Field Isn’t Only Site of Parochial-Public School Battle

Had a dream about thermonuclear war last night. Usually this indicates one of two things: A) I’m overwhelmed by guilt, worry and stress, or B) I need to take one of the blankets off the bed.

There is, of course, a more chilling possibility. That the world might, in fact, melt down before readers ever get the chance to correct me. So here goes:

Dear Ms. Ludovise,

I’ve never written a letter to a sportswriter before, however I may not even be writing to one now! Are you new to Orange County, new to Prep Sports, or both?

Your article’s title (of Oct. 4) says “Parochial, Public Football Teams Peacefully Mix It Up.” Yet you go off in a very antagonizing fashion, intimating that public schools whine about not being able to attract talent from every part of the county or even country like parochial schools can and do.

If public schools did complain about it, it would indeed be a legitimate complaint. But the fact is, at least at Edison, they don’t .

Get a grip, Barbie. The thing all of our public schools lack is money for sports and academics alike. You do all of us a disservice. But it just might sell a paper, right? Grow up!

MERLE MOSHIRI

Huntington Beach

Thanks Merle. I appreciate your input. Maybe it will help sell a paper. Write again soon.

Dear Ms. Ludovise:

Your shallow and glib handling of the parochial-public school controversy shows you would rather shoot from the hip and be cute than research and present both sides of what will probably become one of the major issues facing public schools in the future. That is the “White Flight” of scholars and athletes to the parochial schools, thus making it very difficult for the public schools to compete athletically or academically.

I hope you will remember for future articles (that) high school athletics are part of the total education package and coaches are out on the front line along with teachers in building self-esteem. Maybe you could give us a hand.

MYRON MILLER

Football coach, athletic director

Costa Mesa High School

Regarding the building of self-esteem, Myron, you’ve got my support 100%. But this concept of “White Flight?” I’m not real comfortable with the implications. But I’ll keep my glib opinions out of it. At least for today.

Dear Barbie:

Throughout that miasma of incoherent thought that composed your column (“Concessions Unnecessary for Los Alamitos,” Nov. 1), essentially you were calling Esperanza High School too cheap to pay the bill to have the game played at a larger stadium and that it was a desperate attempt on Esperanza’s part to preserve the home-field advantage.

Now perhaps you haven’t been reading the newspaper (other than your column, of course) or watching the news lately, but if you haven’t realized it yet, California is knee-deep in a recession along with the rest of the country. With all the financial toll and woes currently being suffered . . . how can you expect (Esperanza) to shell out $2,000 to $3,000+ to rent a stadium for one football game?

DANTE PADRE

Esperanza Class of 1992

You score column space, Dante, by prompting me to look up the word “miasma” in the dictionary. Now it’s your turn. Look up the meaning of “facetious,” then read the column again. And do take care.

Dear Barbie:

As I am sure you have been told by several thousand Aztec parents by now, it was the Esperanza band, et al, on the field at halftime last week (not Los Al). Incidentally, I rearranged only part of my life, got to the game an hour early, parked somewhere in the vicinity of Riverside and got one of the last remaining seats.

Being from back east, I thought the goo game was great. Of course, I’m a Los Al fan and both of my kids were in the relatively mudless sanctity of the bleachers--in nonwhite shoes.

HARRIET OTTAVIANO

Seal Beach

Harriet, you are so right. I goofed when I said it was Los Alamitos’ drill team that was lucky enough to muck through the mud at halftime. It was Esperanza’s. Apologies to all concerned. And I’m glad you, too, liked the goo. I was beginning to think I was the only one.

Barbie:

Just a note on your article on the way coaches sometimes treat their kids (“Dear Coach: Telling a Kid He’s Worthless Is Embarrassing,” Nov. 4). I know for a fact coaches all over the county cringed when reading it. I know I did.

If you do a similar article during basketball (season), I would be more than happy to contribute. It’s safe to say I’m an expert on the subject!

There is a fine line some of us walk in terms of motivation and that has never been lost on me. Your article will be hanging in my locker during the season.

Keep up the good work,

BOBBY KN . . . uh . . . GREG

HOFFMAN

Marina Basketball Coach

Thanks, Bobby. I mean Greg. Coming from you, a coach who has broken a couple of chairs, a wedding band, your hand and who knows what else in the name of motivating players, it means a lot.

Just stay away from me when you’re mad. I have enough bad dreams as it is.