Mike Van Den Elzen - Letter to Editor

I’m requesting that the Grandfather Clause recommended by WIAA for Trent Van Den Elzen be installed at Suring Public school.  If they are unwilling to install I’m asking them to sign a commitment that Dual Sports will never be an option to any Athletes ever in Suring District.  This will show that this Ban isn’t personal against my son.   

Limiting opportunity never builds up a school but only stops growth.  One of the justifications for stripping my son of the opportunity to continue Dual Sports at Suring Public is it isn’t fair.  If an athlete that is committed and is at every possible game they can play in, how does that allow for an athlete that may not possess the skill set or desire to play in anymore games?  With a Dual sport athlete not being at every game it allows the athlete of lesser ability or desire the opportunity to play in more games. The complete opposite of what Superintendent Olich said was a negative. The absence of a dual sport athlete allows for a backup player to step up. 

How long have parents been complaining about fairness and equality in high school sports?  I can give you a long list of athletes that went to every practice and were never given the opportunity to play. Being at practice is never guaranteed playing time. Especially when a coach’s kid is involved.  

Another reason that was given to end dual sports was the fact that athletes can get hurt playing Dual sports. I had one of Trent’s coaches actually say that he felt Trent broke his wrist wrestling because he was playing basketball. How do single sport athletes break their bones just playing one sport?  I know of no other Department but the Athletic and Coaching Staff to put forth a self limiting ban. 

Orlich the Superintendent said other schools that have Dual Sports because of individual sports like golf. Many feel wrestling is an individual sport. They are all team sports. It is clear why open enrollment is so popular and why we have such a drain of quality athletes to other districts. Tell me again how you are doing this for the children.

Mike Van Den Elzen
Suring