Forums Home › East Contra Costa › Antioch

Revised version of the AHS Girls Softball coach quitting.....


Posted on Thu, 02/28/2008 - 12:12 — by cleanantioch
cleanantioch
cleanantioch's picture

Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 182
As always the story changes until you get it directly from one of the parties: I previously said that the School Board stepped in and ordered a player or two back onto the AHS varsity softball team after one was cut. I now know that is being denied and principal Louie Rocha is now taking claim that he is the one who ordered a player who had quit and a player who was cut to be back on the team. I still have not heard an exact reason for this, but as of 5 minutes ago, that is what I was told. After the coaching staff disagreed with the principal, they resigned. My question to Mr. Rocha is this: Since when does the principal pick who plays and doesn't play on any of the teams? Is this common? When a parent complains to the principal does he just say OK your kids is on the team? I have been around AHS sports for almost 30 years and have seen some "VERY GOOD" athletes get cut for many different reasons. This is a first when the principal doesn't support his coach(es) and orders that a student be on the team. Louie what is up with that? When you have a coach who has put in 20 years as an assistant/coach, you don't give them the benefit of the doubt when choosing who will and will not play on his/her team? Perhaps there was a disciplinary problem, or an attitude problem. Is this how you handle parent complaints? Just side with the parent so you don't rock the boat? So is this now the AHS policy that you CANNOT cut a senior who was on the team the season before? I find it quite coincdental that the new replacement coaches are good friends of Louie's. It's almost as if the replacements were in place before this whole thing happened. Louie I know you are a "good old" Antioch boy, but c'mon now. This is not how the other "good old" boys should be treated. I have obviously heard this from someone who obviously supports the coaches. I understand that many players and parents also supported the coaches. Did you hear from any of them before you made your decision? Most people that are from Antioch think that it is great to have Louie as the principal at AHS, but I can't say that this time.
Average: 5 (1 vote)
‹ Wing flapping noise in Antioch?????? what do people call the area over by Lowe's, Trader Joe's etc... ›

Thu, 02/28/2008 - 14:38 — I'm sure a lot of us are
BazookaJoe
BazookaJoe's picture

Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2745
I'm sure a lot of us are glad the school board didn't overule coaches when we were growing up otherwise we might have had to play with The Drake on our team. Everybody would have quit and we would have forfeited all our games. LOL! (Drake doesn't still read these posts, does he? If so, I hope he still has his great sense of humor after those Raider fans finished beating up on him.)
Thu, 02/28/2008 - 16:17 — i believe that the decision
berlin47112
berlin47112's picture

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 304
i believe that the decision who is in a team has to be made and ends with the coach. period. on top of it, there should be academic requirements to be/ stay on a team. period if a student drops below a set grade he/ she is out of the team for that season. no probation etc. playing in a fresh, or jv team does not guarantees anything. unfortunately high school sports is way to overrated, specially by parents. unfortunately scholars ships from university do not help. i know some parents who push their kids, forgetting the academic capabilities needed in life, to do sports, with scholar ships in mind. and a coach has to live with the fact, that some players may be taken out in the middle of the season, because of bad grades. again we all need to remind each other that sport has to be fun, and the educational part in high school has priority.
Thu, 02/28/2008 - 18:38 — sounds fishy
1aquaboy1
1aquaboy1's picture

Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4
There must be more to this. Mr. Rocha must have been at all the tryouts to evaluate the talent, Mr. rocha surely knows more about girls softball than the men on the coaching staff ( who have been coaching in the area for more than 30 years and have more than 1 ncs title teams.) or maybe the girl is related to someone important or maybe the new coachs are longtime Rocha friends. It just sounds insane that the the school board and Mr. Rocha would decide who is on the team. Well Lou who is gonna be pitching for the baseball team?
Mon, 03/31/2008 - 21:05 — -
turn2
turn2's picture

Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 15
-
Thu, 02/28/2008 - 20:43 — cleanantioch you nailed it
ahssftbal
ahssftbal's picture

Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 29
cleanantioch you nailed it on the head....AHS policy that you CANNOT cut a senior who was on the Varsity team the season before is correct although no one seems to be able to find that rule in writting. It's a sad day to be a Panther :(
Thu, 02/28/2008 - 21:29 — bad info.
1aquaboy1
1aquaboy1's picture

Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4
Whoever said the Antioch school board had nothing to do with this lied. It was taken to the school board after Mr. Rocha failed to act on the parents complaint. Mr. Rocha is not the only person who was contacted..... It wouldn't suprise me if he made his decision to get his boys the coaching job, but a school board member spoke with him about this. This is why it is so crazy! It makes it tough to defend Panther Pride when some moron backstabs a coach that has spent years supporting Panther Softball. The person who complained isn't going to care one bit once her child graduates. Well just when you think you've seen it all........Antioch Schools make another mistake.
Thu, 02/28/2008 - 22:51 — let them go!
TAG
TAG's picture

Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 50
Let the coaches quit! If they do not have the (baseballs) to fight for their actions then maybe they were wrong all along!
Thu, 02/28/2008 - 23:29 — TAG not sure what you are stating here?
AHS spy
AHS spy's picture

Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 4
What do you think? should the coaches be forced to take on kids that don't fit the standards they feel necessary to make the team, or were you in support of the coaches taking a stand?
Thu, 02/28/2008 - 23:41 — let them go?
basher
basher's picture

Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3
The coaching staff that left AHS was a good one, perhaps better than AHS deserved. I have followed this group form many years and I know they have not often been wrong in what they do between the lines, and I don't believe they were wrong this time. I am not from Antioch and view this from an outside's perspective. Rocha is taking one for the team, so-to-speak, by claiming the decision was his, as the mandate came from the school board after "mommy dearest" voiced her concerns? Nothing good can come of this, as the damage has been done.....next time Rocha, leave the coaching to the coaches, and advise the board to worry about academic performance. By-the-way they may want to spend a little overtime on this subject. Maybe even try balancing the budget or something, but certainly don't take up coaching careers anytime soon. I believe the rest of the BVAL can pencil in a couple W's on their upcoming schedules.
Fri, 02/29/2008 - 00:00 — TAG what are you smoking?
cleanantioch
cleanantioch's picture

Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 182
Tag- The coaches had enough balls to let the Board and principal know that they will not accept the board choosing who will be on the team and who won't. The "man" with no balls here is Louie. He originally supported the coaches and their decision. Somehow the Board was involved, and now we know what their decision was. I just find it real strange that Louie, who is or was a coach himself, would not support his coaches. Did Sweet Lou consult the Athletic Director, Frank Beede and get his opinion? If so, did he go against his coaches beliefs and his A.D.'s beliefs? If so, please don't tell me that Louie made this decision on his own. The more and more you find out about all of this just makes it smell that much more. Tag, one more thing, what were the coaches wrong about?
Fri, 02/29/2008 - 00:09 — PARENT not parents (had to post here too)
AHS spy
AHS spy's picture

Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 4
according to sources, the parents rallied around the coaching staff in support of their efforts to choose the team they felt deserved to make the team. They were at the school board meeting last night, they were at the school and in the office numerous times throughout yesterday and today. Instead the school allows one parent to prevailed. In the real world, that parent has won, the child has returned to the team after being cut, the coaching staff has changed and many other young ladies have learned a valuable lesson, if at first you don't succeed, tell mommy to throw a fit so you do........This is a sad day for Antioch High School, They preach values, the 6 pillars of CHARACTER COUNTS........ and in the end we bow down TO ONE INDIVIDUAL AND FAIL MANY OTHERS , instead of standing upright and supporting the people that put in the time and effort to work with these kids, on a daily basis. WHEN WILL THE BACKBONE STIFFEN? Congrats to the Antioch Unified School District and Antioch High School on another job well done. Coaches are few and far between, it takes special people to take the time from their daily lives, family, friends and everyday duties, yet we throw aside a quality group of coaches, with many years of time and dedication to youth throughout this area. Good luck to this group of athletes, hopefully they can overcome the shortcomings and the lack of Administration and back bone at Antioch High.
Fri, 02/29/2008 - 15:47 — you wrote: if at first you
iLoveOakley
iLoveOakley's picture

Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 133
you wrote: if at first you don't succeed, tell mommy to throw a fit so you do........ My reply: You hit the nail on the head. Children and young adults do this all the time. We've raised a generation of cry babies that don't value hard work. Just cry and you'll get your way. Mom and Dad will make it all better. Or the, everybody is a winner, OR don't say NO to kids, OR you're SO perfect, blah, blah, blah. How about parents that whine to teachers about their childrens grades, or even better yet, their child NOT getting the JOB. I saw this on 60 minutes. They're called the MILLINIAL KIDS, and I'm trying my hardest NOT to raise chilren like that. I've noticed they're everywhree. Notice the young kids, but pay attention to the young adults that work in retail. Many are LAZY, RUDE, and not very helpful. They don't believe they have to work hard. In this day and age, they'll just get a job somewhere else if someone criticizes them. NOT ALL, but many of our kids/youth are very misguided.
Fri, 02/29/2008 - 00:22 — you did not read right..did
berlin47112
berlin47112's picture

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 304
you did not read right..did you? the coaches made their case, and fought for it........they quit. they have more balls then anybody involved.
Fri, 02/29/2008 - 00:26 — Tag, you clearly dont
td32
td32's picture

Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2
Tag, you clearly dont understand the situation here. coaches need to be able to coach, decide who and who is not on their respected teams. just like teachers need to be able to teach. when the superintendent and principle get involved in sports only bad things can happen. by forcing the coach to resign the superintendent(ms. simms) and the Principle(Louie Roacha) have sent thirty or so student athletes up the river for the benefit of one mother. you cant let the tail wag the dog LOUIE. which you should know being a former coach. however, you cant see the difference in being a parent and an administrator, judging by your interference in your own sons playing time on the football team. if the superindentent and the principle feel the need to interfer in sports who is running the district and school? shouldn't they be worried about the masses and not just a few? what about test scores, budget crisis, and out of town kids taking away class time from kids that actually live in the district. Moreover, what kind pressadent does this set. what kind of school and district are these people running. If a parent complains to mr. roacha about grades does he make the teacher change the grade and undermind the teacher? the principle claims to be a loyal antioch guy? what a joke!! loyal is a coach that has been coaching for the better part of 20 years. not one complaining parent that in about 4 months is not going to give two bits about AHS. high school coaches dont coach for the money, they coach for the love of the game they coach and the student athletes that play them this is just one more bad decision made by the superintendent and the priniple
Fri, 02/29/2008 - 01:17 — I agree
Platinum33107
Platinum33107's picture

Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1
My sister is on the Varsity softball team at Antioch. She went through tryouts just like all the other girls, gave it her all and was very grateful for being chosen. It is completely rediculous that because of one mothers "hissy fit" the rules have been turned upside down. AHS Varsity softball resumed practice today with new coaches. One of them being Mike Rocha. Yes, I said that the coach of the Varsity team is MIKE ROCHA. Any relation? I don't know that answer for sure. The old JV and Freshman coaches are also back at the school. According to what I have heard from my sister their were four senior girls in question about the cuts. The girl whose mother complained is still on the team. Another senior girl came to tryouts, missed days, came back, and then quit. All before cuts were made! This is so foolish! Being involved in softball and an Antioch graduate myself I understand how frustrating it would be for those senior girls who played through their high school careers and then didn't make it for their last year. But the tryouts are in place for a reason. I agree that Principal Rocha and the School Board made a huge mistake and we are far from seeing an end to this.
Fri, 02/29/2008 - 07:39 — Story keeps turning
ahssftbal
ahssftbal's picture

Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 29
Yesterday while the girls were waiting to meet their new coaches, one of the JV Assistants who did not quit, cornered the Varsity team. The 4 freshman were pointed out in front of everyone and told that they did not earn their spot repeatedly. She also told them they were being sent down to JV even after Rocha assured the parents hours before that the team would stay in tact, and no one was being sent down. Of course the 4 freshman were in tears. Now mind you, in their scrimmages just this last week, all 4 freshmen contributed to AHS good play. 2 Pitched, 1 played 3rd Base and 1 played short. They batted 4, 5, and 6 in the line-up and the 4 batter had 4 hits and the others were on base multiple times. No Merit? I think the big problem is nobody understands travel softball and they don't want to learn about it. Freshman who play year around travel ball make Varsity teams at every school in the area. In fact our sister school Deer Valley has 5 freshman. Look at the rosters of every school. Antioch is not unusual. It is in the norm. It has been along time since Antioch has had this many good softball players on one team. 10 of these kids play travel. Some play on Elite level teams that are competing for National Championships. In short the sophomores and freshman are there on their ability! Why play them on JV when they are Varsity level players? It is sad that politics this rank seeps into athletics. Sports participation is not a right; it is a privilege that has to be earned through hard work and performance. The previous coaches picked the right team and it is sad they won’t be leading this strong young team into the season and future.
Fri, 02/29/2008 - 10:30 — did not read it right!
TAG
TAG's picture

Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 50
ah, the coaches were forced to resign...i certainly did not read the blog right. as for Mike Rocha I think he might be a 1979 antioch high graduate- i hope it is not the same guy:( - no relation to Louie- SHAME ON YOU LOUIE AND SCHOOL BOARD...Antioch schools have enough problems to deal with. leave the sports alone!!!!
Fri, 02/29/2008 - 17:41 — girls softball coaches resigning
imjustsayin
imjustsayin's picture

Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 102
I know people gossip and you can't believe everything you hear so take this with a grain of salt. I heard this girls mom was an important person with the PTA and that she was in a relationship with the girls basketball coach and her daughter was on that team as well. I don't mean to spread rumors and I don't know if any of this is true but that sure would stink if it was. Don't blast me please but given what has been going on with how people get things at the school these days, nothing would surprise me.
Fri, 02/29/2008 - 18:10 — Heard the same thing....
cleanantioch
cleanantioch's picture

Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 182
The "athlete" played on JV as a junior. Obviously she is not up to par with other girls her grade. I believe she was also cut from volleyball, and yes, I did hear about her mom and the basketball coach(who knows/). What blows me away is why in the world would her mother want this kind of attention brought on to her daughter? It's not like this girl is going to get a softball scholarship or something. Good job mom, now she can sit the bench until you complain to Sweet Lou about that too. Please remember this is not an attack on the student/athlete. All I would like to hear is the truth. And yes Sweet Lou, we can handle the truth, can you? You hide behind your simple quotes in the paper, but cmon big shot, your the principal, put on that smile and step up to the plate and tell us all the real reason that this has happened. Did you not like your coaching staff? You just lost the best coaching staff that that program has had in 15 years. I know you didn't do it beacuse they were not a good staff, what was the REAL reason?
Fri, 02/29/2008 - 20:41 — Get used to it!
ahswatcher
ahswatcher's picture

Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 12
I've lurked on these boards for a while. I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!!!! Now let's all see the "BIG" Picture. 1) Louie Rocha meddled with the 2007 Football team complained about his son's Playing Time (this is after he sat out the entire summer with a back injury) 2) Beede quits Coaching. They assemble a Team to interview Football coaches. Mark Libbey is a 3-2 Vote Pick by the panel. Rocha needs to back up his promise to his OLD coach Autentico. Plays the King Card and gives Autentico the job. He could care less of the opinions. "HIS" School, "HIS" Choice. 3) Luis finally (after 18 years at AHS) assembles without question the best Staff in the history of AHS. Rebstock who took Deer Valley to BVAL Titles and Top NCS teams. Heritage 2007 NCS Champions after a previous 1 win season. Not to mention Luis's Dad who has been a respected Coach in the Softball world. These coaches evaluated the talent to only have Rocha (who 99% surely did not even attend a practice) tell them who is on their team. 4) Calls on his buddy Jess Quesada to coach the girls teams (this is recent news through the Grapevine). This is the same Quesada who coached the Varsity Defense in 2005. To quote some of the kids "My Mom could run a better Defense". This guy has been run out of almost every sports program he's been involved with. The only guy who would back him up is Rocha. Every other program...Thanks for applying! 5) Prior to the 2007 Football season. Fires the Cheerleader Coach and hires his kids Godmother, family friend. Odd???... Oh that makes perfectly good sense! The worst part is. Who do you turn to? Sims...Shes half the problem. School Board?... yeah right. Too all you so called AUSD Administration - You have single handedly destroyed what was once a proud High School. Your actions are loud and clear. These are the people leading your kids. To the Antioch School Board! Do something, step up and DO SOMETHING! Last I heard it's ANTIOCH HIGH SCHOOL not ROCHA HIGH SCHOOL. Shame on you!
Fri, 02/29/2008 - 20:47 — yep
ahssftbal
ahssftbal's picture

Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 29
that is it in just about a nutshell...it has become a kingdom
Fri, 02/29/2008 - 21:55 — ?
ahssftbal
ahssftbal's picture

Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 29
ahswatcher are you telling me that Quesada has never coached softball....girls in general?
Fri, 02/29/2008 - 18:16 — this is true
1aquaboy1
1aquaboy1's picture

Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4
The girl did play basketball for her mom's boyfriend who is the coach at ahs and was given preferential treatment, the parent is also in tight with the school board. It is not about the student, it is not her fault she is being taught this is how things work. It is the boyfriend, the mom, and most importantly the moron running AHS like a hobby not a job. It is the school districts and the morons job to be teaching and guiding these young adults about life and academics. They taught the music masters if they work hard and perform well someone will try to hold you back, and they are teaching that anyone who wants to be a role model and coach at AHS you better be as spineless as they are. Louie I heard you hired another one of your buddies to coach football.
Fri, 02/29/2008 - 20:08 — Is it Louie or Louise?
buzzard9
buzzard9's picture

Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3
It is a sad day to be a Panther! This thing sounds like one screwed up reality show. 20 years ago I graduated from Antioch and very proud of it. I do not remember politics playing a part in sports and it should never. Louie, Sweet Lou, Lousie or whatever you want to be called just know that you have lost a lot of respect from the alumni. I still live in Antioch and I still attend sports events and my family is a big supporter of Antioch Sports. Both Deer Valley and Antioch. Stand up, swallow your pride and make it public that you made a bad decision. Someone already made the statement about what are you teaching these young people about life. Teach them another life long message about admitting you're wrong. The fact that you have a JV coach doing that to the players? That person should be fired and never allowed to be around young adults at that school!!! Now that's a decision you should make. To the coaching staff that resigned. Good luck and enjoy the time you now have with your families. See you on the diamond next year........
Fri, 02/29/2008 - 20:11 — Nick Nolte Spotted
buzzard9
buzzard9's picture

Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3
cleanantioch you need a better picture.........
Fri, 02/29/2008 - 20:37 — Wow
ahssftbal
ahssftbal's picture

Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 29
Ouch after watching practice today......I hope his choice for the football team was better...
Fri, 02/29/2008 - 21:37 — Peanut League Coaches Beware
dadof4
dadof4's picture

Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1
Reports of those who were at the first full practice conducted by Louie's quality coaches, watch out for 2 men in black and gold. They are apparently scouting all Peanut leage practices this weekend for new practice plans.
Sat, 03/01/2008 - 14:18 — A sad day to be a Panther.....
cleanantioch
cleanantioch's picture

Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 182
buzzard- I couldn't agree with you more.... it IS sad day to be a Panther. I will have to say that after supporting the football team by participating in golf tournaments through the years, things were just starting to look good after Frank Beede was hired. Even after him leaving the coaching position I would have still supported the football program. However, after that so called hiring process, where the panel voted to hire Antioch alumnus Mark Libbey, and Louie hired his former Norcal Outlaw coach Autentico instead, I will no longer be attending the golf tournament or any other functions that support the football team. I also support and attend the annual crab feed that supports both the football program and the Music Masters. After the crap that the district tried to pull on them, I will no longer support them after Mr. Molina leaves. Both of the above mentioned fund raisers are attended by so many former students and student/athletes from AHS. I think it is about time to let the AUSD know that we will not support the decisions that are being made by Louie. It is unfortunate for the students, but by not attending these type of events and not making donations, perhaps they will get the message. In the end, the student athletes will suffer from Louie's actions. The fact that the girls softball team will not benefit from the experience of playing for the Luis's and Rebstock is unfortunate. The fact that coach Luis was able to get Rebstock to help with the girls was phenominal. The girls were going to have the opportunity to play for, and learn from one of the best coaches around. If I were a parent of these players, or a player, I would be outraged. There is a disturbing pattern here. Beede revives the football program and then "decides" to resign. Luis puts together a supreme coaching staff and then is forced to resign. If I am an athlete at Antioch High or a parent of an athlete I would be demanding some answers. Their kids deserve to be coached by the best coaches, not Louie's buddies. Somebody at the district needs to pay attention to what is happening over at AHS. Was forcing the coaching staff to resign done in the best interest of the student athletes, or done in the best interest of Louie Rocha and this girls mother? I know many former athletes and coaches in this area, and what has transpired in the last week is unheard of. Louie has taken 1 student athlete and put her interests in front of 14 others. Is that what a principal is supposed to do? It's time to start asking questions and demanding that they are answered. Why was this decision made? What was the hiring process for the replacement coaches? Perhaps the district needs to look into the whole hiring process. Why did Louie have a hiring panel for football, then not pick the coach that they chose? Isn't there somebody downtown to question this? If they can get involved with a girl getting cut from the softball team then I am sure that they could question his hiring tactics. Antioch still has a lot of former students and teachers in this area who are very inflential in this town and support a lot of programs at Antioch High. I thought for a long time that Louie was included in that group, but we are fast learning that Louie's best interests are not that of the students or the school, but his best interests are for himself and his buddies. I think it is time for us alumni to not support AHS as long as Louie is doing things his way. There is absolutely no realistic logic behind the decisions that he has made, except for the fact that his buddies now have coaching positions at AHS. I also find it quite appalling the the district has allowed this to happen. Somebody from downtown needs to step up here and do some damage control. The questions will be asked and we will get answers to these questions. Iris- I know that you read anything on here that has do do with the school district. How about responding to our questions and concerns?
Sat, 03/01/2008 - 17:41 — I don't know the facts
Iris
Iris's picture

Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 111
Hello CleanAntioch, Unfortunately, I don't have the answers. In my public information role, I comply with the public information act, manage media protocol, respond to media requests and respond to the communities need for information around things like the budget cuts, school reform, etc. In my role as director of community engagement, I create platforms for parent, business and community involvement with the district. As well, I manage some of the district's collaborative ventures. Neither of my roles gives me the authority to oversee or contribute to this kind of decision making. I have heard several different accounts of what happened with the girls softball team but honestly cannot confirm or deny any of them. I am sorry that I cannot be of more help, however, we have a superintendent that is always open to talking with members of our community about areas of concern. We are launching a parent roundtable this month, and there are several sub-committees parents can serve on. One is the "district engagement" sub-committee. This committee will meet monthly with the superintendent to discuss areas of concern for parents. I encourage and welcome you and others who would like this level of communication to join. I will be posting the date and time for the first general meeting on the district website next week. We are shooting for a date later this month. Iris
Sat, 03/01/2008 - 18:17 — There is really only 1
ahssftbal
ahssftbal's picture

Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 29
There is really only 1 account that matters and that is the truth. And that is what is being said on these message boards. Somebody within Antioch Unified over stepped their boundaries. It was either Principal Rocha or Superintendant Simms or both. And all we have gotten so far is a cirlce the wagon mentality and good ol' bureaucratic double speak. If it was Superintendant Simms, and this person thinks it was I want to know why Deer Valley was allowed to cut 3 Seniors and Antioch High was not? Does it have to do with the merits of the complaint or who the person was complaining? And where is this complaint in writing? And on what grounds did you act; did you attend a practice, the scrimmage? No of course not because why allow the facts get in the way of your decision. My other question would be despite the need of our schools why would anybody vote for a bond measure or lobby Sacramento for more funds when there is clearly mismangement going on at the top. I for one don't want to drop another 80 grand on that football field. How many other wasteful projects are going on that we haven't heard about yet?
Sat, 03/01/2008 - 18:41 — Thank You Iris
cleanantioch
cleanantioch's picture

Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 182
Iris- Thank you for directing me in the right direction. I guess we will have to talk with the superintendent. I'm sure she has already been asked a lot of the questions that I have for her, so her answers should be well rehearsed. Thanks again, cleanantioch
Sat, 03/01/2008 - 19:30 — You're welcome
Iris
Iris's picture

Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 111
Cleanantioch, I'd like to add one more comment if you don't mind because it's something I think needs to be said, and you seem like the kind of person that can hear it and not take it the wrong way. As stated before, I really don't know what the truth is, but I can say this. I have never known Dr. Sims to try and force any Principal to do anything. I know some people believe I am paid to say things like that, and that my job is to protect her. These are people who do not understand my job and who don't know me or Dr. Sims. Anybody who knows me knows that I cannot be bought, and that I will never, ever condone anything that is not right. I will not cover it up, I will not lie, and I will not ignore it. Thanks for listening :-) Iris
Sat, 03/01/2008 - 20:14 — Sims/Rocha
ahswatcher
ahswatcher's picture

Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 12
Iris: "I have never known Dr. Sims to try and force any Principal to do anything." How could you? She hasn't been here that long. "Anybody who knows me knows that I cannot be bought, and that I will never, ever condone anything that is not right. I will not cover it up, I will not lie, and I will not ignore it." I don't know who you are but these are not people just venting on this board. There are some HARDCORE truths to what is going on here. Hopefully you are either part of the School Board or someone close to them who can shed light on this. This will get out of hand and the only ones who will be affected are the Students. Interview people who left as teachers, coaches, etc... Time for Rocha to resign!!!!!!!!!!!
Sun, 03/02/2008 - 00:56 — Not a board member
Iris
Iris's picture

Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 111
No, I am not a board member and never could be because I don't handle politics well. I am a staff member within the district and I work very closely to Dr. Sims. I have only been on board since October, but in that time I have not seen her force any principal to do anything. It does not seem to be her style. Iris
Sun, 03/02/2008 - 02:12 — I want your opinions. I know
ahssftbal
ahssftbal's picture

Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 29
I want your opinions. I know your not speaking for the Board or anybody else. What does Iris think? Should Varsity sports be merit based? Should Seniors make the team because of their status in the school? Should administrators at any level force coaches to take kids that do not meet their standards and got cut? Should administrators trust their coaches to coach? If there is a complaint shouldn't the party investigating do all their homework so they can appear intelligent? Shouldn't parties who over rule try-outs actually attend those try-outs? Should coaches who yell at the players and make them cry with their outrages statements still be allowed to coach? Should principals be allowed to lie to parents? Should a principal be allowed to over rule a hiring committe that he set up because he didn't get his way? Even if these people are qualified (softball no), doesn't it smack of cronyism the way all of his close friends are ending up with jobs at the school? When will someone publicly stand up and call him out on dropping 80 grand on that football field? Is it good policy for principals to meddle in their sons playing time on the football team? These are some of the questions that I want answered. If your not affraid to express your opinion then please express.
Sun, 03/02/2008 - 02:19 — here are my opinion, and i
berlin47112
berlin47112's picture

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 304
here are my opinion, and i don't know anything or anybody in this case: a coach is a third party, and works for the school, part time. he has to implement the school values. off course he has to do his sports thing. but in all reality, he just works there. having said this, yes the school/ board etc should tell him in what direction they want to see the kids go in sports. whatever the coaches do in sports, it's still a school function and the school/ board carries the responsibility. we as the parents need to learn that this is high school, and the priority is the academic achievements, not sports.
Sun, 03/02/2008 - 09:48 — Belin, you are not wrong but
ahssftbal
ahssftbal's picture

Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 29
Belin, you are not wrong but if that is the case the direction needs to be writen or at least communicated to the coaches so they can implement their (administration) vision. In JL's 18 years at Antioch there has always been freshman on Varsity. There was 1 last year and 3 that floated between JV and Varsity. Right now only 1 program is being singled out and that is not right. If Mr Rocha really believes Freshman play freshman; sophmores and juniors play JV and Juniors and Seniors play varsity and the school board agrees with this direction then all programs need to implement this. I haven't looked at the roster of all of the programs yet but there was a freshman girl and boy playing soccer on the big team. I know of at least one sophmore varsity football player and I am sure I can find numerous freshman on the JV teams. If this is their values then fine. Put it in writing and let of us know. If that was the case I would not have gone to Antioch. There is another school in town that seems to have no problem putting the best teams on the field regardless of age. I agree that school is for academics primarily, but I also believe athletics offer the chance to teach valuable life lessons. Sadly the lessons being taught now are not very positive.
Sun, 03/02/2008 - 20:46 — i am not sure if everything
berlin47112
berlin47112's picture

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 304
i am not sure if everything should be put in writing. there has to be some room for all to move around. i support our coaches 100%, but, they do work for the school, and they are not gods. i don't know how other schools handle the try outs, but the ones i have followed, there were at least 4 coaches, which made their decisions during and after a week long try out period. again, there could be hurt feelings, but it's not the end of the world. i strongly believe, if we as parents should come down and not overreact. there is still pi, and how about an extra class in math?
Sun, 03/02/2008 - 11:29 — Berlin, you are not wrong #2, BUT!!!!
gradAHS
gradAHS's picture

Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 6
If the school board dictates policy: 1- It should be in writing not in Rocha's head. And 2 - It should be applied at all high schools in the district. Berlin, didn't Carondelet soccer's coach cut 4 or 5 upperclassmen this year and replace them with freshmen?????????????
Sun, 03/02/2008 - 09:06 — Okay, here is my opinion
Iris
Iris's picture

Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 111
To ahssftbal, Not clear why you are interested in my opinions instead of facts but, my opinion is that if you want answers you should go to the school district and ask your questions. You should come from behind the screen name and just go ask the questions you need to ask from the people who can give you answers. I can understand that you are upset, but I think I clearly said that I do have have any facts, and I do not speculate. All of your questions contain assumptions that I cannot qualify with fact because I don't know the details regarding this situation. Therefore, I cannot give you an informed opinion. You clearly seem to have much more information about this than I do. Therefore, you have got to be a lot closer to the situation than I am. Who are you, and why have you decided to make this about me? You have my name, now give me yours. If you will simply say who you are, and why this has all of a sudden become an "I want answers from Iris thing" I'll talk to you face to face. But, I will not play this out with you on line . I will not make assumptions, I will not speculate, but I will listen to you face to face and take your concerns to the appropriate persons if you come see me, or call me and identify yourself. If that is not acceptable, I understand, but then you have to direct your questions to someone else on the board.
Sun, 03/02/2008 - 09:58 — Iris, Iris answer my
ahssftbal
ahssftbal's picture

Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 29
Iris, Iris answer my questions and I will give you my name. This isn't about you it is about the comment you made about not protecting Superintendant Sims and being able to voice your own opinion. Until you made that comment I would have left you alone. None of my questions held assumpitions. They were questions. They were general in nature. Let me start with number 1 again; is Varsity sports merit based?
Sun, 03/02/2008 - 15:38 — I'll tell you again
Iris
Iris's picture

Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 111
ahssftbal, good to hear this is not about me. now, come and talk to me in person. that is my invitation and the best offer you will get.
Mon, 03/03/2008 - 07:35 — Maybe Iris. But maybe not.
ahssftbal
ahssftbal's picture

Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 29
Maybe Iris. But maybe not. See Iris, to me if somebody can't answer the very simple question of is Varsity sports merit based will never see any of our points. And talking to you would do nothing, but anger me and waste my time. But I appreciate your invitation and will consider it.
Mon, 03/03/2008 - 08:21 — Interesting...
Iris
Iris's picture

Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 111
Here's how I see it. I am a public information officer. I have been a non-profit consultant for 17 years. I teach college level courses in urban politics, and that makes me a varsity team expert how??? You're right. Don't waste your time. You should be talking to Louie Rocha, Dr. Sims or the Board. They are the ones that can help you. You decided that you wanted to engage me in this whole question and answer thing. Please do not waste anymore of your time or mine. Go to the proper sources. You'll not hear from me again until unless you call or come by the district.
Mon, 03/03/2008 - 09:18 — hello iris, don't let that
berlin47112
berlin47112's picture

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 304
hello iris, don't let that get to you. if those people here think they have something, or even not, they should go the right place, and to the right people in the first place. starting crap on a discussion board and not having the backbone shows how wrong they are.
Mon, 03/03/2008 - 11:28 — Thank you Berlin
Iris
Iris's picture

Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 111
I appreciate that. Iris
Mon, 03/03/2008 - 12:33 — hello iris, even i have
berlin47112
berlin47112's picture

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 304
hello iris, even i have nothing to do with you, i want that you stay here and keep posting. this board is for venting, fun, discussion, exchange of information ..and bazooka. to the other posters: i think it's cool that you have some concerns, and that you have posted it here. now it's time to take the bull by the horn and address the issue at the right place. please don't forget to post the steps you gone take and then the results.
Tue, 03/04/2008 - 07:45 — "i believe that the decision
ahssftbal
ahssftbal's picture

Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 29
"i believe that the decision who is in a team has to be made and ends with the coach" Did you change your mind berlin? Because your later posts seem to suggest you may be ok now about what is happening? We have grabbed the bull by the horn and gone through proper channels unfortunatly it seems we don't get heard. And to me it isn't because of the merits of the issue, but the fact that we are not connected. Thus the "new" media is one of our alternatives to get our issue out there. If at anytime we are factually inaccurate please inform us. As for anynomity I venture a quess berlin isn't your real name. Maybe it is. However, let me assure you I am no where near as anynomous as you or Iris think. Plus the psuedonym is a long standing literary tradition and while I am certainly not comparing myself to any talented writers who have used them, I have to admit it is fun and safer to write in private while fighting in public. So in closing rest assured berlin we are fighting in public because we all have backbone but I will continue to write in "anynomity" because it is fun and hopefully informative. And once again if something isn't correct that we are all saying, including many people that aren't on the team, please tell us.