The Locker Room July 1, 2010

VHSL Imposes Maximum Sanctions Against Cougars

The Cougar football program received more bad news on Thursday, as the Virginia High School League decided to impose severe sanctions.   Included in those sanctions are the loss of practice time, and a probation that would take away the Cougars chances at any playoff appearances in 2010.

Cougar fans, this is not an article that I want to write.  I've struggled with how to approach it, but as far as I can see it the only way is to come out with it.  Due to violations of VHSL rules found on a DVD sent in to the VHSL and other schools scheduled to play the Cougars, Pulaski County will receive the following sanctions: 

1.  A $200 fine for violating an out of season practice rule.

2.  An additional $800 fine, and the principal and director of student activities from Pulaski County is directed to meet annually with all of their coaches to review VHSL rules and regulations, coaching ethics and integrity.

3.  For the next three years the school is required to certify in writing to the VHSL office that this annual training occurred.

4.  A reduction in preseason practices to 15 practices before the first regular season game.

5.  A one year probationary period.  During that time, the Cougars will not be allowed to participate in any post season playoff games, nor will be they be allowed to enter any sanctioned event such as a jamboree or Foundation game.

6.  Pulaski County cannot be named as the district champions, even if they were to win it outright.

All of these sanctions come to the program just days after the resignation of former Head Coach Jack Turner and assistant coach Rodney Landreth.  Without question, this is a tough time for the Cougar Nation.  I cannot begin to detail the hurt and pain that these sanctions and events have caused to the young men who have spent so long getting ready for the 2010 season.  As someone who has been around for a while, I've seen my fair share of young men sit in their lockers after that last game of the year with tears streaming down their faces, but this is different.  I've seen young men on the sidelines with tears in their eyes, but this is different. 

The bottom line is that the kids just don't deserve this.   Since the day some of these boys first put on a football helmet as a Dublin Packer, a Pulaski Purple Ram, a Snowville Panther, or a Riverlawn Ram....all they have wanted to do was be Cougars.  All they have ever wanted to do was wear that gold helmet, walk down those steps, and leave it all on the line for Pulaski County.   Now, we're going to have to ask those boys to do all of that, knowing ahead of time that no matter how many games we win or lose, ten games is the end.  There are no playoffs, there will be no championship, there will be no trophy. 

Pulaski County loves its Cougar Football.  With that in mind, we need to get behind these kids and our program.  I've heard rumors that some of the kids are ready to give up, and I've heard rumors that some of the kids are ready to leave.  We need to do everything that we can to support the kids and the program at this point.  The coaches we have remaining are hurt just like the kids are.  This hurts our pride and it hurts our tradition that so many have worked so hard to build over the years.   We may as well get used to the fact that people are going to say things to us, and people are going to take advantage of our being down.  We are going to have to pull together and take it, and then we are going to have to work hard to get back to where we want to be. 

Personally, I hope that every Cougar football player and coach that walks onto the practice field that first day this season remembers how they feel today.  I hope that they remember it, and I hope that they are able to use it as motivation as we head into the season.  I hope that our fans come out and let these young men know that we are still behind them.  This season, Pulaski County will be playing for one thing and one thing only....PRIDE. 

No matter if we like it or not, we are now going to be entering a new era in the Cougar Football program.  The school system has posted the job, and hopefully we'll be finding out soon who the new head coach will be.  I'm sure we are all hoping for a solid coach that can lead our sons in a positive way, and I'm sure we are all hoping that whoever that is will be able to build on the tradition built by the Cougars over the past 30 plus years. 

As bad as things are, they could always be worse.  I'm not sure how much worse at this moment, but rest assured that on Friday nights Pulaski County will put on their gold helmets and the Cougars will walk down those 63 steps of Kenneth J. Dobson Stadium to the surface of Joel Hicks Field.   Check back later for more information, and as soon as we know who the new Head Coach is we will post that information. 

GO COUGARS!!!