posted by Mike Madison at 9:04 AM /
I have no idea why this story is on the first page of the Post-Gazette sports section. Well, that's not true. I have an inkling. The Mt. Lebanon basketball coach looks like a fool, and the parent involved looks like he should be running the School District's character education program:
"Suspension for e-mail baffles Mt. Lebanon dad
Drinking incident overlooked, he says"
Link: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07066/767421-361.stm
"Suspension for e-mail baffles Mt. Lebanon dad
Drinking incident overlooked, he says"
Ollie Phillips, the father of starting junior guard and co-captain Shane Phillips, provided the Post-Gazette a copy of an e-mail his son sent Feb. 25 to David, addressing the overall direction of the basketball program and an underage drinking party the night before. According to sources, several basketball players attended the party and one was cited by police for underage drinking. . . .
Nonetheless, Ollie Phillips supports his son's decision to send the e-mail.
"I am proud as hell of Shane after reading the e-mail," he said. "He stepped in and did the right thing. In my estimation, this is a situation where he acted as a leader, not in an insubordinate fashion."
Ollie Phillips made it clear that if David felt his son's e-mail was a violation of team rules, then Shane Phillips should have been suspended. But Ollie Phillips also felt that players who attended the party, and particularly the one cited by the police, should have been made to pay a penalty.
"I am with the coaches in regard to Shane. If they feel his e-mail crossed the line, they are well within their right to suspend him, and I can live with that," the father said. "But, if you are going to suspend a kid for [sending] an e-mail to a coach, how in the world do you not suspend ... kids for going to a drinking party and one of them for getting arrested there?
Link: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07066/767421-361.stm
Labels: basketball, character education, high school, sports
30 Comments:
Not sure why this young man would send the email rather than just speak to his coach directly. Now he has set himself up for abuse from his teammates because he generated all this publicity. Since the police were involved with students it's not as if the coach wouldn't have found out about this incident. The coach should suspend all the kids at the party (in my day we had a curfew on game eve) and he should suspend the boy for swearing and disrespecting his authority in the email. And one other thing. Where the heck were the parents? 15 year olds drinking?
The bad boys of Mt. Lebanon may need to put Attorney Difendorfer on a retainer...Shane is co captain of the basketball team...he has a right to be mad at his team. His team mates owe him an apology. How unfair that he is suspended! Why are the kids behaving badly always protected?
Here we go again. The upper crust of Lebo behaving badly.
Shane Phillips has every right to be upset with his team and the coaching staff. As a team leader he was let down by the coaches who set the rules. Email was not the best choice, but it is on record and can't be denied.
Do the coaches, team and Mr. Grogan think that they can convice anyone that this is the 1st time? Oh please.
Coach David needs to set an example. One of his big speeches is to "acknowledge the pass." These kids need to acknowledge the fact that they breached their honor code and tarnished the school's reputation---do the right thing Joey, if you are not willing to play the game without your stars ---FORFIT---Set a standard and hold every student athlete accountable.
PS The party was at a 9th grade girl's home. What interest should senoirs have in hanging out with a freshman?
The reason this guy was suspended from the team is that he acted without integrity. He used profanity when addressing his coach. He threw his fellow teammates under the bus by letting the coach know about their behavior. You just don't do what this guy did-tattling on your teammates. If he disagreed with either his coach or his fellow teammates, he should approached each separately. I have no problem with the way Coach David handled the situation. I do have a problem with this father, using the post gazette to settle a personal score-at the expense of the community-and the future reputation of his son.
Boys will be boys. This happens everywhere. Bethel, St Clair, Beverly Hills, it doesn't matter.
As for the e-mail, doesn't sound exactly right. Usually articles do not have every side to the story, maybe we are missing 1.
As for why it was at a 9th graders house, I assume it was the only house where the parents were gone. (not that it makes it right)
It's fascinating how (again) a conversation about student misbehavior and administrative discipline turns quickly into "the kid deserved what he got." (See Rodella, Jr., Joseph.)
Even the player's father agrees that his son was appropriately disciplined.
The question here is: Why weren't the other basketball players suspended?
This coach and athletic director grogan think it is all about them and the respect they deserve. Get over it. It is about the kids and the lifelong ideals sports can instill and having a good time. The township offered positive coaching classes awhile ago. Did any of the high school coaches attend?
PS Don't get sideways with the swim coach, another grogan man.
