To the editor:

The Hurricanes win another Lawrence Youth Football Toy Bowl. Surprised? Does the fact that gravity still works surprise you? Can we all stop pretending that Lawrence Youth Football benefits all Lawrence youths? Any of the current coaches in LYF could have won the Toy Bowl with the Hurricanes team.

Will the LYF president acknowledge that he has a distinct advantage by coaching a team he recruits for, and that he hires and pays the referees, and he sets the schedule? Is this not adults manipulating a system to benefit a few children? Is he proud of the fact that he wins on an uneven playing field at the expense of other children who pay the same participation fees to become a punching bag for his team? Does the LYF board condone this obvious conflict of interest by its “president”? Let’s stop pretending that we have a fair or healthy system in place.

Speaking of health, some of the Hurricane line recruits appear heavy to the point of being unhealthy. Is this not a reflection of a society of insecure parents raising insecure children by huddling together to shield them from a loss? Is this not an artificial reality, a cocoon to stave off the reality of loses or failure?

Mr. President, stop hiding behind the facade of equity; let’s teach Lawrence youths sportsmanship, hard work and teamwork on a level playing field by facing life and its challenges without “training wheels.” We need new leadership at LYF and it’s time to follow suit of the Hoopsters Basketball League and DCABA Baseball and level the playing field with a DRAFT. Then we can all applaud the real League Champion and Toy Bowl winners.

Eric Schmidt,

Lawrence