Hoover High Lights
Whenever we Alabamians hear that our beloved Yellowhammer State is in the news, our first reaction is to usually to cringe–“what now?”
Well, for better or worse, Alabama has made it again, this time in the form of MTV’s “Two-a-Days” a reality show which documents the fortunes of the Hoover High School (near Birmingham) Buccaneers football team, winner of four of the last five state 6-A football titles and the current preseason #1 in the USA TODAY Super 25.
We know a little something about Hoover High up Huntsville way. Our Grissom High Tigers are usually the ones who make the first round of the state playoffs only to be served up as Buccaneer bait. Last time out it was 47-19. I think Hoover’s third string defense played most of the second half. I would point out that this sort of thing does not happen when we play them in soccer.
I let the boys watch “Two-a-Days” last night, but I just couldn’t bring myself to sit down and watch a show on MTV. I’ll see if I can pump them for information sometime today to see what they thought. Maybe I’ll watch it next week.
USA Today has a feature article on the team this morning, the Birmingham News has a review of sorts, and here’s a clip from the MTV show. I think the funniest line from the clip is the one about “getting a free ticket outta here.” Let’s see–a free ticket out of a city where the average household income ($71,964) is nearly twice the state average and the median price of a home is $209,700. Yeah, that must be some trip.
Friday night, my foot. They should have named that movie Hoover High Lights.
19 Comments
Comments are closed.
JOn Stacy
Mike,
You might want to monitor the commercials on MTV while ‘Two-a-Days’ is on. My wife and I were watching this show last night and there were several suggestive commercials and some with the ‘f’ word not bleeped out, as if we couldn’t tell what the person was saying if it was bleeped out.
Mike the Eyeguy
Thanks, Jon. I was more or less in the area during the show and heard what you’re referring to. MTV is not standard fare in our house and this was the exception.
And here’s the other thing–they constantly hear such language among their friends at school, on the soccer field, and yes, even occasionally church youth group (only without the bleeps). They know it’s not our style and they don’t do it. There’s something to be said for not sheltering too much.
Donna
Yep, they have it really bad in Hoover. I can see why the kids would be wanting out of there….
I didn’t know it was on, I too have a hard time bringing myself to watch MTV
Jon
I agree you don’t want to shelter your kids, but apply the same principle to sexual purity. We might see things that cause us to lust while we are out in public, at work, at soccer games, even at church but why would we voluntarily put ourselves in a situation to be tempted and to lust. I know that we can’t and shouldn’t shelter our kids to everything wrong with the world but why not control the situations when we can.
Mike the Eyeguy
Jon, your points are well taken, of course.
I’m not sure that we’ve had a formal introduction, but if I’m not mistaken, you’re a young parent, no? I think what you will find is that as your children grow older, that if you don’t exercise some flexibility and “give a little” now and then–all the while teaching, admonishing, reminding–that they will grow to resent rigidity and simply go elsewhere (usually a friend’s house) to seek out the things that arouse their curiosity.
I would rather “give a little” in the controlled environment of my home than have them go elsewhere. That’s our choice, but I dare say, it’s not a perfect solution, nor is it for everybody.
Along that same line, there are people at our church who allow their kids to go see any PG-13 movie they want, while any R rated flick is prohibited. Our family has several R-rated films in our home DVD collection (previewed first by me) that I feel much better about my boys watching than many PG-13s.
So, Jon, who’s practicing more discernment, them or me?
Jon
Point well taken. There is fine line, I don’t know where it is, between using discernment so as to not allow them to “simply go elsewhere (usually a friend’s house) to seek out the things that arouse their curiosity.” and opening up a door so that their interest is so piqued that they fall into a vice. Can this line ever be found?
My perspective comes perhaps from my upbringing where my dad would not allow those movies or shows to be watched. For me that made quite and impression that no matter how interesting the show was he would deny himself the ‘pleasure’ of watching that because he simply would not allow that to be shown in his house. To quote him “Your mother and I don’t talk like this so why in the world would we allow shows to bring this into our home”. Again I go back to the option we have to take a stand in our home. Unfortunately the one place we can monitor what we allow our eyes and ears to take in.
As a young parent, do you have any advice I might glean from your experiences as to go about sheltering without creating a bubble?
