Cancer survivor cut from youth basketball team finds another

EAGAN, Minn. -- The 13-year-old boy going for a layup at his youth basketball practice, arrived at the Mendota Heights gym through a circuitous route.

"I'm just kind of disappointed I don't get to play this year," Conor Smith told KARE 11 last month when we first shared his story. That was just after he had been cut from a "C" team with the Eagan Traveling Basketball Association.

Conor had failed to participate in tryouts as the Association's policy required. Conor couldn't participate because he had casts on both legs at the time to correct calf muscles that had tightened during chemotherapy to treat his brain tumor and Leukemia.

"This just isn't right. Are we just so compelled to win now that we are just losing our compassion on what really the sport is supposed to be?," Conor's mom Hope Smith, asked at the time.

After our original story aired, the Smith family felt the support of a broader community and received two offers from neighboring cities for Conor to join their teams. They accepted the offer from Mendota Heights.

"Youth sports, it's about everyone getting involved, especially at this age," said Amelia Olson, program director for the Mendota Heights Athletic Association, who called the Smiths with the invitation for Conor to play.  

And, Conor's parents have received something else they were looking for then, which was the attention of the higher ups at the Eagan Athletic Association, which oversees the Traveling Basketball Association.

"We talked about this in several meetings," said Association president Dave Unmacht.

Unmacht won't criticize the basketball coaches or volunteer directors who decided to cut Conor from the Eagan program, but he cannot support their position that they were following policy.

"We should look at those policies as guides, but also have some flexibility and be open to special and unique circumstances that arise," Unmacht explained.

After meeting with the Smiths, and feeling the wrath of angry e-mailers, the Eagan Traveling Basketball Association reversed course, partially, and offered Conor a role with limited playing time on one of its teams.

"Because the teams were formed already, there were expectations, there were other kids who were cut at that grade level, and there really wasn't any communication with them," said Unmacht.

"We just didn't feel like that was the right opportunity for Conor," said Tim Smith.

Instead, Conor and his parents decided he would be better off playing in Mendota Heights.

"We wanted a situation where he could play and be a regular part of the team," adds Conor's dad.

"It's going good, I like it here," said Conor as he took a break during practice.  "I like my teammates.  It's fun." 

Conor's parents give credit to the Eagan Athletic Association for hearing them out, and for opening the door to changes that may help the next Conor Smith.

Still, they continue to believe no player should be cut from a youth "C" team, regardless of whether they are recovering from cancer.

Unmacht promises more discussion on the issue of "C" team cuts, but says parents and coaches have strong opinions on the  other side too. 

 Related:

Check out our KARE family of Web sites:
	takeKARE		Metromix
	Moms Like Me		Minnesota Bound
	Showcase Minnesota