The Truth Behind The Chestnut Ridge Program
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Redemption
- Freshman
- Posts: 10
- Joined: September 15th, 2006, 11:49 am
The Truth Behind The Chestnut Ridge Program
Football is one of the greatest character builders in the high school environment today….
High school football develops such things as leadership, teamwork, integrity, and PRIDE…
High school sports offer multiple opportunities for student athletes (example: college scholarships)…
This is an examination of a school district and a community that stole these precious things away from student athletes…
THIS IS THE STORY OF CHESTNUT RIDGE FOOTBALL…
Biography: I played under the current regime of Dan Wilkins. I no longer live in the area, although I still keep an eye on my Alma Mater. I have played college football. I also have coaching experience in other locations throughout the state. Other than this information I would like to keep my identity confidential because I still have family in the area. The reason I would like to do this is because I am going to inform the members of this forum the truth behind a community and a school board that will shock you, in my opinion.
Some history to get the mind going… (Dates are somewhat inaccurate. I will try and be as accurate as possible. I do not have a program with the dates that I would need to be more accurate, just stay with me as I raise some interesting questions and offer some explanations as to why. I ask you to draw your own conclusions to these questions. Although some things may be hurtful to some of the readers, please keep an open mind and read the entire article before commenting.)
1992-93:
Coach Fran Harlan is confronted by the school board, with a matter that I would prefer not to discuss, and asked to either resign or handle the problem on his own. We all know the outcome.
Coach Harlan resigns as one of the most effective coaches in the program’s history.
Question #1:Did the board over step the boundaries in this matter. Football is a violent game. Violent words are used. A gridiron, in my opinion, is not a place of worship.
This is just one instance of a town over-stepping their boundaries. This instance, in my opinion, is one of the darkest days in the program.
1993-94
Chestnut Ridge school board hires Ron Walters. Coach Walters provides several opportunities for student athletes. Some of his products: Jeff Baer, Barry Rhoades, Jon Claar, and Greg Feather. All have their names in Chestnut Ridge history books. Coach Walter proves to be somewhat successful in the Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference. Providing a memorable upset of Forest Hills at home during a Homecoming game.
May of 1999:
Coach Walters announces his resignation to the surprise of many to take a position at Penn Cambria. Accounts from the meeting he had with the team that would have been his that fall. Coach wept….
Question #2: Why did he resign, to my knowledge Coach Walters never gives a statement.
July 1999:
Coach Wilkins is hired under weird circumstances. By weird circumstances I mean…
Examples:
Donnie Fyfe, a long time member of the community and stand out high school quarterback, turns in an application. He is not selected.
Bailey’s son from Forest Hills turns in an application. Dave Bailey’s track record speaks for itself in Sidman. He is not selected.
Question #3. Why is Dan Wilkins, who was at the time regarded as inexperienced, given the head-coaching job over a former player/hometown boy and a son of a high school legend? Bailey’s son has since taken over the Richland Football Team.
Fall of 2000
School Board and community speakers protest the schools involvement in the LHAC (Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference). They decide to drop LHAC as the athletic conference and move to a less respected conference, I.C.C. (Intercounty Football Conference). To my understanding this was to avoid from having all sports being part of the LHAC. In my opinion, Chestnut Ridge could have competed in almost every other sport, so this perspective was based solely upon the football program. Coach Dan Wilkins at several meetings given his opinion to be moved to the I.C.C.
This is the second of many dark days of the Chestnut Ridge program.
This is the town and community leaders taking the away an opportunity from student athletes at Chestnut Ridge for wins in a lesser developed and respected conference (I.C.C.). Student athletes have now lost the opportunity to be noticed by college scouts. You think a college really cares how about CHESTNUT RIDGE VS CLAYSBURG/EVERETT/N.B.C./TUSSEY MT? Not a chance…but hey…it is great ticket sales and that is all we are about right? The gate?
In my opinion, this is like taking a child out of Algebra II and placing him in Pre-Algebra after getting an “F” in the first six weeks of the school year. Basically the school board slapped every student athlete that ever played football in the face on that day. Basically saying you are not good enough to compete with the big boys on the street so we’ll place you in a sand box away from attention and let you beat on the little kids in the neighborhood. What is wrong with this picture? How does that teach these athletes anything about life? When times get hard…lower yourself to feel confident. In other words sell-out your dreams and aspirations and settle for something easier, that’s the motto that comes out of this decision. Chestnut Ridge says with this move, “take the easy way out in life and save yourself the embarrassment.” That’s the motto I want to teach my kids when I become a parent someday. NOT!
