I have been asked to be the administrator for my son's high school summer team. Team has paid coaches but logistics such as scheduling games and tournaments, collecting fees, ordering hats and jerseys, etc. falls on the administrator. Understand that this is the first year the team has paid (i.e. non-parent)coaches--HS coach assists but until this year everything was voluntary and everybody got along fine.
So we have our organizational meeting a few nights ago--coaches for 16U and 18U and the two administrators. I get handed the roster for 16U and then coaches start discussing reservations about one or two players, mostly frosh who haven't been seen much yet. But one player is last to be offered invite--if left off, would be only soph not invited to play. Concern is that this player will likely see little playing time and parents are already upset that player is seeing little playing time on JV, are likely to make a ruckus if kid doesn't play much, are likely to make a bigger ruckus if kid isn't invited to play on team at all. (Parents have a history of making ruckuses).
Here's the first twist: Player's parents are my (and my DH's) best friends. When composition of team was first discussed, player was not included (as I said, only soph left off--eight invited). I asked, "What about ________?" Hesitation, mention that kid is great kid, uh, mention of past ruckuses by parents, hemming and hawing, not sure kid is ready to play at next level, etc. I say fine, not my decision, team is picked by coaches, etc.
When I get roster, player is included, but I am told inclusion is MY call--i.e. player is on team as a courtesy to me!!!
What do I do now?
My inclination is to have player treated like any other player, notified by coach and I say NOTHING to parents regarding circumstances of selection. It is NOT my business and coaches did put him on team and that is all anyone needs to know. But player is likely to see little playing time and ruckuses will definitely ensue.
Do I talk to my friends? If so, what do I tell them? What's the ethical thing to do here?
Beepers
"I am thankful for my mom, my dad, my brother, my sister, my dog, my house, and most of the furniture."
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