HHS has winning program, coaching staff
Dear Editor,
Approximately 2 1/2 years ago, we decided if our children were going to play sports that Hartselle was the best place for our family. We wanted to be involved and help Hartselle sports teams and coaches win state championships.
We asked the opinions of our friends and family about moving to the Hartselle school system and we were told that our children would not fit in and not get to play sports at Hartselle High.
They were wrong.
Our oldest son started out playing and swapping in and out with other players on the baseball team. That meant most players had to sit out at some point or another, which makes some parents angry. I used to get angry when my son didn’t get to play, but now I know it makes him and other athletes better young adults.
For example, let me tell you about the young man my son replaced during his first year at Hartselle. The team went to the state championship, my son played left field. After the game, the young man walked up to my son and told him what a great job he did.
We were touched by the class this young man showed. We know it has a lot to do with the parents, but it also has a lot to do with Coach Booth.
Both Coach Booth and Coach Godsey are winners. They win because they have integrity and class. They instill in their players qualities like good sportsmanship, hard work and teamwork. Coach Booth has seven state championships and Coach Godsey has one of the highest winning percentages. They have put Hartselle on the map.
We could search the world over and never find a coach who is better or more dedicated to Hartselle and his players than Coach Booth. He has had to put up with a lot, mainly demanding parents.
Believe me, I know because I am one of them. I fear that outspoken parents who are mad for all the wrong reasons will run off our winning baseball staff.
Our situation reminds me of the movie “Radio” where an excellent coach was run out of town for making the right decisions. I don’t want a select group of parents running our excellent coach out of town.
If we did not have a transfer rule in our state and anyone could play sports at Hartselle, the school system would have to buy a hundred buses because everyone wants to play for a winner.
Now that Coach Booth has been cleared of any and all wrongdoing in connection with the booster investigation, let’s start anew and make 2011-2012 our best year ever.
Go Hartselle Tigers!
David Gillespie
