Ex-East coach gets his say, but no answers
May 24, 2012 at 7:00 pm in Duluth News Tribune
Longtime Duluth East boys basketball coach Chuck Tolo, whose contract with the school district was not renewed last month, asked the School Board for answers Thursday night in a special meeting.
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Since when did the Duluth School Board listen to the people who voted them in? They pick and choose the rules they WANT to follow, and disregard the rest. Here is a well liked coach who did above & beyond for his students. I am not a basketball fan, or an East parent, but there are others in the District that have done things that the School Board completely ignored. Not sure what the real story is here, but it’s certainly a loss for the students with the loss of this coach. Another stupid decision School Board. but then, we have lost count of your dumb decisions. And just to comment on the Assistant Superintendent’s salary – 129,000??? What does the Superintendent Make? And we are cutting teachers, can’t afford teaching supplies etc and I am guessing this means that the two top administrators are making over 300,000 a year? The salaries just keep going up for fewer schools, fewer students….and now fewer teachers. Nice job.- Not.
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The administrators at East High School do this kind of stuff to the students all the time and they have no recourse. I hope Mr. Tolo sues them not only for himself but all the students that have been bullied by the Principal, assistant prinicipal and A.D. at East. The school board should be looking at how things are done at that high school by these people and maybe law suits would not have to happen.
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I’m not all that familiar with East but I remember reading somewhere during the last School board elections that the new Board Member Miernicki used to be a AD at East, and that there was some question on his abrupt early retirement/departure from the position – I think I heard that there was sealed documents around that issue as well. Please correct me if anyone has a recollection or actual memory of that issue. I apologize if I am remembering this incorrectly. I am just saying that if this is correct, you would expect him to be more sympathetic to this Coach’s position.
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Kid broke the rules. Observed and duly reported by Woodland Hills staff member, who were his legal guardians as he served his sentence from felony convictions. MSHSL protocol for third violation means suspension, forever. All coaches are required, not expected/maybe/might know/etc, what MSHSL Code of Conduct involves at each step along the way. Chuck Tolo should have known what this player was facing – the indefinite suspension from MSHSL-sanctioned activities. He knew what results to expect, or was supposed to know the results, from any kind of appeal. MSHSL Code of Conduct for coaches covers this.
He’s had his feelings hurt and will now spend, and waste, money trying to defend himself for speaking out against established policy he already agreed to – Chuck, back it down and count your blessings. It wasn’t your fault the kid broke the rules.
Hot debate. What do you think?
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Well said.
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Mike Watkins,
Since you are obviousley well versed in the actual rules violations involved with this case and have an extensive knowledge and grasp of the MSHL code of ethis and official rules. Please enlighten the readership with an outline of exactly what rules violations the student in this case actually was “officially” in violation of. Be careful now…the word officially is in there and that points towards a fact based opinion not an emotionally charged and stunted accusation. It is amazing how articles like this somehow make everyone think they are lawyers.
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the people who “thumbed down” my comment made me chuckle and actually made my point.
Think about it…You disagree with the idea that you should have facts to back up your opinions…..I will go out on a limb here and guess that you may struggle a bit with tests. Just a hunch.
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Here is a wonderful quote from Danil Patrick Moynihan to keep in mind when discussing this type of story:
“Everyone is entitled to their own opinion…..but not their own facts”
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How can you say the kid broke the rules when it wasn’t proven—only “alleged” by an unknown but supposedly trusted staff person who said he was smoking? Of course Coach Tolo knows the MSHSL rules – he’s been coaching in the system for 20+ years. What makes this different is that the student denied smoking, offered to take a test that would prove it, but was denied that chance by the administration. If I was Coach Tolo I would be angry too—he knew, trusted and believed his player and chose to stand by him. It is a breath of fresh air to see an educator stand up for his students and personal beliefs—it takes a lot of courage—more than what most people have.
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Ivory Tower is the first person on here who actually has followed the facts surrounding this story. The incidents are alleged…no closure. Also understand that The Coach in this case was not fired, his contract was not “renewed”. Seems like a small difference in terminology…it is a difference in what legal recourse can be pursued. Just to be clear here, I am not a friend or family member of any of the parties involved. I saw some irregularities in the developing story in March, took a personal interest and followed it through.
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The only appropriate comment from Chuck Tolo during that appeal process was “no comment.” Don’t believe that’s what I heard from him. If I was his boss, I’d have sent him packing too. Doesn’t help that he’s got Starks (man of zero character) trying to be the kid’s NBA agent.
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First off, kid had no business playing for East, as he wasn’t a true resident of the school district. Heck, he wasn’t even a Commuter Kid (You know, the kids who play for East who live with a faaaaaaaaaaaaar flung relative). He was a convicted felon. File that part under Too Bad So Sad.
