February 12, 2003 Third Period—Al Healthy Hockey Future? Erin Culhane Opinions Editor The Canadian Hockey Association wants us to “Relax. It’s just a game.” And while their message is intended to remove incidents of parental pressuring and misconduct in minor hockey, I disagree that this game of sticks, pucks and players is simply a game—there’s much more to it. And after meeting with members of the Ridge Meadows Minor Hockey Association Executive, I’m sure of it. Terry Martens, rep coordinator for RMMHA, former minor hockey player, hockey dad to four boys, and one of the few guys around who actually cashed a cheque for playing the game, said, “It’s not about building hockey players, it’s about building our future.” Martens, who grew up playing “pond hockey” fondly recalled his dad driving him and his hockey buddies on countless trips to and from the arena, and the bonds that were formed between teammates who would “go to the wall for each other.” “Hockey is such a positive experience. Kids are off the streets and out of trouble in a positive environment where they feel good,” said Martens. “As for parents who are consumed by the idea of their kid going to the show and the fame and fortune that comes with it,” Martens said, “Parents that treat it that way miss so much.” While vice president Jake Rudolph recognizes the seri- ousness of over-aggressiveness in the stands, he said, “We Steal This Artic Op-Ed http://otherpress.douglas.bc.ca have 850 players in the association. We have to put it in perspective. It’s not like it’s prevailing rampant behav- iour.” Rudolph said he deals with 10 to 12 cases of disci- plinary issues each year. “It may be complaints, conflict resolutions or people having issues with other people.” As chairperson of the discipline committee, Rudolph explained that when an incident comes to the attention of the executive, the discipline committee meets with all individuals involved, which sometimes takes more than one meeting. The committee then reports to the board and the board makes a decision. Integral to the process is the fact that everyone has a chance to give their side of the story before a decision is made. Rudolph, who is also an assistant coach to his sons’ Bantam and Midget teams, said the incidents usually require conflict resolution rather than disciplinary action. Recognizing the importance of prevention and educa- tion, the RMMHA takes steps to educate parents when possible. Last year during rep tryouts, parents were invit- ed to listen to speakers during forums on topics such as fair play, respect, and risk management. This year, the association will include in the pre-regis- tration packages “A Parent’s Approach” manual, part of the “safe and fun hockey” program sponsored by Chevrolet and the CHA. The manual explores the parent the other press relationship between other parents, players, coaches, and officials. In addition, teams are always welcome to use the video library and resource room located at the Pitt Meadows arena. And then there’s the annual general meeting, held every April, and with it an opportunity for people to vote on the executive position or even to run themselves. Whether it be to get involved or just get informed, the current executive encourages everybody involved in minor hockey to get out to the AGM. There’s more to being a hockey parent than watching your kid play games. There's the constant support, driv- ing to the rink, practices, team functions, fundraising, buying equipment and finding an inconspicuous place to keep the foul-smelling stuff. And while hockey con- tributes to the character of the players, it’s also a window into the character of parents. When Martens’ father passed away last month, guys that he had played hockey with and hadn't seen in 20 years attended the funeral. He received sympathy cards from parents of friends he had played with long ago. Martens is right—it is about building our future. Hockey. So much more than just a game. Macdonald Stainsby DSU External Relations The Other Press does not necessarily support the views expressed in this article. This society we live in, rightfully, condemns those who beg and plead. What, are you lazy? Do you “need” help? Or are you just somebody who doesn’t have enough inspiration to do it your- self? No, I’m not talking about people who are looking for work, or looking for a handout from the passers-by. I’m not talking about people from backgrounds (be it gender, racial or class back- ground) that speak to a need for a different set of rules. I mean the anti-war activists. There is no “do it yourself” aspect left on the left! When did we become an inter- national pressure agency, a la Mothers Against Drunk Drivers? Take the keys directly! When the attacks on the Pentagon and WTC happened, we appealed to the United Nations to stop the Americans from taking an_ill-thought-out revenge on Afghanistan. That didn’t work, so when the focus © page 6 (in the major media) shifted to the possibility of attacking the sovereign state of Iraq, we asked for the Canadian government not to go along. Many have begged the French government through emails to use a veto. And many people seem to love the supposedly dove-like Colin Powell and believe him to be a “reasonable” voice that will not attack the poor, starved, and bombed people of Iraq. Only we, by force, can “persuade” these global murderers otherwise. But we keep asking, not telling. We have become wonderfully adept at asking people in power to try and stop others in power, never doing it ourselves. But I thought this was the Nike Generation. You know, “just do it” and all of that (never mind the sweatshop labour). Let me tell you a story from a friend. He was living in New Brunswick and went to a college not too different from this very one here. What happened was that he, like many of us, hated those damn bathroom stall ads. You know, the ones the school makes us stare at while we are trying to go to the bathroom? He was drunk at a school function and decided he'd had enough. He took the ad down by ripping it off the wall. As a furtherance to the joke, he wrote “Bathroom Liberation Front [BLF]” on the area left over. He didn’t sign a petition to the administration, but instead cut out the middle man and did it himself. After this, it spread like a prairie fire, started by a single spark. Men's and Women’s bathroom ads kept coming down. The school didn’t know what to do! People had voted with their actions. The advertisements no longer bother the students on this campus. They only have to read the same old bad graffiti we are all used to reading while doing some of our best philosophical work. Would they have been successful with- out the impulsive “just do it” actions of the one man? If you have the personal belief that something needs to happen, I suggest that you make it hap- pen yourself. Find out if your college or university has been taking any donations from com- panies that stand to profit off of this racist war. Then make every- one aware of what the school is doing when it accepts this money. Do you want to kill Arab kids for an education, while our very own Douglas Administration continues to give themselves massive raises? Yes sit, they gave themselves 25 large each in the same budget year they upped our tuition. No, they didn’t cut the donor's coffers out of the blood money. I doubt that those who think it’s okay to take blood money are going to listen to that polite letter you send to the administration office. Don't believe them when they try to get out of telling you what or who their donors are. We have a right: It’s called freedom of informa- tion. So don’t ask the people who raised your tuition while giving themselves big fat paycheque increases. Show them a picture o the murdered children, show one on every hallway corridor, every floor, and every billboard on the whole damn campus. Say to the admin: “We'll take down the posters and never put ’em back up when you stop taking blood money.” We don't need to wait, and we certainly don’t need to go through proper channels on something so clearly our right. Were you consulted about who and what gives your public school donations? Nope. But you can make them give it back.