To the Editor:

I am writing in response to the decision by The Guilderland School Board to cancel the dedication of their football field to Coach Bud Kenyon.

My name is Ken Rice and I am a former football player of Coach Kenyon. Myself and many other former players were planning on attending this dedication. Players from all over the country were excited by the opportunity to show our appreciation of Coach Kenyon.

Myself and many others are extremely disappointed in this decision to cancel the dedication. After reading the article in The Altamont Enterprise, it seems the opinions of a few shaped the decision of the school board. Why were the opinions of hundreds of former players not taken into consideration?

Coach Kenyon shaped my life. I had the honor of playing for Coach Kenyon for only one year. In that short period of time, he taught me many lessons that helped me become a dedicated football player, but more importantly helped shape my life.

I was a kid who had a very tough life, spending time in juvenile detention centers and moving from one foster home to another. I arrive in Greenwich as a sophomore, a kid who didn’t trust anybody.

Coach Kenyon changed that, he changed my life. He believed in me then, and he believes in me now.

There have been many times in my adult life when I have needed guidance and advice; Coach Kenyon has always been there. Willing to listen, support, and advise me on situations that had nothing to do with football.

I started coaching youth football 11 years ago, always staying in contact with Coach Kenyon, still listening and learning from him, many times having him attend my youth football games. Coach Kenyon even traveled to Vermont to attend an end-of-season football banquet for my young football players, giving motivation and uplifting speeches to these young players, continuing to shape young lives. And, years later watching film and giving advice to my own high school-aged son. Always helping and supporting myself, my players, and my own son, as well as many other former players.

Last Saturday, on a cold, rainy night, two youth football teams battled it out on the Greenwich football field. Brian Kuzmich, Mike Genevich, Pete Hughes, Mike Conlin, Heath Mullen, Bob Fish, and myself were at that game, all of us coaches. All of us his former players, now coaching against each other.

And, on that cold and rainy night, there was Coach Kenyon at 87 years old, walking up and down the sidelines — always a coach. He was there supporting his former players as well as those young football players — always a role model.

You chose an outstanding coach to dedicate your field to. You allowed Coach Kenyon and many others to make plans and become excited about this dedication. And now, only a week away, you take it all away? That was the wrong decision — there are many of us who will fight for our coach.

Ken Rice

Poultney, Vermont