Honestly, I have no frustration about the subject. To each their own. I just stated that I feel it should be mandated, I am 100% for doing all we can to ensure the safety of the kids. The game is supposed to be fun, a serious injury takes the fun out of it...
I wholeheartedly agree. I have the utmost respect for yours and everyone's opinion on the subject. I do not sit on any board of any sanctioning bodies. I no longer serve on the Ethics Committee for the NFCA. I ran for the committee again last year and was not elected. In the past, I ran for the Rules Committee but did not win. I ran because I wanted to be in a position to make a difference and hear firsthand all sides of the debate. While it didn't happen I did get to talk with many involved at 2 different national conventions. I sat in on the public portions of their annual meeting. It was interesting to listen to the many that contributed.
If I may I'd like to share a real life experience on a matter of safety on a few different subjects but more importantly share with you the thought process and the actual decisions that were made at that time. I'm curious to know if you roll your eyes into the back of your head as I did when I tried to make a difference. Here it goes;
Years ago while coaching high school golf, I had taken the Girls' team to a tournament and during play was alerted by the director that a storm was heading our way. A few other coaches had pocket lightning detectors that had gone off indicating sever lightning just minutes away. They immediately recruited myself and the other coaches to take carts out and move the kids to the clubhouse as fast and in any way we possibly could. Lightly overcast with no visible threat, we jumped into action and in less than 20 minutes the sky was black with lightning, sever thunder and rain over the entire area. The tourney was cancelled due to downed trees and limbs left behind on the course. I have no doubt those lightning detectors saved us from a disaster that day.
Once home I got online and found the detectors that were used by others that day at a cost of around $400 each. I mentioned to our AD at the time the school should have these and they could be shared seasonally by the coaches of outdoor sports. He answered with I had to get the school board to approve it. I knew we had an upcoming meeting, called the office and made a special trip to town to sign the proper form requesting to be put on the agenda to address the board on the subject. When it was my turn I approached the podium with a complete recollection of the event and pointed out two other incidences that had happened in recent times. I had printed out and made copies of detector advertisements along with a price sheet for 3 different models and brands. They thanked me and without hesitation said NO! NO WAY!!!
I was caught so off guard I was speechless. I DID think to ask why. Here was their response on the matter: We cannot equip our staff with the devices because we have been advised by legal counsel it could put the school district in a position of responsibility and could open the door for legal action against us. It's a question of liability. They explained that if they had the devices and they were not used properly or malfunctioned, the school could be considered to be at fault. I told them if it was a question of money I would buy them and donate them to the school. They told me they would not accept them and as a coach for the school district I was not allowed to have one and use it at any school function.
I brought it to their attention this device could save lives. It was a matter of safety. Wouldn't they rather overt a disaster? They said legally they can't do it. Now wait, there's more! They went on to say it's for this very reason we don't have defibrillators in the school. If we have defibrillators, we are required to train staff how to use them and at every school event we would be required to have somebody trained to be there to use it in the event of an emergency. If they didn't provide a trained staff member to be present, or if that member misused the machine, the school could be held liable. The school opt'd to protect themselves legally and by not having any of the safety or life-saving devices it was the better option.
If we save 1 life or overt 1 disaster, isn't the better choice???? Morally, I choose to do the right thing as I see it. I feel this way because I was raised this way or discovered on my own it simply makes more sense. Others don't approach things morally. The term that keeps popping into my mind is "In the eyes of the law." Legally, some won't agree with my personal beliefs. Some make decisions financially. Legal, moral, ethics or religion,and financial reasons normally drive most human beings to form an opinion. Once that process kicks in you suddenly see sides of people you had no clue existed.
"The high road is seldom closed due to bad weather but that doesn't always mean it's the preferred route." -Paul Hazlett