LansingCurrent.com / Opinion: Lions can learn a lot from Didde

Archive for Saturday, March 1, 2008

March 1, 2008

Kansas City, Kan. — It's not easy to be the tail-busting, non-glory-seeking, team-first athlete, but that's who Stephen Didde has been throughout his four years at Lansing High School.

The senior hasn't cared about getting the post-game interview, having his picture in the paper or making the game-winning play.

Hard work is what Didde always has been about.

Unfortunately, athletes like him all too often are taken for granted by their teammates. People like that frequently are used by teammates to cut corners - "Oh, he'll pick up the slack" - rather than being viewed as the model that should be copied.

I hope Didde's teammates have been paying close attention to the way he's done things during the past few years, but sometimes I wonder if they've missed the opportunity.

Friday was one of those days. Lansing carried a 15-6 record into the Class 5A substate championship game against Topeka Seaman. The Lions struggled a bit Wednesday during their semifinal game, partially because one of his fellow seniors was held out of the game for not fulfilling his responsibilities at school. Still, the Lions persevered thanks in part to a 14-point effort by Didde. They survived the scare. Lesson learned : or so it seemed.

Things went from bad to worse on Friday. The same teammate who earned a benching Wednesday showed up late for the 5 p.m. team shoot-around. So did four others, including two more seniors (one was late because he went to pick up the other one). The three seniors involved all expect to play college football next year, but they can't show up on time for a late-afternoon shoot-around? They can't arrange for a ride from a teammate during eight hours at school? That's not going to impress any college coach.

Another was a junior who overslept.

The final one, a little-used sophomore, could have seized the opportunity created by the others' tardiness to step into the starting lineup and prove he deserved more playing time. Instead, he rolled in late, too.

Tardiness for practice is a no-no in team rules, and the policy is to hold a late player out of the starting lineup.

The lineup shakeup obviously rattled the Lions' rhythm early against Seaman, and they never recovered in a season-ending 58-42 loss.

Never one to complain or point fingers, Didde tried to pick up the slack by doing what he's always done - aggressively going after rebounds and scoring on put-backs. He knocked down a couple jumpers, too, and poured in a team-high 12 points. He grabbed rebounds and blocked a shot.

While chatting with Highland Park coach Ken Darting at halftime, Darting commented on Didde's play, saying: "I really like the way he plays. He's their best player."

For those who don't know who Darting is, he is the head coach of the defending state champions. His teams have won two of the last four Class 5A state titles and won 46 of their last 47 games.

The man knows basketball, and he respects hard-working, team-oriented players.

Darting respected Didde's effort Friday night. It was impossible not to, especially considering the underlying circumstances.

"The main thing was that Stephen Didde cares, and he gave it everything he had," said second-year LHS coach Rod Briggs. "He was ready to play tonight, and that's the big thing. That's : I'll just focus on Stephen. He was our captain and he did a great job for us."

Some of Didde's teammates lacked that same commitment, and they may have cost him a trip to state.

Didde didn't seem bothered by it after the game, although when pressed about the issue he admitted it was a distraction.

"We've kind of : not to talk down the team, but we've kind of had issues kind of like this all year," he said. "It was kind of frustrating that some of my senior dudes didn't show up, but : I don't know. That definitely takes a little momentum away no matter how mentally tough you try to be or try to battle through that."

Didde exemplifies the type of athlete that Lansing needs more of, and his teammates should have been paying closer attention. I know Cody Rush and Ryan Delich have been. That was evident in their improved work ethic throughout the season and in their constant hustle Friday night when things weren't going their way.

I just hope more Lions - both at the varsity and younger levels, in basketball and in other sports - appreciate how Didde works; how much he cares.

Many current Lansing High athletes owe their own success to Didde's willingness to put "we" before "me"; "team" before "self"; the good of the group ahead of the ego of one.

I hope they haven't taken him for granted.

I hope they'll adopt his mindset, so that they can do as he did Friday night and walk away from their final game - win or lose - with a smile on their face and know that they gave it their all.

"I just tried to work hard and have fun. That was my biggest thing," he said. "I had a great time all through sports, losing or winning. I had a great time with it. I just worked hard and did the best I could every time."

Discussion

LansingCurrent.com doesn't necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post.
Read our full policy. Also, read about banned accounts and harassing comments.

