BravesFB07*

Sat, Oct 17, 2009 : 8:10 p.m.

coach poole is a great coach for student-athletes no matter what was said because he was speaking the truth i mean they dressed 14 kids for the first game 20 was ineligible and now kids is still ineligible everyone knows coach poole isnt racist. and for these people/parents saying my kids "give their all to this program" lol thats BULLSH*t if they did they would step up tpo their teammates and help them with their grades. my senior year which was the 06-07 season we had 1 person ineligible the first time out of any sport at ypsi high in the 10 years besides what? cross country. we had 35 players 32 had over a 3.0 yes only 32...whoever was talkin about parents was complaining about kids gettin home late not being able to do home work thats why we had study table so is that why poole went out HIS way to get multiple tutors from EMU to tutors us? i think not. and who is saying poole didnt help any players get into college? do you kno we had 5 players off one team go to UNIVERSITIES not community colleges to play football on scholarship....Cory Gwinner(Howard University),Dominique Graham(Northwood University),Antonio Mcmillian(Northwood University),Marvon Sanders(Eastern Mich), Donald Spencer(Michgan St)....name one fb team from ypsi past to put out 5 players to universities on fb scholarship? YOU CANT. and yes i am one of those six...coach poole rented vans/payed for camps/ out of his own pocket in order to get us to those football camps throughout the summer whether it was in michigan,indiana,or ohio he did it for us to better our chances at playing at the next level. IT DONT MATTER WHAT NOBODY SAY AS LONG AS COACH POOLE KNOW THAT HE HAS HAD A POSITIVE IMPACT ON MY LIFE ON GETTING ME TO COLLEGE AND HELPING ME BECOME A BETTER MAN IM SURE THAT HE'LL BE ALRIGHT DESPIT WHAT THE MEDIA OR PEOPLE SAY ABOUT HIM....I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANKS AGAIN TO COACH POOLE FOR EVERYTHING YOUVE HELPED ME BECOME THE MAN I AM TODAY A 3RD COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYER ON HIS WAY TO OBTAINING HIS MBA...

Bob Needham

Fri, Oct 16, 2009 : 2:50 p.m.

(off-topic comment removed)

concerned citizen

Fri, Oct 16, 2009 : 11:39 a.m.

Give me a break about Poole "putting together a study table." The study table came from years of parent complaints about the long practices and the entire YHS coaching staff (every YHS sport) not allowing for the student athletes to have time for their homework.

A24Evr

Fri, Oct 16, 2009 : 10:27 a.m.

What a farce, this statement was never intended to be a "slur"! He was probably only repeating what he hears talked about his players. It's a shame to loose a good coach, they are too few and far in between. Here you have a coach that's trying to help kids and put a 'study table' in place because of grade problems and then is forced to leave the program. Yes, maybe he could have reworded his comment but I give him credit for saying what he keeps hearing.

Chanchito

Thu, Oct 15, 2009 : 8:48 p.m.

Poole should know better. He needed to be a role model -- that we know he is not.

retired deputy

Thu, Oct 15, 2009 : 7:29 p.m.

Coming from an inside perspective I have known Dave Poole for 25 years. In no way is Dave Poole a racist. He has always had the kids interest at heart and is a positive role model for Ypsilanti High School and Ypsilanti athletics. He is a hard worker and an active member of the community, who is being judged unfairly due to a poor choice of words used in a private team meeting. Some people who have own agenda have used this fuel this unfortunate incident.

English CORE

Thu, Oct 15, 2009 : 6:24 p.m.

As someone who had the opportunity to watch Dave Poole's commitment to student success for ten years before losing touch, I can assure all readers (contrary to the comments of stevieboy & A2rite), Poole cares more about students & their success--in and out of school & on and off the field--than the vast majority of people working with high school students in many districts in the area. He's been a tough, tireless worker among a population of students who, unfortunately, often don't hear teachers or coaches until voices are raised and profanity used. He is willing to put himself on the line for his students & players. While he may not have used PC wording, his heart & commitment to success should NEVER be called into question, especially by snarky readers who've never taken the time to try to teach in an urban district or spend time with those of us in those trenches. Yes, Ypsi is a small town, with small town issues, but YHS is demographically, an urban high school. All staff who choose to commit themselves day in and day out in that setting deserve our admiration and appreciation. Poole is a great guy who made a mistake--the greater issue is that his brand of study table before practice field--no matter the cost--is something totally lost is the uproar. As CASH posted, the "teachable moment" was lost/sacrificed in the name of replacing a man so emotionally distraught that his players didn't care about learning, he was willing to speak whatever would wake them up and get through to them. It's a tragedy that's played out over and over again in education and the students are still not held responsible for the behaviors that drove this man to such an outburst. I know when I selectively chose to use profanity with teens it succeeded (over 90% of the time) in making the youngsters reflect on the behaviors that pushed their teacher to use such language. Poole is someone I'd take on my teaching team in a heartbeat, unless the public battering succeeds in driving his passion for students away--but I think he's tough enough to make it--I only hope the players who lost him as a leader realize that many of them lost the closest thing to a father figure they've had in some time. He loves these guys or he never would've given them such hell.

