Renegade Sports Center Owner Scolds Soccer Parents, Coaches for Bad Behavior

In an email earlier this month, the owner of Renegade Sports Center blasted coaches and parents of players in the facility's youth indoor soccer leagues for their behavior, calling it disrespectful and urging them to focus on the children instead of themselves.

"I’m going to be very harsh on this next statement so if you take any offense to it then maybe a reality check in the mirror might be worth a look for you,” Bill Kane, owner of Renegade, wrote in the email. “WE ARE NOT HERE FOR YOU, WE ARE HERE FOR YOUR CHILDREN AS IT’S ABOUT THEM, NOT YOU!”

Kane wrote that in his 15 years of running the facility, “this year by far has seen the most parent, coach and player drama.” He went on to say that the attitude of parents and coaches is a symptom of a “ME World” where it is “all about ME.”

“The parent on parent verbal fights in the stands, the coach on coach verbal attacks during the games, the coach verbal attacks of the referees (many of them youth referees I might add), the consistent approach of throwing a tantrum because you lost a game or blaming the loss on team members, coaching, reffing, or because it’s raining outside,” Kane wrote. “Simply put, YOU ARE IN NO WAY TEACHING OUR CHILDREN HOW TO ACT!”

Further, Kane said it was reported that coaches offered bribes to players to check other players into the boards around the field. He also said coaches often argue with referees and said parents and coaches were reportedly talking trash to youth players on the field during the soccer games. 

“I have signs posted in both areas not to stand in those areas and not to COACH OR TALK to players during the game from those spots,” Kane wrote. “But, because of the world we live in no one cares to pay attention to those signs and ignores our rules at the facility. We are now at the point where two girls during the game squared off to fight!”

The Background

Renegade Sports Center is a 24,000-square-foot facility on Fargo Road that has an indoor soccer field, indoor baseball and softball cages and hosts summer camps, among other attractions. The facility also hosts several youth indoor soccer leagues, where Kane alleges parents and coaches are setting bad examples for the children he is trying to develop.

“I’m here to provide an opportunity for kids to learn and have fun playing sports,” Kane wrote in the email. “These are the fun times we as parents never get back … Please do not take it for granted as time passes far quicker than we can control."

Kane wrote that if a parent or coach has a problem with a referee or with anything at the facility, they should meet after him after the game and not yell in front of children. He said the email will serve as his last warning and anyone who argues with the referees or causes an “unsafe fun and family environment” will be asked to leave Renegade and not return.

“I’m not stuck in the emotional have to win at all cost state of mind,” Kane wrote. “I’m here to provide an opportunity for kids to learn and have fun playing sports.”

Two voicemails by Patch, one left Monday and one left Tuesday, were not returned by Kane. In February of 2011, Patch ran a story on Renegade after two assistant coaches were suspended for arguing at the facility during a 16-and-17-year-old game, and one of the coaches allegedly threw a punch at the other.

The Full Email

Happy Holidays from Renegade Sports Center,

I would like to make a statement on behalf of the facility. At no point in time will we allow anyone to cause disruptions at the facility with improper behavior and poor judgment. We as parents, coaches, and fans have not been setting the right example when things may go or not go our way in terms of playing a game. In the 15 years that I have run the facility, this year by far has seen the most parent, coach and player drama. Unfortunately our society has led us down this path of the “ME World” where is all about ME. We at Renegade Sports Center do not follow the same method of thinking, nor recognize anyone who wishes to act in such ridiculous behavior in front of children as it’s NOT to be tolerated. The parent on parent verbal fights in the stands, the coach on coach verbal attacks during the games, the coach verbal attacks of the referees (many of them youth referees I might add) the consistent approach of throwing a tantrum because you lost a game or blaming the loss on team members, coaching, reffing, or because it’s raining outside. Simply put, YOU ARE IN NO WAY TEACHING OUR CHILDREN HOW TO ACT! I’m in this business to help children of all levels play sports and have fun while achieving team and personal goals. I will not tolerate obnoxious behavior or destructive behavior simply because a call during the game didn’t go your way. It’s been reported that coaches are offering bribes to check other players into the boards. It’s been reported that parents or fans are talking trash to players on the field behind the goal area and side entrance to the field. I have signs posted in both areas not to stand in those areas and not to COACH OR TALK to players during the game from those spots. But, because of the world we live in no one cares to pay attention to those signs and ignores our rules at the facility. We are now at the point where two girls during the game squared off to fight! The question to ask yourself is, how could WE as Parents, WE as Coaches and WE as fans, allowed it get to this point…. We as coaches and parents should be teaching, not trying to win at all costs. If you teach, the winning will take care of itself. If you as coaches and parents think before you act, that would show all of our children how to lead and know better when situations arise. If we consistently over react, then what will our children do? If we yell at the referee and  show disrespect our players see that, then what will they do? Debating rules during a game with referees and the person who created Renegade’s house rules which are modified FIFA rules is simply wrong because you are unprepared as a coach. You should have taken the time to read, in detail, our facility rules and follow them. You as coaches and many parents should also be included if you wish to bang on the glass and yell at the top of your lungs, get more involved by reading the updated FIFA rules and facility rules before causing a disruption…. I’m going to be very harsh on this next statement so if you take any offense to it then maybe a reality check in the mirror might be worth a look for you….

WE ARE NOT HERE FOR YOU, WE ARE HERE FOR YOUR CHILDREN AS IT’S ABOUT THEM, NOT YOU!

Will they have any respect for anyone in charge if they see this behavior coming from the people closest to them is acceptable? It should not take me typing out hundreds of irresponsible situations that I have come across since November to figure out how we all can make a positive difference in our children’s lives by leading by example. I’m here for each and every child that walks through our doors. I’ve seen some grow from 8 years old watching a sibling play to now in our high schools leagues. Outside of Renegade I’ve created opportunities through sports that have helped many go on to play in college so I would like to think I have a clear vision of the real picture at hand.  I’m not stuck in the emotional have to win at all cost state of mind. I’m here to provide an opportunity for kids to learn and have fun playing sports. These are the fun times we as parents never get back… Please do not take it for granted as time passes far quicker than we can control. With that said, there will be no more warning as they have already been used up! Anyone causing an unsafe fun and family environment will be asked to leave the facility and not return. If you have an issue with something as a parent, please address your coach after the game so he then can address it with me. If coaches have an issue with a referee, they can set up an appointment with me and the official. At no point in time will referee abuse continue, they can’t possibly see every call they way you do. If any parent, player, or coach as issues with something another parent, player or coach , please direct it to me so that I may handle the situation. I’m here to be fair, firm and consistent while providing a safe and fun environment for our children.

Thank you for taking to time to read this email and I can only hope we make a change together for the better of our children….

Bill