Eric Schultz

Eric Schultz is 44, a father of two boys and a software engineer.

He's also a Little League coach in Providence, R.I. So am I.

The league is for kids 12 and under, and at the recent closing ceremony, every player got a trophy.It happens that way each June.

But this year before the ceremony, Schultz decided to at least question it.He sent around an e-mail.

Here's what he said:
...
Our Little League is in a neighborhood known for its liberalism, so you'd think Schultz would be roundly scolded.Doesn't he realize that kids need ways to build their self-esteem?
...
I called Schultz to talk more about it.

He said his boys, now 11 and 13, have been playing sports since they were 5.
...
"The kids didn't care one bit," said Schultz.
...
Schultz thinks we should go back to a few achievement trophies and use the saved money for sports equipment, or to help needy kids join up.

Eric Schultz is 44, a father of two boys and a software engineer.He's also a Little League coach in Providence, R.I. So am I.

The league is for kids 12 and under, and at the recent closing ceremony, every player got a trophy.It happens that way each June.

But this year before the ceremony, Schultz decided to at least question it.He sent around an e-mail.Here's what he said:
...
Our Little League is in a neighborhood known for its liberalism, so you'd think Schultz would be roundly scolded.Doesn't he realize that kids need ways to build their self-esteem?
...
I called Schultz to talk more about it.

He said his boys, now 11 and 13, have been playing sports since they were 5.

"It seemed like every program - boom - another trophy," Schultz recalls.

They piled up like cordwood until, not long ago, he couldn't take it anymore.Schultz put his arm on their trophy shelf, swept almost all into a box, and off they went to the landfill.

Weren't his boys horrified?

"The kids didn't care one bit," said Schultz.
...
Schultz thinks we should go back to a few achievement trophies and use the saved money for sports equipment, or to help needy kids join up.

Eric Schultz is 44, a father of two boys and a software engineer who grew up in Johnston.He's also a Little League coach on the East Side of Providence.So am I.

The league is for kids 12 and under, and soon, at the closing ceremony, every player will get a trophy.It happens that way each June.

But this year, Schultz decided to question it.He sent around an e-mail.Here's what he said:
...
Our Little League is on the East Side, a neighborhood known for its liberalism, so you'd think Schultz would be roundly scolded.Doesn't he realize that kids need ways to build their self-esteem?
...
I called Schultz to talk more about it.

He said his boys, now 11 and 13, have been playing sports since they were 5.

"It seemed like every program -- boom -- another trophy," Schultz recalls.

They piled up like cordwood until, not long ago, he couldn't take it anymore.Schultz put his arm on their trophy shelf, swept almost all into a box, and off they went to the Johnston Landfill.

Weren't his boys horrified?

"The kids didn't care one bit," said Schultz.
...
Schultz thinks we should go back to a few achievement trophies and use the saved money for sports equipment, or to help needy kids join up.