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Post by allthingsoccer on Aug 25, 2023 14:40:06 GMT -5
The issue there is firing people off of accusations— because there may be legal repercussions. He has a contract, and I’m sure he pulled it out. I also have heard the rumblings of scenarios you mention. While I disagree with letting him stay while under investigation, no one really knows the actual accusations, what is on paper (we know rumors) and no one knows the SOP for the club and what happens when an accusation like this occurs. If we were asking the right questions, it would be- “what is UFA/ECNL, etc PROTOCOL when an accusation of abuse happens” Whether we like it or not, whatever that procedure is— they have to follow it. And we likely agreed to it when we sign docs. It’s our job as parents to determine if we continue to allow our children in that scenario and whether we choose to stay while they implement the procedure. It’s also our job as parents to say hey enough when people play in our face about our kids and a service we pay for. It's been a few years, but having been a TM in the past I know they, along with the coaches, are obligated to take a LONG on-line class, with a Q&A session at the end of each section (you have to pass) going over proper protocols for behavior around kids, etc. It takes more than a few hours to even finish the courses because it is so thorough. Unfortunately, I can't remember all of the consequences and the steps that will be taken if those guides are possibly broken. The point is, I know they have procedures that will be followed. It is laid out in detail, so I know ECNL has that stuff covered for employment (along with a background check you have to pay for). Any TM's out there with a better memory than mine might be able to shine more light on it. No Team manager involved. They all follow under the uscenterforsafesport.org/ safe sport guidelines. Safe sport and local law enforcement is the procedure. Not the club, not the team manager. |
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Post by Futsal Gawdess on Aug 25, 2023 14:45:42 GMT -5
Fiona isn’t capable of being honest. Passive aggression is her go to |me tink fiona wan 2 be 100% b4 u accuse peson| |me tink fiona superstar n can b sue if wong|
|me tink fiona wan facts n not b like tmz| |me tink fiona no 4 fact sumtin wong here|
While I occasionally find it "challenging" at times to read your posts, I want to commend you for raising this issue. Despite the name-calling and being ridiculed, you've used your * tink language* to point us in the right direction while refraining from pontificating or sharing unfounded facts. In any other situation involving accusations, I typically choose to withhold forming an opinion until all the facts have come to light. However, if a modicum of this is true, this breaks my heart. Most of you know my kids are a product of UFA and in the past I've been an ardent supporter. The one thing I do want to bring up and put out there is that I have to commend the parents and more significantly the young ladies who are directly affected by what is going on. They have shown a level of maturity that one would not expect in this age of the snap-tik-IG-tweedeck era and come to realize it's not just about you but you need to stand up for others. There are silent and public protests being organized against him and the club if he should stay on during the investigation. The parents directly with first hand experiences have reached out to Safe-Sport on behalf of their daughters to open independent investigations (currently 7). In the hours since the team meetings yesterday, many families have had time to internalize and are now taking a hard stance on not being coached by him. Some have stated wanting to be released or dropped down to the lower levels to avoid interaction. The girls have been sharing some of the texts, posts, comments amongst themselves. I have been unfortunate to see some of the material shared, but, like others have said, it may not be legally actionable but it definitely has the hallmarks of grooming or plain old icky factor. While, this is an active, evolving situation, IMHO, his actions may not warrant legally terminating his contract, but I say till it is resolved, he needs to be removed from the day to day interaction with these girls. |
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Post by wolves97 on Aug 25, 2023 15:24:47 GMT -5
I've been in law enforcement for 30 years....27 of those as an investigator.
I could tell you absolute HORROR stories about things that started out Just. Like. This.
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Post by soccerlegacy on Aug 25, 2023 15:46:35 GMT -5
It's been a few years, but having been a TM in the past I know they, along with the coaches, are obligated to take a LONG on-line class, with a Q&A session at the end of each section (you have to pass) going over proper protocols for behavior around kids, etc. It takes more than a few hours to even finish the courses because it is so thorough. Unfortunately, I can't remember all of the consequences and the steps that will be taken if those guides are possibly broken. The point is, I know they have procedures that will be followed. It is laid out in detail, so I know ECNL has that stuff covered for employment (along with a background check you have to pay for). Any TM's out there with a better memory than mine might be able to shine more light on it. No Team manager involved. They all follow under the uscenterforsafesport.org/ safe sport guidelines. Safe sport and local law enforcement is the procedure. Not the club, not the team manager. That wasn't my point at all. I was never stating the TM was involved, or should be involved, other that to report it with the "see something, say something" motto. I was simply stating that incidents like this ARE a high priority and that they make coaches and TM's take a lengthy course and background check to try and eliminate as many potential chances as possible for this to occur. As someone else said when quoting my original post, that doesn't mean it will change an individual's deranged views who is intent on committing such actions. However, it's also not for a lack of caring by the club or organization, that these things might wind up happening, even with all of the precautions. And you are right, it will be handled by law enforcement when reported. As for why he would be allowed to continue with two other teams, while being removed from just one, is a bit baffling to me. As someone else mentioned, if it's possibly harmful to one team, I don't see why it wouldn't be for the others. I'm guessing lawyers for the club have been contacted and not much more is being officially stated (due to possible legal ramifications) until they are allowed. But it sure allows for rumor and innuendo to run rampant. |
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Post by playfromtheback on Aug 25, 2023 15:47:08 GMT -5
Even if it isn't "legally actionable does the club not have a policy around contact with minors? I thought that all electronic communication should include parents.
