My Turn

By Sean Pitman

Every road will come to an end and there are a number of exits along the way. On this life's highway, I have decided to try one of those exits before journey's end.

Suffice it to say, this will be the last column of mine that will appear in the Herald as I have decided to go another direction, thus ending a 12-year career on the keyboard.

I'll be in Minot to close out my stay, hopefully for the rest of the week, covering the state champion Keybirds...fingers crossed. Winds of change

It just seemed time for a change. In fact this past year has been one of changes. I don't profess to be on the same level with many of the following examples, but mention them just to point out the year in change and the end of a number of eras.

In the building, longtime publisher Don Mrachek called it a career, while longtime columnist Thomas A. Kvamme, aka Santa, also put down his pen, although he's not given up the Ho Ho Hos.

Across town, Terry Olson, a staple in Williston State College athletics, stepped away from his post as athletic director and men's basketball coach after a long and successful run. He'll still be on campus, now running point for the WSC Foundation.

The Mercy Wellness Center ended a good run in the sports medicine and training field, and Kyle Helstad, a longtime trainer, moved on to start his own business, while Harry Wallner moved back to the hospital to continue sports therapy.

Down at Watford City, Tom Suelzle closed out a lengthy run as the girls basketball coach and left the school after coaching boys basketball as well. He'll be starting anew as the WSC women's basketball coach this year.

Over in Minot, Gene Manson and Bruce Anderson, synonymous with boys and girls basketball, respectively, gave up their whistles after 30 years.

Over at Williston High, Warren Larson leaves WHS after quite a few years of service to the district.

Brett Favre even finally called it quits in Green Bay. Oh wait, he still is undecided. I guess that one doesn't count. Although it's looking more and more like he'll be changing uniforms.

On the grander scale, there will definitely be a change in the White House, and possibly a change in party. However, I don't know how comfortable I am with someone named Obama running the country. That's like a Johnson running China.

I don't know, I didn't say all changes were good.

Anyway, for me, as the song states, "A change will do you good", fits my situation right now.

Thank you

I know some will be sad to see me go and others glad. To the sad ones I say, "Thank you," and to the glad ones I say "You're welcome."

To the coaches I say thanks to those that have been so helpful and cooperative. We're not clairvoyant just because we're in the media and every little bit of info coaches provide is invaluable.

To the coaches that aren't or haven't been so helpful...and you know who you are...I hope that you can give the next guy a hand.

To the athletes I also say thank you for allowing me the privilege of covering you and your careers. I have enjoyed covering numerous sports and a wide variety of athletes. I've gotten a chance to see state champions and watch state championship teams.

I've also watched a number state champion caliber teams that couldn't quite get over the hump. All have been a joy to take the journey with and I am appreciative that you've allowed me to tag along on your ride.

My soap box

Now, before I go, I have to get on my soap box for a minute. I hope it's a sturdy one.

Anyway, it seems these days that coaches are under an unnecessary amount of scrutiny, especially at the junior high and high school level.

Since when did the players dictate what went on in any athletic program? From my experience, it's always been the coach who was in charge and was not questioned.

It is getting harder and harder to find coaches to direct the kids, and that's probably because they just don't want to deal with the pressure from fans, parents and their own players.

Remember, this is high school, or even junior high, and winning isn't everything. Don't get me wrong, I like winning, but even winning coaches are under fire across the country because they don't win the "big one" every year or they aren't catering to the kids.

That's not what sports at this level is about. It's about competing and giving it your best.

It's about dealing with adversity and working through troubles, while getting along with those around in the same boat.

Now parents, I know I'm stepping on some toes here, but if the team isn't succeeding to your expectations, you may want to look in the mirror.

I think it's great to get behind and support your kids, but if you're kid is complaining about how much they run in practice or how the coach does things, are you right there with him or her?

If so, you are only empowering him or her to be a detractor from the team concept. You should be encouraging your kid to buy into the coach's philosophy and do whatever he or she can to make the team better.

Instead of bad mouthing the coach or other players, is your kid doing his or her part?

Coaches have systems and they're in place to make the team better, but if players don't buy into the system, it will never succeed the way it was meant.

Now if your kid is being abused in any way, by all means talk to the coach, because coaches, too, have a responsibility to their players to treat them with respect.

Even if you don't agree with the coach, you can talk to him, but do it just once. Let your opinion be aired, and then from there show your support.

The coach may or may not take to heart your advice or criticism.

Coaches should be people that kids can look up to, not whipping posts for sour fans, parents or players.

Parents and fans should also realized there's a lot more distractions out there for kids today than when they were in school. A lot of the team unity that was once taken for granted may be missing from some of today's teams.

Well, that's my final thought for you.

Get out and support your team. All the way.

Sean Pitman | sports@willistonherald.com