What price are our children paying for high school sports?

At our high school, we’re experiencing a situation involving our volleyball program that’s not promoting a positive experience for our children, the parents and the team.

According to the CIF mission statement, high school sports are about equality, quality, character and academic development; here at our high school, these values are being compromised.

I recognize that the coach has the responsibility to pick the best players for his or her team. But our coach has decided to pick a young team to groom for the next two years.

This action resulted in eliminating the only three returning seniors along with a group of very talented juniors. These three seniors are scholar-athletes, team leaders and would have been returning varsity players.

Why cut them after three years of hard work and dedication? Is this for the good of the team or for the glory of the coach?

Here in Conejo Valley Unified School District, the administration promotes the relationship that goes between the student/parent/ teacher.

This coach has chosen to eliminate the parents in this relationship. His practices are off-limits to parents. Last season after a postgame meeting, the players came out of the gym visibly upset– crying. The coach told his players not to tell their parents what was said to them.

This is wrong. These are our minor children, and we are responsible for their well-being, both physically and mentally.

I believe the administration should look carefully at what’s going on with their high school teams and the negative effects to our children.

What lessons do we want them to learn from participating in high school sports and from their coaches? This time should be a memorable and positive experience for all the players and their families.

It should be about our children; winning is just a bonus. Kim and Scott Snider Thousand Oaks