Should the coach have been held to blame for this?

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by epchick

The kids have learning disabilities, I don't think that means they are "handicapped."

I know people with dyslexia, and other learning disabilities, and yet they can still play sports, be in theater, be in orchestra/band.

If these kids disability does inhibit their basketball ability, then I think the fault should be placed on the DA coach, not on the Cambridge coach.



There is no "mercy" rule in Girl's basketball that says they have to stop the game if the score is being run up, so it wasn't like the coach broke any rules.

Being a douchebag is one thing, but getting fired for doing his job is another.

Something else comes to mind also, part of his job as coach may also go along with what the school decides to do.

It's a possibility that his firing was a result of his publicly speaking out against the school's apology on thier website.

How can the school look to be apologetic if the head of the team refuses to go along with the apology?

If both entities are in disagreement over the apology, it's probably worth nothing to give it.

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

Something else comes to mind also, part of his job as coach may also go along with what the school decides to do.

It's a possibility that his firing was a result of his publicly speaking out against the school's apology on thier website.

How can the school look to be apologetic if the head of the team refuses to go along with the apology?

If both entities are in disagreement over the apology, it's probably worth nothing to give it.

That's what I thought - not to be cynical, but I think that if he had spoken the party line, so to speak, he would still have a job. Whether he should have kept his job is, obviously, a matter for debate.

[epchick]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

I am still curious to know what kept the other team from scoring not one single point...

Yeah, that is what I wondered too.....even the worst players can get at least score one basket.

I mean, it was wrong for the Cambridge coach to run up the score, but when was he suppose to call it? At half when the score was 59-0?

If they cut it at the half, parents of the DA players would have probably been upset that they didn't get a chance to up their score, and people would have still complained that he run up the score.

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

Something else comes to mind also, part of his job as coach may also go along with what the school decides to do.

It's a possibility that his firing was a result of his publicly speaking out against the school's apology on thier website.

How can the school look to be apologetic if the head of the team refuses to go along with the apology?

If both entities are in disagreement over the apology, it's probably worth nothing to give it.

Ahh yes, I can see that, although it is a dumb reason to fire someone (although with school districts, any "dumb" reason can get someone fired)

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by epchick

Ahh yes, I can see that, although it is a dumb reason to fire someone (although with school districts, any "dumb" reason can get someone fired)

It's a private school, so they would have much more leeway to fire someone than would the typical public school. As for it being a dumb reason, in my experience most church-related private schools have some very defined ideas of mission and philosophy. Teacher who do not reflect (or are not willing to reflect) that philosophy will be let go. Simple as that.

FWIW, this is the school's statement, as posted on the school's website:

The Covenant School, its board and administrators, regrets the incident of January 13 and the outcome of the game with the Dallas Academy Varsity Girls Basketball team. It is shameful and an embarrassment that this happened. This clearly does not reflect a Christ-like and honorable approach to competition. We humbly apologize for our actions and seek the forgiveness of Dallas Academy, TAPPS and our community. The school and its representatives in no way support or condone the running up of a score against any team in any sport for any reason. The school’s board members, Head of School Kyle Queal and Athletic Director Brice Helton have acted to ensure that such an unfortunate incident can never happen again.

Covenant school officials have met with and personally apologized to Dallas Academy Headmaster Jim Richardson and Athletic Director Jeremy Civello and wish to extend their highest praise to each member of the Dallas Academy Varsity Girls Basketball team for their strength, composure and fortitude in a game in which they clearly emerged the winner. Accordingly, The Covenant School has contacted TAPPS and is submitting a formal request to forfeit the game recognizing that a victory without honor is a great loss.

Kyle Queal
Head of School

Todd Doshier
Board Chair

The coach's response is here. It's long, but worth reading. After reading it, I'll stop suggesting that he was acting in an unsportsmanlike-way in the way he coached during the game. It does appear to me that he is no longer at the school not because of his attitude to the game per se, but because he would not join in on the apology and because he publically disagreed with his bosses.

[VAgirl18]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

The coach's response is here.

The game never should have reached the score that it did. I feel like his comments in there about the blowout that his team previously experienced made it seem as though he was doing a favor to Dallas Academy. Also, I think the guy is a cocky prick for posting quotes that players have made about him. Defending yourself is one thing -- boasting about yourself is another.

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by VAgirl18

The game never should have reached the score that it did. I feel like his comments in there about the blowout that his team previously experienced made it seem as though he was doing a favor to Dallas Academy. Also, I think the guy is a cocky prick for posting quotes that players have made about him. Defending yourself is one thing -- boasting about yourself is another.

It's funny how two people can read the same thing and come to different conclusions.

I, for one, believe what he's saying and take the words of the actual players to heart.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by epchick

Yeah, that is what I wondered too.....even the worst players can get at least score one basket.

I mean, it was wrong for the Cambridge coach to run up the score, but when was he suppose to call it? At half when the score was 59-0?

If they cut it at the half, parents of the DA players would have probably been upset that they didn't get a chance to up their score, and people would have still complained that he run up the score.




Ahh yes, I can see that, although it is a dumb reason to fire someone (although with school districts, any "dumb" reason can get someone fired)

Considering that he worked for a private Christian school, following the party line is extremely important to the people who run these schools. They only want employees who foster the religious and ethical standards that attract students to that type of school. So says the nine year veteran of private Christian education. Often these values are more p
important than the competence of their teachers/coaches.

[LaneSig]

Originally Posted by KSigkid

That's what I thought - not to be cynical, but I think that if he had spoken the party line, so to speak, he would still have a job. Whether he should have kept his job is, obviously, a matter for debate.

The word around here is that the leaders of the school felt that the coach was being insubordinate. Insubordination is one offense that can get you fired (or nonrenewed contract) or transfered in a public school. In a private school, it would apparently be an automatic firing.

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by LaneSig

The word around here is that the leaders of the school felt that the coach was being insubordinate. Insubordination is one offense that can get you fired (or nonrenewed contract) or transfered in a public school. In a private school, it would apparently be an automatic firing.

To you and KSig....it turned into a 'damned if you do, damned if you don't" situation from the looks of it.

[SWTXBelle]

Why does an academic school have an athletic program?

Ask, and you will be told that the practices, the games, and the competition build character. That said, which team showed the type of character those parents are paying their hard-earned money for? The losing team's coach wasn't going to call the game - from everything I've read, he and his team were determined to finish the game. The gracious, sportsmanlike thing to do would be to play but don't press, or give the other team the opportunity to call it a game at half-time. IMHO, the coach deserved to be fired because while he won the game, he did so in a manner that was not in keeping with the school's fundamental principles. He compounded the problem by his behavior after it hit the press.

There are enough cut-throat private schools out there that I'm sure he'll have a new job in no time.

[KappaKittyCat]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

The gracious, sportsmanlike thing to do would be to play but don't press

According to the quotes from the girls on the website, they did stop the press and switch up their defense strategy after the 1st quarter.

[SWTXBelle]

Then I stand corrected on that point. Thanks, KKC.