Recently, we have read several letters voicing negative opinions about youth sporting events and the coaches that lead these youths. We would like to offer this letter as rebuttal.
Our son was fortunate to play on a Carson City Junior Pee Wee Pop Warner football team led by Head Coach Mark Jacoby. With four previous seasons to compare with, it is easy to proclaim this season as the most successful. This may seem like a curious statement to make when our team, Junior Pee Wee Senator Blue, has a 4-5 win-loss record.
Our team is successful because of the work ethic, values, and compassion that Mark Jacoby and his coaching staff instill into the players. Our team has not been the most dominant team but instead the best conditioned, most disciplined and sportsmanlike, in our opinion. Every player on this team received football fundamental instruction. Each player practiced, played and contributed.
Unlike other teams that want the parents to play a "hands-off" role, Mark asks his teams' parents to actively participate in all team functions. The start of the season was kicked off by a "Meet the Senator Blue Night." This kickoff party was an opportunity for all the players to introduce their parents, siblings, extended families and friends. Every practice and game is concluded by a team gathering whicn includes parents and family, with anyone having the opportunity to voice their thoughts. Unlike the traditional pizza party, the end of our season will culminate in a semi-formal catered banquet, something that most of these kids would not experience until high school.
We would like to thank Mark and his coaching staff for teaching our child how to be a real winner. As a result of their efforts, our children won, as did the parents and the community.
ROB and TRICIA BOZIN
Carson City