1 March 2008
at 9:52 p.m.

Suggest removal

Permalink

chris_hill (Anonymous) says…

This was an awesome article about Stephen, and it was well deserved based on what he has done for the Lions. However, the article went straight to the gutter when Wristen decided to villify the other seniors who were late for the shoot-around. He all but blamed them for the loss to Seamon. The way I see it, Lansing didn't lose that game, Seamon won it. That being said, Wristen attempted to make light of the accomplishments of the other seniors he mentioned by insinuating that they are selfish, not team oriented, and unworthy of their college football scholarships.

For a “trained” journalist to stoop to attacking the credibility of high school kids is deplorable. Maybe he should have watched the interview with OSU Coach Stoops a little closer.
3 March 2008
at 9:38 a.m.

Suggest removal

Permalink

Magilla_632 (Anonymous) says…

Chris Hill brings up some very valid points but I don't think it's complete enough. The only reason I'm reading this article is because someone I know brought it to my attention. I don't normally read the Current's sports section because of Chris Wristen and his unprofessional journalism. If I want local sports, I read the Times:.and I'm hardly the only one. I can spend my time vilifying Wristen but most people know that he's a little weasel that isn't a Lansing fan and is simply putting in his time until he can move on to something more deserving, in his mind (good luck and God speed, Chris).

But I think I would rather let Coach Briggs know that this would be a great time for him to step up for his players. If you want to be a fierce disciplinarian like Coach Knight or Coach Krzyzewski, then I ask that you complete the paradigm by fiercely defending your players from attacks by journalists. Your internal discipline should be handled and kept in-house:.Didde can be excused for throwing his teammates under the bus because he's a kid but Wristen showed his opportunism by setting him up. Don't let this guy tear up your team:.and despite what you may told to your face, that is what is happening now. Protect your brood like the Oklahoma State football coach and you'll win the total loyalty of your players & the trust of their parents. For example, Wristen should get no more interviews or information on the team until he apologizes to the team in person. He (& John Taylor) thinks that Lansing needs him more than he needs us:..lets show him different.
3 March 2008
at 11:01 a.m.

Suggest removal

Permalink

sargents26 (Anonymous) says…

Some of Didde's teammates lacked that same commitment, and they may have cost HIM a trip to state.

For your information, none of the boys made it to State. The TEAM didn't make it, not just him.
3 March 2008
at 12:35 p.m.

Suggest removal

Permalink

lansingstudent (Anonymous) says…

I think this article was very well written and justified.

Though I do think there were a few mistakes, and a few words could have been traded I think Mr. Wristen did a wonderful job in commending a well deserved basketball player. I feel that the only reason people are complaining and posting such ignorant comments is because they are aware that all of the writing in this article is true. Chris did his job as a journalist by reporting the truth. He gave the people of Lansing his opinions and his reasoning for making them. He laid the facts on the table, not to criticize the other players, but to show them the importance of being a good team member. Stephen Didde displayed all the attributes of a good, solid team captain so Chris Wristen decided to show the rest of Lansing what has been hidden from the media for so long. I applaud Mr. Wristen for his excellence in not only writing but reporting. If all of his articles in the future continue to report the same raw truth, I will definitely continue to be a Lansing Current reader.
3 March 2008
at 12:42 p.m.

Suggest removal

Permalink

arlington (Anonymous) says…

Bravo Chris for a very accurate opinion piece. Fact, 5 players showed up late. Fact, coach's rule to hold them out. Those are facts. No one is throwing anyone “under the bus” or vilifying anyone. What I read is that Chris Wristen saw a team that was ready to take that next step to state and felt that a few may have cost the team that trip to state. I don't feel he was vilifying anyone just criticizing them for their immature behavior. Yes, they are high school kids but several of them are off to college next year. Criticism is a part of life. Do you think a college coach would put up with showing up late for the most important game of the season? No way. Chris has finally shined a light on a problem that I know is talked about around many kitchen tables in Lansing. The behavior of some of the Lansing athletes and the coaches who play favorites. Bravo to Coach Briggs for holding true to his rule. That is not always the case with other coaches. Some let their favorite athletes get away with almost anything and those who are not their favorites but have talent are sometimes ignored. And quit teams out of frustration because their talents are abused or ignored. No one talks about it in the open because we don't want to be critical. But it's happened and continues to happen. When coaches start looking at their entire talent pool, actually uses all the talent there and make the athletes of Lansing play as a team then they'll be able to take that step to the state level. Right now the attitudes have most Lansing teams stalling at the finish line.

