COLUMN: This needs to be about the kids, no one else
I don’t like to call people out or talking badly about people. That is not in my nature.
But a disturbing thing transpired in the state of Florida with the Port St. Lucie Nation Christian Academy’s CEO/head coach Mike Woodbury and his verbal beratement of 2019 Haitian guard Marvens Petion. Petion transferred to West Oaks on Oct. 20.
This audio recording was first tweeted out on Tuesday evening (view below). This story since been picked up by national outlets including CBS Sports, Sporting News, VICE and The Cincinnati Enquirer.
Just some of the comments on YouTube read.
…”This guy is the owner of the school and he is a messed up individual he will scam any and everyone that works with him unless you are very wealthy I use to be a student at his school and he isn’t someone I would recommend to be an inspiration point blank period.”
…”Unfortunately, I played with Woody over 2 years ago when he first came down to FL and knew something like this would eventually happen.”
My thoughts
It is really sad that we’ve come to this. To be honest, I had a feeling something like this would be made public. There are many more cases like this across the United States and other countries, I’m sure of it.
When people worry about money first and foremost, treat kids like lesser humans and forget about basketball that is when this happens.
When did we stop preaching fun in sports first?
Isn’t that what you learn at the YMCA or rec ball at an early age?
This is beyond unacceptable. Listening to that recording last night made me cringe inside.
My job allows me to help young athletes gain recognition and get seen by college coaches. Plus, I develop relationships with them. That is the most rewarding aspect. More than money, more than popularity, more than anything else.
Perhaps the age gap between me and someone like Woodbury is something that causes something like this.
Money like I said shouldn’t be the top priority when it comes to high school basketball. Guiding and teaching kids, giving them valuable life lessons on and off the court needs to be the most important aspect in this game.
I respect so many coaches at the high school, AAU and college levels. Building friendships with them and giving them intel is another perk of my job. But when you go to some of these tournaments, specifically AAU, you can see some of this hate speak from coaches. I’ve witnessed it a ton. It is sad.
Woodbury is one of many that I can assure you that has done and will do something like this. In a day and age where developing young men and women is more important than ever, this is beyond wrong.
Politics is way out of whack and a lot of hate crimes are taking place. Is this situation with Woodbury, the type of example we want to set for them?
The worst part of all this besides the hate speech, complete oversight and ignorance from Woodbury is the fact that all of these kids at the school are looking for new homes and schools. Barring a miracle where the program finds a new coach, I doubt any of these parents will give a dime to Nation Christian, nor should they.
The SIAA officially removed Nation Christian from its association on Wednesday.
— SIAA (@siaa_fl) October 31, 2018
We need leaders in these positions, people that our youth can look up to. I know so many people that would be thrilled to be in Woodbury’s position. Also, those same people would help our youth in a way where they’d be better human beings in a short period of time, not taking for granted and treated like this.
I hope and pray that we can get back to fun in life and fun in sports. Because this is upsetting and doesn’t belong in this space or really anywhere in life.
Woodbury’s statement
I wasn’t going to say anything in regards to the audio clip that is circulating, however, I feel a statement is necessary. pic.twitter.com/iyi6sc2Ccr
— Nation Basketball (@TheNationBB) October 31, 2018
Petion’s comments
Stressful and pain all over my body ???? but I’m still standing like a soldier ???? stay Balling crazy ???? God keep watching over me
— Marvenspetion (@marvenspetion99) October 31, 2018