I am a 1983 Warsaw graduate and fourth-generation Warsaw Tiger who attended last night's Warsaw Community School Board meeting seeking feedback on Coach Doug Ogle. I applaud the Times-Union's front page coverage of the story on Monday and Tuesday, and encourage the paper to work to become the best source of unbiased community news.
I want to amplify one fact from Tuesday's cover story: Those listed in the story as showing support for Doug Ogle are a virtual "who's who" of our community. There were Coach Ogle supporters who taught me in school and helped shape my future. (Thank you!) We cheered for many of those folks as they gave their hearts to Tiger basketball as players and/or coaches. They are all very invested in our community as well as Tiger basketball. They know basketball and they know how to win. They are valued by our community and give countless hours of their time to make our community outstanding. Most importantly, I know these people have strong character and outstanding judgment. These folks formed their opinions on Coach Ogle based on personal experience and collectively gave powerful and persuasive speeches in favor of Coach Ogle.
While I do not personally know any of our school board members, I assume they are similar people. They also give their time to the community and deserve our appreciation, respect and support. For those who do not support our school board, that's what elections are for. Please participate and vote. I believe our school board wants to make the best decision, and I want to help them as they consider their vote on Tiger basketball.
I believe Coach Ogle and his staff will win championships consistently for decades in the future. The biggest hole in Tiger basketball is the strong support from our community and our school board.
Coach Ogle is the person I want coaching and leading my boys if they are able to earn a spot playing Tiger basketball. I strongly encourage our board to vote in favor of retaining Coach Ogle.