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Post by soccergirlz on Aug 25, 2023 16:24:24 GMT -5
Disgusting. Thank you for sharing and I’m glad my kid and my money are nowhere near there. This is unbelievable. We have been at UFA for a while and it continues to amaze me how they can make decisions like this. The 06 team is strongly opposed to having him coach due to whatever happened, but the club feels its ok that he is with the other 2 teams. Someone else feeling like this makes no logic at all? I do not know details of what happened if they are true or not, etc, but would think the clubs reputation is more important here if they are trying to bring in players, improve the club. I am on the boys side, but my daughter is almost to the academy level and really looking at other clubs now for her and possibly my son. I also heard that last season this 08 team, which was maybe coached by this James guy brought in a family for an out of state showcase and this family had been previously kicked out and that was told they aren't welcome at the club anymore. We don't have this craziness on the boys side and only reason I came to this forum was to try to get more info on what is happening before I introduce my daughter to some inappropriate adult. Please tell me the other clubs don't operate this way on the girls side. Thanks Unfortunately other clubs on the girls side do act like this....go ask parents or girls from 03/04 TH team that had a coach removed for inappropriate comments 2 years ago, but he was still OK to coach other teams.....oh wait the head of NASA/TH coached that coach in high school..... regardless, if things are true with 06 UFA team, I commend the parents and players for sticking up....many times parents and/or players do not want to come forward and say anything because they are worried about what will happen to them in regards to playing time, tryouts, college, etc..... and yes one of the main reasons they wont fire these coaches is that they have no one else to coach.....they also know parents will keep paying the dues.... |
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Post by crazzzy4soccer on Aug 25, 2023 20:47:28 GMT -5
See you later Handsy Harris.
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Post by oraclesfriend on Aug 26, 2023 11:38:51 GMT -5
No Team manager involved. They all follow under the uscenterforsafesport.org/ safe sport guidelines. Safe sport and local law enforcement is the procedure. Not the club, not the team manager. That wasn't my point at all. I was never stating the TM was involved, or should be involved, other that to report it with the "see something, say something" motto. I was simply stating that incidents like this ARE a high priority and that they make coaches and TM's take a lengthy course and background check to try and eliminate as many potential chances as possible for this to occur. As someone else said when quoting my original post, that doesn't mean it will change an individual's deranged views who is intent on committing such actions. However, it's also not for a lack of caring by the club or organization, that these things might wind up happening, even with all of the precautions. And you are right, it will be handled by law enforcement when reported. As for why he would be allowed to continue with two other teams, while being removed from just one, is a bit baffling to me. As someone else mentioned, if it's possibly harmful to one team, I don't see why it wouldn't be for the others. I'm guessing lawyers for the club have been contacted and not much more is being officially stated (due to possible legal ramifications) until they are allowed. But it sure allows for rumor and innuendo to run rampant. I am familiar with the Tophat situation. We also had another coach there that got complaints for similar “abusive” language. Both of those coaches at some point told players they should kill themselves. The second coach never had enough complaints to rise to the level of removal because several of the girls refrained from telling their parents until after the situation was over (they quit soccer or left the club). IT IS HARD for these kids to come forward. They are scared of being ridiculed or losing scholarships like others have said. It likely means the girls are reasonably close so they told each other and then they felt comfortable knowing they weren’t the only ones. I was also at another club that suspended a coach from player contact on ALL teams when he was under investigation for an event that happened with a player that may or may not have even been on his team. It was supposedly at private training. This is the appropriate action. I am also familiar |
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Post by turfburns on Aug 26, 2023 12:32:22 GMT -5
I think this is getting a little off track. The situation with James shouldn't be lumped into any other coach's charades. Coaches at every single club in every sport, especially the highest level teams, speak to players in ways that may not be pleasant or friendly. While I am not condoning any "abusive" language, that is much different than the issues being discussed with James. Hopefully it will be revealed soon if he was in fact told to leave. And more importantly, I hope the real issue is addressed and he is banned from coaching and associating with young girls, instead of just passing him on to the next club and new set of victims.
