Coach tells student body to "grow a pair"

Erie (Pa.) Cathedral Prep cross country coach Chet Moffett has been suspended from his duties because of an email he sent to the entire student body at the all-boys school. Cathedral Prep played local rival General McLane High School in basketball before the holiday break. Moffett took offense to what he thought was a lack of school spirit by Cathedral Prep students. Here is what he wrote in the email:

Gentlemen --
I wanted to drop you all a line and give you my thoughts on Tuesday's basketball game at general mcLame. I have been a coach here at Prep since 1998; so I have witnessed my share of close games (wins and losses), and I am fine with that. What I am not ok with is the fact that during the game, the GM student body out did us! It pains me to say that, but it's true. I was perplexed about this during the game, because I did notice that we had our usual cast that have showed incredible school spirit in the past; then after the game, I counted 36 (and I'm sure I missed a few) Prep students that chose not to sit in the cheering section. Gentlemen -- that is unacceptable!!

I asked one student that did not sit in the cheering section and his reply was, "I wanted to sit with my girlfriend". My reply was simple, "If she made or wanted you sit with her, then she is a high maintenance, selfish pig and you should dump her now and if you wanted to sit with her and ignore your brethren on the floor, then join [a former Prep student who since has transferred] at mercyworst!" In other words there is no excuse! Another student told me that he wanted to sit with his parents. My reply, "Cut the umbilical cord and grow a pair!" In other words there is no excuse! Another kid told me that he just wanted to "hang out with his friends". I had no reply; I have no patience for boy lovers! Guys -- there are no excuses for not cheering for your school!

Understand guys -- we set the standard with our cheering section! We were named the best fans in the state by the Pittsburgh Post Gazette! That's 150 miles away! Every news crew in this town wants to cover our games because of our cheering section! The 36 plus that didn't cheer for their school (and you know who you are) should be ashamed of themselves! You have chosen to be a part of a Brotherhood that no other school will ever understand! Your classmates make sacrifices in blood, sweat, tears to represent this school -- show your support!

Every game we go to our goal should be to make the opposing team, their family and their coaches as uncomfortable as possible! I hold the entire school accountable! Never should a bunch of mayonnaise sandwich eating, sister loving, trailer park dwelling clowns at general mclane ever chant "we can't hear you" to Cathedral Prep! Let's show our support to all winter sports (basketball, hockey, swimming and wrestling) and do it the Cathedral Prep way!

Please fix this!

Have a wonderful holiday,Coach Moffett  


So, a young man can't sit with his girlfriend, his parents, or just hang out with his friends at a basketball game. I wonder if Coach Moffett proofread his email before he sent it. You know - checked for spelling errors, spacing faux pas, or I don't know...homophobic, sexist, and wholly inappropriate insults! He put down the kids at his school and kids from another school he doesn't know. This behavior has to stop. The notion that a high school basketball game trumps all else is absurd. A young man should be able to sit next to his girlfriend, his parents, or just goof off with the guys if he wants. Our perspective as adults has to change. Go to sportsmanship.org and find out what you can do to help change perspectives in your school, youth league or organization. We love the game, but it's just a game. Until next time...

Be a Good Sport!

-Sol