Great win by Briar Woods, but....

Awesome game tonight by Briar Woods over Broad Run. The Falcons played tremendous football against a formidable opponent. It was great to see the Broadlands/Brambleton community cheering on their players. My only "complaint" was the high-pitched announcing and the continuous reference to one or two players rather than many other hardworking, play-contributing players. I'm sure I saw many other players make amazing plays, I just didn't hear anything......(by the way - I don't even have a kid on the team)

 

Great Job Briar Woods!!! Perfect night for a game and sitting in the stands made me wonder...any chance to get those water towers painted in BW colors/logo?

 

Eggberta, boy am I glad you brought this up. It's a huge peeve of mine.

Over zealous amateur parent with a microphone stuck in their face for two hours of lessons on how not to be a good sportsman. And while doing so making your child's school look bad.

I attended the Briar Woods v Liberty game last month. I have a nephew who plays for Liberty. I assume you're referencing the same announcer because the guy is absolutely an embarrassment to the school and I would hate to think there is more than one of them. He overshadowed a very talented Briar Woods squad with more than just favoritism announcing. He degraded the opponent. I expect to hear a little hometown enthusiasm from the announcer but not blatant comments like, "Yaaaa, Liberty misses ANOTHER field goal". Then the sarcastic references to plays made by Liberty. (low grumble voice)..."ah, that's less than 6 yards on that carry by number ah....26". I think you get the picture. Now multiple that by four quarters. This isn't a professional wrestling match this is high school sports with athletes on both sides of the field trying their best.

The Virginia High School League has very clear guidelines on sportsmanship. Here's an excerpt from their handbook directed at administrators:

"As you know, good sportsmanship is a top priority of the Virginia High School League. The manner in which your school is represented is far more important than whether your team wins or loses the games they play here. Good sportsmanship is all about respect – respect for oneself, for teammates and coaches, for opposing players and coaches, for contest officials, and for the game. Inappropriate behavior is easy to identify. One need ask only two questions:

1. Is the observed behavior respectful of the targeted audience?
2. Does the observed behavior reflect positively on your school?

If the answer to either question is no, then the behavior is inappropriate and must not be tolerated. Respect for players and coaches of participating teams, game officials and tournament personnel must be a priority at all times and in all situations."

At the end, an unsportsmanlike announcer can create the reputation of the school, not a well coached and disciplined football squad. It's a huge dis-service to the school, the student body, the parents, the athletes, and the game. That game was over a month ago and the only Briar Woods game I've attended. I don't even remember who won, but I remember that obnoxious announcer.

I'll add the only announcer that I've heard to is worse than the Briar Woods parent is the announcer for the Madison Warhawks.

 

I don't know if it's the same announcer they had last year, but that guy was pretty good. He always opened the game with his "Welcome to the BWHS Falcons stadium in "Downtown" Brambleton.

 

The current guy does use "downtown Brambleton". No problem with that.

 

He's not a parent - he's a teacher at the school and has been announcing the games since the school opened. Although I missed Friday night because I was away, I haven't noticed the favoritism as much, but I also don't have a kid on the team. My kids (one graduated) have been in the band, which by the way is what makes those stands shake, and gives such energy to the home games. Go Briar Woods Falcon Regiment! But if I see the teacher (who I know), I'll make it a point to say that I heard some things and see if he can spread the wealth.

 

Thanks David. BTW, as a marching band aficionado, I was very impressed with the band. Both for their appropriate enthusiasm and their musicianship.