During the Wilkins regime we have many protest and petitions about removing Wilkins from the head coach position. Why? This is the man we wanted right? He bought into the policies of the school board and their demands and wishes. Now move him out when he advocated for the switch to the I.C.C? I feel bad for the scrutiny Coach Wilkins faces everyday from the community. I feel sorry for a man that took a position and listened to the heads of the community and other figures, he did your dirty deed of stripping pride away from the student athletes…. now lets get him out?
Granted he has made one of his goals a playoff victory, something Chestnut Ridge has never seen. He has come up short with some questionable play calling. But this should have been expected when you hire an inexperienced coach.
Now for the real problem with Chestnut Ridge…the town and its inhabitants.
The reasons we lose to Bedford.
The reasons we are laughed at by most of the region.
The reasons we do not pull big recruits from our high school, and areas like Bedford do.
You. (The community)
The areas problem starts with nosey parents and uneducated grandstand coaches that mock this beautiful game. Those that have never stepped foot on a field, just played high school, or think they know because they watch ESPN and football on the weekends. I have been around several other programs and I have never seen a community that will not keep their nose and opinions out of a program. This town has their opinion in every aspect. You think Max Shoemaker dealt with the community riding him or taking over? It is called Marshall Law folks. Head coach and his staff is the law, they make the decisions on game days, not the quarterbacks dad, the players on parents motivation (changing plays), or even the loud mouth in the stands on Friday night. It’s a lack of respect and childish, and what do these actions teach our kids…mutiny.
THE PROBLEM OF THIS TOWN IS THE FACT THAT LOSING IS ACCEPTED AND IF YOU LOSE WE WILL MAKE ACCOMIDATIONS TO HELP YOU WIN.
You gripped and groaned about the L.H.A.C. being too tough of a conference. Now you grip and groan about the playoff system and district system being unfair because our boys are going 7-2 and getting a low seed. What on earth do you people expect? You decided on the move to the I.C.C., you burned the kids; now whine about the system being unfair. You should all be ashamed of yourself for digging the hole that you are in. You did this to yourselves, not the P.I.A.A. not Dan Wilkins…You. Sleep in the bed you made and quit whining about fairness when you stripped it away several years ago.
This town doesn’t deserve the reputation it has received, that you the parents have brought on. Look in the mirror and you will find out who is to blame for all of the grippes and groans you make about this thing you call a program.
Last Question
DO THEY GET BETTER ATHLETES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF INTERSTATE 99?
The answer is NO.
THEN HOW CAN BEDFORD COMPETE IN THE L.H.A.C. AND WE CAN’T?
The answer is simple…losing is accepted, and excuses are made.
MY VOTE IS WE RENAME THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND TOWN TO EXCUSES UNIVERSITY.
That is all I have.
Good Day.
High school football develops such things as leadership, teamwork, integrity, and PRIDE…
High school sports offer multiple opportunities for student athletes (example: college scholarships)…
This is an examination of a school district and a community that stole these precious things away from student athletes…
THIS IS THE STORY OF CHESTNUT RIDGE FOOTBALL…
Biography: I played under the current regime of Dan Wilkins. I no longer live in the area, although I still keep an eye on my Alma Mater. I have played college football. I also have coaching experience in other locations throughout the state. Other than this information I would like to keep my identity confidential because I still have family in the area. The reason I would like to do this is because I am going to inform the members of this forum the truth behind a community and a school board that will shock you, in my opinion.
Some history to get the mind going… (Dates are somewhat inaccurate. I will try and be as accurate as possible. I do not have a program with the dates that I would need to be more accurate, just stay with me as I raise some interesting questions and offer some explanations as to why. I ask you to draw your own conclusions to these questions. Although some things may be hurtful to some of the readers, please keep an open mind and read the entire article before commenting.)
1992-93:
Coach Fran Harlan is confronted by the school board, with a matter that I would prefer not to discuss, and asked to either resign or handle the problem on his own. We all know the outcome.
Coach Harlan resigns as one of the most effective coaches in the program’s history.
Question #1:Did the board over step the boundaries in this matter. Football is a violent game. Violent words are used. A gridiron, in my opinion, is not a place of worship.
