"Football coaches hold our kids hostage and drain them of the desire to continue working hard for three and half more months. They threaten the athletes with playing time so that they won't miss 6am summer workouts and contact camps in the hottest months of the year. Their numbers are plummeting too but nothing is changing for the better."

I agree with Mr. Cokeley...and I am open to recruiting suggestions. I want solutions.

My numbers have plummeted in just five years...it has been a real struggle. I am saddened to see what is happening.

I am fighting the mentality to specialize and it is completely robbing my kids of time. When I try to bring it up, I am dismissed as being selfish. Darn right I am selfish...selfish of my sport, my athletes, our tradition.

Peter Sierant