Sports Trophies: A Burning Question [POLL]

In the aftermath of an incident built a bonfire out of the team's third place trophies, a conversation was sparked among Patch readers discussing the role and purpose of youth sports in New Canaan.

According to Sgt. Carol Ogrinc, Public Information Office of the , the coaches told police the trophies were burned at as a "motivational tool." Reacting to this statement, Patch user wrote, "A motivational tool reinforcing the boys did not achieve first place and should destroy any other recognition of their hard work this season since they failed to deliver a championship. Great adult leadership coaches keep up the good work and abuse/vandalism of town property!"

Others expressed a different take on the events including who said, "When we live in a society that starts handing out trophies for 9th place, we continue to leave our children unprepared for the real world ... What these coaches did could have probably been done in a little more of an acceptable manner (sans bonfire maybe?), but I understand the effect they were trying to achieve."

said, "Every Fall 280 boys across grades 3-8 play Youth Football in New Canaan. Each player is given a Participation Trophy (by the New Canaan Youth Football Board) at the end of the season to acknowledge their hard work and dedication to their team."