Chris Wristen and the staff at the Lansing Current have treated the athletes of Lansing with class. They are reporters. Not all reports are going to be fluff. Maybe you don't like what he wrote. He's entitled to his opinion. He used the facts and created an opinion after watching those kids in probably just about every game they played. He saw their potential and I think he was angered by the actions of a few who wreaked it for the entire team. Would the team have won and moved on to state if everyone was playing the entire game? We'll never know. What we do know is that 5 members of the team changed the complexion of said team. The rest is history.
3 March 2008
at 2:49 p.m.

Suggest removal

Permalink

WOW (Anonymous) says…

WOW ! This column (opinion) was intended to highlight Stephen Didde's willingness to do “what ever it takes” in order for the Lansing Lions to have the best chances of success. Way to go Stephen ! ! All successfull teams need players willing to put “we” before “me”. Stephen is not alone, there are a number of past, current and future Lansing athletes that have, and always will, put the team before individual accomplishments. I would hope that this is the DNA of all Lansing High School student athletes. After all, it is the common fabric that ties all team sports teams together ! Lets not forget that these are high school age individuals that want to be a part of a winning environment, and to my knowledge, would not purposely do anything to damage that opportunity. Kids will be kids - the good news is that they can learn and grow from all experiences.

Topeka Seaman clearly and decisively beat Lansing in every aspect of the game. They won the game and we were not competitive at any point of the game. Don't we teach our kids that … We win as a team and we lose as a team !

Enough said.

Congrats to the Lansing Lions on a wonderful season!!
3 March 2008
at 4:45 p.m.

Suggest removal

Permalink

Magilla_632 (Anonymous) says…

Lansingstudent
Please don't get the impression that Chris just reports the truth. He is a good writer that fixes opinion, innuendo and fact to paint a picture that he desires. That why he's not a good reporter but is a good writer. Sport writers have typically dictated “truth” and held themselves above reproach as being supposedly “impartial”:.Chris seems to be of that ilk. He didn't reveal that Didde was a good team captain:.we already knew that. He just took an internal team matter and published it for all to see. Allowing him to do that was the biggest break in team chemistry.

Arlington
Accurate piece, maybe. Though some of the facts are off from my perspective, that really isn't the issue. I guess the question isn't can he write this piece but should he? But let's look at your issues.
- You think the team was ready for state:I don't. They need to play a tougher non-district schedule. Seaman was battle tested:we weren't.
- Criticism is a part of life and should come from their coach & (to a much lesser extent) from their parents. Coach Briggs shouldn't have put up with them being late and was totally justified in his decision. But:.Wristen criticizing the players at the expense of their captain was horrible. The players, for the coach, for Didde. Who comes out of this in a positive light (other than Wristen):..the players who were late who are told before the entire community that they are the reason that the team didn't go to state:..the coach who doesn't have enough discipline on his team that the players would even do this and lets a reporter file a story like this about his players:..or poor Didde, alienating him from his teammates when they should be basking in the glory of a great season.

I started to address your other issues but I realized that you are really just mad that the team didn't meet your expectations and you're just helping Chris kick the proverbial dog. I'm not going to help you do that.

My last thing is that the Lansing Current staff doesn't “treat the athletes of Lansing with class”. They treat the winning athletes of Lansing with class. I just don't agree with that. All of our competitors are deserved to be treated with class:..the boy's basketball team, the band, the debate team. I guess that's the crux of my issue with Chris's reporting.

But I'm not going to discuss this anymore:.the fact that someone is actually supporting these articles means there is an anger and confusion that I can't get through. What can I say to someone that thinks the words in these articles are ok?
3 March 2008
at 5:41 p.m.

Suggest removal

Permalink

I_support_wristen (Anonymous) says…

With all due respect to the person who posted above me: I think that you have lost touch with realiy.

To actually go out and make a personal attack on a guy like Chris Wristen, when you admitted that you don't even read the Current is, frankly, the most nonsensical thing I have ever heard.

