Grosse Ile @ Chelsea

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• Applause!

• I regret reading this only today knowing that there is a possibility that the people I direct this to are no longer reading because GI is out of the running. I regret that other teams who also practice this type of behavior won’t read this. I would post to your Thoughts and Questions, but that may be construed as self-serving, but here goes.
  I am trying to wrap my mind around the reasons why people are negative about coaches, players and programs in this forum. Do you realize that other schools, potential players, and young athletes coming into your program can read this? You should be lifting up your program, not attempting to crumble it. I read a lot of people complaining that people jump ship and go to SMCC. You won't see a bunch of their own bashing their program. Makes you think.
  Let us discuss this GIYRA coach/ GIHS coach debate. Who made the players who they are today? Your parents teach you to walk, talk and how to eventually live life as an adult. Friends and teachers teach you about social skills when away from your homes. TV and the internet teach you about a life that you don't get to experience yourself. The point is, everything we do, everything we experience, everything we learn makes us who we are. It is no different in football. The GIYRA coaches provide strong fundamentals and a love for the game. The high school coaches get you prepared for what happens Friday night, and beyond, if you are talented enough. Each man who steps into that field with your son makes them the player, and directly, the men they will become.
  These men who coached GIYRA and some High School coaches are either volunteers or get paid less than $6 an hour. What? $6 an hour? The pay scales are posted on the district website and if you calculate the 30 hours on average the paid coaches spend on your son per week, it is indeed about $6 an hour (for those of you who are unaware, that's less than minimum wage.). So instead of complaining, volunteer your time to grow, evolve, nurture and improve the program you say you despise so much. You put in your time to make the program that you would like to see.
  As far as the so called "daddy ball", it's been my experience that people who use that term feel as though they've been a victim of that practice. If your son, or you, were indeed a victim, then there are other programs, and eventually middle school and high school ball where you can display your talents. They won’t let a talented kid sit out because their own boy is in their position but stinks up the place! I can tell you that the GIYRA coaches liked to win far too much to allow a player with sub-standard skills to play and possibly lose because of it. It's football, not a social club. I can just imagine that conversation “Hey, dude, your kid kind of stinks.” As a matter of fact, I have overheard that exact conversation during GIYRA days. What about Vollmerhausen and Moores? I don't recall their daddies out there coaching GIYRA. Two starting sophomores...hmmmm.
  So before you get on your keyboards and type, think about why you are posting to this blog. Do you want to contribute, or is this a forum to make you feel better about yourself? Do you want your program to succeed? Do you want others who read this to think “I would really like my son to play for them.” Or do you prefer your program have a bad reputation as being a bunch of spoiled brats not getting their way? Why don't you go on that field, in 23° wind-chill temperatures, snow pounding your face with 30+ mph winds and tell me, TELL US ALL, how you can get on your soapbox and complain. Tell me who dropped the ball when you were being raised where it was acceptable to be so cruel, so crude and have no merit in your comments. Maybe I need to put it in terms that you will understand. " ’Yo mama is so stupid, she didn't teach you how to capitalize, punctuate and create a coherent sentence or thought". Have a very nice day.

• Well said! Bunch of haters, losers, and most definitely cowards. If you feel so strongly about ripping these guys who volunteered put your name to it. Truly classless.

• You people attacking the GIYRA Coaches should be ashamed of yourselves. While you were doing nothing they were giving tons of time to your kids. As a parent of one of those kids I thank them. And oh ya, without the kids who dads were involved with the GIRYA program in one way or another, we wouldn't have won a game! Shame on you!

• to the im not a coach of giyra or have a son in high school football ,i call bullshit!! get over the giyra past and move forward and give it too the kids and there hs coaches, not patting yourself again and again with daddy football coaching ....get over yourselves..oh yah thats all folks, lonny tune! over n out

• Congrats to the gi men on a great season. You have a lot to be proud of - especially seniors and those who faced adversity along the way, like battling back from injury or sickness, dealing with stressors at home, and juggling demands of school and social life and anxiety about the future. Well done and God speed!!

• I agree, coach Mitroka is a talented coach and fantastic man. He is kind and committed, knowledgeable and genuinely humble. He has done a lot for the boys. His genuine care for these young men is evident to anyone who has watched a game, seen practice, or even just observed interaction off the field.

  Also, I am the 8:29, poster. I am not a GIYRA daddy nor do I have my own child playing. I'm just a community member who has observed both programs over the last ten years and thinks that the impact GIYRA (a big part of which was coach Mitroka, among others) had on these kids and in preparing them shouldn't be forgotten, but rather commended as we take stock of how the program sits and where it's going. Its just a part of the equation that shouldn't be overlooked.

  I wish the team next year the best of luck and have great faith in the wonderful group of seniors who will be moving on to great things, I'm sure!

• yes giyra helped these gi kids i will give them that ... but talented kids with a drive to win and there great attitudes and there gi high school coaches made them who they are!!! not daddy giyra ,lets be honest you coached your kids and they played the most!! and in high school you giyra daddys again squeezed yourself in there to get a pat on the back..because you thought your kids couldnt do it without you there.. well i m hear to say ..great job to those fine athletes and there great high school coaches bodner,kelly,anderson,gieger,raup and reume,mitroka they made them who they are and those athletes did it for themselves !!!!!not giyra.. im so over you daddy giyra coaches with big heads. the best giyra coach ever to come to high school football was coach mitroka because he is the most humblest as they come thanks for him he is a great coach and person... good job GI athletes and to the high school coaches great year !!! we will get our chance next year again !!!

• yes giyra helped these gi kids i will give them that ... but talented kids with a drive to win and there great attitudes and there gi high school coaches made them who they are!!! not daddy giyra ,lets be honest you coached your kids and they played the most!! and in high school you giyra daddys again squeezed yourself in there to get a pat on the back..because you thought your kids couldnt do it without you there.. well i m hear to say ..great job to those fine athletes and there great high school coaches bodner,kelly,anderson,gieger,raup and reume,mitroka they made them who they are and those athletes did it for themselves !!!!!not giyra.. im so over you daddy giyra coaches with big heads. the best giyra coach ever to come to high school football was coach mitroka because he is the most humblest as they come thanks for him he is a great coach and person... good job GI athletes and to the high school coaches great year !!! we will get our chance next year again !!!

• I am so glad someone brought up GIYRA. This is the program that really nurtured and developed these past several years of talent. In my view, the high school coaches simply reaped that benefit. I'm not one to minimize the significant impact any level of coach can have on a young ayhlete; and, I am sure the high school coaches have been impactful. But let's not kid ourselves, the true development of these kids' fundamental understanding of the game, possibilities, their respective jobs, and technique came from their GIYRA coaches. The success of the high school program this past several years owes as much, if not more, to them than any other adult. Well done! And thank you for setting these young men up for success so well!!