A lot has gone on in Macomb these past couple days.  Coach Moore has been suspended indefinitely from the soccer program.  Rumors also state that his job and the entire soccer program may be at stake as well.  On Thursday, the 11th of September, the members of the soccer team were notified that Coach Moore would no longer be involved with the soccer program for the time being, but were not notified why that was.  In response to the school's decision to suspend Coach Moore, the entire varsity team chose to sit out their Thursday night game against Jacksonville.  Rumors of allegations have been made against Coach Moore and the Macomb Soccer Program involving hazing of team members.  This "hazing" has been narrowed down to an activity known to many as "the pit".  For those who don't know, "the pit" refers to when two players call each other out (they are both in agreeance) to a wrestling match, while the remainder of the team forms a circle around the match as a sort of boundary.  In essence, it's teenage boys being boys by wrestling each other in an organized way. The pit was established by players (NOT Coach Moore) as a way for players to gain respect by way of man to man combat, to encourage players to be more physical with their play, but above all to bring the team together in a fun and controlled way outside of the soccer field.  For the last three years Coach Moore has always warned against such activities, stressing the fact that such activities could be taken as hazing and could damage the soccer program and his job.  According to inside sources, these "pitting" activities haven't even occurred on Coach Moore's watch, but rather without his consent or supervision at locations off school ground.  Also, from what I understand and from personal experience, no players were ever forced into partaking in such activities.  Those are the facts.  We all know and love Coach Moore.  He has done more for the soccer program in Macomb, than all the coaches combined have done for their respective sports teams.  He literally brought soccer to Macomb. He has been helping coach since the soccer program's pioneer start in 2001 and has been head coach since 2003.  He has put his blood, sweat and tears into shaping what the soccer program is today.  Since the programs start, Coach Moore has led the team to 3 Regional Championships, a Sectional Championship, two Sweet Sixteen appearances, and one Elite Eight appearance.  He has made the soccer program into the most successful sports program of the last 10 years, despite the fact that it is one of the youngest; what an incredible feat.  It's not only what Coach Moore has done during the season, but it's what he has done during the off season.  For the last 10 years he has held a summer soccer camp for young kids interested in the game, where he annually gets between 50 and 80 kids to attend.  Coach Moore pushed hard for the soccer team to get a new field to practice and play on.  In 2010, he got the clearance to do so.  He drew up the plans for a new field to be built behind Edison School.  Through the 2010 and 2011 seasons, both Coach Moore and the current soccer team worked hard to build their own field that they would play on; that I would play on.  Day in and day out, Coach Moore worked hard tilling, composting and hydro seeding.  He literally built the soccer program and the soccer field from the ground up.  After the field was finished, he decided that was not enough.  He drew up plans for two dual purpose dugout/ rebound walls to be added just off the field.  He poured the concrete, dug out holes for the posts and constructed the walls of the dugout with the help of the team.  Coach Moore has always strived to get the soccer program the equipment and facilities they needed and deserved, often times paying for such equipment out of his own pocket.  There is not a single other coach in Macomb High School that cares for the well being of their team and program, more than Coach Moore does for soccer.  There is not a teacher or coach in the high school who is a more decent man than Coach Moore.  Coach genuinely cares about his students and his players.  He is a kind and respectful man.  He is also incredibly generous, often times going out of his way to help out kids who may not get a lot of help from home.  Whether it's paying for their meal at McDonalds or giving words of encouragement to those in desperate need, he is always more than happy to lend a hand.  On top of all of the things Coach Moore has done for all of us and for the soccer program in general, no one in Disctrict 185 is more qualified to coach high school soccer, than he is.  He played growing up in highschool and played in semi professional leagues in Europe.  He knows and loves the game.  He knows what it takes to win.  Folks, we know what Coach Moore stands for.  Does such a man as described above sound like someone who would encourage or even condone such hazing practices?  My answer is NO.  Did this "pitting" occur?  Absolutely.  Did Coach Moore allow it to happen on his watch?  No.  I believe from personal experience, that Coach Moore did in fact do his best to prevent such "hazing" practices, especially these last three years and should therefore not be punished for the insubordinate actions of several players.  Punishing a coach for unapproved actions taken off school grounds and out of his control would be ridiculous and childish.  Please join me in signing this petition, with hopes to get Coach Moore reinstated as head coach of the Macomb High School Boys Soccer Team.  Also, PLEASE share this petition (on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc) with anyone and everyone who has ever known, been taught by or been coached by the man we all love, that is Jeff Moore.  Thank you all for taking the time to read this.  #StandForMoore 

Sincerely,

Eli Blasi