

Finally my understanding is that it was the actions of one fan, please contact me directly if you know the identities of any others that may have been involved (according to the article it says fans).

 

Thank you, and please contact me directly if you have any further details.

Coach Josh Peck

Ravenwood High School

 

Classy post coach. Can't imagine anyone not accepting such a sincere appology. Shame the parent in question doesn't have your character. I wasn't there but I would wager a bundle said parent would have been a WHOLE lot unhappier if this confrontation got physical.

[rcpatriot]

Nice job Ben!

 

Can't imagine TSSAA "requesting" that a coach not be in attendance due to taking up for one of his wrestlers!

 

Was the parent "requested" to leave as well?

 

Coach Peck, very classy.

[PUMMELKING]

Outstanding post by Coach Peck. Makes a statement when a coach stands up for his team and program when they are in the right and to fix things or make amens when they are in the wrong.

Hope the bus was wi-fi and Coach Smith had up to the min updates.....

[drmedulla]

To all:

 

Coach Peck and I, as well as others involved with Bradley Wrestling, have communicated back and forth this morning and there are thankfully no hard feelings on either side. Coach Peck is a great coach and runs a top-notch, classy program. His hard work, dedication, and commitment are obviously paying off. Just before the match started, I was picking his brain about his "Raptor Camp" that he puts on for his kids because I would like for us, BC Wrestling, to incorporate it into our Summer Training Program. We have the up-most respect for him and his team. Otherwise, Coach Logsdon would not have scouted the Raptors the first two matches of the Duals. We have said for several seasons now that Ravenwood is very well coached, always in good condition, and not to be overlooked.

 

As far as my incident goes, I was wrong. I should never have approached the stands. After escorting our wrestler back to the bench area (so he wouldn't throw a fit and hurt and/or embarrass himself), I heard what was going on and listened to two different insults/taunts to him before I acted inappropriately. After the second insult, my temper/emotions got the best of me. I should have taken the issue to Mr. Reeves, Mr. Childress, and/or Mr. Parker and allowed them to handle it. For that I am sorry. I gave the TSSAA, the sport of wrestling, and BC Wrestling a black eye. I also caused undo distraction for my team. As Mr. Childress told me, I am to be held to a higher standard. I 100% agree with that and am thankful that I was only dismissed for the Finals. I have been coaching for eight seasons now and I have discovered that there are still lessons to learn. This weekend, I learned a very valuable one. I apologize to all who saw my lapse in judgement, the Ravenwood fans, coaches, wrestlers as well as the fans/parents of the BC wrestlers, as well as anyone else in attendance who witnessed the circus. I hope that my future actions and decisions will replace the negative impression that I left Saturday afternoon at The Cow Palace.

 

Thank you,

 

Ben Smith

BCHS Wrestling

[goblue1]

You can tell why BC has been great for years and why RW will be a threat to anyone they wrestle. You coaches are handling this will exceptionsl class, it is ashamed for the BC coach to miss what he worked so hard for because of the thoughtlessness of a parent or two. Good job coaches why to right a wrong!

[Da Bears]

A special thanks to Coach Peck for his comments. Also, Coach Ben Smith is a true friend to the sport of wrestling. Their post shows their caracter.

 

We at BCHS Wrestling have a great repect for all the teams at the duals. They all earned their right to be there.

 

I talked with many of the Ravenwood fans after the match and we all agreed we wish none of these off the mat activities would have happened. I am sure as things progressed many of the Bradley fans also reacted inappropriately.

 

Good luck to the Ravenwood coaches, fans and wrestlers.

 

Ron Moore

President

Bradley Central Wrestling Booster Club

Edited February 7, 2011 by Da Bears

[mythreewrestlers]

A speical thanks to Coach Peck for his comments. Also, Coach Ben Smith is a true friend to the sport of wrestling. Their post shows their caracter.

 

We at BCHS Wrestling have a great repect for all the teams at the duals. They all earned their right to be there.

 

I talked with many of the Ravenwood fans after the match and we all agreed we wish none of these off the mat activities would have happened. I am sure as things progressed many of the Bradley fans also reacted inappropriately.

 

Good luck to the Ravenwood coaches, fans and wrestlers.

