I think it is a disgrace that the council in Green Cove Springs evicted the bicycle volunteers for such a weak cause. They have done more good for the children in this community, than this wrestling fiasco will ever do. If wrestling is so critical, the group should purchase some land and build a custom made facility.
The article states that the wrestling club would be leasing the building while it is the bike folks who cannot afford it. Wrestling is a great sport which teaches kids many life lessons such as dealing with adversity and losses and not just reacting out of emotion, how to keep their wits and think through stressful circumstances, as well as promotes physical fitness and strength training. It is divvied up into weight classes which means that is fully inclusive of all body types and sizes so it’s not just the big kids playing football or tall kids playing basketball. There are bad actors in every corner of our fallen world and it is very unfair to try to paint this whole sport with that brush because of a few here.
Hi Bob, the article is not criticizing wrestling as a sport, just specifically the Clay Wrestling Club. The question remains- where is the wrestling club getting all of this money from?
They typically collect a “dues” from members which would cover singlets, insurance and facilities. Not sure if that is what is happening here, but I know that’s how it works with other clubs in the county.
Why does the bicycle restoration group get the boot? Just because someone else wants it? I presume its a publicly owned building, so what are the criteria, who gets to decide who can use it and who can't?
I’ve never read anything so full of shit, lacking any context, not supported by facts or offering any counter points but you own ill informed partisan views. That’s fine just don’t consider yourself a journalist or that you’re providing any service to the public.
Alleged victims couldn’t identify alleged suspects consistently by name or face. Not much of a case but man the author and alleged victims mother are trying to win a windfall in court or settlement by priming the public and poising a potential jury pool nonsense.
This story has been heavily researched and vetted, but if you feel there are errors in our reporting, we are open to a conversation. It’s more than one incident, it’s a culture that has been built and covered up. My email address is josh@clayviews.com and my cell number is 904-673-0091.
Definitely coming from a long time person whose child has been involved, with a lot more insight than a reporter, never disagreed more. But your story, you tell it. 🤷🏼♀️
Actually, the police reports said victims and witnesses did identify the suspects…100%. I grew up on a farm, Jimmy, so I’m not much on priming…or poising. Don’t sell Clay county short. There’s a pool of poised people here. However, with a big trial like this and so many school employees in the county, it’s not likely that the trial will be held here. But who knows, it may be settled out of court. Stay poised, Jimmy.
Awwweeee Jimmy. Did I hurt your feeling? 😢 Send me your email and I will send you the backup which proves all context is supported by facts. But wait, Jim, you probably already know this since you’re an assistant coach at Clay High. Hey, maybe I could interview you? I bet you’ve got stories to tell. I don’t like labels but I have a bunch of journalism awards from the last 30 years, which are buried in a box up in my attic, that call me a journalist. But you can call me anything you like…I use to write for the Times Union, so I’m used to being called a variety of colorful names. Have a great day, thanks for reading and I hope to hear from you soon, Jimmy!
I read the first article on this issue a couple of weeks ago. And now that I have read the second series, I am getting more confused. So that I can more fully understand what is happening, would you be so kind as to point out the areas in the two fiction articles?
I don’t understand why the wrestling team representing and competing as Clay High School students would even contemplate having the team with its coaches practice off-site.
Once they take the activity away from the school, it becomes a private sector activity and would have all the responsibility of a business. They would no longer be considered a student attending Clay High School nor wear the school’s wrestling gear. Consequently, there would be no wrestling team at the school.
In my mind, it would be like piano or dancing lessons and recitals. The school is not involved in teaching these activities unless and if teachers/coaches wish to have recitals/meets on school property. If that were the case, the business would have to pay the district the proper rental fee and provide the school district with proof of a “Certificate of Insurance – Special Event” form.
Two expressions come to mind – “You can’t have it both ways. You can’t be a little bit pregnant.”
If the school program is good, why would any parent want or allow their child to go off-site? I just don’t get it unless someone wants to circumvent the district rules on the topic of hazing.
Just like in many sports, wrestling has activities in what would be considered the off season for school athletics. This is where the club comes in. Just like there are recreation and travel softball leagues, basketball leagues, football leagues, etc. which operate outside of organized school activities, such is true for wrestling. Tournaments are pretty much year round in this arena, however, as the article states, schools are bound to having seasons in which one sport must begin and end. These off site clubs usually charge a fee to members which typically cover uniforms, insurance and facilities. They are also governed by other outside organizations as well. I believe this club would require athletes to be members of AAU.
I think it is a disgrace that the council in Green Cove Springs evicted the bicycle volunteers for such a weak cause. They have done more good for the children in this community, than this wrestling fiasco will ever do. If wrestling is so critical, the group should purchase some land and build a custom made facility.
