104-4 rout violates AAU tenets

One-hundred-four to 4 – that is the score from a recent game in an AAU tournament in Moses Lake.

My son (who did not play in the game) participates in AAU basketball and before he could join the team and play in their sanctioned events, his mother and I had to sign a commitment that called for a high degree of sportsmanship. Included in the agreement were specifics on maintaining the dignity of all participants and the integrity of the game.

How is 104-4 consistent with what AAU requires? It would be too easy to blame the winning coach for the lack of character and class this game displayed. Blame, however, needs to be shared all around – tournament directors, referees, AAU officials, and particularly, we parents who also agreed to AAU’s requirements – if we do not speak up and say this was wrong because of the damage it does to all connected to AAU basketball.

I respectfully request a response from the leaders of Spokane’s AAU organization because the winning team in this travesty is from our city. Parents, players and coaches have a stake in making this right and not allowing it to happen again.

David C. Butler

Liberty Lake