Staff image in the Community

I will not drink if I'm wearing anything that represents my school. Not a staff policy just a personal policy. I do this mainly because of that small minority who think drinking is the devil. Any little thing to keep people thinking I'm an upstanding citizen..

We have victory parties after home wins and those are at a very public place that supports our program. Lots of parents there. We kind of have an understanding that none of us have to go to those parties but if we do we need to be responsible and appropriate. If we want a little livelier celebration then we go to a house.

On the road we try to keep it straight up with no colors flying.

I think the days of Coach Buttermaker and the Bad News Bears are over. Although there is something rebelious and unique about a drunken coach, its just a movie. As a representative of our team and kids, I would not be seen out in public drinking. Image, professionalism, and being a good role model at youth level is more important than anything.

I believe coaches need to be held to a higher standard and request that of my staff. Its not that drinking is such a bad thing, its just that it shouldn't really be an issue in my opinion. If it is, you have bigger problems than just how it looks to others.

I wonder how many coaches who think it unwise to be seen drinking in public have no problems what so ever smoking or chewing in public? Does the same standard apply?

With the first program I coached at, we all went toa local bowling alley after home games for a few--after we upset a nationally ranked team in the playoffs it was more than a few, but that's a different story. Anyway, none of us got out of hand, and the alley was owned by the mother of one of our players. I guess maybe it depends on the community--more people would have been disappointed if we didnt' make our postgame appearance than the other way around.

I stay away from booze at clinics; but I didn't used to. I went to a clinic at Utah while Meyers was still there; and had a couple of beers the night before. I wasn't falling down drunk by any stretch of the imagination, but I had enough to give me a nasty headache the next morning. Almost ruined the clinic for me; I felt like crap for most of the clinic. I didn't really drink all that much, but I also hadn't eaten on the drive down.

I hear you on that one knighter; one year we had an entire staff that chewed during practice and at games. I was a nicotine addict too, but I never had a dip in during practice or during a game. In fact, the last time I quit chewing (been "clean" for a year) was during a football season; I just used the patches.

Here's my question; how do you suspend a kid for a tobacco violation while you've got a big ol' wad of Levi Garrett in your mouth at practice?? Even if he's under-age; you're still running a double edge sword. You'd never think about popping open a beer on the sideline; why aren't you viewing tobacco the same way.

not sure where you are all from but in wisconsin(where i am from) drinking is sort of a rite of passage. kids start early. drinking was for a long time the really only thing kids did now meth is big. you can buy beer and the hard stuff at the grocery store for pet sake, not to mentin the tons of convience stores.

I guess is is cause of the hold the brewing industry has on the state and the number of taverns(bars) which dot the state is why drinking is tolerated. heck a DWI is not a felony in wi tell your thrid one. drinking road blocks were declared illegal and unconstitutional

I mean we are the only state I know where the snowmobile trails and atv trails hookup tavern to tavern. the big german population likes to work hard and play hard.

it all depends on the town as well. I know a guy who got two dwi's and finally lost his job. I mean he was publically drunk all the time I know a guy who lost his job after 1 dwi as well.

the smaller the community the more they would accept a coach who drinks.

in the cold wi winters the tavern is more of a social gathering. heck it is not uncommon to see underage kids with their parents in a tavern. general rule is 8:30 all underage kids have to leave the tavern.

as a rule i do not drink during football season. now softball season, since I play for a bar, I have a few. I am however on top of things. I have a limit and I do not go past it. last thing I want it to get a dwi.

as for coaches being held to a higher standard, I agree and disagree. I agree we are setting a example but I diagree cause you can be the owner of a bank and be the town drunk and no one cares. I certainly would care when it comes to my money in a bank where the president is a drunk.

i do agree about not drinking with school colors on. just giving those who want to complain a chance to do it. I mean there is stupid and then there is really stupid.

Amen to that one airman; the best beer I have ever had was a micro-brew from Wisconsin.

Drinking is the same way in MT; it really is a rite of passage in most communities. It still is in the uptight community I coached in, but mom and dad just haven't figured it out yet. That HS has a serious drinking problem and it's come to light more than once. In the summer, it's not uncommon to see these likttle morons walking around downtown with a drink in their hands.

what the wildcat is becoming a light weight??

Yeah...I guess I qualify!