Mike the Eyeguy
Like I said, there’s no one perfect approach to all this. You were blessed to have caring parents, and that is ultimately the key.
Advice? Balance in all things. And keep the communication lines open and let them know they have a safe haven in you. Even when communication is strained (as it will be at times) if they know you love them, they’ll come to you eventually. You can do all the right things and “stuff will still happen” (it sure has in our family), but you will be able to work through it.
The very fact that you care enough to ask questions and think about the future bodes well for your children. Keep up the good work.
danielle
Why do you players have to take a ice bath after gitting ready
for a big game.
Mike the Eyeguy
I don’t know, Danielle. Why don’t you “git” in touch with a real player and find out!
PIttster
A concerned parent’s comments on the Hoover HS football proram as seen on MTV. It is hard for a reasonably educated person not to ask the question, “Aren’t they embarrased for the school and the community”?
High school football in the southeast US. Thought to be one tier below religion, but in reality, it may be on the same level.!
This high school sports “win at all costs” is an eye opener to just how misplaced administrators and parents put a gridiron bash over true life and academic education principles.
I would be embarrassed if I were part of this insane program to produce the best high school football team in the USA. True valued principles are thrown aside by the crazed school and community lusting after a “We’re number one” chant.
Let’s see where do we start?
Here are some examples gleaned from just a few episodes:
1. The Coach: The players must put up with verbal and mental abuse by the coach. He is shown to be a crazed madman who will do anything to win the next game. His cursing has to be bleeped out almost every other sentence. Moms and dads, why would you put up with this type of profane power monger? You are going to church on Sunday and admonished not to take the Lord’s name in vain, but its ok for your coach to belittle your kids with every foul word available? Then he has a preacher on Fridays to read scripture from the Bible, and then go on to explain to the players how that scripture is talking to them about the evening’s game. Can someone say: HYPOCRITES? Oh, yes, he makes his players play even though they were injured, as you see, tough young men play throught pain. At the end of one game which they lose, he rants at them that they are the worst team he has ever seen. The let down him, the school, the community. As punishment, Sunday’s practice will be like “Hell Week”. Demonstrating extreme lack of consideration and care for his players, one of his players has to be taken to a hospital after a game due to a concussion. After the loss, he threatens them that he will not be sending game film to the colleges so that their possible athletic scholorships are threatened. Nice job, coach. He is, unfortunately, the epitome of many coaches placed in charge of our young men and women.
2. The Parents: We see many sizes and types. They all put up with the extreme hounding of the coach and his staff reliving their “glory days” perhaps. One parent actually moved his family to the area, so his son could play at a top school in order to have chances for a college scholoarship. Of course, no parent steps up to address the coach for his behavior. That would be unthinkable. Why did the parents of the truly injured player that had to be taken to the hospital not confront the coach on his lack of care and concern?
3. The Administration: We don’t see any of them. Where are they and why would they tolerate their young men being treated like virtual marine recruits?
4. The Student Body: Like crazed lemmings, they show undying support to these football icons. Huge pep rallies, tons of signs, special gifts for their heroes, daily worship, and a live for football attitude. Is anyone doing anything academic here?
High school should be the grounds for shaping the course of a young person’s life both academically and with sound foundations that will last a lifetime. Parents, when the season is over, your kids will be heading on to their future. A very few will play in college, and a miniscule in the pros to make a living. All the rest will face a future where strong academics and sound principles will succeed.
Hoover High: just what are you conveying to the young men by allowing such a program to exist?
PIttster
The coach’s salary is $94,000 a year, plus he gets additional money from all the endorsements. This is much higher than say a principal or quality science teacher. What has happened, in effect, is that they have brought big time college football mentality and now the $$$ down to the high school level. The players are used to build the revenue flow and reputation of the school.
My post’s message was that true academic education and value principles are being sacrificed at these type of high schools for the sake of a football game
PIttster
And what great lesson learned is after Hoover won 27 straight games, and then lost one. Coach Propst really knows how to teach lessons by:
1. Telling the kids they are worthless and not one player was worth his salt that night (wow, these are some of the best athletes in the nation, and they are worthless?)
2. Telling them that he has the key to the films that need to be sent to the colleges for scholarships, and he is not going to send them. I would read that message as if you lose, you’re nothing!!!
