By: Darius Duran
The following is an opinion piece by Red Ink sports editor, Darius Duran. This opinion in no way reflects the views and opinions of the Eaton School District or its administration.
Coming into Monday night’s school board meeting, I had no clue what to expect or whose side to join, concerning Coach Danley’s employment situation. I, never having been a part of the baseball program myself, had only heard bits and pieces of what takes place behind the silent curtain that is Eaton Baseball. However after hearing the people of the community voice their opinions I believe I have enough information to provide a well supported and honest opinion when I say that nobody is focused on what is important which is the kids in the middle of all of this.
The contract was meant to provide a better environment for the student athletes who attend school at Eaton and play baseball. If we could take a quick look at who spoke at the board meeting, those in support of Danley included Eaton High alumni, almost all middle-aged men who took the side of how Danley shaped them into the men they are today. Many spoke of him as a father figure and mentioned that they wouldn’t be the person they are today if it weren’t for Danley being the man he is. And I totally agree, I’m not taking anything away from Danley or attacking him as a man. His record speaks for itself: 807-163-2, 11 spring State Championships. He is a member of the CHSAA Hall of Fame, Colorado High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame, as well as three-time National Coach of the Year.
However, as we look at the opposing side, we see mothers and fathers who are concerned for their children, and the men that Danley, referred to as a “father figure” by Sean Carson (17), is shaping these young players into. This list includes senior baseball players: Matt Burkart, Joe Mondragon, Dalton Lind, Breydan Stover, Joe Kuhn and Jake Mossberg as well as courageous parents: Melody Brown, Sara Mondragon, Steve Kuhn, Stephanie Stover, Mickey Hatchell, Matt Kramer all of whom are all parents of current and former baseball players. These are Parents who made it clear that they weren’t trying to ruin a man’s career but stand up for their children; kids who would most likely be punished if they spoke up for themselves. This act of heroism displayed by these parents defies the usual silence from athlete’s parents due to fear of their child losing privileges due to their outspokenness. Because of this heroic stance on the part of these parents, I commend that this contract is right in its purpose to support the student athletes.
It saddens me to see that these people who went against the grain of the community for the sake of family may be shut down and ridiculed because of the actions that the school board chose to take. If legal actions are taken, the board is very likely to lose which is crushing to hear because these parents have had to stand back, some for years now, and watch their children be put into this Eaton baseball factory. These people who stood up and raised their voices for their children are the people who are focused on what nobody else is, but all should be: the current and future EHS baseball players. That is what this conversation should be about.
As a coach, there is none better than Danley, but this contract was specifically written to improve the school and the students in it, not the brotherhood of the baseball team. At the end of the day the performance improvement plan is in place for the sake of the school district’s improvement which oversees the baseball program, not the other way around which is what many may forget.
School board president Tim Croissant closed Monday’s meeting with a quote from Michael Lobato, board member of the Colorado of School Board Directors which said, “As you go through your tenure on a local board of education remember no matter what gets in the way, no matter how hard the decision is before you, the only question you have to answer is: What is best for the students?” I completely support Mr. Lobato’s statement. After all it is a High School baseball team. I do not stand against Danley; I stand with my fellow students as well as their parents that support them.
