Continue reading "Spring Cleaning..." »
Has Benton Harbor found their new football coach.
It looks like they have found their guy, and some possible assistant coaches have also come to light.
Continue reading "Benton Harbor's new coach???" »
Well, I did not expect to see this one.
I read in this morning's South Bend Tribune that Benton Harbor football coach Maurice Burton resigned as the Benton Harbor football coach "Burton resigns as Tigers' coach"
In the article Burton said that former football coach and current Benton Harbor athletic director Larry Featherstone did not tell him to step down.
However, I've learned that Burton was given a "resign or be fired" ultimatum by some members of the Benton Harbor Board of Education.
It's been a rough few years for the Tigers football program, the Tigers have not had a winning regular season since 1989, the Tigers were 0-9 each of the last two years under Maurice Burton. Larry Featherstone spent 6 years as football coach, posting a 17-37 record before being dismissed as football coach under Athletic Director James Rutter.
Rutter selected Burton late in the school year in 2007, there was a lot of excitment in the Benton Harbor community. Rutter expected the stands at Filstrup Field to be packed every week and he fully expected the Tigers to compete. Here's the proof, this was recorded by WSJM back in April of 2007 during a public interview with the leading candidates for the BH football job.
Then Benton Harbor Athletic Director James Rutter http://wsjmsports.com/blogs/kickoff/ruttergetbeat.mp3
There was little doubt that Rutter wanted the Tigers to win.. who wouldn't but, Rutter's actions spoke more than the words he used. Shortly after Burton was hired as football coach, Rutter resigned as athletic director and took a position in Lansing. Leaving Benton Harbor without an athletic director for the summer. Part of the summer included football training camp, a camp that didn't have a lot of real workouts because the lack of a trainer, something the athletic director would have taken care of... if they had one.
Outgoing football coach Larry Featherstone was hired as AD shortly after school started, Featherstone learned on the job, getting some help from the AD's at St. Joe and Lakeshore. Featherstone has left a mark as an outstanding athletic director. Unfortunately some predicted that this situation was expected. How could Featherstone allow his replacement to continue coaching after his falling short of what Featherstone accomplished.
It's unfortunate for Burton and for Benton Harbor, they didn't have the wins on the field, but they won for playing the games, against the powerhouse teams such as St. Joe, Lakeshore, and Jackson Lumen Christi. They didn't quit.
Well a new coach will be coming. Burton will still remain a state trooper and also the track coach at Benton Harbor.
Burton is the second local coach to step down as football coach in the past few weeks, Mattawan's Doug Paran resigned as head coach after a 1-8 season.
http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=281112029
Benton Harbor's Wilson Chandler had a good night on Wednesday. 27 points, 11 of 12 shooting.
I know it's the Knicks but a good night for Wilson.
If you want to see him in person, The Knicks are scheduled to be in Detroit at the Palace on Wednesday, November 26, at 8PM. He'll be in Chicago against the Bulls on Tuesday December 9 at 8:30.
In Indianapolis on January 31, In Detroit again on March 11, at Chicago on April 7
I've decided that I will keep the blog going all year long including basketball season.
And since I am a huge fan of Genesis and Phil Collins, this one was easy to quote.
"Take A look at me now"
That's exactly what Benton Harbor should be saying after the recent work and updates to on of the top basketball venues in Southwest Michigan, Benton Harbor's Don Farnum Gymnasium.
Continue reading "More song lyrics to quote..." »
While the River Valley football program hasn't had much to celebrate over the last few years, their attitude is that of a winner.
There is an article in the South Bend Tribune that really opens your eyes on how a team with the recent record of the Mustangs go through the season with a winning attitude despite the lack of success on the scoreboard.
It may have been an 0-9 season for River Valley, but given the development in the football program across the high school, middle school, and Rocket programs. It's only a matter of time before the Mustangs will be back.
Benton Harbor
While the Tigers have been through another 0-9 season, Tigers head coach Maurice Burton will not be letting that distract him from returning for a third season on the Tigers sidelines. While there may not be the pressure to win football games at Benton Harbor, compared to other area schools, it doesn't mean that Maurice Burton's expectations are not justified. He expects to win football games, he expects the players to work hard, he expects the fans and the community will support the team. So far he's got two of the three. We just have to wait until August 28, 2009 when Benton Harbor hosts Battle Creek Central to see if the wins start coming. Besides as Meatloaf sang in song.. "Two outta Three ain't bad"
*wow, I actually did a Meatloaf lyric reference????