 

Ron Moore

President

Bradley Central Wrestling Booster Club

 

Ok I guess its my turn first let me apologize to the sport of wrestling for what happened sat but let me make some things clear first of all we were all out of control as this and other post have noted but i need to make some things clear . 1- without disrespecting coach smith i'm not sure what and from who you heard yelling at the wrestler because it was not from me i have 3 boys in this sport and have always given 100 % to it and those who really know me know i will fight with parents coaches and refs but never would you see me attack a kid, i believe it should be left up to them on the mat even though too many times it comes down to the ref. 2- they were plenty of non BC and RW parents coming to my defense when the sheriffs were discusses it with me therefore they told me to calm down and take my seat but after having coach smith leave they asked me to voluntary

leave and i agreed the sheriff even had them return my money so as i have told the free press they need to watch what they print because they never talked to me. now should some of BC parents been asked to leave yes i think so when some made motions to come over and take me on but that is wrestling I'm a big boy and whatever you think wont affect me. but all i ask is for you to not let this get to were it effects the two young men that wrestle so for guys like texas 23 who from what i read is always trying to cause ruckis on here have at it but keep in mind what u say on here can be used against you

[Da Bears]

I am not sure why Texas23 is being questioned here. He relayed a story and did not call out any names or parents in his post. It was what is was. It happened and it is over.

 

Once again thank you Coach Peck and the Ravenwood program. And thanks to Coach Smith for his comments.

[texas23]

 

Ok I guess its my turn first let me apologize to the sport of wrestling for what happened sat but let me make some things clear first of all we were all out of control as this and other post have noted but i need to make some things clear . 1- without disrespecting coach smith i'm not sure what and from who you heard yelling at the wrestler because it was not from me i have 3 boys in this sport and have always given 100 % to it and those who really know me know i will fight with parents coaches and refs but never would you see me attack a kid, i believe it should be left up to them on the mat even though too many times it comes down to the ref. 2- they were plenty of non BC and RW parents coming to my defense when the sheriffs were discusses it with me therefore they told me to calm down and take my seat but after having coach smith leave they asked me to voluntary

leave and i agreed the sheriff even had them return my money so as i have told the free press they need to watch what they print because they never talked to me. now should some of BC parents been asked to leave yes i think so when some made motions to come over and take me on but that is wrestling I'm a big boy and whatever you think wont affect me. but all i ask is for you to not let this get to were it effects the two young men that wrestle so for guys like texas 23 who from what i read is always trying to cause ruckis on here have at it but keep in mind what u say on here can be used against you

 

I am not sure what the heck you are talking about, but I am sure that having the newspaper call out some "mouthy fan" is the crux of your comments. You should really take that up with the writer at the Times Free Press. I assume you are the mouthy fan based on this post.

 

I can only imagine the feeling of being sat down and talked to by the administration of the Ravenwood High School about the less than mature behavior at a High School Championship event. I would not really know as I have never been asked to leave any kind of event for bad behavior. Throw in the apology made by the coach of the team on behalf of the same behavior and I see where you are hurt by the entire donneyBrook that could have ensured had it taken its full course. Add the local Sheriff into the mix and you have a real mess on your hands.

 

Is that what you were looking for from me? Because all I had done before this post was share a story from the on line Chattanooga Free Press, no comments and no analysis of who was or was not at fault. I do wonder why anybody from the fan base of the Bears competition would have anything to say, I mean that particular individual match was not decided in favor of the Bears.

 

Someone needs to look into the mirror for the real cause of all this commotion.

[Colokid]

I am not sure what the heck you are talking about, but I am sure that having the newspaper call out some "mouthy fan" is the crux of your comments. You should really take that up with the writer at the Times Free Press. I assume you are the mouthy fan based on this post.

 

I can only imagine the feeling of being sat down and talked to by the administration of the Ravenwood High School about the less than mature behavior at a High School Championship event. I would not really know as I have never been asked to leave any kind of event for bad behavior. Throw in the apology made by the coach of the team on behalf of the same behavior and I see where you are hurt by the entire donneyBrook that could have ensured had it taken its full course. Add the local Sheriff into the mix and you have a real mess on your hands.

 

Is that what you were looking for from me? Because all I had done before this post was share a story from the on line Chattanooga Free Press, no comments and no analysis of who was or was not at fault. I do wonder why anybody from the fan base of the Bears competition would have anything to say, I mean that particular individual match was not decided in favor of the Bears.

 

Someone needs to look into the mirror for the real cause of all this commotion.