3. Tell them to prepare for hell week on Sunday. I thought, at least in the South, Sunday is the day of worship and for family time.
So, you Alabama sports crazed folks love high school football,eh? I saw all the signs: We’re Number 1.
Does it bother anyone in your state that when you hold up the ranking of education state by state, your sign reads:
We’re Number 47. Hooray!!!
Mike the Eyeguy
Wow, PIttster, you make some good points (so many, in fact, that maybe you should consider getting your own blog), but it seems like you’ve got an axe to grind against the South. I think if you go back and read my post, you’re not going to find any defense of the Hoover program or their coach from me.
For a different look at Alabama high school life, i.e. the academic side, why don’t you read my 9/13/06 post (click here)?
How many National Merit Scholars does your local high school have?
Bottom line, you make good points, but your sarcasm and your judgementalism toward the state of Alabama and the South in general leave your case “4th and a little long.” Sorry about the football analogy, but y’all will have to excuse me–I’m from the South and I jus can’t hep it!
PIttster
Mike: Please see the below. I have no axe to grind with the South or your state. I am an activist concerned about the educational system here in the USA. Every state has the same type of problem as your’s does. I am a US veteran, proud to have served, and count some of your fellow colleagues as good friends. Just so happens, the show is about a HS in your state. I would have written the same Post for any other “Sports Rule” and “Win at all Costs” mentality.
A few more comments, this was a reply to a citizen in your state that responded by saying that the show is only a TV program, and that everyone cusses:
My post’s intent was to perhaps incite the intellectuals in your state on the Hoover High culture of big time sports and the price schools pay for that culture.
It is not about the TV program. If you don’t mind the coach being paid more than your governor, that foul language is used constantly, that your kids are belittled and abused all in the name of a “Win”, then you just don’t care.
About me. Not really religious. Played HS sports in the state of Texas (football, basketball, baseball). BS in Engineering from Univ. of Texas, MBA Stanford. Served as pilot in US Air Force for 8 years. Volunteer in local community that tutors minority students, and activist in school systems to improve the educational quality of schools. Very concerned about the educational process in all of America’s schools.
German, Dutch, Chinese and Japanese students go to school year round, and have test scores far above USA’s students. If the trend continues, by 2030, 90% of the engineers in the world will be in the Pacific Rim. What all this means to you and your kids is a decrease in America’s capability, and a poorer living standard for your kids and future generations. How many engineers a year is the state of Alabama producing compared to other states and other countries. If you don’t care, then I must conclude, you are truly ignorant of what is happening to America’s educational system.
Hoover High’s rabid sports culture is being pointed out as to one major cause for this lack of educational emphasis in our schools.
You are ok with your state being ranked 47th in the nation? Just think where you are ranked in the world.
Mike the Eyeguy
“How many engineers a year is the state of Alabama producing compared to other states and other countries. If you don’t care, then I must conclude, you are truly ignorant of what is happening to America’s educational system.”
“You are ok with your state being ranked 47th in the nation?”
Again, PIttster, what is it about my post on Hoover High that makes you think that I don’t care about the state of American education, or that I like being ranked 47th in the nation (whatever that means)?
I would never tolerate a coach like Propst being around any of my children. And I suspect that the large majority of parents in Alabama would feel the same way.
Since we’re into credentials now, let me give you a few of mine. I have a BA in psychology, summa cum laude, from a school that you’ve probably never heard of, and a doctorate in optometry from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. My wife is a C.P.A. and a homeschooling mom. We’ve homeschooled all of ours through at least 8th grade, and my oldest son was just named a National Merit Semifinalist for 2007 (did you read the 9/13/06 post?). So, I guess you could say that my wife and I do “care” greatly about the state of education in our community, state and nation.
As to engineers, UAB, Auburn, The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, The University of Alabama in Huntsville and Alabama A&M all produce numerous engineers each year, many of whom end up in Huntsville working in various space, defense and high tech industries. I don’t have numbers, I just know that most of my friends and neighbors are “rocket scientists” of some sort or another and that most of them are pretty “smart bubbas,” and that’s for durn sure!
Additionally, although Alabama may rank low in some educational measures, we do have our moments (click here).
