goep wrote:GR3343 wrote:Not being from EP, I'm not sure what the beef is. Are the EP parents that are on this forum upset that players are leaving? Or upset that some stay? If the players leaving, or their parents are such pains in the rear, wouldn't you welcome their departure? I'm unclear as to what the problem is. You people bash dads like Rogge with comments that make it seem like the only way his kid has made an EP team is because of the dad's brown nosed efforts, then you bash him for his kid possibly leaving. Which is it? Happy he's leaving, or pissed he's doing well? The kid is a good player that earned the right to play where he's played, and however his tryout at SSM came about, he obviously earned the spot based on talent. Why all the dissention in the EP program? If the kids that left or are leaving have done so because they were/are unhappy with the program, and those that stay or have stayed in the past are content with the program, why is there such a question about what's going on? Why is it that people need to come on here and attack a father's character or a players ability because they don't like what's going on? Get over it. As many other programs based in the metropolis that is the TC area, there are many more choices and opportunities for players. A player and their family finding the one that satisfies them for whatever reason is their choice, and their right. As long as they play within the rules, whether everyone likes and agrees with it or not, it's THEIR choice and THEIR right. Turn the page already.
By the way, good luck to those moving to different programs. Hopefully you all find what you're looking for.
I think you are the only one that needs to turn the page.

The cream will rise to the top is not a commonly used phrase and country gentleman could be right. Who knows? Who cares? We are all anonomous and credibility comes from having something to say, not if your kid is incredibly talented.
GR3343, I think the problem is parents run roughshod over the program and continually make sure that their kid is on the teams, and then leave for supposedly greener pastures when the coach is not a push over and doesn't play kids on the first line to tally points when there is a more skilled player who will help the team more at their kids spot. At EP, in high school, the coach loses players because he makes them earn their spot and doesn't hand out favors. Lee Smith is a very good coach, but at schools like EP and others, it is very hard for a coach to tell kids who have played first line their entire lives, sometimes due to their parents that they are not talented enough and have to play on the second line. They in turn think they wont develop at EP and they leave. EP has a ton of talent every year and they leave every year to play first line on a less-talented team leaving EP weak in the 2nd and 3rd lines. People are pissed for many reasons, but if you damage a "feeder" program because your kid needs to be promoted, then jump ship. People will be both happy their leaving and also angry that a kid who got a lot handed to him, jumped ship and took valuable playing time from some of the players who earned and got promoted enough to be able to jump ship, however was clearly inferior to players in the program. Its frustrating to see things work out like that for some of those kids and I understand the frustration but then again posting on this forum won't make up for lost chances, and as a Leddy's dad said, in the end, "the cream rises to the top." Mostly. GR3343 I hope this doesn't happen in your program like it does at others, but it probably happens occasionally. At EP this is a year in and year-out occurence and for the teams fans, it is very frustrating. I hope this clears up the confusion. Yes, some is jealousy, some is anger, but most is frustration at adults continually putting their kids needs over the needs of the program and then leaving at the first sign of trouble. The program is better off without them, but at the high school level, you can't give another player all those lost chances to develop at the younger levels back.
BTW, making Shattuck is a very big achievement and even though not everyone who goes their team is a superstar, it takes a very skilled player to make the team and you have to work very hard, no matter how many chances have been given to you by your parents. Yes its frustrating to see your program damaged, but these kids have nothing to do with their parents and the programs faults, so lets all wish the kids luck with their future and support our local players moving on. We can bash their parents all we want, but it is not the KIDS fault. They are all trying to play in college and farther along and have different means of going about it. Good luck with whatever path the players chose.