Comments on: Father: Mater Dei player taken to hospital after fight at practice http://ocvarsity.freedomblogging.com/2008/07/16/father-mater-dei-player-taken-to-hospital-after-fight-at-practice/4045/ High school sports talk by the staff of the Orange County Register Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:16:57 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Mom of MD http://ocvarsity.freedomblogging.com/2008/07/16/father-mater-dei-player-taken-to-hospital-after-fight-at-practice/4045/#comment-3951 Mom of MD Wed, 23 Jul 2008 22:14:17 +0000 http://ocvarsity.freedomblogging.com/2008/07/16/father-mater-dei-player-taken-to-hospital-after-fight-at-practice/#comment-3951 This is to the comment from the "Another Mom". I like how you say Res Ipsi Loquitor, (and yes I know what that means) but what about innocent until proven guilty. You need to not always believe everything you read. I think this whole thing has gotten blown way out of proportion. By the way the injuries described in the original article were a bit over stated. Thank you for your candor. BTW I have never stated that MD is all that. I am speaking from my personal experiences at the school sorry if that offends you. This is to the comment from the "Another Mom". I like how you say Res Ipsi Loquitor, (and yes I know what that means) but what about innocent until proven guilty. You need to not always believe everything you read. I think this whole thing has gotten blown way out of proportion. By the way the injuries described in the original article were a bit over stated. Thank you for your candor. BTW I have never stated that MD is all that. I am speaking from my personal experiences at the school sorry if that offends you.

]]> By: Another Mom http://ocvarsity.freedomblogging.com/2008/07/16/father-mater-dei-player-taken-to-hospital-after-fight-at-practice/4045/#comment-3947 Another Mom Wed, 23 Jul 2008 07:36:22 +0000 http://ocvarsity.freedomblogging.com/2008/07/16/father-mater-dei-player-taken-to-hospital-after-fight-at-practice/#comment-3947 Who are you trying to convince, MD Mom? Us...or yourself?! There is no defense for this behavior, and you wouldn't just 'probably be upset ' if your son came home with the injuries described, you sure WOULD be mad. Mad at THE SCHOOL for denying you access to the tapes, mad at the attitudes of the coaches and trainers for minimizing and dismissing the enitre situation, and furious at being told you have no rights because it's a private school (quote from the Dad in the article above)!! SOMEONE has to be held responsible for this at some level, don't you think? Boys were badly injured and poorly diagnosed, mistakes were made, it was not handled properly - probably out of fear on the school's part, which implies some feeling of responsibility IMHO. We don't expect "1 to 1 ratios" on the field, but we do expect our sons to have some level of protection from a random beatdown by a jealous teammate and some level of support from the school in the aftermath. And I shudder to think how this event will make them better parents and adults in the future, as you suggested. Bad things happen at good schools, there's a few bad apples in every bunch - but don't blindly defend them or the school in your zeal to convince everyone else that MD is all that. Res Ipsi Loquitor. (The facts speak for themselves.) Acknowledge it, condemn the behavior and humbly learn from it as everyone moves on. BTW, I wouldn't call this bashing, this is a good thread expressing varying ideas on a topic that just happens to sting for you. Who are you trying to convince, MD Mom? Us...or yourself?! There is no defense for this behavior, and you wouldn't just 'probably be upset ' if your son came home with the injuries described, you sure WOULD be mad. Mad at THE SCHOOL for denying you access to the tapes, mad at the attitudes of the coaches and trainers for minimizing and dismissing the enitre situation, and furious at being told you have no rights because it's a private school (quote from the Dad in the article above)!! SOMEONE has to be held responsible for this at some level, don't you think? Boys were badly injured and poorly diagnosed, mistakes were made, it was not handled properly - probably out of fear on the school's part, which implies some feeling of responsibility IMHO. We don't expect "1 to 1 ratios" on the field, but we do expect our sons to have some level of protection from a random beatdown by a jealous teammate and some level of support from the school in the aftermath. And I shudder to think how this event will make them better parents and adults in the future, as you suggested. Bad things happen at good schools, there's a few bad apples in every bunch - but don't blindly defend them or the school in your zeal to convince everyone else that MD is all that. Res Ipsi Loquitor. (The facts speak for themselves.) Acknowledge it, condemn the behavior and humbly learn from it as everyone moves on. BTW, I wouldn't call this bashing, this is a good thread expressing varying ideas on a topic that just happens to sting for you.