It is curious that the wrestling club has funds to renovate a building but can’t lease or purchase one. Very odd.
The article states that the wrestling club would be leasing the building while it is the bike folks who cannot afford it. Wrestling is a great sport which teaches kids many life lessons such as dealing with adversity and losses and not just reacting out of emotion, how to keep their wits and think through stressful circumstances, as well as promotes physical fitness and strength training. It is divvied up into weight classes which means that is fully inclusive of all body types and sizes so it’s not just the big kids playing football or tall kids playing basketball. There are bad actors in every corner of our fallen world and it is very unfair to try to paint this whole sport with that brush because of a few here.
Hi Bob, the article is not criticizing wrestling as a sport, just specifically the Clay Wrestling Club. The question remains- where is the wrestling club getting all of this money from?
They typically collect a “dues” from members which would cover singlets, insurance and facilities. Not sure if that is what is happening here, but I know that’s how it works with other clubs in the county.
Why does the bicycle restoration group get the boot? Just because someone else wants it? I presume its a publicly owned building, so what are the criteria, who gets to decide who can use it and who can't?
The people who collect the rent checks. One group pays and the other doesn’t….
I’ve never read anything so full of shit, lacking any context, not supported by facts or offering any counter points but you own ill informed partisan views. That’s fine just don’t consider yourself a journalist or that you’re providing any service to the public.
Hi Mr Bearden- were the school district police being partisan when they referred the incidents to the SAO?
Alleged victims couldn’t identify alleged suspects consistently by name or face. Not much of a case but man the author and alleged victims mother are trying to win a windfall in court or settlement by priming the public and poising a potential jury pool nonsense.
This story has been heavily researched and vetted, but if you feel there are errors in our reporting, we are open to a conversation. It’s more than one incident, it’s a culture that has been built and covered up. My email address is josh@clayviews.com and my cell number is 904-673-0091.
Definitely coming from a long time person whose child has been involved, with a lot more insight than a reporter, never disagreed more. But your story, you tell it. 🤷🏼♀️
Actually, the police reports said victims and witnesses did identify the suspects…100%. I grew up on a farm, Jimmy, so I’m not much on priming…or poising. Don’t sell Clay county short. There’s a pool of poised people here. However, with a big trial like this and so many school employees in the county, it’s not likely that the trial will be held here. But who knows, it may be settled out of court. Stay poised, Jimmy.
Awwweeee Jimmy. Did I hurt your feeling? 😢 Send me your email and I will send you the backup which proves all context is supported by facts. But wait, Jim, you probably already know this since you’re an assistant coach at Clay High. Hey, maybe I could interview you? I bet you’ve got stories to tell. I don’t like labels but I have a bunch of journalism awards from the last 30 years, which are buried in a box up in my attic, that call me a journalist. But you can call me anything you like…I use to write for the Times Union, so I’m used to being called a variety of colorful names. Have a great day, thanks for reading and I hope to hear from you soon, Jimmy!
You know how to find me.
I do. I’m dialing you now.
Oh shucks, Jimmy! No answer. Call me. I left my number.
Post the number you dialed. Never called me.
I guess you are part time coach at Clay High, so I left my number with the athletic director for you.
Mr. Bearden:
I read the first article on this issue a couple of weeks ago. And now that I have read the second series, I am getting more confused. So that I can more fully understand what is happening, would you be so kind as to point out the areas in the two fiction articles?
I don’t understand why the wrestling team representing and competing as Clay High School students would even contemplate having the team with its coaches practice off-site.
Once they take the activity away from the school, it becomes a private sector activity and would have all the responsibility of a business. They would no longer be considered a student attending Clay High School nor wear the school’s wrestling gear. Consequently, there would be no wrestling team at the school.
In my mind, it would be like piano or dancing lessons and recitals. The school is not involved in teaching these activities unless and if teachers/coaches wish to have recitals/meets on school property. If that were the case, the business would have to pay the district the proper rental fee and provide the school district with proof of a “Certificate of Insurance – Special Event” form.
Two expressions come to mind – “You can’t have it both ways. You can’t be a little bit pregnant.”
If the school program is good, why would any parent want or allow their child to go off-site? I just don’t get it unless someone wants to circumvent the district rules on the topic of hazing.
Just like in many sports, wrestling has activities in what would be considered the off season for school athletics. This is where the club comes in. Just like there are recreation and travel softball leagues, basketball leagues, football leagues, etc. which operate outside of organized school activities, such is true for wrestling. Tournaments are pretty much year round in this arena, however, as the article states, schools are bound to having seasons in which one sport must begin and end. These off site clubs usually charge a fee to members which typically cover uniforms, insurance and facilities. They are also governed by other outside organizations as well. I believe this club would require athletes to be members of AAU.
Alleged