Thousands of kids all over Stapleton are involved in many sports, including baseball, football, LAX, wrestling, basketball, swimming, and more. Stapleton kids are often on the same teams, and usually from all over Stapleton’s eight boroughs. Sometimes, Stapleton kids are even on teams with non-Stapleton kids, which historically hasn’t been a problem. Recently, classism has unfortunately made its way into Stapleton youth sports when U9 Mustang soccer coach Brad Becker was caught on tape making negative comments about Stapleton residents living in Bluff Lake.
Becker had a phone call unknowingly recorded by Mustang assistant coach Jim Bolsem who lives in Eastbridge and has friends in Bluff Lake. “I don’t necessarily want some of these Bluffies (Bluff Lake Residents) traveling on the team van,” said Becker in the recording. “I don’t want to be sitting in the same area as those people, and frankly, I don’t think you (Bolsem) want to either.” Becker, an upper class North Central Park resident, continued to make remarks mocking those from Bluff Lake. “I mean, will we have to give them meal money? Will they pay their share for gas…(laughing).”
Bolsem recorded the conversation as he wanted to make sure there was no misunderstanding when he decided to go public with allegations of Becker’s rampant classism. “He has been making comments all season,” said Bolsem. “And not just about the parents, sometimes about the kids. For example, he quietly mocked a player’s Adida’s Predator Accelerator shoes, which are a top five soccer shoe, but aren’t quite as nice or expensive as the Adidas Predator LZ shoe.” East Soccer League President Rob Stagemeyer said they have not decided on what action to take, but there would be severe action. “Soccer, and our league, stand for inclusion, not exclusion,” said President Stagemeyer. “We will gather information quickly, and then take swift action against Becker.”
Parents of the Mustangs unified and pulled their kids from the team until action is taken against Becker. “No game is so important that we can allow the leader of this team to be identified with ugly classism,” said Mustang parent and Westerly Creek resident Amy Rudee. “I mean, 20% of the team are from Bluff Lake. These are our friends, and our kids friends and teammates. We don’t even think about what neighborhood they are from. We most certainly would not use the ‘b word.’” Parents have agreed that they will let their kids play again once Becker is removed as coach. “As soon as Beck (Becker) is gone, our kids will be back on the field,” said Mustang parent and Bluff Lake resident Timothy Hoffman. “A message needs to be sent that classism is not acceptable, no matter how rich and powerful you think you are.”
SUN Member, Block Captain, and Bluff Lake resident Rachel Mercurio says Bluff Lake residents know that classism is still out there, but is not acceptable. “We are aware that classism isn’t dead,” said Mercurio. “But the message has to be that it will not be condoned, and if you are perpetuating classism, you will be punished.” East Soccer League President Stagemeyer says action could be taken as quickly as Friday, May 2nd. “Ideally, we would have this resolved by Friday, giving plenty of time for the Mustangs to be back on the field for their weekend tournament. We feel the solutions we have in play will satisfy the players and coaches, and there will be Mustang soccer on Saturday.”
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