The Central West Virginia Soccer Association just completed its spring registration and is about to begin the spring season. This year, we will field an unprecedented 400-plus kids in the spring alone, and that isn't even our "big" season.

What I would like to discuss is the overwhelming apathy and lack of interest by the parents. After reviewing the registration forms and dividing up the teams, the league was six or seven coaches short in order to field the 30 teams we had. Call after call was made to almost any parent whose child had been involved in soccer for any length of time.

What really appalled me was the number of responses we received from parents who have been long-time soccer parents and they know the game, who basically said, "I don't have the time" or "I'm too busy."

People, wake up! This is one of the problems we are facing in society today -- the lack of parental involvement with our children. I think we need to take a hard look at our priorities. What could be more important than spending a few quality hours with your child and a group of his teammates? It shows your child that you really care about what he is doing. It also gives you an opportunity to be a role model for some kids who may need someone to look up to.

I know that over the past six years I have coached, the enjoyment I have received far outweighs anything I may have done, in lieu of coaching, had I said, "I'm too busy" when I was asked. I can't understand why parents -- especially of a child who has played for several years -- wouldn't take the time to give something back to the sport that has given their child so much.