Editor:
When our children choose to play sports, we entrust their care to school officials and
referees. More often than not, everyone is at peace with everything.
That was not the case Jan. 24 when the Mesa Vista Trojans played against the Pecos
Panthers. Immediately after the junior varsity game was over a brawl ensued between the two players. Other players became involved. Before long, there was too much chaos to see what was happening.
During the junior varsity game and beginning with the “C” team game, the Mesa Vista players were allegedly pushed, hit, and tripped. The Mesa Vista players didn’t have the authority to stop the game. According to a New Mexico Athletics Association official, the referees and school authorities could have stopped the game thus, preventing the physical violence that occurred.
Because of this incident six Mesa Vista players have been suspended from two games
and must write a letter of apology addressed to the Pecos High School basketball team
and coaches, the Pecos Board of Education, the community of Pecos and the Pecos High
School administration and student body. Furthermore, the Mesa Vista players must
complete the online course, “Pursuing Victory with Honor.” The team can forget about their “Pursuing Victory with Honor Award of Excellence” this year. According to the Association’s web site, a school that receives a “negative” report for the school year is not eligible to receive this award.
If only the Association’s Code of Ethics on “Pursuing Victory with Honor” was followed by officials, those entrusted with our children’s well being, and the Pecos players and Pecos fans, our children would not have been assaulted.
The Association’s Code of Ethics reads as follows:
Conduct sports programs in a manner that enhances the mental, social, and moral
development of athletes. Promote sportsmanship and foster good character by teaching enforcing advocating and modeling Furthermore, follow the “Six Pillars of Character” trustworthiness respect fairness responsibility, caring and good citizenship.
Again, I would like to emphasize, que verguenza, what a shame.
Margaret Alire
Vallecitos.
(Editor’s Note: Ms. Alire is the mother of one of the Mesa Vista boys sanctioned by the Association. Her version of the fight was edited because no one agrees on what happened and who was to blame. See the full story on page B1.)