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Post by soccerlegacy on Aug 26, 2023 13:19:05 GMT -5
I think this is getting a little off track. The situation with James shouldn't be lumped into any other coach's charades. Coaches at every single club in every sport, especially the highest level teams, speak to players in ways that may not be pleasant or friendly. While I am not condoning any "abusive" language, that is much different than the issues being discussed with James. Hopefully it will be revealed soon if he was in fact told to leave. And more importantly, I hope the real issue is addressed and he is banned from coaching and associating with young girls, instead of just passing him on to the next club and new set of victims. Agreed. Unfortunately, it seems he HAS been passed on to the next club multiple times, where he was subsequently fired, for similar accusations. The Florida soccer forums have multiple threads that are 30+ pages long talking about his proclivities for doing the same things. Outage, good riddance, hope he doesn't do it at his next club, should be banned, are strewn throughout the posts. A simple google search of his name is all you need. |
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Post by oraclesfriend on Aug 26, 2023 14:43:36 GMT -5
I think this is getting a little off track. The situation with James shouldn't be lumped into any other coach's charades. Coaches at every single club in every sport, especially the highest level teams, speak to players in ways that may not be pleasant or friendly. While I am not condoning any "abusive" language, that is much different than the issues being discussed with James. Hopefully it will be revealed soon if he was in fact told to leave. And more importantly, I hope the real issue is addressed and he is banned from coaching and associating with young girls, instead of just passing him on to the next club and new set of victims. His behavior is horrible and does have history. I don’t know that you can compare various coaches’ behavior, but I do think you can compare the CLUBS’ reaction to it. THAT was the point of MY post. In case you missed it the point is that if someone is being investigated for their behavior with players of any team and they are removed from that team during an investigation they SHOULD be removed from ALL teams. UFA should (and I guess maybe has now) remove him from ALL contact with players during an investigation. Abuse, regardless of the age of the players or the type of abuse, should be grounds for a consistent response. Allowing coaches to stay with the team(s) that are not complaining allows for more potential victims and also SENDS A BAD MESSAGE. The most important thing is the safety of the kids. Keep them safe and let them know that you BELIEVE them. Finally coaches need to be reported to Safe Sport, their clubs, their leagues, US Soccer and the state associations. Everyone should know who these bad apples are to keep them away from kids! BTW I don’t think you meant “charades.” But these other coaches were not just being unfriendly. Abusive language and actions are abuse regardless of type. All of these truly bad (not just strict) people need to be gone! |
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Post by atlsoccer123 on Aug 26, 2023 14:47:28 GMT -5
If parents want change to protect their girls... go straight to the top and skip over all of this "procedure".
1. Local Authorities
2. ECNL
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Post by oraclesfriend on Aug 26, 2023 14:53:50 GMT -5
If parents want change to protect their girls... go straight to the top and skip over all of this "procedure". 1. Local Authorities 2. ECNL “Local authorities” as in police? That is a good idea but he still has to be removed from the team by the club. The cops won’t keep him in jail if he is still grooming, not yet actually assaulting the children ECNL won’t do anything. They allowed Rory Dames and others to have teams and be part of the administration despite many complaints. |
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Post by rifle on Aug 26, 2023 15:17:21 GMT -5
If parents want change to protect their girls... go straight to the top and skip over all of this "procedure". 1. Local Authorities 2. ECNL Thats exactly what is required by SafeSport training… |
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Post by atlsoccer123 on Aug 26, 2023 16:56:53 GMT -5
If parents want change to protect their girls... go straight to the top and skip over all of this "procedure". 1. Local Authorities 2. ECNL “Local authorities” as in police? That is a good idea but he still has to be removed from the team by the club. The cops won’t keep him in jail if he is still grooming, not yet actually assaulting the children ECNL won’t do anything. They allowed Rory Dames and others to have teams and be part of the administration despite many complaints. Yes. File official reports. We're not talking about jail time because that would never happen. We're talking about having paper trails to back up any accusations and going through several channels but mostly the top. #2. ECNL is the soccer governing body that they care about the most and is sanctioned by US Club. They don't want to lose that membership over one coach. It's hard to sweep that under the rug if that many are made aware of the situation. |
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Post by atlsoccer123 on Aug 26, 2023 17:08:51 GMT -5