"Boys will be boys"."Threw his teammates under the bus". Give me a break. Shane Phillips should have eliminated the bad language, but it appears that his coach and teammates are the ones throwing him under the bus. When will (some) students realize that they have responsibilities, and if they choose to break the rules there will be consequences - unless they are athletes in Mt. Lebanon. This coach needs to get his priorities straight. A critical email is one thing. Underage drinking is illegal, whether it is on school property of not. The school board saying they have no policy that covers what occurs off school property is lame. Do they have a policy that allows a coach to suspend a student for an email the coach disagrees with? If the coach can suspend a student for a critical email, he can certainly suspend others for breaking the law. Let's stop with the excuses, and the "boys will be boys" crap.
Former Superintendent Sable.
Assoc. Superintendent Pulkowaki.
List of 25.
Character Issues (see previous post).
St. Clair basketball game.
Now this.
WHERE IS THE DISTRICT LEADERSHIP?
I'm sorry, but I have to defend the players and Coach David here. Yes the players screwed up. Yes there should probably some consequences from the coach. Yes, this player's heart was probably in the right place, but to address his coach, an adult, in such an inflammatory fashion, replete with swearing and disrespect, is unacceptable; This was addressed appropriately by the coach. If his father genuinely wanted to help his son, he would have encouraged him to take it on the chin. But to involve the media-bringing unwanted attention to all the other kids involved, including their families, has turned a mistake that affected a few people into a much greater problem. And to what end? To demonstrate that his son was unjustly disciplined? That he has the moral authority? Anytime you go to the post-gazette to solve a problem you are saying either you are powerless to solve the problem yourself, or alternatively that your ego and self-aggrandizement is more important than the problem. Coach David sets a great example for these kids on a daily basis and I think that point is being missed.
Let's blame the school! We blame the district for everything else.
I pose a simple question. When will the parents of this community and the same five wackos who write on this blog face the fact that the school is a reflection of what is sent to them on a daily basis? It is a reflection of society. But, let's blame the easiest thing possible.
Before we all pass judgment on the school, would it not be prudent to ask if they can legally do the things you ask? Of course not, that would take some degree of thought and intelligence. It is easier to spew the venom and cast aspersions without anything more than an uninformed opinion. A mirror is a beautiful thing to waste!
Anon 6:32 - Please explain how this was addressed appropriatly by the coach. He chose to ignore illegal behavior by a number of his players, and undoubtably hoped that this incident would not become public, instead choosing to "kill the messenger". Perhaps Shane Phillips should have worded his email differently, and his punishment may be deserved, but that does not excuse ignoring the documented behavior of the other players.
And to anon 8:35 - if the coach can "legally" suspend one student from a game, why can't he suspend the others for their poor, misguided anti-sociatal behavior?
Just the uninformed opinion of one of the wackos!
**I do question why Shane's father went directly to the press, instead of addressing the matter through the appropriate school channels.
**I agree, that the player cited by the police for underage drinking should have been suspended immediately.
**I doubt there's an explicit policy about sending whistle-blowing, expletive filled emails to your coach, but I'm CERTAIN there's a policy for handling substance use.
**KIDS - Learn the lessons your parents have painfully learned at work. Scrutinize your emails before you send them - it's too easy to click send.
**Anonymous Mom of 3
Underage students were at a party and drinking...while this is illegal the school district has NO authority to discipline the students...even if they want to do so.
In my opinion, young Mr. Phillips should have chosen a different manner of communication with his coach. It is not okay, nor is it appropriate to send an email peppered with vulgarities to a coach.
I also find it troubling that the dad put this in the press...how difficult this will be for his son.
For the writer who lists numerous "offenses" and is questioning "where is the district leadership"...What exactly are you asking? No administrator has authority over the students who were at the party...that doesn't mean they approve of the behavior...it means they have no authority. Those students will have a visit with the district justice. How can you expect a punishment before a conviction?Like it or not, that is the system.
I for one am tired of everything being blamed on the school district administrators, the coaches, and John Grogan.
"Lebo mom" refers to not being convinced this was the first time? I am unclear what that accusation is referring to...Do you mean that Coach David has had other profane emails sent to him by other team members and he did not punish them? I don't understand how Coach David could do any more than he has as far as setting an example...he has NO authority to punish the party players...even if he wants to do so.
I can appreciate the frustration felt by Mr. Phillips, however the district and the coach have no authority to punish the party goers.
Any coach does have the authority to decide who plays and who doesn't. That's the coach's job. He could have disciplined the drinker(s) simply by deciding that they wouldn't play because their behavior demonstrates that they don't meet the standards expected of athletes who wear the Mt. Lebanon uniform. He hasn't.