To claim that you go to the Leavenworth Times for sports news, but never the Current is in itself bizzare. As a Lansing athlete who often sits on the benches, I have only recieved mention in the Current.

And Debate, choir, Forensics, or any other non-athletic Lansing team being covered in the Times? Forget about it.

Chris and the Current do amazing things for the school and community. And to accuse him of unenthical journalism, or being anti-Lansing?

That statement is rediculous

Chris cares about the school, and the athletes more than some of the coaches do.

Here's my advice, next time you find yourself at a Lansing sporting event, and you happen to see Chris doing his thing. Talk to him. He will give you a complete rundown of the game so far. And after that he will take the time to talk to you about your activities.

In short, Chris is a journalist. He gets paid to analyze and write. This was an Opinion peice. He wrote his opinion and some people couldn't take it. If we really want to move forward as a community, we need voices like Chris
3 March 2008
at 5:58 p.m.

Suggest removal

Permalink

arlington (Anonymous) says…

For Magilla_632

You asked if Chris should write this piece? Why not? How does a coach or a reporter explain such a huge change in a line up. Should they lie? Cover it up? Letting a reporter file such a report? Are you talking about censorship? The team members who showed up late put their coach, their team and their local reporter into this sitution. This is life warts and all. They were late and they had to sit out. Whether that changed the out come no one will ever know.

My comments have nothing to do with whether I'm “mad” or disappointed that they didn't make it to state. I don't have a dog in this fight. Light was shed on a bigger problem with Lansing sports. You can blame the reporter but he's reporting what he saw. Many do NOT play as a team and time and time again teams fall short. I will agree that the KVL does NOT help because it is NOT competitive enough. I am disappointed in both coaches and athletes that do NOT even try to play as a team. Team play has to be encouraged by the coaches and the athletes them self. If that happens it's a win all around. Being a good team mate are skills for a good life.
3 March 2008
at 6:19 p.m.

Suggest removal

Permalink

local_resident (Anonymous) says…

I believe Chris Wristen values the sports programs at LHS. As a parent of a child involved in sports at Lansing, I appreciate his efforts. Over 4 years, I've read articles by Chris on a variety of boys and girls sports. I've watched as Chris has interviewed athletes and coaches for the next issue of the Current. He's always prepared, and coach and student alike seem to talk to Chris with ease. I've also watched Chris interact with an entire team with a gentle class. There may be LHS students interested in sports journalism because of Chris' interaction with the athlete. I've often said Chris has a nice ability to treat the sport he is covering at the moment, and the students who are participating in it, as his favorite.
3 March 2008
at 8:25 p.m.

Suggest removal

Permalink

sportsanalyst1011 (Anonymous) says…

It's apparent that the lions were just out coached and the Lions coach is trying to blame his players for a loss, which a coach should never do if he cares about the morale of his players. You are supposed to support your players after a loss like this not put them down or single out others. I do not know how you can blame a loss on your players for being a little tardy to a shoot around or warm-up, it seems to me that the the Lions coach needed an outlet to blame his loss on so he went to the tardiness of his players.
3 March 2008
at 8:29 p.m.

Suggest removal

Permalink

anotherlansingstudent4wristen (Anonymous) says…

Correct me if I'm wrong (Magilla) but I believe the first word of the headline is Opinion (a belief not based on absolute certainty or positive knowledge but on what seems true, valid, or probable to one's own mind- Webster's Dictionary). Chris expressed his opinion in this article just like you have been doing in your comments you have been posting. You said you didn't want to spend your time “vilifying” Chris but based on the amount of comments you have posted compared to everyone else, it looks like you are trying to “vilify” him.

You seem to favor the leavenworth times, but until Chris Wristen and The Lansing Current posed a threat to the leavenworth times, did the times actually increase their reporting on Lansing sports. Before The Current was established the times mainly reported on Leavenworth and Imac (haha)… hence, leavenworth times

Chris has always been there, reporting for us (athletes) and encouraging us to do better.

Chris keep doing what you do. Don't let any of these comments get to you. It was a great article and some people are just mad the article wasn't about them or their son.

Boys basketball: good job this season, good luck with spring sports for those of you that play, and good luck next year if your a returning player.
3 March 2008
at 8:42 p.m.

