Scholastic Sports Tragedy

I wish I could bottle up the energy and dedication that goes into being a high school athlete or coach.

Some of my greatest memories as an adolescent came on the soccer field or the baseball diamond-- all while playing for coaches I admired and for whom I would run through a wall.

Last June, the ugly side of scholastic sports reared its ugly head in Iowa, when legendary Aplington-Parkersburg High School football coach Ed Thomas was killed by a former player in the middle of the school's weight room.

This was the same coach that helped rebuild his community following a devastating tornado that tore down buildings and left the town craving for a pick-me-up in the form of high school football. He was the man that led multiple students toward NFL careers-- including stud Green Bay Packers defensive player Aaron Kampman.

24-year-old Mark Becker has pleaded not guilty to the shooting by reason of insanity as the trial goes to jury this evening. He claimed the coach was Satan and that he was being "tormented" by him.

Is this simply an isolated incident from a former player that was clearly mentally disturbed? Or, is it a case of athletes not being able to take a coach's advice in stride or using the correct state of mind?

Yes, there are some high school coaches that push kids too far-- some that even abuse athletes physically and mentally. Those leaders should be reprimanded and kept away from gifted students perfecting their craft.

However, there are many superb instructors around the country at the high school level-- Saint Anthony (NJ) basketball coach Bob Hurley comes to mind-- and the Ed Thomases of the world deserved to be understood.

As a high school athlete, it is your responsibility to learn the game, work hard and give it your all every practice and contest. Your coach will challenge you physically and you should challenge your coach mentally. A good leader will embrace this give-and-take, thus creating a healthy relationship.

As we await the verdict in Iowa, I only hope that high school athletes around the country realize the importance of developing a working relationship with their coach. It will help them in school, on the field and most importantly, in life.

I know I'm not the only one sending my best to this Iowa community tonight.