MOODY: Hutchinson earns soccer scholarship

Carson High soccer player Sam Hutchinson recently signed a national letter of intent to attend Colorado-Mesa University, a Division II school located in Grand Junction, Colo.

Hutchinson, who scored four goals this year for Carson while battling a couple of different injuries, said Colorado-Mesa contacted him afer they viewed his recruiting profile.

"I went and visited the campus and went to a camp there," Hutchinson said. "Coach Pittman saw me play in the Mayor's Cup in Las Vegas, and the game he saw I scored a goal. He came out and talked to me (after that game)."

"Sam is a very versatile soccer player," coach Josh Pittman said on the school's web-site. "He can play a number of positions and is left-footed which will help us significantly. In addition to watching him in club games, he came to our camp and I was sold. He is a great kid who i s going to have a big impact on our program."

Hutchinson feels his best position is in the midfield, but he said that Pittman hinted he could wind up being a defender. His new coach wants him to put on some weight, too. The lanky Hutchinson is all arms and legs.

"That would be new," Hutchinson said. "I think I could play 10 different positions.

"Obviously I'm a skinny guy. I need to spend time in the weightroom and bulk up. Coach Pittman also said not to get too far away from a soccer ball. He said the ball should be at my feet everyday."

Hutchinson said that fall practice starts in late July or early August.

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I've always believed that the lockerroom is off limits to parents. It's a place for players, coaches and media after games. It should never be a place where parents frequent.

So imagine my surprise when a parent of a boys basketball player stormed into the lockerroom after Carson's recent upset of Bishop Manogue. It was the team's first win since a Dec. 29 victory over Reno. Thirty-six days is a long time to go between wins. It should have been cause for celebration for everybody associated with the program.

Obviously this parent felt otherwise. This parent felt the need to 'chat' up the coaching staff after the game. It was the wrong move on so many levels.

If a parent is unhappy about something, you don't storm into a lockerroom. You call and ask the coach for an appointment the next day. Follow some protocol, for crying out loud.

If a student-athlete is unhappy about his situation, he certainly should be able to sit down with the coaches and talk about it. Carson coach Carlos Mendeguia said that players can talk to him at any time.

When it comes to playing time, parents should never get involved. Parents aren't at practice. They aren't privvy to what is going on. They are only hearing things second-hand.

Another thing that I have come to know in my 30-plus years in the business is that parents aren't objective enough when it comes to judging their kid's abilities on the athletic field. Not everybody can be the star of the team, and parents need to realize that.