October 22, 201214 yr You can assist in the rehabilitation of the player without that player being a member of the team IF you truly care about the path of that player. If the kid is acting that way when they have something, like a sport, how are they going to act when you take that away and they have nothing? (Or at least they feel that way) If you're going to spend the time to rehabilitate him there's no better way than being under a coaches supervision after school.
October 22, 201214 yr What if you: 1) Had the guilty player confess to the entire team and apologize 2) Then asked the players in a private "player's only" meeting to vote on whether to dismiss the kid or not and fix the punishment for the offender. Sounds corny and I don't know if this fixes the problem but it's anothere avenue to the problem.
October 22, 201214 yr I agree with Crash's sentiments and Hatz's suggestion, IF this is a first offense and if the kid is contrite. It would need to be clear that if there ever is a 2nd offense, the matter will be immeditely turned over to authorities. In addition, there needs to be some meetings with his parents and school administrators to make sure everyone is on the same page.
October 22, 201214 yr Happened to me in high school actually. Had a phone stolen by a teammate on the football team. Someone who knew my phone went missing saw him using it a few days later and told coach. Coach let me and a couple other players scare him straight. He stayed on the team, but was punished with harsh conditioning and suspension.
October 22, 201214 yr Question to Guru, has this player admitted to his/her guilt, or just "caught redhanded"? This is a slippery slope, and a good way to manipulate an athletes status on the depth chart. Second string QB; "Coach, I'm missing my Ipod and I think I saw it the Starting QB's gym bag". It can be very difficult to prove your own innocence. This should not be adjudicated by the teammates. Many 'families' are dysfunctional !
October 22, 201214 yr What if you: 1) Had the guilty player confess to the entire team and apologize. 2) Then asked the players in a private "player's only" meeting to vote on whether to dismiss the kid or not and fix the punishment for the offender. Sounds corny and I don't know if this fixes the problem but it's another avenue to the problem. I'm with this. I think the theft needs to be reported to the school administration and any consequences/punishments from that branch of the school need to be served, but then supposing that part of things is seen out, I would also put it to the player who stole and to the team to determine if the player remains on the team. Also, as for the voting...blind voting only.
October 22, 201214 yr Author Question to Guru, has this player admitted to his/her guilt, or just "caught redhanded"? This is a slippery slope, and a good way to manipulate an athletes status on the depth chart. Second string QB; "Coach, I'm missing my Ipod and I think I saw it the Starting QB's gym bag". It can be very difficult to prove your own innocence. This should not be adjudicated by the teammates. Many 'families' are dysfunctional ! For argument's sake lets assume the player admitted his guilt.
October 22, 201214 yr For argument's sake lets assume the player admitted his guilt. Stealing is a crime, although $100 is petty. This is less egregious than some of the following incidents that athletes have allegedly done, that we have read about on BGP; - vandalizing your rival school's property - drinking by a minor, sometimes in a car - a boy refusing to leave a practice by coach, then police; requiring the player to be tazed. - cheating on school work - allegedly stealing from opposing team I believe in second chances. If the athlete is contrite and would like to reconcile his transgression, he should be required to apologize to the team and individual, sit out for a period of time, accept the coaches punishment (run wind sprints, clean the locker, whatever). I wouldn't care to make a blanket statement either way unless a specific school policy states otherwise. Guru, the way that you have provided nebulous direction on this discussion, it appears as though you're speaking metamorphically about a theft. What more can you add?
October 23, 201214 yr Interesting. What kind of path do you guys think kicking the kid off the team will lead him on? Your job as a coach is to help your kids. Sending them packing when they come to that fork in the road could send them down a path no one wants to see a kid go down. Assist in the rehabilitation of the player and do your job. But what about the victim? I agree with those who say the thief/player is off the team this season. That there are serious consequences for inappropriate actions is a very important "teachable moment." By all means, assist school officials, parents, etc. with rehabilitation; and if everything goes well, the kid can try to come back to the team next year.
October 23, 201214 yr Guru, here are a couple of questions to you, What would happen if he stole a hundred dollars worth of stuff from a store and was caught red handed doing it? What would happen if he stole a hundred dollars worth of stuff from anyone other than a teammate at the school? What would happen if he stole a hundred dollars worth of stuff from anyone in general? Why should it be any different when someone steals from a teammate? :thumb:
October 23, 201214 yr But what about the victim? I agree with those who say the thief/player is off the team this season. That there are serious consequences for inappropriate actions is a very important "teachable moment." By all means, assist school officials, parents, etc. with rehabilitation; and if everything goes well, the kid can try to come back to the team next year. What do yo mean? I haven't said one time that the kid who stole would go unpunished. Again, if the kid steals from a teammate and gets a sport taken away from him, what crime will he commit when you cut him loose because of a mistake? Just not my style. Use the sport you coach to rehabilitate the kid into a productive member of society. Here are two questions to ask yourself. 1 - Does the sport need the kid? 2 - Does the kid need the sport?
October 23, 201214 yr Assuming this took place at school or at a school function, does it fall under the purview of the school? Could there be other repercussions for trying to self-punish said student-athlete and acting autonomously?
October 23, 201214 yr What do yo mean? I haven't said one time that the kid who stole would go unpunished. Again, if the kid steals from a teammate and gets a sport taken away from him, what crime will he commit when you cut him loose because of a mistake? Just not my style. Use the sport you coach to rehabilitate the kid into a productive member of society. Here are two questions to ask yourself. 1 - Does the sport need the kid? 2 - Does the kid need the sport? Playing sports is a privilege and if a kid is in high school and stealing from his teammates then some outside help is needed that I don't think any sport can cure. I can tolerate some bad disciplinary decisions from an athlete if his actions only affect him. Stealing from his teammates? That line of trust is broken amongst a team that can never be fixed. Would you want your kid playing on a team that his teammate stole something worth 100 bucks from him? I definitely wouldn't.
October 23, 201214 yr Playing sports is a privilege and if a kid is in high school and stealing from his teammates then some outside help is needed that I don't think any sport can cure. I can tolerate some bad disciplinary decisions from an athlete if his actions only affect him. Stealing from his teammates? That line of trust is broken amongst a team that can never be fixed. Would you want your kid playing on a team that his teammate stole something worth 100 bucks from him? I definitely wouldn't. Not willing to give a teenager a second chance. YIKES! It most certainly can, and that young person could teach the entire team many valuable life lessons.
October 23, 201214 yr I would get the opinion of the team captains. Those four or five guys should know the team inside and out, and no doubt know how the team will react better than the coach will. I would be most interested in seeing what they have to say about the situation. If they believe that the kid is going to be a cancer, I'd cut him. If they think he can be forgiven by the rest of the team, I work on a punishment such as suspension from games/ extensive running etc. Of course, I would notify both the school and the parents as well.
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