STORM2K

http://www.click2houston.com/news/10144744/detail.html

I can't wait to hear the official explanation for this. Could be something underlying, but nothing has been said publicly yet.

Huh? I don't understand that one at all. That is complete crazy.

Whoa. That's madness.

In defense of the coach, giving blood will have a huge effect on the kids' stamina for several days by significantly reducing their blood's ability to hold oxygen. Further, practicing the same afernoon as donating could have killed them.

I'm not sure it warrants permanent dismissal from the team, though.

It will be interesting to hear the coach's side of the story. I suspect he told them in advance in very clear terms to not participate in the blood drive.

gtalum is right.. After giving blood the last thing you can do is go out and have football practice.. But we do need to know more.. Were they told they could not give blood in advance? That will make a huge difference.. Either way something tells me after the "sit down" the kids will be back on the team.. Call it a hunch

I understand about no practice after giving blood. Like I said, what is underlying here? Had they been told to not participate? Hasn't come out yet, but????? And Chad I agree with your hunch-maybe modified from full reinstatement, at least for this weeks game, but I do think you are right.

Agree with you Chad. It's a shame that the coach doesn't think much of giving blood to help save someones life. I too would like to know the entire story which I don't think was given.

Why do you think I don't join a football team?

I was wondering if there was a rule or regulation about when they can or cannot give blood. The rest of the day you're drained and I think it takes about 50 some odd days before you can give blood again - perhaps it's the amount of time it takes for your body to recover? Also, you're not supposed to do anything strenuous with that arm.

I'm glad that they were reinstated, but I do want to get all of the facts in too before I make my final decision.

Giving blood takes a lot out of you. Even if you're like me and you don't feel any different afterward when doing daily routines, your ability to absorb oxygen is way way down. It is dangerous to do anything really physical for a day or so afterward. In addition to the oxygen issue, it's possible to lose a lot of blood through the wound made when they stick you.

I bet the kids get reiinstated after a 1 game suspension.

CajunMama, I doubt the coach thinks badly of giving blood in general. However, it's his butt on the line if one of those kids who gave blood had gone to practice and suffered a heat stroke or worse because of it.

He probably overreacted by kicking them off the team entirely.

I stupidly tried playing 18 holes a few hours after giving blood.

I only made it through 17 RIDING IN A CART

You have absolutely no energy at all afterward and your body can start doing some very interesting things

I have the rare blood. I am always being called to donate. It does take alot out of you and you feel tired the rest of the day.

My Mother and I have the same blood type. She lost 2 pints of blood and since I am a pre-screened donor, I was able to give her blood the same day. We will not even discuss what both of my unborn children and myself had to go through with this type of blood!

Cant give blood anymore even though id love to, but I remember once as a young man I gave and afterward went back to work. I lasted about an hour. I only weighed about 120 pounds back then and it took alot out of me. Ended up going home and sleeping the rest of the day.

I think this coaches action was an overkill. These kids werent out partying they were giving blood. Some leniency should have been given from the start. Im hope some young mans football career wasnt ruined over this.

Update...
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/met ... 85438.html

Oct. 24, 2006, 10:17PM
Players who gave blood are back on team
Football coach at Willis High apologizes for ousting 6 athletes late for practice


By CINDY HORSWELL
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle

Six football players, kicked off the Willis High School team because they were late for practice after donating blood, were reinstated Tuesday after the coach issued an apology.

"They were not dismissed because they donated blood but that they did it right at the beginning of athletic period on Monday," said Brian Zemlicka, superintendent of the Willis Independent School District in Montgomery County. "They were missing practice and were late."

After the players gave blood, they were given a sheet that warned against doing strenuous exercise for several hours, said Zemlicka, raising health issues, especially after the sudden deaths of four student athletes in the Houston area.

"Some players had given blood earlier in the morning and had time to recover," he said, unlike the six players removed from the team.


12-hour wait advised
The Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center, which conducted the blood drive, recommended participants wait 12 hours before using heavy equipment, driving a bus or performing rigorous activity, said spokeswoman Courtney Johnson.

However, she said the athletes should have been able to attend practice after resting 15 minutes and drinking orange juice. "They just needed to stay hydrated and be mindful that they had just given blood before overexerting," she said.

Willis is among hundreds of Houston-area high schools that hold regular blood drives. Johnson said she couldn't recall coaches ever complaining, although some may have instructed players against donating the day of a game.

The reinstated varsity players, including two captains, will be permitted to compete in Friday night's game against Huntsville if they complete some extra conditioning work, Zemlicka said.


Relieved parents
The coach, athletic director and high school principal had individual meetings with each player and his parents on Tuesday.

"I'm satisfied," said Diane Willis, whose son, Jayson Olner, is one of the captains. "But the true test will come when we see if they do get to play."

Elizabeth McKenna, the mother of another reinstated player, Phillip, also expressed relief. "The coach apologized and said he had not acted appropriately," she said.

Coach Mack Malone, a first-year head coach who graduated from Willis, could not be reached for comment.

But parents said none of the players had been warned not to give blood. Also, the players had been assigned and not chosen the times to make their donations.

The six players were shocked Monday when they were told to pack up their gear and that their high school career was over, parents said. The Willis team, which has not won any games this season, had three left to play.

Tom Garrett, whose son is a captain hoping to win a college scholarship, said he thinks the coach was "having a bad day and made a rash decision."

"It takes a big man to admit it. Now, if we can just win a football game," he said.

cindy.horswell@chron.com