mixed bag

The many volunteer hard working coaches deserve much credit at Niles and at every organization, and the Niles park district deserves some credit for providing an affordable program. However, there are problems with the program that arguably are poorly managed - either in prevention or cure.

1. Numbers: Normal attrition to travel should still have allowed the fielding of 3 peewee and 2 bantam teams this season, so the losses are greater than you state. Other house organizations (such as HE) have grown at the same time.

2. People: While I'm sure there are many fine coaches and parents involved in the organization, Niles has a reputation for a culture of BIT abuse and hot headed foul mouthed coaches, and in my personal experience, some kooky hostile parents. While a few bad apples shouldn't spoil the whole bunch, the good must suffer the reputation of the whole - and help address the culture (although, granted, there are practical limits to their ability to do so).

3. Facility: Maybe it's silly of me, but I resent the way visitors are relegated to what feels like a small cage area at the Niles rink, what's up with that concession stand, and was at one game where zamboni was broken and the ice was horrible.