Sports is not about 'just winning'
ANN CUMBEE

I am so disappointed with the decision to remove Coach Wayne Mahaffey as athletic director at Rusk High School.

I know the avid sports fans may disagree with me, and I know I am opening myself up to all sorts of criticism. But, I want to express my opinion. (My husband teases me that I am just like my father, John Rosser, who wrote far more letters to the editor than I have.)

I have always believed that sports are more than just about winning games. The first thing I think of is how sports can teach our young people perseverance, good sportsmanship and how to work with others, if they have the right kind of coach.

Sports are games so what is wrong with playing for the simple enjoyment? (I can hear those avid sports fans groaning.)

My husband and I went to church with Coach Mahaffey and his family for nine years. He has proven to be a fine Christian man who demonstrated how to be an ethical, Christian gentleman while teaching the mechanics of the game. As a parent, I would rather my children and grandchildren be taught by a man with Coach Mahaffey's qualities than by a lesser man who wins every game.

While I'm speaking of coaches I'd like to recommend another to you. He is Coach Gregg Young at Jacksonville College. He takes an active role in his student's academic success as well as exhibiting the same qualities I admire in Coach Mahaffey. I've seen him in the college library in the evenings helping his players study.

Coach Young recommended Coach Nabi and Coach Boone to JBC so I feel confident they possess the same qualities. I know the students admire them.

Thank you Coach Mahaffey and Coach Young for being the kind of teachers and coaches that set an excellent Christian example for our young people to follow. I'm proud of you.

I wish this world could recognize and value Christian qualities when they see them.