10/20/08
Dear Editor
I would like to commend the Berlin boys modified soccer coach Ray Nelson for making the correct decision to forfeit the October 18 home game to Waterford after one of the Waterford parents went nuts. As a parent who had a child on the field that day I was mortified and disgusted by the actions of this Waterford parent. For 30 minutes the spectators, players, coaches and refs were berated by foul comments and disgusting language from this parent. Apparently after taking all that he could the Ref called the coaches over to deal with this intolerable situation and in the end that parent was asked to leave. Then all the parents on the sidelines were treated to this man’s crude gutter language as if he were looking for a fight.
I commend all the parents that day that heard this and remained calm, just requesting this outrageous parent leave the field. But he didn’t. He stood behind the goal fence and continued his diatribe towards our coach and team. At that point he made a move toward the players and coaches. This is when our coach took the high ground and ended the game protecting the players from any further exposure to this disgusting behavior. Three cheers for Berlin and Coach Ray.
Our boys learned a good lesson that day, and I’m so proud of them that they couldn’t be goaded into this lowbrow conduct. They should hold their heads up high and be proud of their coach and his decision.
I’m not sure what the Waterford boys learned. As we were leaving the field I heard one Waterford player say to the other “Hey look your father got us a win!” Wrong! The Berlin team was the real winner that day in all of this. There will always be those few individuals who have to spoil the fun of these sporting events, but the Mountaineers can be proud of the conduct of their team and its coach. Go Mountaineers!!
Andrew Zlotnick
Petersburgh
Parent BCSD