I guess my questions for you are: Why do you draw such far reaching conclusions from a small sample of behavior portrayed on a cliche-ridden reality TV show broadcast on a silly and utterly insignificant cable channel? Furthermore, if the original comment was intended for one person, then why are you copying and pasting the same comment in other blogs you encounter that have mentioned Hoover High?
PIttster
Mike:
You’re response is thoughtful and has much insight.
Let me drop the MTV program, and just talk about the educational status in the USA. I only use Hoover as an example, it is going on at 100’s of schools across America. The time, money and emphasis is being placed in a diversion (football) vs. where any educated person knows where it should be placed.
I know Alabama has its share of engineers and competent college graduates. My main concern is for the youth left behind that, unfortunately, are being produced by today’s high schools.
I respectfully disagree on your statement that a large % of your fellow Alabamians would not tolerate Coach Propst. I have seen success like his breeds jealousy from other schools and a desire to emulate the program. In my research of such programs in the past, many schools begin similiar programs.
You value education, of course. Your wife is homeschooling because the education monopoly of US schools is restrictive while failing miserably. I sent my two kids to private school, because the assigned public school was so bad, that they would have been shortchanged in preparing for the future.
So, home schooled kids and some of the better private schools are preparing students for the future. The rest of the graduates are in very poor academic shape when they graduate.
The USA culture of entertainment, sports, and concerts supercedes education in most student’s priorities. In my state of California, if you go to a library on a Saturday, you will so lots of Chinese, Vietnamese, Indian and Japanese parents and students? Is it no wonder that the local high school Valedictorians are mostly from these groups that value education over the “entertainment” culture, that includes football.
I stand strongly on my convictions, and believe it the correct course for a stronger America.
Best wishes.
Mike the Eyeguy
Hey thanks for the reply. Like I said, you make some very good points and I think we’re on the same team here, so to speak.
I just disagree with you on how much the MTV show “Two-a-Days” has to say about the state of education in Alabama. Again, is this truly “reality” or posing and playacting by people who know they’re on camera? Perhaps some of both, but in no way is it representative of every high school in Alabama or the state of education in Alabama.
These shows, I believe, are more parody than anything else, and are designed to be mocked by the population at large who watch mostly out of morbid curiosity and end up feeling better about themselves, i.e., “hey, I’m not doing that badly, look how stupid those people are!”
So, I too stand strongly on my conviction that this show is not representative of the state of Alabama in general. I have, after all, lived here for 17 years. But for the most part, you and I share the same convictions regarding the need to improve the state of education in the United States.
PIttster
Ok, we agree on most, and agree to disagree on the MTV program. I certainly hope the majority of your schools are not like Hoover (at least in the football area). Hoover takes pride in their academics, and I am sure there are some great students there. But, is it the school itself mainly responsible, or the fact that Hoover is an upper middle class/wealthy community whose parents are professionals, and those kids were bound for college anyway.
The less fortunate districts are producing what level of educated kids?
Education needs to take priority, be where the majority of our time, effort, and money is spent
Cheer and Best Wishes.
Mike the Eyeguy
I can assure you that the majority of our schools and their football programs and coaches are not like Hoover. Educationally, some schools are getting it done, and others aren’t. The “less fortunate” ones continue to struggle, although graduation test scores and pass rates are up, and improvement in education continues to be a priority with our governor.
I am a Christian who is not reflexively opposed to education lotteries. I will admit to looking with envy at Georgia and Tennessee where state-sponsored lotteries are pumping millions into elementary and secondary education and making college a reality for many who otherwise would not be able to afford it. In addition, the horror stories that evangelicals use to oppose lotteries have for the most part remained just that, stories. But in Alabama, evangelicals rule the roost, and a lottery is unlikely here in the near future, anyway.
But still, blame it on high school football? Way too simplistic–there are multiple political, historical, racial and socioeconomic varibables. Football, in many instances, has given poor people of the South something to hang on to in the face of adversity and criticism. Certainly more than “mere distraction,” football, and sports in general, are full of life lessons–teamwork, playing through adversity, accepting winning and losing. My sons play soccer, and I would not trade away the important lessons they’ve learned on the field over the years for a few more hours of classroom work.
But “Two-a-Days” is a gross caricature of the honorable efforts which predominate among the players and coaches with whom I have been associated with over the years, and certainly not representative of life in the Southern United States in my experience.