Caller 1: I
’m calling about this week’s topic about our kids being taught
good sportsmanship … obviously not by Palma’s parents and booster
club members. Last (week) we attend the ’Baler-Palma game at the
Salinas Sports Complex and from friends we received three passes
for box seats. Unfortunately, t
hey were on the Palma side. We had been there on two previous
occasions against Alvarez and North Salinas, and there were no
problems with fans intermixing and rooting for their teams. One
Palma parent decided we were too loud, though, and she demanded we
leave and asked for the name of our booster
friend.
Caller 1: I’m calling about this week’s topic about our kids being taught good sportsmanship … obviously not by Palma’s parents and booster club members. Last (week) we attend the ’Baler-Palma game at the Salinas Sports Complex and from friends we received three passes for box seats. Unfortunately, they were on the Palma side. We had been there on two previous occasions against Alvarez and North Salinas, and there were no problems with fans intermixing and rooting for their teams. One Palma parent decided we were too loud, though, and she demanded we leave and asked for the name of our booster friend. Later, the booster president came down and threatened our booster friend would have to give up their season passes if we didn’t move. It was just before halftime and the Balers were winning. I will admit our kids sitting with us we’re at times loud and a bit obnoxious, but they were not rude to Palma’s team or fans. So Palma took the lead and the fans became taunting and very unsportsmanlike. In the end, Palma won the game and we applauded for a great game and tried to be gracious in defeat. But that football mom couldn’t let go. She came over and said she was so happy they had won and told our kids we jinxed Hollister by sitting on Palma’s side. I guess when you send your kids to a private school you don’t need sportsmanship.
Green Phone: We put a call in to Palma athletic director Steve Clayton and when we relayed your story to him, he was not a very happy man about the Palma fans’ behaviour. “We don’t stand for that in any circumstance,” he said. “We expect our athletes, coaches and parents to behave in a sportsmanlike manner at all times.” Clayton said all his school’s athletes, coaches and parents are required to attend a meeting on sportsmanship before the season and sign a contract to “pursue victory with honor.” He said: “That’s our No. 1 priority, and that’s why this (ticks) me off. It definitely sends the wrong message.”