]]> By: Mom of MD http://ocvarsity.freedomblogging.com/2008/07/16/father-mater-dei-player-taken-to-hospital-after-fight-at-practice/4045/#comment-3946 Mom of MD Tue, 22 Jul 2008 20:05:00 +0000 http://ocvarsity.freedomblogging.com/2008/07/16/father-mater-dei-player-taken-to-hospital-after-fight-at-practice/#comment-3946 Ok enough of the verbal bashing back and forth. The bottom line is that the parents are upset because their child was hurt. I would probably be too. But I certainly would evaluate the situation on a whole. Please lets all be realistic here. Schools, kids, parents, coaches etc are not perfect. It was terrible that this happened but the reality is you can not have a 1 to 1 ratio per player. Coaches are not completely responsible for teaching our children character, attitude, and sportsmanship, it is up to the parents. We can not lay all of the responsibility on the schools. If our kids are taught good values and morals at home those should carry through to their school life as well. Yes and sometimes we do our best and they make mistakes it is all part of a bigger picture, those life lessons that make them better adults and future parents. There are many "behind the scence" activites that most people do not hear about that the MD football team does. There is accountability for each team mate and a brother hood that I have personally witnessed myself. Monarchs for Marines is an excellent program that has been running for the past several years. Our boys take time out of there schedules to help others. Academics is a priority on the team. I know in the past and I am sure that it is still present now that many members were asked to leave the team due to their grades. Contrary to what many believe academics are a high priority. Yes winning does matter, winning in building our kids for their academic and spiritual growth. Despite what many outside of MD think of Coach Rollinson, he is great man. He truly cares about each and every student on the campus whether they are on the football team or not. I have much respect for him and what he does for our students. He is a straight shooter. He is always straight up with the students, if they are not doing well in school he will tell them and get them the help they need. He goes above and beyond. I think whatever school our kids attend we all need to be praying for this up and coming generation, they need all the help they can get. Ok enough of the verbal bashing back and forth. The bottom line is that the parents are upset because their child was hurt. I would probably be too. But I certainly would evaluate the situation on a whole. Please lets all be realistic here. Schools, kids, parents, coaches etc are not perfect. It was terrible that this happened but the reality is you can not have a 1 to 1 ratio per player. Coaches are not completely responsible for teaching our children character, attitude, and sportsmanship, it is up to the parents. We can not lay all of the responsibility on the schools. If our kids are taught good values and morals at home those should carry through to their school life as well. Yes and sometimes we do our best and they make mistakes it is all part of a bigger picture, those life lessons that make them better adults and future parents.
There are many "behind the scence" activites that most people do not hear about that the MD football team does. There is accountability for each team mate and a brother hood that I have personally witnessed myself. Monarchs for Marines is an excellent program that has been running for the past several years. Our boys take time out of there schedules to help others. Academics is a priority on the team. I know in the past and I am sure that it is still present now that many members were asked to leave the team due to their grades. Contrary to what many believe academics are a high priority. Yes winning does matter, winning in building our kids for their academic and spiritual growth. Despite what many outside of MD think of Coach Rollinson, he is great man. He truly cares about each and every student on the campus whether they are on the football team or not. I have much respect for him and what he does for our students. He is a straight shooter. He is always straight up with the students, if they are not doing well in school he will tell them and get them the help they need. He goes above and beyond. I think whatever school our kids attend we all need to be praying for this up and coming generation, they need all the help they can get.

]]> By: Another Mom http://ocvarsity.freedomblogging.com/2008/07/16/father-mater-dei-player-taken-to-hospital-after-fight-at-practice/4045/#comment-3943 Another Mom Tue, 22 Jul 2008 03:48:40 +0000 http://ocvarsity.freedomblogging.com/2008/07/16/father-mater-dei-player-taken-to-hospital-after-fight-at-practice/#comment-3943 Regardless of who threw the first punch, testosterone on the field, football being rough whether in public or private schools and all the other lame excuses offered for this event...the point is that team mates have scuffles and emotions get high, but a TRUE BROTHER would not let his rage/anger overcome him and send his brother to the hospital over it! PS - Jessica, you make it far too easy to hate on MD and probably don't reflect the opinions of many good folks there. And no this doesn't happen at other schools because winning is not everything to us. We pride ourselves on self-control, brotherhood, fair competition and dealing with stress and pressure maturely without throwing punches on our team mates. "Attitude reflects leadership." - Remember the Titans Regardless of who threw the first punch, testosterone on the field, football being rough whether in public or private schools and all the other lame excuses offered for this event...the point is that team mates have scuffles and emotions get high, but a TRUE BROTHER would not let his rage/anger overcome him and send his brother to the hospital over it!

