Coaching methods

Dear Editor:

    I am a loyal reader of the Beacon's Sports section. I really appreciate the coverage given to both high schools in the paper. While I was reading the Mark Teshima's article “Have you ever been hurt by your team” I started to think about his words. I was a Packer fan for years and years. No matter what anyone says about Brett Favre, he is a great quarterback, and a great football player.  To make a long story short, I hated the way he was treated by the Packers at the end of his career with them. So I gave away all my Green Bay t-shirts and started supporting a new team - Go Saints.

    I totally agree with what Mark had to say about David Sanchez. Before he and his family moved to Grants, they were our neighbors. He started his coaching career with the elementary school-aged boys. He was great. When the family moved to Grants, we were heartbroken. David moved half of the neighborhood kids to Grants. We still miss them, but we look forward to seeing them here and there and in the state tournaments for years to come.

    My main point for writing this letter is to clarify what I feel is going on at the “Hawk’s Nest.”  The fans love our athletes as much as the Pirate fans love their athletes, maybe more. Only difference I see is that there is a greater responsibility and greater pride that the coaches have for their jobs as teachers, coaches and mentors on the Grants sidelines.

    I was present at the L-A v. Grants boys' basketball game on Jan. 9. It started out as a good game. While Grants probably would have still pulled out a win, it was painful to see the coaching staff on the L-A side simply give-up. I know a lot of people are going to get upset or angry about these words, but they are my own words, based on observations I've had to endure all season long. I am an alumni of L-A, and have been a Hawk fan for a very long time. My brothers were athletes at L-A, and now my son is an athlete at L-A.  I try very hard to support the team as much as I can. My family and I attend the home games, and try to make it to most of the away games (for football and basketball). It is getting harder and harder to watch the boy's basketball games. Yes, the fans do get shameful and outrageous, but I know that it's not aimed toward the players. It is pure frustration for the coaching staff and their coaching methods. If you ever want to know what pain looks like, take a look at the players on the bench during the fourth quarter, when the team is down by a few points (or more).

I wonder what ever happened to fair, unbiased, tough and responsible coaching at Laguna-Acoma? It is a pathetic sight to witness the unraveling of the team in the last period and the coach has nothing to offer. No solutions, no game plan, no nothing. My heart goes out to every one of the boys on that team, hang in there CJ, Wes, Isaiah, Kiel, Emilio, Austin, Josh . . . we are all hoping things will get better. 

I also challenge the community to come together for the rest of the season and support our Hawks. We are in one of the toughest districts in 3A with Hope and Sandia Prep always dominating the state in basketball. I have a son that will be attending L-A next year, and I pray that things get better at L-A. A great man once said “Once you learn to quit, it becomes a habit” - Vince Lombardi.

Sincerely,

Rosalia Baca

Seboyeta

Beacon history

Dear Editor:

    I read with interest your article on the Cibola County Beacon, the history of it. I would like to clear up some inaccuracies in the story, however. My parents, Jim and Nancy Barber purchased the local newspapers in June of 1957. The Grants Beacon was purchased from Carter Waid of Belen and George Dannenbaum owned the Uranium City News.  Nancy Barber taught the fifth grade at the Grants Elementary School, later Sierra Vista Elementary. She passed away in 1963. Jim Barber later married Marian. When he passed away in 1971 she became the publisher. Rebecca Barber, the long-time editor is Marian's daughter. I had very little to do with the publishing business. The Grants Daily Beacon stayed in the Barber Family until it was sold to Phillips Media in 1986.  Anyway, congratulations to the Cibola County Beacon on being Business of the Year, and I wish you the best for many years to come.

Sincerely,

Cynthia Spidle

Grants

Kickoff success

Dear Editor:

    The Mount Taylor Winter Quadrathlon Kickoff, hosted by La Ventana Steak House on Jan. 28, was a resounding success. We could not be more grateful to the local restaurants that donated food, and want to encourage local residents to remember these generous restaurants when dining out. The donated food was absolutely delicious and plentiful, to say the least.

    Many thanks to: Aloha Hawaiian BBQ, Asian Buffet, Best Western Inn & Suites (New Mexico Steak House & Rookie's Sports Bar), Canton Café, Denny's, Domino's, El Cafecito, First Street Café, Iron Skillet, Kiva Café, La Ventana, Subway of Grants, Surf Shack, Taco Village and the “WOW” Diner.

The “Quad Volunteers” are who have kept this tradition alive for 27 years. We sincerely appreciate the volunteers, including the participating local restaurants, who roll out the welcome mat for the influx of out-of-town visitors every President's Day weekend.

For information about any of the fine establishments listed above, or for information about the Mount         Taylor Quad, please call the Grants/Cibola County Chamber of Commerce at 287-4802.

    Again, many thanks!

Sincerely,

Mount Taylor Winter Quadrathlon Committee

Marie Cerniway and Alicia Gallegos, Hospitality

Thankful blessings

Dear Editor:

    On behalf of the family of Albert Grine Jr., we thank the many family and friends for your prayers, support and condolences. It meant so much to us to see so many from the Grants, Milan and San Rafael community travel to Albuquerque to comfort us during this difficult time, despite the bad weather conditions.

    May God's blessing be extended to each of you that have shown your love and kindness expressed in cards and phone calls. Our sincere gratitude goes out to those who sent flowers, support and food in our time of need.

    We also thank Direct Services and Queen of Heaven Church for handling the services with compassion and comfort.

May the Lord richly bless you,

Sincerely,

The Grine Family

Wonderful years

Dear Editor:

On Jan. 9, 2010, we celebrated our 50th anniversary. Our family really surprised us with a wonderful 50th party at the American Legion Post 60 in Milan.

We wish to thank our family and friends for making us feel real special and for being there for us. Also, we wish to thank the gentleman at the Beacon who had patience with us to get the before and after picture of us in the paper the day before our anniversary.

Congratulations on the Beacon's 75th year.

Sincerely,

Dick and Sandy Allen