See you later Handsy Harris. seems any mention of him has been removed from their website..... Announcement gone Coaches list gone Director now says Iggy Just split the teams between Alan and Gil. They might be rude sometimes, but they have never been accused of anything like this. Fantastic idea! Both solid coaches. |
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Post by oraclesfriend on Aug 26, 2023 20:53:01 GMT -5
“Local authorities” as in police? That is a good idea but he still has to be removed from the team by the club. The cops won’t keep him in jail if he is still grooming, not yet actually assaulting the children ECNL won’t do anything. They allowed Rory Dames and others to have teams and be part of the administration despite many complaints. Yes. File official reports. We're not talking about jail time because that would never happen. We're talking about having paper trails to back up any accusations and going through several channels but mostly the top. #2. ECNL is the soccer governing body that they care about the most and is sanctioned by US Club. They don't want to lose that membership over one coach. It's hard to sweep that under the rug if that many are made aware of the situation. Police is the right thing to do. Totally agree there. The law actually states anyone in a medical job aware of abuse of a minor is required to report it by law. Not sure what Georgia law is for regular people. I do know Safe Sport training tells people to report to the police It is also a good idea to report him to ECNL, but their track record with dealing with abusers is very poor. This is likely because some higher ups in ECNL have been accused of abuse like my Rory Dames example. They are not going to kick out UFA for hiring or retaining abusers. If anyone was paying attention to the Spanish WWC situation (not the same as this is not a minor) there is a good old boys network at the top of many federations and leagues. The NWSL scandals. Frankly we can add Ohio State wrestling and Penn State football and Michigan State gymnastics and other sports. Please recognize that it is a systemic problem in sport and the best way to have action occur is to report to police and EVERY club, league, sanctioning body and SafeSport. I hope he is fired. Frankly I hope that some people sue him even if their suit is not going after money, but instead requiring him to forego contact with minors/athletes. People like that are predators and everywhere they go they are going to look for victims. The best way to stop them is to do your best to remove their access to people over whom they have power. They need to be put on the sex offender registry. |
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rotgg
Jr. Academy
Posts: 90
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Post by rotgg on Aug 28, 2023 8:33:57 GMT -5
Any coach that electronically messages or calls a child in private should be relieved of their positions no matter the context of the message or call. I played sports all my life and never had a coach call or contact me outside of team time. I was given plenty of tongue lashings and berated many times I lived. When I was in high school playing football we had a chaplain that I never felt right around. I even told him at one time to stay away from me. That chaplain was arrested cpl years after I graduated for raping multiple young boys. Attachments:
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Post by soccer_uber_driver on Aug 28, 2023 10:14:24 GMT -5
See you later Handsy Harris. seems any mention of him has been removed from their website..... Announcement gone Coaches list gone Director now says Iggy Just split the teams between Alan and Gil. They might be rude sometimes, but they have never been accused of anything like this. May have missed a spot on website forsyth.unitedfa.org/staff-directory-1459388422 under 'College Preparation' |
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Post by futbolhero on Aug 28, 2023 12:18:40 GMT -5
One of my wife’s best friends dated him many years ago. Other than that and the fact that he was at Concorde not too long ago, I don’t know much about him. Did he groom her too? |
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Post by futbolhero on Aug 28, 2023 12:21:32 GMT -5
I wonder if he was hand selected by controlling parents(mom) within the girls side or if he will have a spine? Wait how can one parent have that kind of pull on reputed club like UFA? Also, they confirmed that JH is coaching 3 age groups which I don’t understand how he can handle on top of his duties as director. It’s how the club is run. Every age group has a group of parents that call the shots just have to hope you are in the in crowd. A lot rides on being the best of the best at youth sports. Put that on a resume and guaranteed a job. |
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Post by futbolhero on Aug 28, 2023 12:23:36 GMT -5
|me tink sumtin happen "recently"| |me tink he no coach us no more| |me tink iggy pray ink no dri on contract| Iggy is king POS and knew what he was hiring. He should be held equally accountable. If parents weren’t delusional they should jump ship and watch the club crumble. |
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Post by DunwoodySoccerDad on Aug 28, 2023 12:57:43 GMT -5
One of my wife’s best friends dated him many years ago. Other than that and the fact that he was at Concorde not too long ago, I don’t know much about him. Did he groom her too? Are you trying to be funny? |
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Post by Futsal Gawdess on Aug 28, 2023 13:07:09 GMT -5
