BD Newsletter

By Brad Durham

  I started the BD NEWSLETTER to try and stay connected to McMinnville. When I went away to high school, college and lived in Los Angeles and Boston, McMinnville was always my hometown. Writing about sports for the local newspaper for two years during COVID (2020-2021) helped me see another side of our small town. Covering high school sports is where I met Sable Winfree and some members of her family.

         Sable Winfree stood out as a freshman basketball player the same year that C.J. Taylor stood out during his senior year in football and basketball. It was fun to watch them play sports and write about them. I wrote a profile on the Winfree family playing basketball in January of 2021 (ARTICLE). I have written about Sable a few times in my newsletter.

         On November 17, Sable was dismissed from the WCHS Lady Pioneer basketball team. My response was to call for an investigation and suspension of the head coach. 

         What has made the past few weeks challenging are some of the statements people have made to me. People have told me that writing about Sable is “none of my business,” “Dangerous.” “I am spreading venom and don’t know the whole story.” “Kids think you are a creeper.” “If the truth comes out, Sable will never play basketball again.” “You are going to destroy her future.” 

         I do not believe that I am in danger, spreading venom, or destroying Sable Winfree’s basketball career.  Could I have been persistent and obnoxious in my attempts to get interviews with students and coaches? Yes. But any other “creepy” innuendos, appear to tarnish and distract from my work. I have worked with high school coaches and students for the past 24 years in my fundraising business. My reputation with coaches and students is important to me.     

         The last time I was on a school campus in McMinnville covering local sports was two years ago. Therefore, I am not sure why those “creeper” comments have recently been circulated.

         Oh, wait a minute. I questioned the decision-making of the high school administration and central office of the Warren County school system. Maybe that is why certain people are repeating those things about me now. I am flawed and imperfect. Sable Winfree deserves a better advocate, and I am confident there are many good people who are supporting her. This is something I chose to write about because I believe Sable has been treated unjustly without mercy.

         I am doing my best to write about what I know. I refuse to be motivated by fear or to be intimidated. I cannot control the outcome or what people say about me, but I wish I could control what people are saying about Sable. 

         Members of the administration and central office have made innuendos and comments about Sable Winfree. Sable is off the team, but she did not commit any crime. There was not a good reason to dismiss the best player from the team. I believe that I know the entire story, and none of it makes any sense.

         The past few weeks have made me reflect and go to my major influences. One major belief is that connection is very important. Brene Brown helped me understand this concept when I first watched her TED talk, and then in her books that I read. Her TED talk is worth 20 minutes of your time.

         Brene Brown says that connection is why we are here. We are neurobiologically wired for connection. She says vulnerability is the gateway to connection. She says shame is the fear of disconnection – if other people know or see the real me, then I will not be worthy of connection. Shame unravels connection.

         Sable was told that she was not good enough to be on the team. She was made to feel shame, to be disconnected. No one in authority has helped keep Sable on the team, which is something that gave Sable a connection, a sense of worthiness.

         I will never understand why no one interceded on Sable’s behalf before November 17, and offered her alternatives to staying on the team. That is why I am writing about something that may not be my business. Writing about it in my newsletter may cost me some local business, but that is a small price to pay when one considers what Jesus said about helping someone.

         John 15:13 “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”