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Character of our athletes no accident
Published Thursday, October 16, 2008
Fergus Falls Otters Football coach Richard Risbrudt was recently quoted as saying his team is made up of young men who are dedicated, motivated, role models to their peers who are walking the walk and talking the talk.
As a mother to one of these young men, I would like to say this does not happen by accident and as much as any mom would like to take credit for it, I can honestly say it has a lot more to do with people like Richard Risbrudt, Dan Prischman and Carl Prischman.
Because of Coach Risbrudt, my son is learning more than just football. He is learning that you don’t have to be a bully to get what you want, that it is OK to make a mistake because a lot of people believe in you, that it is a wonderful to be part of a team, and to be successful in
that team you need to be respectful and caring, that you need to cherish each and every moment of your youth as you will never have these moments back.
And most importantly that if you want something it is going to take a whole lot of hard work and dedication but that anything is possible with enough heart. These are all life long skills that will take him into adulthood.
I have been completely humbled with the amount of dedication andmotivation that I have seen from Dan and Carl with all their endless hours put into the youth program in an attempt to get these boys addicted to football before they have a chance to get addicted to something else.
Most importantly is the caring and encouragement that both of my boys have gotten from these men. This has not only been on the football field but in their lives as well, with numerous phone calls and e-mails just to see how they are doing.
And one of the most important things is showing up at their other activities just to be supportive. These are not just guys that care about one thing, “football.” These are guys that care about our kids!
As the old saying goes, “It takes a village to raise a child.”
From the bottom of my heart I would like to say to Richard, Carl and Dan, “thank you for allowing my boys to be part of your village.”
Kelly Thorson -Fergus Falls
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by TKay (anonymous) on October 16, 2008 at 12:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What a great letter to read about adults making a positive difference in the lives of youth in our community!!!
Posted by kdutch86 (anonymous) on October 16, 2008 at 2:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
She is so right--the Fergus Falls School District has great caring teachers and coaching staff. I have heard comments from home schooled parents and private school parents putting down the public school system. I do not like to hear those comments. My kids, who are teenagers, are doing great in school and they like school. The Fergus Falls School District should be commended for a job well done.
Posted by lovemycountry (anonymous) on October 16, 2008 at 4:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Dear kdutch86, The Fergus Falls School district is very fortunate to have Richard Risbrudt as their football coach. When he was the football coach for Hillcrest...he began every game with a prayer with the boys on the team. He was more than a coach to them...he was an example of a Christian man. Although he can not pray with his team at the Fergus Falls Public School, I am sure he is still an example of a godly man and prays for them in his private life. And the negative comments you may hear from parents of "home-schooled" or "private school" kids has nothing to do with the education children are receiving from the public school...it is the lack of spiritual education. But Richard Risbrudt is bringing his Christian values to the school and God is using him in the lives of many young people. I am thankful the Fergus Falls school district appreciates him.
Posted by otterpride (anonymous) on October 16, 2008 at 4:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What a well written letter. I played football for Coach Risbrudt when I attended HLA and have more respect for him than any other coach, teacher, or mentor that I have ever had. He will teach the boys a lot of lessons that they will be able to use throughout their adult lives. He truly does personally care for each and every individual not only that he coaches but teaches in the classroom as well. I commend the school district for hiring him, as I believe he will change the culture of Fergus Falls athletics in a positive way for years to come. As a community, lets all get out and support our hometown football team in this years playoffs. Having been around football for quite a few years, this is a special group of kids that we have been able to watch this year. Go Otters!
Posted by jojo (anonymous) on October 16, 2008 at 8:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The school needs to look at this letter and remember that sports help keep kids off the streets. We should work together in keeping costs down for families wanting to get their own kids involved.
Posted by votedem (anonymous) on October 16, 2008 at 9:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree that sports has an incredible influence on children. It's a very positive, rational, tangible influence.
But let's not brainwash them with religion. Eventually they'll figure out that it's merely an accident that they're Christian because of where they're born. It's merely a coincidence they believe in your god.
Please spare me your scripture. I can write a book and have a million people believe my word as well. The weak-minded are easily influenced.
