A display of poor sportsmanship

I was absolutely appalled to see the Grand Valley Football Team hung 96 points on Judson College on Sept. 19, a school I had not even heard of. I know of no case of such poor judgment by a coach in my lifetime.

By humiliating Judson, the coach also humiliated Grand Valley, its students and alumni. The coach crowed about his sportsmanship, by indicating he had the team take a knee with two minutes left in the game. Deciding not to score 100 points on a team you have no business playing is not sportsmanship.

“Respect to Judson with how they played and how they operate,” GVSU coach Scott Wooster said. “It was time in that point of the football game to tip the cap to them and not to embarrass them.”

Don't tell me the coach couldn't have slowed the point production to less than 96 points. Is it not part of your job as a coach to teach sportsmanship? Had you set a record against a worthy opponent, you could be proud of the accomplishment.

The coach owes not only Judson, but the Grand Valley community an apology for this disgraceful conduct.

To make things even worse the coach invoked the name of God in his post game interview, as if God would condone, or have any part of abusing another group of young men like this.

I was head varsity lacrosse coach at Michigan State University decades ago when we transitioned from a lacrosse club to a varsity team. In the first year of varsity competition, we lost a game to Denison University 25 to 2. Even as adults when myself and my players from those many years past get together, we recall that humiliating feeling. That stink you cannot get off your boots.

Teach sportsmanship, or it will no longer be part of sports.

Ted Swoboda, Fennville, Michigan