The internal discipline of an athletic team shouldn't be fodder for the news media. Unfortunately there always naysayers who look to play "gotcha", especially if it involves the school district. Underage drinking off campus is really not the district's responsibility legally or morally- hello parents. A rush to judgment in punishing the supposed offenders can rip a team apart and unjustly punish innocents. Discipline is about correction, not punishment. While the boy who wrote the email may have been justified in his feelings, an email is not the proper or courageous way to handle the situation- a respectful one on one with the coach is the proper channel. As far as discipline goes- extra physical exertion for the whole team is usually effective- the players learn the consequences- when one player misbehaves- the whole team suffers. Is it "fair"? Life isn't fair, but it does work in curbing future behavior. The fact that Coach David has taken a very measured approach to this speaks to his qualifications as the head coach. Thank goodness he is keeping his head. This situation is not specific to this time and place. It is occurring all over this country as we speak and has been occurring since Prohibition.
By the way the Positive Coaching classes are Chaired by the Athletic Director and the high school coaches do attend.
One last food for thought- how many honor students were at that party? Probably a fair amount.
What if (and granted it is a BIG "if") a player was at a party...he wasn't drinking...he did not run from the police...and he was given a citation...The coach can bench him?
If a student admits to drinking, or some other behavior that is against the rules set by a coach, I would have no problem with a coach issuing a punishment, in fact, I would expect him to do so.
I still don't think the coach can discipline a player who has neither been convicted, nor admitted to, an offense.
I am not saying I think what the kids did was okay...I just don't see that the coach has any jurisdiction with them...yet.
Response to Anon 10:37 am (will you all please make up names for yourselves?):
Yes. The coach decides who plays, and why. The classroom teacher decides who gets what grades, and why.
If the coach or teacher isn't meeting the standards set by the school district, then the coach or teacher should be dismissed.
I am not suggesting that the basketball coach should be dismissed. I am suggesting that if I were the coach (and I am a teacher, and I do coach students in extracurriculars), I would sit the students.
On the question of authority, I'm a little surprised that no one has mentioned Duke lacrosse. Those students may be innocent of the crimes they were initially accused of, but they showed terrible judgment and their conduct reflected miserably on their sport and the university. Was Duke wrong to discipline the team members?
Okay Mike I'll be 1037!
I don't think you can really compare the actions of the high school students and the Duke college students here...They were charged (initially) with rape. It seems now this either not true, or at least, not convictable in a court of law.
While both centered around drinking, it's a stretch to compare these incidents.
As for the Duke administration's actions, I think they were horrified and reacted as such. I can't honestly say I would not have made the same decision they did. A hard call for anyone...
I can imagine the frustration you would feel as a coach or sponsor of a student group and you "know" that a student broke a rule, but the student does not own the "break"... Do you still feel comfortable with a punishment? How do you handle it if it turns out you are not correct? I'm not judging you, just throwing out some food for thought?
Thanks, Anon 10:37 for chewing on the food for thought. These are hard questions, to be sure.
I wasn't invoking the Duke situation because it involved alcohol; I was thinking about the role of the university in disciplining students for horrible lapses in judgment that occurred off-campus, in a non-school-sponsored context, but that appeared to reflect extremely badly on the university. Especially when those same students are representing the university (via the athletic uniform) to the outside world.
And while I can't know what the Duke administration thinks now about its actions then, I can say with some confidence (I have some experience with the Duke president) that at all times they approached the problem as teachers and educators, and with as much humility as they could muster. Errors are made in that context, and those who err must be prepared for criticism if they make mistakes. It's easier to handle errors, of course, when discipline is in proportion to the perceived offense. Suspending or sitting an athlete is one thing; ejecting him or her from the team is quite different.
I've always been a huge fan of John Wooden, who not only was the greatest coach in the history of basketball (and perhaps in the history of college athletics) but also regarded himself first and foremost as a teacher, and in that regard as a custodian for the values that he believed it was his duty to instill in his players -- on their behalf, on behalf of their parents, and on behalf of the citizens of the state that paid his salary. Maybe it's presumptuous, but I bring that same premise to the Mt. Lebanon basketball team: the coach isn't just coaching basketball; he's a teacher (and not just a classroom teacher, but a teacher of life lessons). If he *doesn't* sit the kids who were at that party, he's teaching a lesson about behavior and consequences. If the kids are exonerated in some way by the public authorities (it's possible that nothing goes on their records, for example), then the suspension is a mild sanction, even if some people think that it's in error. But I have yet to hear anyone suggest that the party didn't take place, or that the kids weren't there, or that the basketball players were actively trying to put a stop to alcohol being served or consumed.
