When I first heard about possible problems regarding transfer paperwork of one of our students last Monday, I was frustrated, angry, and ready to go on a witch hunt as to who would anonymously call in false information on our program. However I gathered my emotions and decided to simply let the process take its course. If there were any problems, surely they would be deemed honest mistakes and fixable, I thought. However by the time we reached our last game of the season on Thursday, not only was I affected by our season’s fate, our entire team was as well, which no doubt played a hand in experiencing only our second loss of the season.
By Saturday I had experience four days of fevers, three days of nose bleeds, one day of minor surgery three days of sleepless nights and just under 604,800 seconds of heartbreak. I know my student athletes and their families experienced the same pain. Administration and the CIFSS were not able to solve the problem the way I had hoped, and the dream of shocking the world with back to back appearances in the CIF Finals was all gone. Nevertheless I am still extremely proud of my team and their accomplishments. They conducted themselves with class and poise throughout the season. I believe our young men grew on and off the court and though they may no longer be considered champions officially they are champions still the same.
I didn’t sign up to be the coach just through the good times however and I’m prepared to stick by my players with support and determination to help our program continue to grow. This is surely one of the saddest and hurtful times I can imagine but I’m ready to roll up my sleeves for my seniors who may need help navigating through their college and career choices and as for my underclassmen? If you thought we worked hard this year, you haven’t seen anything yet.
In the end it was determined that administrative errors were made in not being able to provide appropriate change of residency documentation resulting in the decision. I am determined to work with Administration to provide more safe guards towards our commitment to be the best we can be in the future. However right now I am just flat out depressed and hurt.
Coach Smalley
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