This is posted after some hesitance, and here, as a stand alone.
**For the record, I think we have an excellent and compassionate staff, that has the best, long-term interest of every player at heart.**
Kim
The issue of playing time is, generally speaking, none of our business. And that’s that, ole chap. Case closed. After all, coaches are hired and fired for any number of reasons, and when’s the last time you saw one dismissed for how many minutes somebody played, or not? Our beautiful and aspiring coach has none of us to answer to about this particular part of her job.
And yet, we have such an interesting situation in Lady Voldom with a particular player who doesn’t play - ever - made more interesting by the fact that our coach is quite famous for singular and en-mass subbing. Our curiosities are further piqued because this player is six-five and talented; and, others leaving the bench for her position/minutes have often been less than stellar.
Is having no legal tender reason to know, reason-enough not to know? Because, the safe bet is that a huge proportion of those of us who don’t know ...want to. So, when is it - this phenomenon of playing time - anybody’s business? Well, never. Because, surely the coach and player have had that “little chat.” And the player has passed the vital talking points on to friends, family, and teammates. Yes. Because, sometimes even the teammates are perplexed. If two or three of them weren’t playing for several games at a time - some of them, runaways for one team or the other - then, no problem. Our Coach wouldn’t be the first to play a short bench, right? But again, she appears to prefer playing every available player every available minute. And this lady is six-five! And, talented. So, in the absence of any reported media inquiries, is ours an unjustifiable curiosity about the mysterious case of the lone, non-playing player?
Or is there an elephant in the room?
Having coached (small time, certainly), and having been in the sports media (also small time), I recall several right-out-in-the-open playing time “discussions.” They usually occur immediately after the game, and most often after “running clock” or “mercy rule” contests wherein the coach appeared more concerned with how badly he or she was winning or losing, than whether his players - even the worst of the lot, might appreciate a token appearance. Such discussions are not fun, and often embarrass the parent and coach. And, most of all, the player is humiliated.
Our media, is, if nothing else, nosy. And, they must know, that we want to know. Therefore, under what possible scenario would a coach or Athletic Department say, “Hey, y’all, don’t ask why Emily isn’t playing, regardless of how well, or poorly the others at her position are performing. Oh, and she’s fine - no medical or academic issues.” The bigger disappointment would be to learn that every media member were that easily silenced, so it’s difficult to even consider such a stated, or implied directive.
Is it then, reasonable to at least ask:
Is there something wrong?
Can she possibly still gain a red shirt?
Is there a personal issue?
*This one would actually provide the most efficient means of hushing further inquiries: “It’s a personal issue.”
There’s at least one guy or gal here whom we believe to be somewhat privy to the program. And though I doubt he (or she) has talked with staff about this, others within earshot likely have. I just cannot buy that it - Miss Emily’s lack of playing time - is off limits. And, there are obviously enough of us curious enough to suggest that there are many others asking the same question. It’s thus, inconceivable that nobody, not one single media member doesn’t share our curiosity. It’s the nature of the beast!
At the end of the day, playing time is Coach’s prerogative, plain and simple; so, no harm in asking; no harm in answering. Or not. However, to make even a parenthetical statement, would likely help more than harm.
Unless ...well, that’s the next bridge on down the road.
And, while I don’t expect a late-night call from Kellie or Jon; from Lacey, or Jennifer; or Phil, etc., put me down as very curious.
Because an elephant - in any room - is still an elephant.