Rationality and factuality to all,
Me
Posted by wwjdt (anonymous) on October 16, 2008 at 11:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I hope that votedem finds the Lord before it's too late.
To lovemycountry....just because the public schools don't allow for the mixture of religion and state, does not mean that there are not Christians in the building!
Posted by FFOtterfan (anonymous) on October 17, 2008 at 10:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wouldn't it be wonderful if the hockey community (parents & coaches) would take a page from this classy team. I have yet to hear the parents complain about coaching decisions, playing time, etc.....which is notorious with hockey. Total trust is placed with coach Risbrudt. That is not to say mistakes cannot be made, but there is no lynching mob waiting for him. Mistakes are lessons to be learned from, for adults and children alike. This football team, and parents have found a leader they trust, respect and admire. A few years ago this team had a very difficult season, yet I never heard the boys were not allowed to make a sound on the bus afterward, or got chewed out and punished at the next practice. What motivation!!! I wish the Otters success in the playoffs, but know that win or lose the game, these young men are winners in everyone's hearts.
Posted by kdutch86 (anonymous) on October 17, 2008 at 12:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Dear lovemycountry,
Public school kids do not lack spirital education - it comes from the home and church. The teachers shouldn't have to worry about this. And the negative comments I have heard are not from the kids but from the parents. I do believe teachers do provide spirital education - in their own way. And wwwjdt is right just because the public schools don't allow for the mixture of religion and state, does not mean that there are not Christians in the building.
Posted by mccain08 (anonymous) on October 17, 2008 at 2:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"Richard Risbrudt is bringing his Christian values to the school and God is using him in the lives of many young people."
did jesus play basketball or was it hockey? it must have been football. a waif-like Israeli football player? are they saying jesus was a place kicker.
“It takes a village to raise a child.” -ancient African proverb
Posted by lovemycountry (anonymous) on October 17, 2008 at 4:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree there are many Christian teachers in public school and especially Fergus Falls. Please do not take offense to my comment. I just wanted to respond to kdutch86's remark against parents of kids who are homeschooled or who choose to send their children to private school There is a difference! I have sent my children to both. In the public school, educators have to be careful that they do not offend anyone. But private Christian schools are based on Christian principles and the education is from a Biblical/Christian perspective Educators are not only free to express their Christianity....but are expected to. Fergus Falls has a wonderful school system and of course the most important person to impact values are the parents.
Posted by ginger_ale1 (anonymous) on October 17, 2008 at 10:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with you, lovemycountry, that Mr. Risbrudt is a wonderful person. He is a man of honor and leads by example. I do not have the privilege of knowing him on a personal level, however I know a number of individuals who went to Hillcrest who regard him as a hero. I disagree with your assertion, whether stated or not, that public schools lack values because they are not guided by biblical principles. As current student teacher, I have had the opportunity to meet number of teachers who advocate every day for the well-being of their students. Caring about children and wanting to positively impact the lives of young people is not only a "Christian" value. One can find selfless heroes, such as Mr. Risbrudt, all cultures and faiths of the world. Those individuals contribute to their communities, giving much more than they take, positively influencing everyone they work with. Those types of individuals are fueled by faith, love, and honor. In my opinion, I don't care if they are Christian, Muslim, Jewish, or athiest - if they are able to positively impact the lives of young people as profoundly as Mr. Risbrudt has, their religious preferences should not matter.
Also, as a Christian myself, I become so frustrated a parents who are unwilling to place their children in public education. Christ did not segregate himself from his community. He was a man of the people who interacted with a large segment of the population that society viewed as being despicable. He brought hope and compassion to everyone, including people who had much different religious views than those of his fellow Jews. How can one utilize their "God given gifts" in today's world if they are sheltered from reality? It has always pained me to see the "Deer in the headlights" look that young home-schooled children face when they finally find themselves in a college classroom. They enter a whole new reality that they never new existed, and struggle to adapt to the rhythm of the real world. And while many of them are able to compensate, it is unfortunate that they were forced to endure the culture shock that will inevitably occur.
