unaka softball

[MHeaton50]

Earlier this season, when we played UH, we lost by a few careless mental mistakes. I'm not sure how their fielding is, we hardly got past McVeigh on offense. But I can gauruntee that the next time Unaka plays UH, we WILL put up a fight. And as far as Coach Hicks pressuring Ryann Musick and I into going to Unaka, it isn't true. We decided to go to Stoney Creek on our own free will. Even our parents left it up to us. I go to church with Ronnie, & have my whole life. He's not that kind of person. He's an awesome coach & treats Musick & I the same way he does every other player on own team. We don't get any kind of special treatment just becasue we are from Elizabethton. Once those rumors get started, you can never tell what's the truth.

[cyclonehomer]

Nobody ever wrote anything about Coach Hicks "pressuring" Musick and Heaton into going to Unaka. Recruiting is very subtle..."We would like to have you"...."You could definitely play for us"...coming to watch players work out and then talking to them about how they would fit into the program...recruiting is encouragement, not pressure...and any of the above things, no matter how innocent, violate rules. Coaches can have no discussion with players from other schools about their program -- even if they attend church with said player.

If Hicks didn't do any of these things, then so be it. He did not recruit said players.

This is not an indictment of Ronnie Hicks as a person. I happen to think he's probably the second-best softball coach in the area.

[hayseed]

Curious Cyclonehomer - who do you think is the best softball coach in the area? And as for "recruiting", I've heard many coaches say these same words to players including several coaches from EHS and not just in one particular sport or just at the high school level.

[uhssoftball12]

Cyclone homer, when Unaka meets University High on the softball field, IT WILL BE A BATTLE. Not only physically, but mentally. If we beat University High, it will be our 9th straight conference title. When you can say that about the cyclones, you can make another prediction that Unaka will be beaten.

It's a shame that we didn't get to play Elizabethton.

[MHeaton50]

Cyclonehomer, who do you think IS the best softball coach around? And I haven't met a coach that didn't encourage another player to come to their school, or be on their team. "We'd love to have you..." I love hearing those words come out of coaches mouthes. And so I guess that EVERY coach has said those words...& will probably at one point eat them, too. But Ryann and I didn't go to Unaka because of Coach Hicks. We went because of the softball history they have up there. We knew we wouldn't get that kind of knowledge anywhere else. & I've learned a lot since softball season started.

[cyclonehomer]

If they said it, they are guilty of recruiting. Just because "they all do it," doesn't make it right. If you don't believe me, check with the TSSAA office.

 

As for the best softball coach, isn't it obvious? How many coaches around here have won a state softball title? Doesn't take long to count to ONE.

 

And if you haven't met a coach that didn't encourage kids from other schools to come to their school, then you haven't met a coach who is willing to play by the rules.

And as for the history of Unaka softball, it is well established. But there are two schools of thought: join history or make history.

And anybody who goes to a school solely for softball reasons, turning away from the academic advantages of a better school with more money and more resources and better teachers, that person will likely sow four years of softball rewards and reap a lifetime of being a few notches below where he/she could have been.

[Guest out4blood]

Better teachers?!? Don't even go there, moron! I will put the county teachers and administration up against the city any day. Who will the city fire this week?

[Analyzer]

If you don't like my friends, I'll fire you. That's real education with the students in mind. Let's just have the students ralley in the streets. That's where I want my child. :confused:

[hayseed]

cyclonehomer, I get so tired of hearing that the city has "better" everything when one main reason is that the city only funds one High School where the county has to fund four. And I hate to tell you but we all live in Carter County and if the county is soooo bad, why does the city take teachers from the county system just about every year. No offense but if you want to learn you will learn where ever you go to school. Yes, the city may offer more of a variety of classes but the basic four(reading, english, math and science) are offered at each school. So what you are trying to imply is just a bunch of junk. Where one goes to school whether it be in the city or the county should be up to the individual and their parents. A coach should offer words of encouragement and praise if deserved to every player, even ones from other schools and if this is taken as "recruiting" then maybe no one should be talking to each other at all. Sorry if I offended anyone, but the city/county thing just gets really old. Thanks for letting me sound off!

[Analyzer]

Don't sound off too loud hayseed. They might fire you too!!

[gome07]

I agree completely with you Hayseed. I am personally tired of hearing it too, all about the education crap, County vs. City. And there has been teachers from the county go to the city for better money, and I don't blame them, but still it's their decision. Like Musick & Heaton coming to a county school, it was THEIR decision. I know of 3 that left Unaka to go to Elizabethton, one of them used to be our assistant softball coach and now he is an outstanding coach at tennis for Elizabethton. But they all did what was best for their families money wise, and I understand. But we don't bicker and complain about it just because of where he went. And as for the best softball coach, yeah Baxter is the man in this area with 2A softball. But in 1A, Coach Hicks holds the title in that. Just curious though CycloneHomer, are you a coach at Elizabethton of some sport? Let's say softball, and are you just trashing Unaka because your unhappy we got the 2 city girls you were hoping to recieve? Just wondering

[cyclonehomer]

It amazes me how people get on here and read something they don't like and immediately slip to the depths of name-calling. Shame on you, out4blood, for calling me a "moron" just because you didn't like my opinion.

As for Unaka versus Elizabethton academically, putting those schools on the same level is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. Even if you don't like the softball comments, to turn a poor county school like Unaka into the academic equal of Elizabethton is incredibly blind to the simple facts: more money=better teachers=better education. You might get a better education at Unaka than Clinch, but you won't get a better education at Unaka than Science Hill. Why? More money=better teachers=better education.

Of course, a smart person could attend Unaka and graduate smart. Bright people are bright people. But the majority of people need every edge they can get, which is why Unaka will fall short for the majority of its students.

Some people don't have a choice. They live where they live and that's the way it is. But for someone who has the choice, and chooses Unaka over Elizabethton, especially when they have been in the city school system and can see the benefits, I simply feel sorry for them -- academically, not athletically. And that is what is important.

I've lost interest in this thread, so feel free to ramble on and call me every name in the book. I doubt that I will check back to see what any of you have to say.