Editor:

To my parents and team supporters:

I have coached kids for 30 years. I have coached in Oakley for 15 years. If you have read my previous letters to the editor, then you know how much my players mean to me. What you don't know is how blessed I have been with my parents.

In my 30 years I have had a handful (probably five) disagreements with parents. I have coached swimming, baseball, soccer and water polo. Swimming and baseball parents have a reputation of their own.

I have met so many people who coach. The glory of these meetings is that I can say I have not had many encounters with parents who are out of control.

What does this mean to this editor letter?

It means: thank you. Thank you to all you parents that have given me the pleasure of knowing, teaching your kids. I only hope that you and your children got some thing in return from me.

It means: thank you to the parents my players have competed against and shown good sportsmanship.

It means: thank you to those whom I was fortunate to interact with on my refereeing/umpiring days - they realized I was there to do my best - and to those who did the same.

In today's "Me" society, I am proud to say most, if not all, my kids over the past 16 years get it.

The biggest gratitude goes to my parents, who also get it.

To my players' parents: I give you praise. Your willingness to be involved with your kids' lives is huge. You are friends, but more importantly, you are parents to your kids. You have set the boundaries every kid rebels against, yet they love to have. Those boundaries show you care. To my parents (Ted and Addie), you gave me life and direction.

To my wife (Annamarie, parent to my kids): you gave me support and two boys that enjoy people and most importantly understand the meaning of respect.

Congratulations and thank you to all. I am a better person for knowing you.

Coach Thad

Oakley