Ryan

Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 1:59 p.m.

nekm1 and anyone who listens to this nonsense. I am a fellow EMU Alumn and was a strong supporter of Coach English, specifically since his time at the University of Michigan. After reading his comments, I found them greatly disrespectful and ignorant. I will be the first to say that single parenting is an issue, but I know plenty of single mothers who have raised strong, respecful, successful men with strong work ethics. One of them was my own mother. She taught me to be strong, tough, confident, respectful. One of the first lessons I learned was to address people with respect (yes sir, no sir, yes ma'am, no ma'am). I also remember our little talk when I was 5 or 6 where I was told that I needed to shake hands upon introductions and that it's important to look them in the eye. My mother expected me to play sports. From football, to soccer, to baseball, basketball, whatever the case me be, my mother made sure I played. In addition, she taught me always to keep my commitments. I had to always follow through with them. I went to quit football one day because the coach was yelling at me too much. My mom found me at the local park, screamed at me to get in the car, took me back to practice, forced me to apologize to the coach, and she told him that she expected a punishment and that it'll be easier than the one I'd get at home. My mom taught me to be a competitor. That was expected. Winning may not always be important, but it's about working hard and efficiently for a goal. Even when she knew I had shortcomings, she always knew that the relationships I would develop with my coaches would help me tremendously. They did as I am still in contact with many of my coaches today. Finally, when I was 18, she told me that it was officially time for me to be a man and that she'd help me with whatever she could, but ultimately it was my decision on what to do in life. An edcuation was expected and being successful was up to me. I now have my degree and I'm working on being a successful teacher and football/baseball coach. My leadership has been awarded in many jobs that I have held. I owe this all to my mother. I also have two other buddies who have come from successful single-parent homes. One's mother passed away when he was in high school and now he works for Warner Brothers. The other is also a successful teacher and coach. Both have extremely strong work ethics and unbelievable enthusiasm for their careers. Coach English should just apologize and understand the kind of message he sent. Perhaps the notion was meant to be of good, but he has not alienated my support of him.