ypsiman

Thu, Oct 15, 2009 : 5:53 p.m.

I see some people have a soap box here

ypsiman

Thu, Oct 15, 2009 : 5:42 p.m.

Once again, A word that used everyday in the school over and over by the kids. Gets a adult in trouble.I dont agree with what he said at all.But now the standard has be set, No one, and I mean no one from players to the coach.If that word is said there done,Do you think this is going to happen,Not at all. But I hope the parents help the kids on the team with there school work, seeing that half the team could not play because of grades.Maybe if the parents really cared there kids grades would have been up and they could play. It so sad to see a little word cause so much trouble.It makes me wonder if said by snoop dog in a song would there be much hoopla about it? something to think about.

Tom

Thu, Oct 15, 2009 : 12:48 p.m.

Another example of the nauseating intolerance on the left, destroying without thought, lacking totally in forgiveness and compassion. They are waterless springs, intent on ripping the social fabric with the goal of restoring order by expanding the scope of government with more laws and more police to enforce an orderly society. We tolerate their tyranny.

Tom Bower

Thu, Oct 15, 2009 : 12:39 p.m.

Wish we still had a real newspaper so we could know what is going on in our communities without having to log on.

Citizen Al

Thu, Oct 15, 2009 : 11:28 a.m.

I agree with Dzuck and FormerA2Rite, but I have much more to add. To start, I have one question for Poole: What did you say and do to respond to the views that Ypsilanti football players are a bunch of dumb niggas. Is this something that was preconceived in your mind or did another school actually express this to you? If it was expressed to you, then this should have been in the media sooner and the headline would have been much different. In no circumstance should a person be referenced as a "Nigga" (as typically used in slang by black people when talking to another black person) or a Nigger (as typically used to socially and politically disenfranchise black people; typically used by people who believe they are superior). This word holds very strong overtones and is a hurtful vestige of Jim Crow segregation and slavery. Can you imagine being subjected to things like: Niggers enter in the back, Niggers drink from this water fountain (typically the faucet was substandard to the faucet designated for White people), No Niggers allowed, etc. Furthermore, can you imagine being considered 3/5 of a person without the right to vote because you are black and considered a Nigger? Now, this is simple, if these are things that are unfamiliar to you or that you dont understand, then maybe you shouldnt be commenting on this article at least not in public or using words like these, as Poole did. And no black parent should ever be okay with this being said to or in front of their child, especially without answers to the two questions that I asked at the beginning of my comment. The N-word is an inferior word that could leave an indelible mark on youth during impressionable ages. I realize the high school football players are not between 18 months and 3 years old; however, this word provokes anger and other emotions. The use of this word is psychologically and socially damaging. I would note that in Americas 233 year History, blacks have only had the legal right to an equal and full education for 54 years (Brown v. Board of Education). The word Nigger with all of its overtones and provocativeness has only been considered taboo for maybe 30 plus years, so lets not consider this situation at Ypsilanti High School as a light bump in the road and something to sweep under the carpet. If what Poole says is true that other area schools view[ing] the team as a bunch of dumb niggas, then Ypsilanti school administrators need to address this situation in a broader context, maybe even cross school districts.

james Kurtz

Thu, Oct 15, 2009 : 11:01 a.m.

Blacks use the N word all the time when dissing each other, but when a white person uses it all hell breaks loose. This is a huge double standard and blacks love to play the race card.

concerned citizen

Thu, Oct 15, 2009 : 10:33 a.m.

As an educator, which Mr. Poole is in the Ypsilanti Public School system, Mr. Poole's primary motivation for the students should be education. This is just the tip of the iceberg within this school system as far as athletics goes. The problems with athletics in the Ypsilanti Public School system are much bigger than Mr. Poole using the N word. Will someone please take a look at the entire system? Other coaches make it a practice to use extremely foul vulgar language with the athletes on a regular basis and because they are black nothing is done or said. In addition, there are coaches who make it a point to go around the school and community telling the students grades to whoever will listen. It doesnt matter the color of a persons skin its the content of their character. YPS needs a complete over haul and they need to do it immediately.

