Parents Asking For Jr. Varsity Football At Pocomoke High School

February 18, 2011
Written By: Staff Writer, Travis Brown
A group of concerned individuals petitioned the Worcester County Board of Education Tuesday to bring junior varsity football to Pocomoke High School (PHS).

While many board members openly supported the idea, they also cautioned the group that the process of bringing a football team to PHS would likely be long and have to take place in degrees.

“They [the kids] all want to play,” said Howard Wilkinson parent of two children currently at Pocomoke Middle School.

Wilkinson explained to the assembly that his kids deserved the opportunity to play football on a school team once they reached PHS.

As of now, the only options for Pocomoke area students who wish to play football are programs like the Salvation Army Youth Club. Or, if a student is determined to play on a school team, Worcester County allows youths to attend any public school they wish, regardless of residence, as long as the individual can provide their own transportation.

This policy has resulted in many students transferring to nearby Snow Hill High School, just to take advantage of that school’s football program.

However, the process can be trying on families who have to transport the student to and from school every day. Additionally, the transfer means having to adjust to a new school and new people, an experience which is often difficult to manage for students at that age.

While Worcester used to allow temporary, one semester transfers to students wishing to participate in other schools’ sporting seasons, a relatively recent state athletic law has changed the rules.

“The school you play for, you have to graduate from,” Superintendent Dr. Jon Andes explained to the assembly, meaning that students who transfer to Show Hill High School to play football are implying the intent to graduate from that school. If they were to return to PHS at any point, they would not be allowed to play on the Show Hill High football team again.

Such rules were cited by the group asking for a football program at PHS, including Salvation Army Youth Club Director Harvey Davis, who told the Board of Education that he saw more than enough commitment and dedication from Pocomoke players on his club team to justify giving the school its own program.

The board heard what the advocates were saying and seemed engaged in the discussion and exploring all options.

Several members shared their own memories of playing high school football and agreed that it was an opportunity for growth that all youths should have the chance to experience. However, the realities of bringing football to PHS, even just junior varsity, will be difficult to surmount.

“Football is a very expensive undertaking,” said Andes. “It’s probably one of the most expensive programs.”

Board of Education President Bob Hulburd agreed, saying, “There are a lot of nuts and bolts and details that need to be worked out.”

The board suggested taking the Stephen Decatur High School swim team as something of a model for what would need to be done at PHS. That team began at the club level after receiving a lot of support from students and parents and eventually evolved into a fully Decatur-endorsed program.

“You need to show the intent and commitment of the community,” Board of Education Vice President Bob Rothermel said.

Rothermel recommended getting in touch with PHS administration, the PTA, and the community at large and coming back at the board’s next meeting.

Wilkinson and his group got a head start on Rothermel’s proposal when PHS Principal Tyrone Mills, who was in the audience, lent his support to the petition.

“I’d love to have football at Pocomoke High School,” he said.

From: www.mdcoastdispatch.com

What Can Happen When Your Boss Is Not A Good Sport

With Chicago reeling from Sunday’s painful playoff loss, Monday morning probably wasn’t the best time for car salesman John Stone to share his love for the Green Bay Packers with co-workers and customers.

But Stone, 34, proudly showed up for work at Webb Chevrolet in south suburban Oak Lawn wearing his green-and-yellow Packers necktie anyway.

Now he’s former car salesman John Stone.

The morning after the Chicago Bears’ hated rivals beat them at Soldier Field to advance to the Super Bowl, Webb’s general manager Jerry Roberts says he fired Stone for refusing to remove the Packers-branded tie.

The facts aren’t in dispute, only the appropriateness of the novelty neckwear.

“He said, ‘You have two options,’ ” a furious Stone said later Monday. “Remove the tie, or you’re fired.”

“When I didn’t, he said, ‘You can leave, you’re fired.’ Does that sound fair to you?”

