Dear Editor:

I am disappointed that Mike Chancey has resigned as the Meigs football coach. He has been a positive influence on many the past 19 years and will be missed.

Football has been a large part of my life as an assistant coach, player, and the son of a head coach. I have seen many good coaches, along with many who did not represent the profession well, including those who played athletes with concussions against the advice of medical staff; tolerated discriminatory and racial remarks by players; cursed out individual players in front of hundreds; or were fired because of inappropriate behavior with co-eds.

With Coach Chancey, Meigs Local never had to worry about these types of concerns. Instead, we had a coach who treated his players fairly and with respect. A coach who placed the welfare and safety of the player and team above his own self interests. Hopefully, these same values will be required of all future coaches.

Perhaps, the Meigs family should revisit the purpose of athletics, our expectations for coaches and our manner of measuring success. In doing so, we need to be honest with ourselves. Although our school has been blessed with thousands of student athletes, very few have had the talent to play at the college or professional level. While difficult to accept, the odds of making it “big time” in sports are limited.

However, in terms of making it “big time” in the game of life, all of our athletes have the opportunity to be leaders in the classroom and to become successful parents, spouses and community members. Therefore, our focus with athletics should be on the development of work ethic, responsibility, discipline and integrity – traits that are the foundation of success in all aspects of life.

Let’s lead by example and make our school a model for others to follow — a model that emphasizes the true purpose of high school athletics. A model that ensures the prosperity of our school and community for generations ahead.

Respectfully,

Frank Blake

Lancaster, Ohio