Bangor should be proud of Tennett

I would like to respond to the letter titled “Time for coaching change at Bangor” (BDN, March 11). In this letter, Mr. Bamford writes that it is time “for a change at the top of the girls basketball program” at Bangor High School.

I totally disagree with this statement and the rationale used to support it. I also am a little surprised and disappointed that the BDN printed this letter.

Tom Tennett is an outstanding basketball coach. His teams always play hard and are fundamentally sound. Coach Tennett’s teams are always well-prepared for every game.

These are all sure indications of good coaching.

In addition, Coach Tennett and his players always handled themselves with pride, class and dignity. Bangor High School, and the community that it serves, should be proud to have this man serve as their head girls basketball coach.

As a rival coach, I have the utmost respect for Tom Tennett and what he stands for and what he has accomplished. The people of Bangor should hope that he continues to coach at Bangor High School for many years to come.

Earl Anderson

Girls basketball coach

Nokomis High

Tennett provides quality experience

This is in response to a letter from Reg Bamford in Fan Feedback (BDN, March 11).

My wife and I have had three daughters who have played in the basketball program at Bangor. As parents we feel our daughters greatly benefited from the experience. Coach Tennett works very hard with his players and the youth of Bangor to provide them with a quality experience.

He not only cares about them as players but also as people. He is a gentleman, an excellent representative of the school and a decent coach. As a former coach and currently an athletic director, I was very disappointed that the Bangor Daily News printed a [letter] without doing any research.

Mr. Bamford used only the facts that would support his argument. The truth of the matter is there are many female sports that have not come close to the success the Bangor girls basketball team has, yet that wasn’t mentioned.

The fact might be the female athletes are not as good or dedicated as their male counterparts. Typical of today’s society rather than parents and athletes looking at themselves, it is much easier to blame someone else. Unfortunately, people today listen to the Mr. Bamfords of the world who distort the facts to support their point of view.

Are we to believe, as Mr. Bamford leads us to believe, that all teams that lose or do not win championships have failed? I for one hope there is more to athletics than that.

Carl L. Parker

Bangor

Coaches, Tennett deserve respect

I was surprised that the Bangor Daily News would print Reg Bamford’s letter (March 11) regarding the coaching for the girls basketball team at Bangor High. It was nothing more than libelous and a public airing of something that should be handled privately by those responsible for hiring personnel within the Bangor school system. A school’s population is not a guarantee that they will be successful in all sports. The fact is there was only one state champion in girls Class A basketball this year.

Does this mean that all the other coaches should be fired? The George Stevens Academy of Blue Hill boys produced a state basketball champion with a population of around 300 students. It wasn’t the size of the school it was the team effort (not just good coaching) that they put forth. It simply could be that the Bangor High School girls teams of recent years have not been able to put together all the factors needed to win a championship.

Reg Bamford’s letter is an example of the pervasive attitude in society of winning at all costs including forgetting about respect and due process.

This is why we hear about so many college teams cheating and lying and breaking the rules to win. Remember, these high school coaches work for peanuts and should be respected for taking on such work. For the Bangor Daily News to print a letter such as Reg Bamford’s is a shame and a sad commentary on high school sports in Maine.

Arthur Modeen

East Orland

Tennett helps players

Another season of high school basketball is complete and it is time for the fans and or parents to complain as to why “their” team didn’t win it all. Every year multiple teams compete in the East and the West but only one team in each class gets to hold the gold ball when the year is done.

It is a long season and over the course of the year players grow, develop, and make vast improvements on their game prior to the year before under the direction of their coach. It is the summer camps, early morning practices and endless hours all year round to his program that make Tom Tennett a great coach. He is a man of dignity, compassion, and commitment to his team and the institution of Bangor High School.

He may not produce the same amount of banners that fill the back wall of Red Barry Gym, like Gabby Price, Roger Reed, Bob Kelley and Phil Emery, but he shares a common quality. That quality is that he makes a difference in each one of his player’s lives. He makes a difference by teaching them such intangibles as work ethic, commitment, accountability and teamwork. He makes a difference because when those girls walk off that court and walk away from Bangor High School basketball they are better people.

Tom Tennett is there for his players, just like the day he was there for me and he is a person who makes a difference not only on the court but in life. So Reg, relax and get ready for next year because the great Tom Tennett is here to stay!

Charles W. Day

Bangor

Silent majority speaks

It’s time for a new direction and philosophy in the Houlton Junior/Senior High School Athletic Department.

The School Board of SAD 29 should seriously review the athletic department at Houlton High School. The position of the athletic director needs to be full time, to enhance his/her programs. There has to be direction from an athletic director who is able to make decisions without interference. This individual should have total control of their program and not be manipulated or undermined by the administration.

The hiring of coaches should only be filled by the most experienced, qualified and certified candidates. Positions should not be filled by the good-old-boy system, which has been past practice.

The athletic director must expect the coaches to follow the “Code of Ethics” set forth by the Maine Principals’ Association.

The athletic director should not tolerate favoritism, double standards, special treatment or retribution by the coaches toward any athletes.

The athletic director must insure that coaches teach their players the basic fundamentals, mutual respect, teamwork, fair play and instill confidence in his/her players.

The athletic program at Houlton High is stagnant. There is a tidal wave of discontent and a need for change. This program needs new ideas and to be re-energized. Our elected school board officials need to examine the athletic department, it’s time for them to take a strong stand and represent the people that elected you.

Glenn Miles

Littleton