Stone, a father of two who had worked at Webb Chevrolet for a month-and-a-half, grew up in Chicago’s Roseland community but said he’s supported the Packers since he first saw former running back Ahman Green play.

“I liked the way he played, and I liked Brett Favre before he left, and I love Aaron Rodgers, the coaching staff — the whole organization,” he said.

“I was just showing my love for my team and it was a nice, smart tie that matched my clothes — none of the customers minded: they had a sense of humor about it.”

Roberts agreed that no customers had complained about the tie when Stone was asked to remove it at 10:30 a.m., and that Stone was a good salesman who sold 14 cars last month.

But he said the tie was “salting the wounds” of Bears fans including himself and that it “makes it harder to sell cars in what’s already a competitive sales environment.”

“We spend $20,000 a month on advertising with the Bears on WBBM during the season, and we have Bears players including Corey Wootten driving loaner vehicles, and here was a salesman openly undoing that work.”

The deals with the Bears include Webb sponsoring the “Most Valuable Bear” award handed out after every game and a loaner vehicle for announcer Jeff Joniak, Roberts said.

Stone was offered five chances to take off the tie, but chose not to, he said, adding “If he loves the tie more than his job, he’s welcome to keep wearing it — elsewhere.”

For his part, Stone complains that he often wore the tie, which he bought three years ago at Wal-Mart, in his former job at a Dodge dealership.

But, said Roberts, context is everything. “If he’d worn the tie on Saturday I wouldn’t have minded.”

And what if the Bears had won?

“I suspect he wouldn’t have worn the tie.”

www.suntimes.com

Ravens Coach Charged With DUI

State police say a Ravens assistant coach was arrested and charged Saturday with driving while under the influence of alcohol.

Andy Moeller, 46, an assistant offensive line coach, was stopped by a trooper for speeding just before 1 a.m. Saturday on the outer loop of the beltway at Greenspring Ave., according to state police spokesman Greg Shipley.

Moeller showed signs of being impaired and was charged with seven traffic violations, including driving while under the influence. Shipley said Moeller signed the citations and was released to a sober driver.

Moeller will enter a not guilty plea, attorney Andrew I. Alperstein said Monday.

"We'll deal with this [case] as it comes My client's position is that we're going to review the evidence and decide how to proceed," Alperstein said.

Court records show Moeller, of Owings Mills, was charged in May with four counts, including driving while under the influence and negligent driving, and was acquitted in late August.

The Ravens said they knew about the arrest but would not comment further.

"We're aware of the situation," said Kevin Byrne, the Ravens' senior vice president of public relations.
Moeller is in his third season with the Ravens after joining the team from the University of Michigan.

www.baltimoresun.com

Vick's Family and Friends Sued For Millions In Bankruptcy Court

NEWPORT NEWS

Michael Vick wrongfully transferred millions of dollars to his friends and family in the months before he went to federal prison, Vick's bankruptcy trustee alleges in a lawsuit.

The suit, filed in Newport News U.S. Bankruptcy Court, seeks repayment of at least $2 million from Vick's mother, fiancée, brother Marcus, other family members and friends. Each was served with the court papers this week.

Vick's representatives called the suit misguided.

“He was being generous to his friends and family. He wasn’t trying to do anything illegal,” said Paul Campsen, Vick’s bankruptcy attorney.

Vick’s bankruptcy case, now more than two years old, has been one of the more complicated cases handled in the local bankruptcy courts, attorneys involved have said.

Last summer, after Vick’s release from prison, a bankruptcy judge approved a financial restructuring plan that allowed Vick to keep $300,000 of his salary with the Philadelphia Eagles while most of the rest of his millions go to pay off his creditors.

Vick, who lives in Hampton, served 23 months for bankrolling a dogfighting operation and remains on probation. When he went into prison, he claimed to owe $20 million.

www.hamptonroads.com

NFL Playoff Observation From My Kitchen

I just made an observation a few minutes ago. And it's the kind of thing that alot of us don't really pay attention to because we take so much for granted anymore and our lives go so fast.