Anon 1037 -
**I believe citations are given not just because a minor is in the vicinity of a party where alcohol is served, but because they were, in fact, drinking. I believe the police use breathalysers and or their noses, judgement, etc. So, if a player was cited for underage drinking, they drank.
**When we have sat down as a family to review the high school sports papers with our kids, there is a Code of Conduct pledge that our high school athletes sign that states that substance use is a violation and punishable. So, PUNISH.
**Serving you some food for thought... Anonymous Mom of 3
To ANON 8:58--no...not to emails previously written I am referring to student athletes cited for underage drinking and other offenses that have been ignored by Coaches and the athletic department.
I did a little research on the CODE OF CONDUCT that every student athlete and parent is to sign.
Under Citizenship is the following "Stressing a healthy lifestyle including the importance of proper nutrition and refraining from the use of drugs, alchohol and tobacco."
Again, both the parents and student athletes signed this code. This doesn't specify on or off campus. These basketball (varsity & JV)players clearly violated the code of conduct which gives the coach the authority to take charge of the situation.
There is also 2 other lines in the code... "Demonstrating integrity" and "Applying moral principles when making choices and judgments."
There was no integrity as a parent going to the Post Gazette. But if you look at how Mt. Lebanon has handled (or more likely not handled)previous incidents, the parent must have felt it was the best way to go. Believe me I am not trying to justify this action.
To the specific parents of the who's children where there...we all know who you are...SHAME-- SHAME--SHAME ON YOU. Where are your moral principals?
Mike,
Reading you comment re: Coach Wooden. Am I correct in remembering reading a huge article on Joey David and how he is trying to instill the values that Coach Wooden held so close in his heart to Mt. Lebanon's basketball team?
What happened?
You may be thinking of this article.
Lebo Mom -
I agree with much of what you said. I have watched my kids sign that Code of Conduct and have reinforced to them that it is enforceable.
...but, the last paragraph sounds (perhaps unintentionally) very harsh. Kids do stupid things. Some you'll know about and will respond to and others you will never know about. Thankfully parents are neither omniscient nor omnipresent, for if they were their children would never learn to function independently. The best situation is one in which your kid behaves stupidly, you learn about it, you discipline appropriately, and your kid learns from his/her mistake. Why should we assume these parents have no moral principles?
**Anonymous Mom of 3
Amom Mom of 3-
Yes, maybe it was a little harsh, but what are these parents doing about this incident?
Have they stepped up to say "Bench my kid--he broke the rules."
I believe, maybe not a popular belief, that if you take away something that is important to your child this will aid in the learning process.
I sat my son out of a youth game for getting 2 detentions. Has he had detention since? NO
Everyone parents differently, but the point is these children broke the rules and as parents we need to teach our children to take responsiblity for their actions by first taking responsibility for our children.
Lebo Mom-
There's a lot of hearsay about who attended the party. If your kid wasn't officially apprehended and cited, how would you know? If you don't know, how can you respond? For good or bad, the stakes are a lot higher in a high school playoff match than in a youth game. A parent may or may not penalize the whole team based on hearsay by making their child sit out. Anonymous Mom of 3
The school district hides behind the solicitor...the Mt. Lebanon brats have Difendorfer make excuses for them...the parents are fortunate to have Blaise Laratonda
keep us sane. Tell them Blaise of the consequences of no boundaries!
Coach David has displayed his priorities. Shane Phillips has shown his, as has his father. Say what you will about the inappropriateness of profanity and disrespect, or publicizing a private issue.
Of those three people, tell me: whose actions showed the most character? Which one would you want your kids to use as a role model?
Punishment is fitting here, because it's in the code, and because it follows as a consequence of poor judgment.
Yes, kids have poor judgment. We all do, on occasion - I do anyhow. :) How do we learn? By owning the consequences of our actions. No consequences, no learning, no character.
Lebo Mom, my guess is that the parents of the kids involved are shamed enough. They're at least the wiser now of what high-schoolers will do when there's an empty house and accessible beer.
I hope that, in the absence of any penalty coming down from the coach that they do the right thing and bench their children themselves.
(It's one lousy basketball game. No Siberian gulags, sheesh.)
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