One of my wife’s best friends dated him many years ago. Other than that and the fact that he was at Concorde not too long ago, I don’t know much about him. Did he groom her too? There's absolutely no justification for such a crass comment. Grooming is a subject that should never be treated lightly, especially when were are discussing it in relation to children. Based off of your myriad of comments, it's evident that you have a personal agenda, vendetta, grudges, or perhaps an axe to grind. And that is your right. I only ask that you refrain from diminishing the seriousness of grooming by treating it as something trivial or suitable for jokes... |
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Post by futbolhero on Aug 28, 2023 13:09:56 GMT -5
Are you trying to be funny? Not really. Sounds like he is a predator and he probably displayed those characteristics elsewhere in his life. |
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Post by DunwoodySoccerDad on Aug 28, 2023 13:34:24 GMT -5
Are you trying to be funny? Not really. Sounds like he is a predator and he probably displayed those characteristics elsewhere in his life. Had I known about any issues she had with him, I would’ve posted that back then. Notice that my post was a while back when he was first announced. She’s now happily married to an awesome guy and hasn’t spoken to James Harris in probably 20+ years. |
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Post by soccerloafer on Aug 28, 2023 13:57:12 GMT -5
JH makes slimy used car salesmen look reputable. Worst of the worst. Have fun with that one. Called it. |
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Post by flamengo100 on Aug 28, 2023 14:12:09 GMT -5
How did he pass a background check or even a quick 5 minute google search to read about prior serious allegations? This is sickening. I hope he doesn't end up coaching somewhere else and continuing this same type of behavior.
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Post by futboldad1 on Aug 28, 2023 14:13:51 GMT -5
seems any mention of him has been removed from their website..... Announcement gone Coaches list gone Director now says Iggy Just split the teams between Alan and Gil. They might be rude sometimes, but they have never been accused of anything like this. May have missed a spot on website forsyth.unitedfa.org/staff-directory-1459388422 under 'College Preparation' I hit the shortcut when you posted and it still had JH listed. JH got wiped off of 'College Preparation' since your post . . . . somebody is monitoring / watching closely. |
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Post by soccer1320 on Aug 28, 2023 14:29:00 GMT -5
"Iggy is king POS and knew what he was hiring. He should be held equally accountable. If parents weren’t delusional they should jump ship and watch the club crumble." What the heck is wrong with you? Because you are angry at the UFA owner, and disgusted with the director, you are calling the parents at UFA delusional? We are not delusional. Do me a favor, and read back through this thread and look at all the coaches all over at all clubs and you will find more places than UFA have issues similar to this. Before you say we are delusional (defined as having faulty judgement), ask yourself who the people are with faulty judgement. Is the parents who have chosen to stay at a club with mostly great coaches and great parents- as opposed to driving to another club chasing a dream our own children don't even want? I don't call them delusional because they are doing what their child wants to do. For some of us, this is the closest club to our homes. For some of us, we work and cannot drive our kids 45 minutes or over an hour for practice. Is it the people who hop from club to club? I don't call them delusional, because they are choosing to do something for their kids that they feel is best for them- and showing their kids that others may find more value in them than the current place they are playing. Is it the kids staying at the same club showing loyalty in hopes to move up to the higher team? I don't call them delusional because they are teaching their kids GRIT. Are you saying the parents who trusted their kids to be around a grown man hired by UFA and then found out later that the relationships consisted of grooming behavior- are delusional? I sure as hell hope not, because now you are victim blaming. SO WHY DO YOU FEEL YOU CAN CALL THE PARENTS AT UFA DELUSIONAL?  We are out here doing what every parent is doing- paying fees- watching our kids grow- making friends- and enjoying the game. You are a horrible person to wish a club to crumble along with all the memberships. You are a horrible person to wish failure on others because you had a bad experience. Youth soccer is about way more than what is discussed on this soccer forum, and if the best way to provide my child with a youth soccer experience is to stay close to my work and home, then I am not delusional...I am actually a person with good judgment. QUIT NAME CALLING PARENTS AND SLAMMING CLUBS. This is about a man who has managed to have no official legal reporting (and should have) of bad behavior to the police or ECNL in his past and is able to get hired based on his ability to connect kids to colleges. It is a horrible situation. I am tired of the "I made a better choice than you did," attitude that people have on here. We are all doing the best we can. Is my daughter affected by this- ABSOLUTELY. Am I slamming ALL THE COACHES AND PARENTS because of it? No. |
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We are out here doing what every parent is doing- paying fees- watching our kids grow- making friends- and enjoying the game.