PS - Jessica, you make it far too easy to hate on MD and probably don't reflect the opinions of many good folks there. And no this doesn't happen at other schools because winning is not everything to us. We pride ourselves on self-control, brotherhood, fair competition and dealing with stress and pressure maturely without throwing punches on our team mates.
"Attitude reflects leadership." - Remember the Titans

]]> By: A Mom http://ocvarsity.freedomblogging.com/2008/07/16/father-mater-dei-player-taken-to-hospital-after-fight-at-practice/4045/#comment-3941 A Mom Mon, 21 Jul 2008 19:36:52 +0000 http://ocvarsity.freedomblogging.com/2008/07/16/father-mater-dei-player-taken-to-hospital-after-fight-at-practice/#comment-3941 I hope that all this press doesn't keep this father from doing the right thing for his son and that is to seek the justice he deserves! It doesn't matter what school ,wrong is wrong. Mater Dei has a reputation of arrogance and self rightousness. Obviously winning is ALL that matters to them, they have no regard for strength of character or doing the RIGHT thing. This is just one more instance that makes this point crytal clear! And no, Jessica, people do not hate on you because they can't be you, people hate on you because you are YOU! I hope that all this press doesn't keep this father from doing the right thing for his son and that is to seek the justice he deserves! It doesn't matter what school ,wrong is wrong. Mater Dei has a reputation of arrogance and self rightousness. Obviously winning is ALL that matters to them, they have no regard for strength of character or doing the RIGHT thing. This is just one more instance that makes this point crytal clear! And no, Jessica, people do not hate on you because they can't be you, people hate on you because you are YOU!

]]> By: Michael http://ocvarsity.freedomblogging.com/2008/07/16/father-mater-dei-player-taken-to-hospital-after-fight-at-practice/4045/#comment-3940 Michael Mon, 21 Jul 2008 19:06:13 +0000 http://ocvarsity.freedomblogging.com/2008/07/16/father-mater-dei-player-taken-to-hospital-after-fight-at-practice/#comment-3940 Don't always trust the media. If you read the forums, people WHO WERE THERE all say that the "victim" was the one who threw the first punch. Injuries like these shouldn't be a part of football, but unfortunately, they are what come with the stress, pressure, intensity, and dedication that are all a part of football. These kids are fighting for starting positions on a football team at MATER DEI, and whenever you have kids trying to get on the team at a powerhouse school like MD Edison Servite Orange Lutheran, Los Al, Mission Viejo, etc. there will always be incidents like this. Don't always trust the media. If you read the forums, people WHO WERE THERE all say that the "victim" was the one who threw the first punch. Injuries like these shouldn't be a part of football, but unfortunately, they are what come with the stress, pressure, intensity, and dedication that are all a part of football. These kids are fighting for starting positions on a football team at MATER DEI, and whenever you have kids trying to get on the team at a powerhouse school like MD Edison Servite Orange Lutheran, Los Al, Mission Viejo, etc. there will always be incidents like this.

]]> By: Jessica http://ocvarsity.freedomblogging.com/2008/07/16/father-mater-dei-player-taken-to-hospital-after-fight-at-practice/4045/#comment-3938 Jessica Sun, 20 Jul 2008 18:52:21 +0000 http://ocvarsity.freedomblogging.com/2008/07/16/father-mater-dei-player-taken-to-hospital-after-fight-at-practice/#comment-3938 I went to Mater Dei and worked with the Football Team for 4 years as a manager. I also did it in college at SDSU. I saw several fights among players. It has NOTHING to do with being "Mater Dei". At Mater Dei we have a reputation of winning. Students go to Mater Dei because it is an excellent school. And NO one is perfect but for some reason Mater Dei gets picked on more. When you put a bunch of testatrone on the filed fights will break out. And since when is it fair that you blame people who were not even present (i.e. school administration, coaches) So, BOTH kids fought and they BOTH went to the hospital and so this father wants to make a big issue so he can what get money, maybe free tutition. Because if you want the adminstration to disicipline the players than they both should be equally disicplined including his son....how do you know that this kid did not do something or say something to the other kid. I think this other kids parents are correct in not speaking out. I believe Rollinson will take the appropriate action. Besides they were evaluated by an EMT and the parents were informed. This dad is looking to make money off of his kid being in a fight......that is really sad!!! You do not like Mater Dei, then do not pay 10,000/year to send your kid there. It is a choice not a requirement....and why did this dad send his kid to Mater Dei and why did he play football??? because we are a bunch of losers that do not compete?? NO BECAUSE WE R COMPETITIVE AND WE WIN.......and people hate on us because they cannot be us....let it go, stop trying to make a big deal.....you do not like it?? Then LEAVE and save your 10,000/year. I went to Mater Dei and worked with the Football Team for 4 years as a manager. I also did it in college at SDSU. I saw several fights among players. It has NOTHING to do with being "Mater Dei". At Mater Dei we have a reputation of winning. Students go to Mater Dei because it is an excellent school. And NO one is perfect but for some reason Mater Dei gets picked on more. When you put a bunch of testatrone on the filed fights will break out. And since when is it fair that you blame people who were not even present (i.e. school administration, coaches) So, BOTH kids fought and they BOTH went to the hospital and so this father wants to make a big issue so he can what get money, maybe free tutition. Because if you want the adminstration to disicipline the players than they both should be equally disicplined including his son....how do you know that this kid did not do something or say something to the other kid. I think this other kids parents are correct in not speaking out. I believe Rollinson will take the appropriate action. Besides they were evaluated by an EMT and the parents were informed. This dad is looking to make money off of his kid being in a fight......that is really sad!!! You do not like Mater Dei, then do not pay 10,000/year to send your kid there. It is a choice not a requirement....and why did this dad send his kid to Mater Dei and why did he play football??? because we are a bunch of losers that do not compete?? NO BECAUSE WE R COMPETITIVE AND WE WIN.......and people hate on us because they cannot be us....let it go, stop trying to make a big deal.....you do not like it?? Then LEAVE and save your 10,000/year.