I am probably one of the few that does take notice of the pregame activities. My husband has learned (the hard way) NOT to use the remote to find another channel to watch until the Star Spangled Banner is over. He learned quickly that those things were a dear thing in my life. So now, when most would get up to go find something to eat and come back (hoping the patriotic "thing" is gone) he watches.

When everyone left today from my house I left the tv on. No special reason. I just didn't want to stop making the pot of soup I had started. As most of us know the NFL playoff games are on today. Now I don't care for football (I know) but I do care about the opening ceremonies and how the Star Spangled Banner is sung. NFL seems to be doing a really great job this year with that song but every year during Nascar I cringe!

Anyway, the National Anthem started out really good. Just a shame I can't remember the American Idol winners name. But what came after really touched my heart. There before a crowd of thousands. the great American flag was opened on the arena floor, held securely by our great men and women of the military forces. Now I have seen one of these great flags with my own eyes and unless you see it, stand under it you can never truly imagine the true power of those colors.



But in the wings, waiting, was the great American Bald Eagle perched regally on the left arm of his caretaker. Now for me the Bald Eagle is an ordinary sight back here where I live. BUT, with great power in his thrust for take off the Bald Eagle soared in elegance around the arena and over the huge flag as the crowd roared! He just seemed to be floating up in the air, over our flag as the National Anthem ended.
Wow! I thought. Wow. That was awsome. And then I had to wipe my eyes.



America. Hmmm. The United States of America!! In fact, the great, big, wonderful, beautiful United States of America!

You know, we move so fast in our lives anymore. We hear and we see but most times it is just for the pure sake of navigation to get to the next point in our day. We don't pay attention and we take for granted the things that have allowed us to be free for centuries. And I am certainly smart enough to know that it wan't just the American flag, the Star Spangled Banner and the American Bald Eagle that brought us to this point in history. It is because of those men and woman embracing that great flag that have provided us with freedom all these years and it is because of their efforts and determination that we can even witness a pregame show.

Thankyou to all of them. It got my attention today as it does most times. It makes me feel proud. It made me become all teary eyed with patriotism.

Now, as for the winner of the game I do not know. I'll go with the Colts. I think they're in the playoffs and tonight New Orleans................gonna go finish my soup!

DOG KILLER GAINS EMPLOYMENT

PETA's response to Philadelphia signing Vick

WTKR-TV3

In regards to the Philadelphia Eagles signing Michael Vick, PETA's official statement is as follows:

PETA and millions of decent football fans around the world are disappointed that the Philadelphia Eagles have chosen to sign a man who hanged dogs from trees, electrocuted them with jumper cables, held them underwater until they drowned in his swimming pool, and even threw his own family dogs into the fighting pit to be torn to shreds while he laughed. What sort of message does this send to young fans who care about animals and don't want to see them be harmed? PETA certainly hopes that Vick has learned his lesson and feels truly remorseful for his crimes--but since he's given no public indication that that's the case, only time will tell. At this point, all Eagles fans can do is cross their fingers and hope that they won't ever have to explain to their sons and daughters what a "rape rack" is and why their favorite player was using one, as Falcons fans once had to.

http://www.wtkr.com/

I don't usually agree with PETA on most of what they do. However, in the case of Michael Vick they do have some good thoughts. Is he remourseful? I don't think so. Vick, apparently had witnessed this type of thing since he was a young boy. Thinking that this was the "norm" even after becomming a man is inexcusable! But I suppose it's easier to pass the blame onto someone else instead of being a man and taking the blame himself. Here's a person that knows everything there is to know about football and knows nothing about life. He has to play football. If he grew up thinking that dog fighting was the "norm" then it's hard to tell what other "stupid" he has in his head.

I won't even try to explain what a "rape-rack" is. I can tell you it's probably close to what you imagine it to be.