'Village idiots' spoil Juneau's big football victory over Chugiak
Letter to the editor
On Friday, Sept. 24, the Chugiak Mustang football team and cheer squad traveled to Juneau for a game. Our Crimson Bears were in a must-win situation, the game was a nail-biter, but we prevailed. Juneau won.
However, this wonderful contest carries a huge blemish on it. A few "village idiots" decided to display disgusting behavior - racial slurs, a mooning, making threats, etc. - to the Chugiak team and the Mustangs had to have police escort the team off the field.
I call you individuals village idiots because of your ignorance of what Juneau football is about. It is about hard work and dedication by a group of players and cheer squad members. It is about hospitality for visiting teams, and it is about sportsmanship (win or lose).
A fan of Juneau football understands this. A village idiot, well ... you can't fix stupid.
As president of the Juneau Youth Football League, I am furious at your behavior. How dare you jeopardize all that this league, its players, coaches, and cheer squads work so hard for - all year round.
I would like to take this opportunity to enlighten our village idiots.
Each player begins the fund raising process well before football season even begins (usually March). They have to sell at least $750 in advertising for our program book (thank you to all the businesses that support us through the book), they have to perform at least 11 hours of Chorebusters (digging ditches, hauling rock, moving furniture, you name it) for a donation to the program (thank you to all that have called for a Chorebuster), and finally pay a $300 registration fee (many are working summer jobs for this fee).
Then, after all of that, they get a uniform and can become a Crimson Bear.
They have proven that they want to play football. After the season starts they have to sell at least $400 in raffle tickets. If they do not sell the tickets they do not travel to away games. All of this plus the regular football stuff: practice and weight training. All of this plus the regular school stuff: maintain grades, attend classes, etc.
Crimson Bears have worked hard to earn respect and they take that respect seriously.
So, to our village idiots," I hope I have given you some insight into Juneau football. I hope you have learned something and that you can one day prove you have what it takes to be a fan of Juneau football. If you cannot, then you are not welcome on our field.
Karen Lawfer
President, Juneau Youth Football League