Cash

Thu, Oct 15, 2009 : 10:21 a.m.

I do not understand why people are missing the obvious. Fact: These young men live in a world where that word is used. A lot of bad words are said in the real world. Why not use the incident to TEACH young people how to deal with anger and rage? When they get out in the real world, they cannot "fire" someone who says that word. Have we taught them what to do, how to act when this happens again?...and it WILL! How do you deal with anger and insults? The answer could save a life or two.

KeepingItReal

Thu, Oct 15, 2009 : 10:12 a.m.

It amazes me that white people think its ok to say derogatory and offensive things about other people but when someone hurt their feelings they become extremely outrage about it, and in many instances their outrage has resulted in physical harm to others. Mr. Poole should have known better than to use such language in referring to his students performance. However, I am more concerned about black parents and students who use this word frequently and in every day language. If the word is so offensive...Are you upset when your child uses it with his/her friends? Are you upset when your friends, relatives or others within your cultural group uses? Do you use the word when you are upset with someone from your cultural group who just cut in front of you on the freeway or otherwise behaved in a manner that you did not approve of? We older Blacks grew up at a time when the word was a fighting word but our sons and daughters or grandchildren have grown up during a time when they have used the word so commonly that it really has no derogatory meaning to them. Yet, we continue to invest time, effort and energy in responding to a word when in fact we should be more concerned about black students overall poor academic performance in the school systems in which they are enrolled and the fact that black youth are being locked up left and right in juvenile and adult jails or that black youth are dying at the hands of black youth than more soldiers being killed in our wars in Iraq and Afghanisthan. I don't hear a peep from the black community about this.

Tom Bower

Thu, Oct 15, 2009 : 10:03 a.m.

His words were totally inappropriate. Former Ypsilanti High varsity football player, class of 1970.

braves03

Thu, Oct 15, 2009 : 9:44 a.m.

Poole wasn't a good coach and I can't believe people are actually posting that he was. His players didn't respect him and they felt he didn't care about them. During practice all he did was yell, scream, and curse at the kids. You have a youth program practicing around the same time and parents were appalled at the language that he used during practice. The same parents that you are trying to convince to send their kids to Ypsilanti High School and Poole is out their acting like a fool. Poole wasn't a community guy which is why businesses in the community didn't support the team. His communication with parents was terrible. There were 22 players that didnt qualify this year due to academics. Didn't Poole know this in May or June of 2009? He works in the school and he didn't have time to check on his varsity players to make sure they were going to class? Yes it is the parents responsibility to make sure their child is going to class, but a football coach should be a mentor, motivator, teacher, instructor of athletes on proper form and technique, manage the team during both practice sessions and competitions, and be able substitute players for optimum team chemistry and success. Poole didn't do well with any of these! How many football players have gotten football scholarships over the last 5 years since Poole has been the coach? Maybe 5 and that is it!! Marvon Sanders got into EMU because of the work his mom and dad did. Poole didn't do anything. Donald Spencer got into to MSU with the help of his mom and dad also. Ask Poole if he helped Mitchell Long get into Northwood? The answer is no, no, no! Let the man go coach someone else because Ypsi will do better without him.

Ypsiparent

Thu, Oct 15, 2009 : 9:24 a.m.

When can we start looking at the whole coaching staff at Ypsi High? This goes far beyond football. It is time to clean house. Can we get some coaches in there that care less about a pay check and more about the kids. Let's see you just got rid of the WINNINGS NEW girls basketball coach, for unknown reason...(Maybe the press should look into that one also) Got Rid of POOLE...Lets see that might leave oh "MR. Brooks and friends" his file should be thick too....Once again lets rebuild, clean house and start all over...

Cash

Thu, Oct 15, 2009 : 9:03 a.m.

I just wish people weren't so fast to pull the trigger in an incident like this. Our President handled it well when he admitted a mistake and said it should be a "teachable moment." This moment could have been a teachable moment for all involved and maybe the entire student body....if the coach sat down with students and explained what he said and WHY he said what he said. Then allowed each person who was there express how it made them feel and WHY it made them feel that way. Everyone could have learned, which I THOUGHT was the purpose of education. Instead we push some person to the background, and never address the real issues. I am sure that the school hierarchy wanted to shove it away, never to be discussed again. WRONG! People who post here and parents of the students involved can have their own opinions but we know they have little or nothing to do with the actual people who were involved. I think of the communication forever lost, the opportunity to learn from each other lost forever as well. While the school hierarchy worries about their pupil headcount and reputation, they turn their heads to the best possible learning opportunity for their students and faculty as well....learning from mistakes and learning from life experiences. After all, that is what education is about. And that is what life is about. Judy

newspaperreader

Thu, Oct 15, 2009 : 8:42 a.m.

