Years ago, my son and many of his current teammates, around the age of five began playing baseball at the Temple Rec Department. They continued to play ball on the middle school and now high school level. They have had many "coaches" along the way but none quite like Coach Kenneth Brown. Coach Brown was more than just a coach, he was a great role model and mentor who chose to lift his players up even when they "failed". He encouragingly passed along his knowledge of the game without losing the excitement and joy in the process. He earned their love and respect and ultimately, he taught them to stand up for what you believe in.

As we learned of previous coach’s first attempt to leave Temple, there were mixed emotions. That coach came to Temple and put a lot of time and effort into changing the baseball program, however, he lost sight of what was important, his players. There were several times and instances he and his coaching staff did not live up to the standards they set forth for their players. They were at times, demeaning, demoralizing and caused several players to walk away from baseball entirely. Even when games were won, they focused on the errors, even telling one player he should not apply to college if that is how he was going to play. They created group messages that involved the coaches putting down their own team and how they would react/lose to the opposing team. They cussed, screamed and defeated their own players before they ever had a chance to step foot on the field. They created a "screw it" attitude in their players, because they knew win or lose, it would not be good enough. Most importantly baseball became more like a dead-end job, lacking any kind of enjoyment. As a parent, I hated watching my son dread doing something he had loved so much. I also hated watching what could have been an amazing coach fail to see how his actions, words, lack of confidence in certain players and chosen staff were part of what was hindering their success.

My son's sophomore year, he played for both the JV and Varsity teams. The previous coach headed the varsity team and Coach Brown coached the JV team. Watching the difference in the morale, attitude and performance of the two different teams was undeniable. I realized the main difference was FEAR. With The previous coach. and staff, the team feared his criticism, shame and punishment. With Coach Brown they feared letting someone they respected down. I watched as the JV team gave it their all at each game because they knew their value was not solely placed on whether they won. We knew that after that season Coach Brown would be stepping down. Of course, the players were disappointed but so were the parents, even though we understood his reasons for doing so. He did not agree with the treatment of the players nor the coaching methods. On several occasions, I saw him tend to players that were upset by something done or said by the previous coach or his staff. We believe Coach Brown left, not because he didn't see potential in our boys but because he didn't see potential in our coaching staff and the effect they were having on the team. In my opinion, the opposite of why the previous coach tried to leave several times.

We do not understand why another coach who became physical with his son, who was one of the players, is still allowed to coach sports yet a coach with over 20 years experience, had one of the best seasons with the JV team, who has the support of the players, parents and community was not the first pick when the position became available. This petition is in no way against the new interim baseball coach, his character or coaching ability. This petition is for our boys, and our belief they deserved a dedicated, full-time coach. We feel that the new coach's time will be torn between coaching football and baseball, leaving our boys to fend for themselves during football season.

This year my son and several of his teammates, are seniors. this is his last year playing a sport he truly loves and with teammates he started playing with 12 years ago. We see their potential, we see them practice during the summer, on their off days and working to be the team they have been told they aren't. We as parents are asking that you give them a coach that sees their potential also. A coach who has the skills and knowledge to lead them, who has developed relationships with them on and off the field. A coach who is backed by players, parents, grandparents and siblings. Each name below asks that Coach Kenneth Brown be given the position as Head Baseball Coach for Temple High School. We stand behind him and believe that our boys, team and program will be in great hands.