Nancy Lazenby-Blaser says the Central Coast Section handles 700
eligibility cases each year.
Nancy Lazenby-Blaser says the Central Coast Section handles 700 eligibility cases each year.
And those involving basketball players Spencer Ford, Lorenzo Dobson and Javin Charlot weren’t even the only ones involving Gilroy High athletes on her desk at that particular time (just ask girls’ soccer coach Jose Hernandez, who is awaiting paperwork on two of his girls).
As Jonathan and Sandra Ford, William Dobson and Tanya Charlot gathered Friday in the CCS office in San Jose, they along with everyone else associated with the GHS boys’ basketball program, were awaiting a resolution. Spencer Ford and Lorenzo Dobson were at Milpitas High School last year, Javin Charlot was at Oak Grove. Because of recruiting implications, a hearing was held by the CCS to determine their eligibility at Gilroy.
While it is impossible for me or anyone affiliated with GHS to know what was going on in the parents’ minds, they obviously had the best interest of their children at heart.
And isn’t that what is most important in a parent’s life? Regardless of any ulterior motives, these parents and others are responsible for their kids’ welfare. Some parents take it more seriously than others.
Be assured, the Fords, William Dobson and Tanya Charlot take their kids’ welfare seriously. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have spent 2 1/2 hours in the CCS office pleading their cases. They could have taken the easy way out, blaming society for the hardships placed on African-American families.
Sandra Ford admitted she wants to see her 6-10 1/2 son, Spencer, get a college basketball scholarship. After all, who wouldn’t want their child to receive a free education and play basketball in college? The pricetag of a four-year education varies greatly by institution, but $100,000 is a good round figure to start.
“We can’t afford that type of money,” said Jonathan Ford, who pointed out the expenses of clothing, shoes and bedding for a youngster just under 7-feet. “Sure, we want what’s best for our son.”
Their son struggled with his grades at Milpitas. No amount of cajoling, threats or promises could motivate Spencer as his junior year drew to a close. The Fords fretted about whether their son would even get into college.
That’s when they said they decided a change of scenery was necessary. To get an idea of what type of young man he is, Spencer, now an honor roll student, was visible on the GHS bench during the Mustangs’ opener a week ago with Valley Christian. Not only did he offer encouragement, he actually pulled Kevin Siha and Jason Conrad aside to demonstrate proper techniques. He did so as a teammate, not as a know-it-all. After all, Ford had no way of knowing at the time whether he would even be wearing a Gilroy uniform.
That’s when I became a fan of the young man. I had avoided contact with him, Dobson or Charlot while their eligibility issues were being resolved out of respect for them and their families.
Meanwhile, a testy coach Bud Ogden felt he was walking on eggshells whenever the subject was broached. Contemporaries of Ogden, even those at Milpitas and Oak Grove, vouch for his integrity. Ogden has even hinted to me that he left Valley Christian where he had previously coached because there were some who thought he should more actively pursue available players.
Now that the eligibility issues have been resolved, Ogden will deal with increased expectations as will the GHS basketball team. And Ogden will also have to deal with parents whose children were part of the program in the past who will be on the bench more than they anticipated.
Here’s hoping the parents and community don’t put too much heat on Ogden. His job this season will be more difficult than anyone can possibly imagine.
Contact Marc David at (408) 842-1694 or at md****@sv**********.com.
