Editor’s ‘vendetta’ dismays reader I have been...
Editor’s ‘vendetta’ dismays reader
I have been quite disturbed by Jeff Tully’s vendetta against
former Burbank High School varsity coach Dave Goosen, but was very
pleased to read Lynette Ballas’ well-thought- out and far more
objective letter to the editor.
While there might well be reason to not renew Goosen’s contract,
at the end of the day, the decision to remove him in the middle of
the season is harmful to his ball players. Any other considerations
are secondary at best.
The big problem this year was the ineligibility of Kevin Greene.
Last I heard, there was no public conclusive evidence that Goosen was
aware of that. Tully relentlessly repeated the allegations of
nameless coaches and others who were evidently too gutless to be
quoted by name. Therefore, we have no way to judge their validity and
any possible biases they may have.
I suppose we are supposed to just “trust” Tully. Not me -- but
then, I do not repeat allegations in print without telling the
source.
In this case, we are left to speculate who might be the source --
and their motives -- possibly to the detriment of innocent parties.
The junior varsity coach, Bob Kinzel, is a very fine individual
who is very devoted to both the program and the boys. Now he has to
coach both JV and varsity teams. While I doubt that he would ever
complain, this is unfair to Kinzel and his athletes. Moreover, I am
told that since he is not a credentialed teacher on staff, like
Goosen, Kinzel will be unable to provide the normal postseason
basketball class for his players.
I think it is also quite telling that since the firing, there has
been almost nothing in the Leader about the varsity boys’ team as of
this writing (Feb. 6), and even less about the JV and freshman teams.
But then, Tully has had his pound of flesh, so I guess he no
longer has any interest in Burbank boys’ basketball, even though he
seems to find plenty of positive things to say about worthy athletes
in other programs in the area, whatever their records.
ROBERT DICKMAN
Burbank
Parent decries loss of football coach
As a parent of a freshman football player at Burbank High School,
and on behalf of other freshman football families, I want to
compliment the team on a fine season with an 8-2 record.
We are very saddened to hear and actually quite surprised that Art
Yanez, head freshman football coach, will not be returning to the
high school next season. What a wonderful experience (not just the
winning one) my child and the others had with this fine young man as
their teacher. His dedication to them and the program was undeni-
able. His many years of coaching experience were evident on and off
the field.
Burbank High School has had its share of problems concerning
athletics, and it would seem that stability is what we should be
striving for, not the changing of the guard after a successful
season. We can’t for the life of us figure out why this gentleman was
not offered his position back for the 2003 season.
Should we be satisfied that his replacement has only two years’
experience? Is that all it takes to be head coach in Burbank?
Yanez went as far this season as to paint the locker room on his
own time so that our children would feel good about their
surroundings.
He also spent every afternoon of his day to sit in study hall and
help these boys and girls so they were sure to keep their grades in
tow. The best thing about all this is that you never heard Yanez toot
his own horn. He would always tell us as parents that it’s for the
kids and they are the ones doing all the work. A few more humble
coaches on the football staff would be welcome.
For all of the families that were looking forward to the prospect
of Yanez as their coach next season, how unfortunate that you won’t
have him.
We do not want to put our children in a position where Greg
Sobiech might feel differently toward them as he may others, but feel
strongly that this be brought to the football community’s attention.
JANICE AJABI
Burbank