The end of the year for WA seniors is an exciting time on many fronts. From prom, to yearbook signing, and all the way up to graduation, seniors have plenty to look forward to. However, not all members of the WA community are enthralled with the events and their timing.

For many spring season sports coaches, the annual Disney World trip for seniors has a negative impact on their team’s performances in the state tournaments.  One vocal coach about this topic is boys’ volleyball head coach Russell Coward.

Coward is by no means against the trip itself, but rather he is against the timing of the trip as it relates to the postseason for boys’ volleyball, which often has a round situated during the trip, assuming they make the tournament in any said year.

“The Disney trip typically takes away our best players for the first round of the state tournament,” Coward said.

For example, according to members of boys’ volleyball, losing senior Mike Baltayan for rounds of the playoffs is a threat to their success and could lead them to an early exit from the state tournament.

Overall, Coward shares this sentiment. He expresses his concerns over the lack of control coaches have over the schedule, especially since they will be often losing their best players and leaders when seniors head down to Orlando.

“The Disney trip kills spring sports.  It makes it very difficult for any spring coach to really demand commitment and dedication from players knowing they will be leaving for five days either during the state tournament or right before playoffs,” Coward said.

Former baseball coach, Mr. Roman also expressed his concern.

“I think it was hard to have players to take 4-5 days off and then have the first game back usually be a state tournament,” Roman said.

“That week off destroys any momentum built up,” Coward said.

While Coward asserts that most spring sports coaches agree with his stance, baseball coach and dean Mike Parent holds a very different opinion.

“It is what it is. I fully accept it. I endorse it. […] When I signed up to coach, I knew that the senior class trip was taking place. […] If you know the expectations, you gotta deal with whatever comes your way. As a coach, I’m I’m ready for it. […],” Parent said.

Despite the concerns Coward holds, he is still in support of the trip itself and just wants a solution that can benefit all parties involved.

“I understand it is a well-loved tradition, and I am not advocating changing it or getting rid of it.  I completely understand why the seniors love the trip, as I have been a chaperone twice and really enjoyed the experience.  And I have no idea how to change it or make it less intrusive.  But in my opinion, and I believe strongly pretty much every spring coach feels the same way, it makes it extremely difficult for spring teams to consistently perform at their highest level,” Coward said.