This is just one instance of a town over-stepping their boundaries. This instance, in my opinion, is one of the darkest days in the program.
1993-94
Chestnut Ridge school board hires Ron Walters. Coach Walters provides several opportunities for student athletes. Some of his products: Jeff Baer, Barry Rhoades, Jon Claar, and Greg Feather. All have their names in Chestnut Ridge history books. Coach Walter proves to be somewhat successful in the Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference. Providing a memorable upset of Forest Hills at home during a Homecoming game.
May of 1999:
Coach Walters announces his resignation to the surprise of many to take a position at Penn Cambria. Accounts from the meeting he had with the team that would have been his that fall. Coach wept….
Question #2: Why did he resign, to my knowledge Coach Walters never gives a statement.
July 1999:
Coach Wilkins is hired under weird circumstances. By weird circumstances I mean…
Examples:
Donnie Fyfe, a long time member of the community and stand out high school quarterback, turns in an application. He is not selected.
Bailey’s son from Forest Hills turns in an application. Dave Bailey’s track record speaks for itself in Sidman. He is not selected.
Question #3. Why is Dan Wilkins, who was at the time regarded as inexperienced, given the head-coaching job over a former player/hometown boy and a son of a high school legend? Bailey’s son has since taken over the Richland Football Team.
Fall of 2000
School Board and community speakers protest the schools involvement in the LHAC (Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference). They decide to drop LHAC as the athletic conference and move to a less respected conference, I.C.C. (Intercounty Football Conference). To my understanding this was to avoid from having all sports being part of the LHAC. In my opinion, Chestnut Ridge could have competed in almost every other sport, so this perspective was based solely upon the football program. Coach Dan Wilkins at several meetings given his opinion to be moved to the I.C.C.
This is the second of many dark days of the Chestnut Ridge program.
This is the town and community leaders taking the away an opportunity from student athletes at Chestnut Ridge for wins in a lesser developed and respected conference (I.C.C.). Student athletes have now lost the opportunity to be noticed by college scouts. You think a college really cares how about CHESTNUT RIDGE VS CLAYSBURG/EVERETT/N.B.C./TUSSEY MT? Not a chance…but hey…it is great ticket sales and that is all we are about right? The gate?
In my opinion, this is like taking a child out of Algebra II and placing him in Pre-Algebra after getting an “F” in the first six weeks of the school year. Basically the school board slapped every student athlete that ever played football in the face on that day. Basically saying you are not good enough to compete with the big boys on the street so we’ll place you in a sand box away from attention and let you beat on the little kids in the neighborhood. What is wrong with this picture? How does that teach these athletes anything about life? When times get hard…lower yourself to feel confident. In other words sell-out your dreams and aspirations and settle for something easier, that’s the motto that comes out of this decision. Chestnut Ridge says with this move, “take the easy way out in life and save yourself the embarrassment.” That’s the motto I want to teach my kids when I become a parent someday. NOT!
During the Wilkins regime we have many protest and petitions about removing Wilkins from the head coach position. Why? This is the man we wanted right? He bought into the policies of the school board and their demands and wishes. Now move him out when he advocated for the switch to the I.C.C? I feel bad for the scrutiny Coach Wilkins faces everyday from the community. I feel sorry for a man that took a position and listened to the heads of the community and other figures, he did your dirty deed of stripping pride away from the student athletes…. now lets get him out?
Granted he has made one of his goals a playoff victory, something Chestnut Ridge has never seen. He has come up short with some questionable play calling. But this should have been expected when you hire an inexperienced coach.
Now for the real problem with Chestnut Ridge…the town and its inhabitants.
The reasons we lose to Bedford.
The reasons we are laughed at by most of the region.
The reasons we do not pull big recruits from our high school, and areas like Bedford do.
You. (The community)
The areas problem starts with nosey parents and uneducated grandstand coaches that mock this beautiful game. Those that have never stepped foot on a field, just played high school, or think they know because they watch ESPN and football on the weekends. I have been around several other programs and I have never seen a community that will not keep their nose and opinions out of a program. This town has their opinion in every aspect. You think Max Shoemaker dealt with the community riding him or taking over? It is called Marshall Law folks. Head coach and his staff is the law, they make the decisions on game days, not the quarterbacks dad, the players on parents motivation (changing plays), or even the loud mouth in the stands on Friday night. It’s a lack of respect and childish, and what do these actions teach our kids…mutiny.
