Our district's football program (not SDoL) appears to be reorganizing, with a new emphasis on the player as a whole person. In addition to physical strength and skills, the coaches are now pushing academics and character as necessary components for team membership. Evidently coaches are tired of putting in time leading kids who are good on the field but can't keep their grades up enough to play consistently or who get into trouble without realizing the impact it makes on others. I think this is a positive way to run a sports program; however, as Wonder points out, Feldman's plan for what he'd like to do at SDoL might have been a tough sell on a tight budget.

It's a very one-sided article. Lets not make Feldman out to be a Saint now! 3-17 over the past two years does not lie in the hands of the Administration. Maybe he's really not that great of a coach. I bet the Administration probably wasn't even given a chance to respond.

While I am not familiar with this program, I cannot help but respect Coach Feldman for his ideas. Too many times high school star athletes fall through the academic cracks while stealing the sports page headlines, only to find their college dreams shattered when recruiting coaches learn of their sub par GPA/SAT scores. It takes engagement of the teachers, administration and coaching staff all being on the same page and guiding the student for the next phase of their life.

You are right, footballmom2. I am glad for coaches to want to coach the whole kid. Even if a student doesn't plan to play football in college, it's still a great idea to be sure he is well-rounded and achieving in the classroom as well as on the field. I am in complete support of requirements that grades have to remain above a certain level for players to get off the bench.

I think Feldman's concept was a good one. We need more of a support for athletes. There should be money available or apply for grants - oh wait, they can't at the moment. Perhaps if Pedro would stop wasting his money on his "entourage" and focus on the actual needs, something like this would be obtainable. Have you seen the salaries of some of these "higher ups"/administrative people??? Take some of those positions and cut those salaries to implement a successful support program for athletes and students in organizations.