Suggest removal

Permalink

anonymous (Anonymous) says…

Everyone here giving their opinion can go on about Chris, but the bottom line is, what he wrote about came from Coach Briggs. There was no way Chris could know about the tardies without Coach Briggs putting it out there. And to blame tardy players for the loss is ridiculous. Everyone needs to keep in mind that the players were tardy according to the Coach's direction, however, they weren't late to where it was detrimental to the game. Before most athletic events the requirements of being at the school are usually 1-1.5 hours prior to just leaving for a game let alone the actual start. You can't tell me this caused the team to lose a basketball game, give me a break. And it was commented that this whole event changed the lineup of the game— it did for about 60 seconds and then the starting lineup was right back in. Coach Briggs made a 60 second point. Maybe that's why the players feel they can do as they please. If you attended the game you would know Lansing JUST got beat. They were out hustled, out shot, out rebounded, basically just outplayed. Tardies did not lose the game, the team did. The “team” for the most part, excluding Stephen, played like it wasn't important. To be honest, I'm a little surprised Stephen got kudos in an article because he was robbed the whole season. He played a good amount but not nearly what he should have for being the hardest working kid on the team. The reason for that is (this is for you arlington) because too many “favorites” were played. Arlington thinks Coach Briggs didn't play favorites which makes me believe some of these comments come from people that didn't watch many games during this season. A lot of games were all about favorites or their record may have been a little better.

Here we are, people blaming a little tardiness for losing a game that could have moved the team to state. It's just an excuse………..nothing more, nothing less. Most coaches preach “no excuses” but we have to hear them from the coach. It really doesn't say much for leadership, hence the disrespect and tardiness of his players. Team respect, motivation and drive come about from strong leadership, lets not blame just the kids for the loss. The debate could go on forever about who should have done what. I'd like to know, from some of the returning players, what this article has done for their morale and desire to return next year. It'd be interesting I'm sure. Should we really try to chase kids away from our programs? With all that being said, Stephen Didde is a great kid, player and role model for the underclassman and very deserving of this article praising him.
3 March 2008
at 9:32 p.m.

Suggest removal

Permalink

local_lion (Anonymous) says…

Chris,
Again this was an article worth reading !!!! I do happen to support your view even though others may not …It was in the opionion section for a reason …everyone is entitled to one!! Im sorry that a few boys had a defensive response to this sometimes it is hard to hear you have acted in a way that has let someone down….That is what happened ..Rules are set and now people are blaming the coach for following through …give me a break!!!! They knew the price they would pay for being late and still that was thier choice!!! He held them accountable isn't that what real life is about …And furthermore I don't think Chris was wrong for the college comment …They may be in High School now but have made commitments to play sports in College being late could end up costing them a scholorship … No names where mentioned the boys know who they are and maybe this should be used as a wake up call ….Sometimes no matter how good you are someone who shows more initiative can bypass you ….and that skill does not surpass the rules.

And as for Didde ….He deserves to be recognized for the kid he is ––Good Job–– !!!!!! Didde does what he does because that is the kid he is ….And it isn't just sports .. He would never ask for this article he wouldn't even blame anyone for a loss …He just rolls with it and gives his best to whatever it maybe ……

Chris please do not let this discourage you in any way …I look forward to your articles as do others to be able to read about our kids and their achievements is a highlite…. I personally think you just put in writting what you saw and it isn't anything that others aren't aware of …
3 March 2008
at 10:04 p.m.

Suggest removal

Permalink

local_lion (Anonymous) says…

For Magilla_632

Your comments were so rude …..I think it is obvious you have never spoke to Mr. Wristen …If you have a problem with events not being covered I think a simple email to advise him of your views would have been sufficient not a slam ….some one needs to grow up …You are obviously feeling left out and I think your opinion makes you a wessel!
3 March 2008
at 10:35 p.m.

Suggest removal

Permalink

concerned_citizen (Anonymous) says…

I have an observation for the board:

It is my understanding from talking to people at the game (Wristen you should have checked with my sources) that even after arriving at Turner, Briggs was still consumed with two of the players showing up 5 min late to the 5pm shoot-around. Remember, that would have been 2hr 30min earlier.

