YOUR AD HERE »

Letters to the editor for weekend of June 13-16, 2009

Another One Lost

I am devastated to hear that South Tahoe High School has lost another great coach and integral part of the youth of the community. It is truly a great loss, as Matt Tillson is one of the most dedicated and passionate individuals I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. It seems that the parents and administration again have taken away the ability of a dedicated coach to get a successful program in place. I hope that another lucky program snatches up Coach Tillson like Pacific Grove did with Coach Morgan. Best of luck to you both!

Casey Moss



Austin, Texas

I am using this letter to set forth facts that you may or may not be aware of regarding Matt Tillson’s tenure as manager of the Vikings baseball program.



I have been involved in South Tahoe High School baseball since 1989. I have witnessed many fine baseball managers over the last two decades and how Matt has built upon their contributions to the program. In the five years that he was manager he accomplished the following:

– Brought his teams to tournament games including the Bishop Gorman Tournament in Las Vegas;

– Started video-taping the players in order to dramatize their skills and weaknesses;

– Held several clinics in the community, including clinics for the South Lake Tahoe National Little League, the community college, and the Douglas Parks and Recreation Department;

– Coached the summer baseball teams;

– Held throwing clinics during the fall for his players;

– At the first of each year, had voluntary strength (weight-lifting) programs for the players;

– Attended coaches clinics every year;

– Conducted coaching clinics for local coaches;

– Spent much of his own money on the program;

Was voted Manager of the Year in 2008 by his NIAA peers.

Matt set up rules and regulations that required each player’s compliance. It did not matter whether the young man was the best or the worst player on the team, if he violated the rules, he had to face the music, or be dismissed from the team. Unfortunately, over the years, some young players did not understand the basic philosophy he was trying to instill in them, that you must be responsible for your actions on and off the field.

During the five years, he spent countless hours on the telephone or in face-to-face interviews with players, parents, other managers and umpires. I can assure you that he did not do it for the pay. He always did his job for the love of the game and most of all, he did it for the kids.

Joe Tillson

South Lake Tahoe

City Councilman Bill Crawford’s repeated criticism of City Manager David Jinkens is starting to sound like a personal issue. Can the public request a review of the councilman’s performance?

Julie Threewit

Meyers


Support Local Journalism

Support Local Journalism

Readers around the Lake Tahoe Basin and beyond make the Tahoe Tribune's work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.

Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.

Your donation will help us continue to cover COVID-19 and our other vital local news.