What's Wrong with Hughson

Things got ugly at Husky Stadium Friday night. The Hughson High football team suffered what’s probably its worst loss in history, 65-0 at the hands of a team it beat last time they played hear a couple years ago. But that was a couple years ago. As things got uglier and uglier this time, both coaches agreed to let the clock run and sub the starters out. It was awkward, it was embarrassing. I felt so sorry for our boys. They seemed ashamed of themselves. I myself left early; gone before halftime. I got the pictures I needed and got out. I felt a little shame myself.
But no matter where I go, there I am. I drove by The Market shopping center. Pulse Fitness is closed, Coach House’s steak house is a distant memory; the tanning salon is empty. So many once hopeful businesses are boarded up and bankrupt. The town itself seems like it’s in disarray. The city clerk quit, the city manager’s about to get fired, the public works director is out on leave and practically out the door. Thom Clark, originally hired as the parks department manager, is now also the building and planning director and city manager pro tempore.
And more on sports  
In the 1990s I’m told, Hughson had championship football teams year after year. The wrestling squads beat everyone to oblivion and Husky basketball was always in playoff contention. As early as two years ago, the Hughson baseball club made it deep into the playoffs under Coach Marcel Avilla. Now Avilla is gone and legendary football Coach Reyn Franca is watching his grandkids. Track Coach Joel Bernard resigned last spring, the varsity volleyball coach quit and the Porters have long since stopped coaching our wrestling team. Even Ron Michael, a basketball mainstay the past 30 years, retired last spring. Coach Don Tetrick took over the Husky football program because nobody else would, or so I heard in the stands last Friday night.
I cannot understand why no wants to lead our student athletes. I’ve heard a lot of rumors and reasons why some on the council want to get rid of Joe Donabed. I’ve also heard plenty of accusations against David Chase, our missing public works director. But I can’t understand why no one wants to coach anymore. I’m told Coach Michael was tired after three decades, Coach Franca said he wanted to watch his grandkids grow up, Coach Avilla lost his day job at the high school as did Franca’s replacement George Harp, who managed a winning record before finding a pink slip in his mail box at the high school last spring. I saw Bernard’s resignation notice in a school board agenda earlier this year, but there was no explanation given. I’ve got to wonder if there’s some sort of conspiracy going on. I’ve asked people about it, including some of our current coaches, but no one seems concerned.
A call for action     
I would hope our parents and citizens are concerned. The number at city hall is 883-4055. Hughson Unified School District can be reached at 883-4428. Jim Schuller is the athletic director at the high school, Debra Davis is the principal and our superintendent of schools is Brian Beck. Our city council consists of Mayor Ramon Bawanan, Mayor Pro Tem Ben Manley and councilmen Dough Humphreys, Matt Beekman and Thom Crowder. My name is Frank George. I’m the editor of the Hughson Chronicle, our local newspaper. And man, do I ever welcome, hope and pray for letters to the editor and constructive criticism. I can be reached at 883-9215, while letters to the editor must be signed and sent to frankgeorge@midvalleypub.com.