Posted by kdutch86 (anonymous) on October 18, 2008 at 9:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with you ginger_ale1.
Posted by lovemycountry (anonymous) on October 18, 2008 at 12:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Dear ginger_ale1: You misunderstood what I have written. I did not say nor did I mean to imply that the public school does not have people who have values of love and concern. And I agree people of all cultures, whether they be as you say "Christian, Jewish, Muslim or Athiest" can treat people with love. But I have read comments on the DJ forum from people who make fun of Jesus....who claim to be athiests and they sound so full of hate. These are people that I do not want to have an influence on my children. One of them has a name of "Retired Teacher". I just hope this person did not teach my child when he/she was teaching. Teachers have a lot of influence on our children. The University of Nebraska just canceled the speaking engagement of Bill Ayres at the request of the governor of Nebraska. These are some of the kind of people that have invaded our school system and whom we have to protect our children from. And your comment about home-schooled children not being ready for college is so inaccurate. I have known many home- schooled children who have thrived in college because they are self-disciplined on how to study and their parents or private school have prepared them to be a Christian influence
in the world. The ones I have known are very mature and have easily adapted to the "outside world". It is an unfair and inaccurate statement.
Posted by ginger_ale1 (anonymous) on October 18, 2008 at 2:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Bill Ayers was a member of a domestic left-wing fundamentalist group that was responsible for some pretty frightening activities. As a liberal, I find it disheartening that his group (or any for that matter) would resort to the use of violence. That being said, his actions took place nearly forty years ago. He has since become an academic, and from my knowledge, has not taken part in any illegal activities. Was he wrong? Yes. Has he changed? I'm not sure,I don't know the man. Does he deserve a second chance? I believe so. Just remember, their are some fundamentalist right-wing Christians who have said some pretty awful things recently. For example, Pat Robertson calling for the murder of Hugo Chavez. I'm sorry, I don't recall any Sunday school lessons in which Jesus advocated for assassination.
I agree that not all home-schooled children are inept when they enter the real-world. I have, in my own personal experience, encountered friends who did struggle with the transition. As they began to blossom into young-adults, they continued to be "INVADED" by their parents, who were not willing to let them go. Of course, this is not the case for all of them.
As far as the "kind of people" like Bill Ayers, who are invading our school system. I don't think you will find many. As a high school, college, and now graduate student I have not encountered anyone who advocated for violence. The vast majority had a passion for positively molding young minds. Yeah, I've had a couple of "bad apples" but they lacked the motivation to have any significant impact (positive or negative) on their students. As I currently sit in a program with nearly 40 teaching candidates, I can assure you that NOT ONE OF THEM is somebody who you will need to protect your children from.
All things aside, I am simply glad that the Fergus schools have people like Mr. Risbrudt. I wish he was teaching and coaching at the High School when I was a student there.
Posted by jojo (anonymous) on October 18, 2008 at 6:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
WOW!!!! I Know the woman who wrote this article and it was NOT her intention to start arguments. All she was trying to do was show how important it is for adults to get involved with our youth. It is men like Richard who make all of our children better adults. It does NOT matter what religious views anyone has its what the kids get out of your guidence that matters. When she said it takes a village to raise a child she was not thinking about african proverbs!!! I think McCain08 should read the book by Hillary Rodham Clinton. "It Takes a Village"
All she was trying to do was tell a story on how having a great coaching staff for the otters has helped her son see all the important things in life not just football.
I pray to my god that all of you who think this all about religion and that it does not a village to raise a child are NOT ignoring those kids who are in need of guidence even if they dont beleive in your ideas.
ANYONE can say they are a christian but those who ACT more than talk are the ones I want setting the examples. Someone like Richard Risbrudt!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by gazelle41 (anonymous) on October 20, 2008 at 4:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
How does such a well intentioned letter with a positive message from a grateful parent turn into a platform for all of these negative, political, comments? Wow. I would add my thanks to Coach Risbrudt and those that have had such an impact on our athletes lives. My son also had the privilege of playing for Coach R his Senior year at FF. I welcome any opportunity for my kids to learn life lessons about service and selflessness. -Sharon Casey, FF.
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