]]> By: Jeff http://ocvarsity.freedomblogging.com/2008/07/16/father-mater-dei-player-taken-to-hospital-after-fight-at-practice/4045/#comment-3937 Jeff Sat, 19 Jul 2008 23:18:36 +0000 http://ocvarsity.freedomblogging.com/2008/07/16/father-mater-dei-player-taken-to-hospital-after-fight-at-practice/#comment-3937 My son attends Mater Dei and is involved in sports. I've interacted with some of the coaches. IMHO, the coaches tend to be very arrogant. They have developed an attitude, "This is Mater Dei so I will do as I wish." I am not surprised that the coaches refused to allow the father to review the tape; I also won't be surprised if the tape "disappears". I hope the father doesn't let this drop although the pressure will be exerted by the coaches, administration and other parents to make this go away. My son attends Mater Dei and is involved in sports. I've interacted with some of the coaches. IMHO, the coaches tend to be very arrogant. They have developed an attitude, "This is Mater Dei so I will do as I wish." I am not surprised that the coaches refused to allow the father to review the tape; I also won't be surprised if the tape "disappears". I hope the father doesn't let this drop although the pressure will be exerted by the coaches, administration and other parents to make this go away.

]]> By: Cindy http://ocvarsity.freedomblogging.com/2008/07/16/father-mater-dei-player-taken-to-hospital-after-fight-at-practice/4045/#comment-3934 Cindy Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:16:08 +0000 http://ocvarsity.freedomblogging.com/2008/07/16/father-mater-dei-player-taken-to-hospital-after-fight-at-practice/#comment-3934 Oh come on now....in yesterdays OCRegister it said the son wasn't taken to the hospital until the NEXT morning. I think it's only fair to wait unitl all the information comes out. It sounds like a fight, absolutely, who started it ?(I'm sure w'e'll find out) Did the coaches react and stop it? I'm sure it's on the tapes. The practice tapes are in the hands of SAPD. I'm sure in this day of the internet 'YOU TUBE' crap, if the father had been handed over the practice tapes, they would be on You Tube in ten minutes. As a former public school kid myself, my daughters did attend MDHS. I've seen both sides. This has nothing to do with Private school vs Public school. Years ago, my younger brothers' leg was broken during football practice...PUBLIC SCHOOL not private. And guess what....the mean boys 'said' the coaches said to do it....but alas, no video practice tapes in those days...... But seriously.....I'm sure one or both boys were involved, let's see what the investigation holds. Until then ....why is the first thing everyone jumps on...it was Mater Dei's fault????? We'll see. Oh come on now....in yesterdays OCRegister it said the son wasn't taken to the hospital until the NEXT morning. I think it's only fair to wait unitl all the information comes out. It sounds like a fight, absolutely, who started it ?(I'm sure w'e'll find out) Did the coaches react and stop it? I'm sure it's on the tapes. The practice tapes are in the hands of SAPD. I'm sure in this day of the internet 'YOU TUBE' crap, if the father had been handed over the practice tapes, they would be on You Tube in ten minutes.
As a former public school kid myself, my daughters did attend MDHS. I've seen both sides. This has nothing to do with Private school vs Public school. Years ago, my younger brothers' leg was broken during football practice...PUBLIC SCHOOL not private. And guess what....the mean boys 'said' the coaches said to do it....but alas, no video practice tapes in those days......
But seriously.....I'm sure one or both boys were involved, let's see what the investigation holds. Until then ....why is the first thing everyone jumps on...it was Mater Dei's fault????? We'll see.

]]> By: A Mom http://ocvarsity.freedomblogging.com/2008/07/16/father-mater-dei-player-taken-to-hospital-after-fight-at-practice/4045/#comment-3933 A Mom Thu, 17 Jul 2008 23:27:20 +0000 http://ocvarsity.freedomblogging.com/2008/07/16/father-mater-dei-player-taken-to-hospital-after-fight-at-practice/#comment-3933 Real nice, bet they are so proud of the football program today. It's the attitude cultivated at the school that allows things like this to happen. Real nice, bet they are so proud of the football program today. It's the attitude cultivated at the school that allows things like this to happen.

]]>