If you have seen his act on the sideline with the officials, then you can easily imagine him not being able to move past that and get mentally prepared for the game. As the “leader” of the team, how would you expect him to instill confidence prior to the biggest game of the year if he is harping on “why they may lose”? He needs to get a grip on his emotions. This smells like a pattern and you could probably trace it back to Liberal and wherever else he's been.
4 March 2008
at 7:57 a.m.

Suggest removal

Permalink

RHauver (Anonymous) says…

For the record

My son was not only on time, but early to the shoot around. Upon recieving a call , while at the high school, from a teammate that was in need of a ride - he made a decision to assit his fellow teammate with the knowledge and understanding that there may be penalties.

I support this tough decision and would expect the same decision 10 out of 10 times give the same scenario, because what if it was my son or daughter who needed the ride - would a teammate and/ or a coach help them ? I certainly would think so each and everytime.

Congrats to the entire TEAM for a season that they should be proud of!

R Hauver
4 March 2008
at 11:45 a.m.

Suggest removal

Permalink

lansingfan (Anonymous) says…

If you go to any Lansing events you have seen Chris there,maybe even talked to him. If you have watched or talked to Chris you know he does his home work. The story causing all these comments, including this one, is titled opinion. Everyone has one they often do not agree, but, we do have a right to express them. Lansing is lucky to have a reporter so involved with all sports. He doesnt write off of releases or statistics or 2nd hand info. He is there and talks to any one interested about any sport or situation. This is not the best of situations, but shooting the messenger is not the answer.
4 March 2008
at 8:12 p.m.

Suggest removal

Permalink

LionFan42 (Anonymous) says…

I totally and completely agree with everything that Chris has said. Stephen is a great player and didn't get what he deserved from his team. Chris stated the truth and the truth was that FIVE boys were late to practice and being in high school and on varsity you should be responsible enough to make it to practice on time for a sub state championship game and not to is just ridiculous!!! i don't care about what everybody's else opinion was because in actuallity Chris is entitled to his own opinion and I do believe he is right. The boys think that they can do whatever they want with no consequences and that is wrong and that is why Coach Briggs didn't start them. I am glad that Chris posted this because behind all the fame and pictures of the boys, now people know that they are not that golden team that people thought were so amazing and looked up to and now people know what actually happened, because what was written is the exact truth and I think people think this is harsh, but no its the truth, and sometimes the truth is harsh. I LOVE this article and I LOVE Chris, I think that he is a great reporter and is doing his job by telling people what the lions boys actually do…and its kinda of sad in a way and makes them look really bad, but if they didn't want to look bad they could have just showed up on time….well go chris!!!!
4 March 2008
at 9:11 p.m.

Suggest removal

Permalink

concerned_citizen (Anonymous) says…

This has gotten just plain silly. People are coming on here and defending Wristen!?! He did not bring to light a problem that “plagued” the team all year. That is just not true.

How many of those kids had been late previously? I know the answer to that question, Briggs knows the answer to that question, and many of you reading (and replying) to these comments know the answer. Those kids being late was not premeditated.

What I love about this situation is that each of those young men are moving on to bigger and better things. Unfortunately, we are stuck with Briggs and Wristen and people looking for excuses when Briggs' teams don't perform.

Guys, you have provided great leadership in both football and basketball. No matter what these haters say (including Wristen), there are more of us that are extremely proud of you!!
4 March 2008
at 9:54 p.m.

Suggest removal

Permalink

I_support_wristen (Anonymous) says…

It's not that people are not proud of the team

In fact I am very proud of them having made it as far as they have.

And I believe that Chris is just as proud as everyone else in our town

But he saw what he thought was a problem and brought it into the spotlight

As for Briggs

Although I may have some problems with Mr. Briggs as a teacher

I have seen that he has nothing but love for his team and the sport of basketball

He cares about the Lansing program so much that, at least as I have seen it, he trhows everything to the side to do his job

Briggs is a good coach, Wristen is a good journalist

Argument done
5 March 2008
at 9:13 a.m.

Suggest removal

Permalink

lionssports (Anonymous) says…

Some facts are that two of the same players were disciplined during football for the exact same ordeal. It's not like these two are new to the punishment, one of which barely got to play on Senior Night and I support that. Anyone who cannot follow the rules or at least tell the coach that his teammate needs a ride should be punished, if these boys didn't want this published then maybe they should of thought about what they were doing before they did it. All of them are irresponsible, and deserve what they are getting. Good Job Chris