THE PROBLEM OF THIS TOWN IS THE FACT THAT LOSING IS ACCEPTED AND IF YOU LOSE WE WILL MAKE ACCOMIDATIONS TO HELP YOU WIN.
You gripped and groaned about the L.H.A.C. being too tough of a conference. Now you grip and groan about the playoff system and district system being unfair because our boys are going 7-2 and getting a low seed. What on earth do you people expect? You decided on the move to the I.C.C., you burned the kids; now whine about the system being unfair. You should all be ashamed of yourself for digging the hole that you are in. You did this to yourselves, not the P.I.A.A. not Dan Wilkins…You. Sleep in the bed you made and quit whining about fairness when you stripped it away several years ago.
This town doesn’t deserve the reputation it has received, that you the parents have brought on. Look in the mirror and you will find out who is to blame for all of the grippes and groans you make about this thing you call a program.
Last Question
DO THEY GET BETTER ATHLETES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF INTERSTATE 99?
The answer is NO.
THEN HOW CAN BEDFORD COMPETE IN THE L.H.A.C. AND WE CAN’T?
The answer is simple…losing is accepted, and excuses are made.
MY VOTE IS WE RENAME THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND TOWN TO EXCUSES UNIVERSITY.
That is all I have.
Good Day.
Last edited by Redemption on September 22nd, 2006, 3:11 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: The Truth Behind The Chesnut Ridge Program
Marshall Law??? That is non-existent these days…the head coach and staff no longer make the decisions on game days, nor any day for that matter. It is despicable that the nosey parents, the uneducated grandstand coaches, and the loud mouths in the stands are the ones that are calling the shots not only in the program you speak of, but it is apparent in many area school sports programs. It is a shame that these people in the community have repeatedly been given the upper hand and granted the authority to take control. They form their biased opinions, contact and complain to school administrators, and have their factless, unsubstantiated claims pacified by getting things their way. I agree with you, it is a lack of respect and it is childish, yet the administration continues to reward and appease the complainants. This instills in the student athletes that it is okay to disrespect your coaches as well as your teammates. It doesn’t matter if you practice and work hard to improve your skills, cause if mom or dad complain, you will get to play anyhow. It also doesn’t matter if the team wins or loses, as long as “my kid” starts and “my kid” is the standout, and “my kid” scores all the points, and “my kid” is the best, etc. Many of good coaches have left successful programs being replaced by less experienced, less qualified coaches all because of parental complaints of unfairness to “my kid.” It’s high time that the nosey parents, the uneducated grandstand coaches and loud mouths in the stands be stripped of the power to veto and overrule matters. I know I am sick and tired of them being pacified while those who work hard to earn their positions are overlooked because this one and that one needs soothing!!!
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Redemption
- Freshman
- Posts: 10
- Joined: September 15th, 2006, 11:49 am
Re: The Truth Behind The Chesnut Ridge Program
I like the fact that I am not the only one who feels this way...Thanks dude
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Lefteyelouie
- Official BleacherCoach
- Posts: 1828
- Joined: September 14th, 2004, 3:56 pm
- Location: Bedford
I agree with gunner. WOW!!
I think alot of people will agree with redemption. People have said for many years that the CR community has too much influence on the football program. You gotta let your coaches coach and your players play!!!
Redemption one thing is for sure. Max ran things his way. Parents had no influence on who he played.
I think alot of people will agree with redemption. People have said for many years that the CR community has too much influence on the football program. You gotta let your coaches coach and your players play!!!
Redemption one thing is for sure. Max ran things his way. Parents had no influence on who he played.
Re: The Truth Behind The Chesnut Ridge Program
Ridge can join the W.P.I.I.A.L and still not get college scouts attention. your best kids are still gonna only ascend to Shippensburg, or Juniata, c'mon! Every towns folk is up in the football team's business at least where I'm from.
The bottom line. Football in Bedford county SUCKS!!!! always has always will.
The bottom line. Football in Bedford county SUCKS!!!! always has always will.
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Goodwill
- Official BleacherCoach
- Posts: 1004
- Joined: June 21st, 2004, 11:24 am
- Location: On the edge of reality
[quote="D-nice";p="126742"]
Ridge can join the W.P.I.I.A.L and still not get college scouts attention. your best kids are still gonna only ascend to Shippensburg, or Juniata, c'mon! Every towns folk is up in the football team's business at least where I'm from.
