Dusting Off A Cluttered High School Desk

Yet another quiet week on the school scene as the final week of exams rolls on for many students.

So, I thought I'd would try clean up my messy desk and see what kind of interesting stuff I could find to generate some dialogue. People are never short of opinions and others hope that the issues and topics of the day simply disappear - forever.

Well, this Sunday, the Star is having a forum to discuss a variety of things related to hockey violence - and I am sure the recent situation in Oakville will surface. That's the racial slurs that occurred in the second and third periods of a high school game with Thomas A. Blakelock and Milton District. I am told that some six players were involved in making derogatory comments and some parents were ticked that their children had to pay the price when Blakelock's Principal canned the entire team. That's the same Principal who instructed his staff to zip up - so this thing would get lost forever. It hasn't.

Down the highway, at St. Ignatius of Loyola - the school whose senior basketball team played in a sanctioned event in Florida without OFSAA approval. Well, the boys and girls at OFSAA have apparently closed their eyes, stuffed their ears and refuse to deal with this violation of rules - unless someone complains. Guess what? Someone has complained. Let's see if OFSAA does anything.

Did you catch that hockey game, or was it football?  Villanova (the one from King City) beat Country Day 12-11. Yup, hockey. Wonder if the goalies were up late the night before? Whoops, maybe I shouldn't ask. It appears that some people were upset when I mentioned tuition costs in a previous blog and they think I should stick to just sports scores, names and nothing else.

Couple of big tournaments coming up: the Bur Bear hockey invitational Jan. 28 to 30 in Oakville and Burlington followed by the Cardinal Carter Classic at the Canlan Ice Complex at York University on Feb. 2 and 3. And the Ontario Catholic Classic. That's girls' volleyball on Feb. 4 and 5 at Loyola in Oakville. On the topic of tournaments, or even the slew of OFSAA championships, haven't heard anyone say that donations at the door will go towards helping the people of Haiti?

That is, unless it's "Hoops for Haiti" - a series of senior basketball games on Feb. 13 at Pickering High School in Ajax. Some of the best teams will be there - Richardson, Pickering, Father Henry Carr, Vaughan, Mother Teresa, Eastern Commerce and more. Admission, and donations, will go to help the people affected by that tragic earthquake. Mike Gordensky at Pickering High, remember him? He's the voluntary coach who was suspended for a year from coaching basketball because he used two ineligible players in a U.S. tournament a year or so ago? Well, it's his idea.

Hmm, hope he doesn't get suspended for being creative and thoughtful.

Comments

[K. Jackson]

What a great thing for those basketball schools to do to raise even a few bucks.
It's the thought that counts.
Why doesn't any athletic association in Ontario or even OFSAA come up with a charity event to help those in need?

[J.J. Kemp]

I am sure the Mayor of Oakville is not happy with all the attention his city is getting in the media with Loyola's basketball problems and now the suspension of the Blakelock hockey team.
I think it looks good on them and very good work by the Toronto Star to raise these black eyes.

[Steve]

That charity basketball event is happening the same time as the Ontario Catholic basketball championship. Would have been nice if everyone got together to plan these things. Organization guys, it`s called communicating too.

[Paul S.]

Ladies and gentlemen, an example of private school hockey at its finest.
Just check out the 12-11 score. Must have been an exciting game. I can see going for a hot dog and missing five goals.
These schools need to do a better job recruiting.

[Anonymous Parent]

Can someone please explain why the Principal at Blakelock High School has the power to affect the lives of students on a hockey team that had nothing to do with problems of others?
I don't buy painting everyone with the same brush. Where is the education?
Do the right thing and suspend the bad kids and not punish everyone.
If he was in control of the situation, he would have known there problem kids who return for a fifth year of sports and then fade off.
I certainly hope one player or his family gets legal advice and sues the heck out of the Board of Education and the Principal.
And this Principal adds insult to injury by telling his staff to zip up. Is this where my tax dollar goes ?

[Mr. Blake]

Good on you Michael Gordensky.
I think it would be smart if OFSAA and all the athletic associations donated a significant portion of their gate receipts from championships this year to also help the people in need in Haiti or will they keep it to buy themselves sports outfits and have parties for volunteers.

[Former School Coach]

Nicely said Mr. Blake.
I am a teacher who has coached. No more in schools.
I coach community swimming and baseball.
Can't stand the groupies in these school organizations who thrive on titles, think they know everything but don't do a damn thing. Trouble is, they can't be tossed because no one else wants the jobs and the boards of educations don't get involved with autonomous groups even though they contribute financially towards sports.
Dah, hello OFSAA and HSSAA and TDSSAA and TDCAA and LOSSA and YRAA and ROPSSAA and....the rest.
How about looking at what that teacher at Pickering is doing and maybe doing something similar rather than keeping it all to yourselves.

[Mr. D.H. Walker]

As a retired teacher wanting to still find out what's happening in school sports, I turn to this newspaper and enjoy these blogs and the variety of topics and opinions. Thank you and keep it going, please.

[Lumpy]

Cluttered or not, you seem to have a good read on things and make a normally dry high school sports year exciting with all the issues and opinions.
I enjoy what you do even though I know there are people who like to throw daggers at you for problems that they started.