SILVA: Good example set by ADs at PV, Chico (10/19/13) Last night the Paradise High School varsity football team took on the Chico Panthers at Paradises homecoming game. It was a big game for both, as the Bobcats were still in the running for the Northern Section second seed, and a win over the Panthers would go a long way in making sure they were no worse than a third seed. But on Thursday, the task got a little easier when we all learned that the Panthers had to forfeit its 61-20 trashing of Red Bluff last week because it used an ineligible player. Now, before I go on with the column, a few things should be noted. First, I graduated from Chico High in 1983, and current athletic director Chip Carton was an assistant baseball coach that year. Second, my daughter played volleyball, basketball and track at Pleasant Valley and her track coach was PV AD Pam Jackson. And my brother coaches girls soccer there. Now that all the full disclosures are out, what happened here is a great example of character, as defined by What you do when nobodys looking. The ineligible player had to do with a transfer rule and Chico High putting the kid on the field for the first time last week. But he wasnt eligible to play, like they thought — and it was caught by Jackson. I presume the player was an in-district transfer which is why Jackson caught it and called Carton. Carton then called the section and fell on the sword — and the Panther 40-point win became a 2-0 loss. Advertisement As one reader on our Facebook page pointed out, this is a great example for kids. In two weeks, PV faces Chico in the Almond Bowl, and Jackson could have sat on the info. Let the Panthers rack up a couple wins — even an Almond Bowl win — then drop the hammer. But she didnt. Instead she called Chip before they ran the kid out on the field against Paradise. Chip called the section, owning up to the fact that he missed a rule, which gave a win to Red Bluff — which is good for neither Chico nor PV, as it pertains to their standing. But its a great lesson in doing the right thing at the right time for all the right reasons. No one wants to win games in the rulebook. They want to win games on the field. And Jacksons call to Carton means Chicos season is still in front of it. If PV beats them, then they wont have to rely on a trick, of sorts. Carton also gets to show his kids that its OK to admit a mistake and take responsibility for it. Its what we call leadership. Its no fun for the player involved because he didnt do a thing wrong. Its no fun for his teammates. And I know its no fun for Jackson or Carton because — really — who wants to have that discussion? But its an example not only of whats right in high school sports, but whats right in a high school rivalry.
Posted on: Mon, 21 Oct 2013 01:12:18 +0000
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