People are not looking at the big picture in this situation. David Poole was attempting to do the right thing but did it in the wrong way. He was trying to get his players to be successful in life by doing well academically. He should not have used the language that he heard from his players everyday; he should be a step above that type of trash talk. These were his kids that he wanted to perform better on and off the field.

ownrdgd

Thu, Oct 15, 2009 : 8:21 a.m.

Its called Loose lips sink ships.or Engage brain before putting mouth in gear.

UnknownToYou

Thu, Oct 15, 2009 : 8:08 a.m.

I agree truthisfree....and they had a noose hanging the the locker room and my son was highly offended, but did that make the paper? Not it did not, so racism is okay and alive and well in Tecumseh I suppose

UnknownToYou

Thu, Oct 15, 2009 : 8:05 a.m.

As an African American parent of an Ypsilanti Varsity player I find a lot of these posts incredulous And downright ignorant. My son loves Coach Poole and in no way was he offended by the statement Coach Poole made. The truth hurts and when you have a few bad apples....however some of you posting your comments really need to check into yourselves and ask why you have expressed your own "fear" of the American male. You don't know me or my child, and only God can judge us in the end. Coach Poole is a wonderful human with good intentions, for the 3 years I have known him to be fair and unbiased toward my son and the other minority players on the team. It is what it is, a way to get rid of the man......does it make a difference that the 'white' head of athletics had a screaming match with Coach Poole in front of the players several weeks before this incident and was in the forefront of being determined to get rid of him. So shame on the white man for using a black man's excuse to get rid of the coach he wanted to get rid of for the past two years that I personally know about. Get real people and continue to hide behind your ignorance on the web. I'm at the practice field every day with my kid so I know how it went down. Assume, speculate, or just keep it real......

Truthisfree

Thu, Oct 15, 2009 : 7:55 a.m.

Some people need to get a life and quit looking for "reverse racism". It's amazing that we have people with the most privilege in society due to color claiming that they are being unjustly treated because this coach resigned. He may have had good intentions but the legacy of the word is negative and therefore should not have been said. To bring up rappers and others that use it doesn't make it any better. There are black people that use it, there are white people that use it toward each other, there are white people that use it as it was started during slavery. The rap industry does set a poor example for kids with more than just this word. People get off your victim train whenever something happens to "one of yours" and look at logic. As a coach trying to set an example he could have said a number of words to drive home the point. He could have said "n-word" without saying the actual word. The really troubling thing is no poster has commented on the fact that in the SEC some of the schools view Ypsilanti in this light. Poole commented on it and had to resign but I haven't seen a post calling for the changing of the culture at the SEC schools that will have kids/parents of SEC schools, treat all kids with respect as they compete instead of viewing them in that light. At a game in Tecumseh, I understand the Ypsilanti cheerleaders were verbally assaulted going to the concession stand with derogatory remarks from some people on the Tecumseh side. Those few do an injustice to the good people of Tecumseh that care to just watch the kids compete and have fun. Seek and you will find.....you look to be the victim, you will be. You look to live in misery and you will. Wake up EVERYONE.

Former A2rite

Thu, Oct 15, 2009 : 7:30 a.m.

This is pathetic. Both Poole & the commenters. This is not a black or white thing. It's an ignorant thing! Poole evidently lacked education, as well as common sense himself. I've heard from football parents that he had many pathetic ways, one being lack of communication skills and the other not supporting his promising players in college recruiting initiatives. Fuller should have stepped up to defeat this rotting system long time ago!! Come on educators, open your eyes!

Craig Lounsbury

Thu, Oct 15, 2009 : 6:50 a.m.

as far as the blacks can say "it" but whites can't argument I don't see it as a double standard so much as an "in house" issue. Its OK for me to "yell" at my kids, but its not OK for "you" to yell at MY kids.

Billy

Thu, Oct 15, 2009 : 4:18 a.m.

God annarbor.com is ridiculous with the censorship. I honestly wonder how many comments actually get made considering they most comments.

stevieboy

Thu, Oct 15, 2009 : 12:18 a.m.