The bottom line. Football in Bedford county SUCKS!!!! always has always will.
[/quote]
Interesting comment, two players were small school players of the year from Bedford Co.
Ridge can join the W.P.I.I.A.L and still not get college scouts attention. your best kids are still gonna only ascend to Shippensburg, or Juniata, c'mon! Every towns folk is up in the football team's business at least where I'm from.
The bottom line. Football in Bedford county SUCKS!!!! always has always will.
[/quote]
Interesting comment, two players were small school players of the year from Bedford Co.
Why?
Entertaining reading, Redemption, but I think you give the CR Ridge community way too much credit. And for people who are not acquainted with Ridge, especially the changes that precipitated the "Dark Days" you harp about, without knowing the full details a reader would have no choice but to rely on your spotty and totally biased "history." That's fine, but I suspect a person could be much more objective and still make some of your larger points.
Some bad decisions and judgments were obviously made, but you make it sound as if there were rampant groups of power-mad zealots who hijacked the program and sent it into the toilet.
I tend to follow the "great man" theory of football, similar to the "great man" theory of history that was once in vogue. Success and greatness come from coaches who have these qualities, to offer. Granted, communities sometimes drive off such coaches, who tend to be stubborn, intractable, and ego-driven. And in some rare cases, these coaches, when presented with ethical dilemmas, follow their own codes of morality and loyalty, even at their own expense.
In any case, revisiting --again and again, and again -- Ridge's football adventures provides more fodder for those BC posters who seem to like nothing better than lambasting the Blue and Gold.
Or for people like D-Nice to remind us that Bedford County football is historically weak.
He makes one good point, though, when he asserts that many communities seem to take inordinate interest in a local school's football destinies. How much they really influence a program is directly related to the personalities of head coaches and superintendents.
Some bad decisions and judgments were obviously made, but you make it sound as if there were rampant groups of power-mad zealots who hijacked the program and sent it into the toilet.
I tend to follow the "great man" theory of football, similar to the "great man" theory of history that was once in vogue. Success and greatness come from coaches who have these qualities, to offer. Granted, communities sometimes drive off such coaches, who tend to be stubborn, intractable, and ego-driven. And in some rare cases, these coaches, when presented with ethical dilemmas, follow their own codes of morality and loyalty, even at their own expense.
In any case, revisiting --again and again, and again -- Ridge's football adventures provides more fodder for those BC posters who seem to like nothing better than lambasting the Blue and Gold.
Or for people like D-Nice to remind us that Bedford County football is historically weak.
He makes one good point, though, when he asserts that many communities seem to take inordinate interest in a local school's football destinies. How much they really influence a program is directly related to the personalities of head coaches and superintendents.
"Talk low, talk slow, and don't talk too much."
-- John Wayne
-- John Wayne
[quote="Goodwill";p="126751"][quote="D-nice";p="126742"]
Ridge can join the W.P.I.I.A.L and still not get college scouts attention. your best kids are still gonna only ascend to Shippensburg, or Juniata, c'mon! Every towns folk is up in the football team's business at least where I'm from.
The bottom line. Football in Bedford county SUCKS!!!! always has always will.
[/quote]
Interesting comment, two players were small school players of the year from Bedford Co.[/quote]
When? and where did they go? thanks for proving my point. GW. how many D-1 athletes does bedford county produce? compared to a wpial school that is also (AA)
Ridge can join the W.P.I.I.A.L and still not get college scouts attention. your best kids are still gonna only ascend to Shippensburg, or Juniata, c'mon! Every towns folk is up in the football team's business at least where I'm from.
The bottom line. Football in Bedford county SUCKS!!!! always has always will.
[/quote]
Interesting comment, two players were small school players of the year from Bedford Co.[/quote]
When? and where did they go? thanks for proving my point. GW. how many D-1 athletes does bedford county produce? compared to a wpial school that is also (AA)
Re: The Truth Behind The Chesnut Ridge Program
D-nice's last post should have started with "Get ready as I continually show more stupidity with the posts I make on here, D-nice"
He's referring to two D1 athletes that came from an "A" school in the county. class of '98 and '94 (I think). The younger became a Mountaineer and the elder a Nittany Lion.
He's referring to two D1 athletes that came from an "A" school in the county. class of '98 and '94 (I think). The younger became a Mountaineer and the elder a Nittany Lion.