While you struggle with the heating element on your furnace you might enjoy the latest batch of reader comments on recent Press Pros posts…our one-on-one interview with new Versailles football coach Scott Broerman, Delphos St. John basketball, NIL, and a mention of friend and two-time state champion coach Bill Sturwold, who returns to high school baseball this spring.
Leave it to a foot of snow and zero temperatures to juice reader response to some of our latest Press Pros posts. Can the official start of ‘cabin fever’ be that far away?
On Scott Broerman and Versailles football….
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“As a regular reader commenting on the Versailles football story of January 19, I congratulate you on one of your best writing efforts. I’m retired from the Sidney area, but grew up during the Hetrick era in Versailles and had many friends and acquaintances who believed in ‘Tigerball’, as you called it. I’d like to make the following observation. I would question the statement that if Hetrick was coaching today that parents and kids and community would ‘buy into anything’ because he asked them to do it. Twenty years since his retirement has proven that you probably don’t beat Marion Local and Coldwater just because you want to bad enough. I don’t know if you can look at the weight room and assume that an athlete can play just because he plays for Versailles. And Hetrick didn’t coach in a day with as many questions as people ask today, about everything. With all respect to Al and his record, he didn’t coach against the MAC Conference that exists now. Remembering the great days of Versailles and all those athletes, I wish Coach Broerman the best of luck.” … Jim Alberts
“It’s always interesting when writers take the shortcut on explaining why the successful previous coach was fired…’differences with administration’. And the phrase ‘his ways were his own, and not of the legacy.’ No one will ever know from what you wrote. Do your job better.” … David Putnam
(Ed. Note: To be accurate, David, the subject of the column was Scott Broerman, not Ryan Jones and reasons for his leaving. Famous quote from Margaret Mitchell (who wrote Gone With The Wind, the only book she ever wrote). “It’s not perfect,” said Mitchell.)
The people’s choice? Like every high school football coach in a competitive community Versailles’ Scott Broerman will know soon enough.
“Judging from the long list of well-wishers on your Facebook post of the story, it looks like Broerman is the people’s choice.” … Wm. Landes
“I’m still wondering how much the officiating crew that blew that call at the end of the Marion Local game had to do with the five-game losing streak, and Ryan Jones being let go. It’s a bitch when you have to beat Marion Local and six aging men, too.” … Ken Lewis
“Great story on Versailles football, and let me add that there’s nothing wrong that NIL won’t fix. Welcome to the new age of high school football.” … Chris Courtney
On the impact of Indiana winning the national championship in football….
“Interested to hear what you guys have to say about Indiana winning the national championship, beating Ohio State and Miami, and what it means to the future. How Ohio State adjusts to additional competition in the Big Ten. In my view it’s the best example of doing more with less in sports history. Your thoughts? Wonderful website, and I enjoy it.” … Mark Jude
(Ed. Note: Being the cynic that I am, my first thought is whether they really did do more with less? After publishing the column two weeks ago about there not being any NIL millionaires at Indiana, I’ve had several rebuttals on that – that millions have been poured into the program to induce portal talent to choose Indiana. But to your point, there would seem to be a building topic now over Ohio State doing less with more, given the buildup of this past season. And I’ll share your question with Jeff Gilbert and Marcus Hartman, the OSU football guys closest to the story.)
More on the topic of NIL for high school athletes…..
“Does (former Wayne player) Jamier Brown transferring to central Ohio say anything about the reality of NIL money for high school athletes? Interested to read your answer.” … Bob Smith
(Ed. Note: Again, the true cynic would figure out that the money he was counting on in Dayton skipped town. And he’s obviously closer now to the real money in NIL.)
On area high school basketball, and the Delphos (Cam Elwer) St. John story…..
The shooter you don’t hear about…is junior Andrew Elwer, Cam’s brother.
“Was not surprised that Delphos St. John beat Marion Local, but I was surprised that Marion Local got beat by 30 points. What’s the real story with St. John?” … Denny Burch
(Ed. Note: The real story is Cam Elwer had a fantastic night shooting the ball, and Marion Local did not. And Delphos is a team of quick shooters whose ball movement is better than most teams they play. Would make for an interesting rematch, though. Too bad the MAC doesn’t play home and away.)
“I love the website, and would be interested in a definition of what ‘elite’ shooter means. I read the comments of his college coach and his description of Cameron Elwer. I don’t buy him being 6’2”, and at his size can he be an ‘elite’ shooter at the next level.” … Mark Sobieleski
(Ed. Note: We’ll all know soon enough.)
On Bill Sturwold’s return to coaching high school baseball….
“Does Sturwold taking the Versailles job mean you’ll be doing more high school games and fewer Ohio State games this spring? … Dan Besecker
(Ed. Note: That depends…on how much it rains, how deep the mud is, how cold, how windy, and how many games are cancelled or rescheduled. You know…high school baseball!)
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