Poole wasn't that good of a coach anyway. His players lack discipline and some stayed in trouble. His resignation was soon to happen. I just wonder if this incident was just a vehicle for them to find an excuse to fire him. I don't think he was that good of a coach and his time was up. Good ridance!!!!! He got what he deserve for his ignorance and should not be allowed around these kids. Who do he think he is fooling when he said the kids miss him.... PLEASE!!!!!!

Ryan Munson

Wed, Oct 14, 2009 : 9:37 p.m.

dzuck, I agree 100%. And I miss my players. And they miss me. I wouldn't miss you.

coach

Wed, Oct 14, 2009 : 9:36 p.m.

Its really sad when a ole school coach......trys to motivate his players,and they turn on him!!! The real sad thing is, it was the lazy trouble makers that are the problems, the insubordinates so to speak......it was a word,and he was relaying to his players what other schools think of them. Thats something you cant dispute. and he had there backs and called them to the challenge....but i will bet the ones that made the most noise was the ones that he kicked off the team in the first place!! sad....but guess what goes around comes around,and the complainers will get theres. And their parents wished the coach had there backs!!!! Most coaches are motivators,they say things for reaction purposes,and i for one have a coaching philosaphy.....when a coach refuses to yell at you or challenge you to the point of being youre best,he is not doing his job!!! Parents wake up we raising a bunch of complainers. Life's lessons will be learned the hard way re-gardless of this coaches comments

marineblue

Wed, Oct 14, 2009 : 6:59 p.m.

let's not blow this out of proportion and make this a racial issue. although the coach meant well and tried to relate to the players in their own terms, he has to know better. i do not believe this man is racist or has a negative racial bone in his body. he is a coach concerned about his kids. for a highschool coach to call out his team for academics is outstanding. his choice of words, not so much. its it a case of a good man getting punished for what i, and he would consider minor? yes. but you can thank the many who live a life of racial hatred and spew their hatred every chance they get. people want this world to be politically correct so this is what we get. this has nothing to do w/ kwame or black people using this word. when are caucasions going to learn that they can not use this word for any reason? it doesn't matter that black people use it. we have all heard of double standards haven't we? life is full of them. people, don't be surprised that this punishment is applied to a good man that is trying to help, it happens to good black americans who are trying to help every day as well. the only point that i am trying to make is that the man could have chosen better words to make his point. to the person who made the comment about "crackers", if he would have made that comment he should face the same discipline.

grimdaddy1

Wed, Oct 14, 2009 : 6:57 p.m.

wow wonder if any black person has ever gotten in trouble for using the word,let alone lost a job. seems like anyone can be racist as long as they arn't white

Macabre Sunset

Wed, Oct 14, 2009 : 6:23 p.m.

It's just a fact of life. There are things white people can't say. It's not an equal society. I'm sure Poole is not a racist, but he did make a mistake and has to pay the price.

11GOBLUE11

Wed, Oct 14, 2009 : 6:08 p.m.

It seems obvious that he cares about these kids, and his comment was meant for good. One GOOD man down...now let's focus on the rest of the good guys until there are none left. That way we'll just have those who actually hate and use the phrase for derogatory purposes walking around...Duh Duh

hotsauce_gm

Wed, Oct 14, 2009 : 6 p.m.

I bet if he would have said "a bunch of dumb 'crackas" no one would care...

Deb Anderson

Wed, Oct 14, 2009 : 5:08 p.m.

I hope no one is in the rap music industry, then everyone there would have to resign.

djm12652

Wed, Oct 14, 2009 : 3:49 p.m.

Words can only be hurtful and/or offensive if one allows them to be...and that is something I hear the kids walking around town say to each other...rise above this people, it's only words!

heresmine

Wed, Oct 14, 2009 : 3:47 p.m.

So, it's still okay for a black person to use that language, but when a white person does, it's a problem. And please, don't tell me it's not okay for a black person to use words like that. There's no way to employ the thought police to stop people from doing this. Some people are beyond the ability to change or it's so ingrained in their upbringing that it's just a natural way of expressing yourself. Kwame is a good example. The fact that the coach spoke the truth, more or less, as a quote, didn't seem to cause his resignation, but certainly didn't help. If he stayed, he would have trouble dealing with the students and parents of those who objected. For some, no amount of apology would do. The fact he still has a job, is surprising.

treetowncartel

Wed, Oct 14, 2009 : 3 p.m.

I thought Kwame burried this word a couple years back?