Parents meeting with new Coaching Staff

[RoyBell]

maybe I came on wrong but I would never ask about playing time. Now if I could restrain myself last year then I shouldn't even be questioned. My number one concern is classroom, dorm room. I am going to be a concern parent but not a leach. I have read blogs and board on sports both basketball and football along time before Derrius attended SMU. I am a fan of sports, I follow all my kids friends.

[Special_Delivery_Smu_Fans]

"a book that I used to read to Evan titled "Love You Forever"

Great book and you sound like a great Mother!

[J.T.supporta]

Houston Nutt sure loves those parent-coaches conferences

[Scoops]

My impression of Coach Jones and his staff (from watching practice) is that they are very welcoming to families. Saw Coach Jones and an assistant talking to a player and his parents, and they talked for several minutes, smiling the whole time. I would assume they would afford all parents the same opportunities.

I do know, however, that many coaches at a lot of schools (not just football - all sports) often give their players a speech at the beginning of the season about "don't have Mom and Dad come to us about your playing time. That's something between player and coach, and it's up to you to explain to your parents why you're on the bench" - or something along those lines. Sounds like Mrs. Bell isn't barking up that tree, so that's a non-issue here.

By the way, in the practices I've seen, Derrius has looked fantastic. Looking forward to watching him tear it up this season!

[RoyBell]

As I read over some of the comments I want to clarify myself. I already have seen the difference in this staff they have responded quickly to any questions I had. Again I was just asking a question because I have talked to other parents that might want to ask question other then playing time. You see we care about the full development of our young men into adult men. I know the person that said only leaches concern themselves with their kids don't have any. For all the things written about parties at SMU we have other concerns. I will always be a mother who worries about her child. I'm rattling on because I don't want to sound like I have a problem with this staff because that's not at all true. I love them all ready the kids are smiling again.

[jimmieho]

Mrs. Bell,
The meeting Saturday morning for the player parents will be held in the press box, third level, beginning at 9:30 am. We enter on the west side, middle of the stadium by gate 2. We take the elevator to the third floor. There should be signs. Bottled water and coffee will be provided by the SMU Catering Service.

Several agenda items will be discussed. We will talk about Mustang Football Families changes and tailgating at home games (Blvd spot #5).

Coach Jones will try to visit with us for about 15 minutes before heading off to prepare for the scrimmage.

AD Steve Orsini, and possibly some of his staff, will also share their expectations for the program. They will also discuss purchasing extra tickets for home games. Each player is provided four tickets for family members to pick up at the will call window. We usually sit in sections 100-101-102. You will want to get ideas for parking on game day as well.

Terry Gardner, Administrative Assistant to Coach Jones, will discuss with us away game travel and hotel locations for away games.

There should be plenty of veteran football player parents available to answer any questions you might have.

I am glad you received the invitation and look forward to meeting you Saturday morning.

[RoyBell]

Thank you so much for that infomation.

[FWMustangGirl]

Am I a leach because my son will always be my baby? Brings to mind a book that I used to read to Evan titled "Love You Forever". Guess it must be a "mom" thing and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Mrs. H

Definitely a mom thing, and there is nothing wrong with it. These days, it is refreshing to see parents who are involved deeply with their kids' lives. So many aren't. And I know "Love You Forever" well. I was naive enough to read it two days after our oldest daughter was born. I sobbed for an hour.

[ProudMama]

"a book that I used to read to Evan titled "Love You Forever"

Great book and you sound like a great Mother!

I just love that book I'll share with you a little story that will make anyone that has read the book (including FWMustangGirl) smile.

When Evan was two he had a spiral fracture of the left femer and had to be in traction for 10 days. We shared a hospital room with another child with the hospital curtain seperating the childrens beds. One evening my husband was reading Love You Forever to Evan and the mother of the other child peeked around the curtain and asked if he could wait to finish reading until she left because she couldn't stop crying.

I suggest that every mom and dad stop by the childrens section on their next trip to the book store and take the 5 or so minutes it takes to read this book.....no matter how old your children are.

As far as complaining about our son not getting playing time this is the way we feel. If he hasn't brought it in the classroom and on the field during practice then he doesn't deserve to play and has nobody to blame but himself. What I see in this coaching staff so far is kindness, understanding and a willingness to "give a kid a second chance". I also see consistancy with rules and that makes me feel good as a parent.

Hope to meet as many of you as possible on Saturday.

Mrs. H

[ponyboy]

Love the part where the son is holding the mom when she's old. Breaks me up every time.