Now with regards to the coach, you can cry Free Speech all you want, but you don’t have the right to criticize your employer, be they government or private. They can, and sometimes do, send your behind packing, as they did in this instance and that now former-Marine who made remarks against Obama.
That’s life.
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I actually appreciate all the comments and even the “thumbs down” on my comments because those of you who took the time to give additional information. I did not know this was a woodland hills student. I did not know he was not a regular East student. I did not know there was a criminal history – which in itself should keep the kid out of the general student population until he has met the requirements. There was much to this story that I am seeing here, then I saw in the news tribune. Probably because of confidentiality. I did post earlier that there must be more to the story because it wasn’t adding up. Thanks for the additional information. I would not have commented had I known the whole story but I am guessing there are lots of others in my position that are only seeing a good Coach who lost his job and thats all they know.
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Mr. Spock,
What are you basing your comments on here? Explain your knowledge and grasp of the details involved in this case to support you accusations. Do you really understand the situation enough to validate your asumptions with facts. I would like to know more about why you have arrived at your conclusions regarding this story? Are you stating facts or is it just your opinion? I am really curious…..you seem to have some information that has allowed you to form a very strong opinion on this matter.
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So people give me the thumb down for asking this particular person to support their statements with facts? That is hilarious. I am just asking that people use actual tangible facts to base their opinions on when it comes to stories like this. This is not some mindless story about rescuing a puppy from a tree. This story involves contracts and legal machinations that will greatly affect certain individuals for the rest of their lives. And folks come on and provide flip and glib comments as if it is harmless. So keep Rotating your avitars and spewing uneducated opinions…..as long as you get WIFI that is your license to slander.
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Pete – you need to calm down with the “thumbs down” comments. Quit wasting everyone’s time whining about how nobody likes your posts.
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Dark Knight,
I am not whining about people not liking my posts? I am merely pointing out that people need to get their facts straight before commenting on stories that affect peoples lives at a deeper level. I could care less if someone likes the post…. the fact that anyone would argue against using facts to base your opinion on is a testament to the quality of the posters on this site. Why would anyone argue against using facts when available? Amazes me.
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With this criticism ” a lack of knowledge of the High School League’s code of sports ethics and not setting an example of “highest ethical moral conduct.” some other coaches should have lost their jobs too. Must depend on what sport you’re talking.
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So Pete…you seem to have “facts” no one else has…care to elaborate?
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Deemer,
I do have more of the information because I took the time to look further into the situation…just like you have the opportunity to do. The public record is an amazing resource for those who are willing to truly want the truth about issues. For starters take the time yourself and look up this young mans case in Rochester MN regarding the level of his “felony” incident, then do your due diligence and look at what this young person was officially caught doing here in Duluth. For people to come on this site and throw around misinformation and opinions as if they were facts is disgusting. The facts support that this young person has made some mistakes , but nothing to the level that warrants this type of punishment. You need to do your own homework. That is the best way to fully understand this story.
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Pete….thanks for your continueing posts. I know none of the people involved, in fact do not even live in the city. I commented on the original article and thought then the punishment does not fit the “crime”. Played ball when I was in high school and know what a big deal state tournaments are, even tho my team was not talented enough to come close to participating. Too many news stories report on a incident and then fail to provide facts so that readers can grasp what really happened. Tolo’s comments after his “closed door” meeting with the school board did nothing to clarify the situation.
This once in a lifetime opportunity can change a young mans life, instead he is left with a bitter taste. I hope the school board recognizes it didn’t have to be this way, even if they were following “the rules”.
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I learned many years ago that life isn’t fair. This is one of those unfortunate situations where unfairness ruled the roost. It all began with a “trusted source” accusing the student of smoking – might I add the word “allegedly” continues to be used. How could all this have happened with an incident that was “alleged” but not proven? I sure wouldn’t want to be in the cross-hairs of the school board or administration like these two coaches at East have. They didn’t have a chance up against the powers that be whose objective was to protect their own and to keep their positions of power. The East boys basketball team has lost a good head coach who was successful not only on the court but with building the lives and character of his players throughout the years. There are different rules for different people. As I said – life isn’t fair.
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The Board is deathly afraid of litigation and ultra-sensitive to criticism. They placed coaches on notice that if they either:
1. breach student privacy rules with respect to grades, health, discipline, etc. and/or
2. criticize their bosses
they have the choice of resigning or firing.
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Pete, I have been a coach in the MN public school system for almost thirty years – I do know MSHSL policies and procedures. He was not living at Woodland Hills by choice – he was placed in this halfway house/correctional facility due to his minor status. Employees at WH are legally responsible for his well-being, through court-ordered supervision. Anything said or done then, by the employees of WH become part of an official case. In this case, a WH staff member observed him smoking, a violation of MSHSL policy. He reported it, and due to the unique working agreement between WH,DE, and ISD 709, it was necessarily reported on up the chain of authority. And it resulted in his suspension.
Timing is everything. We can put just about any spin we want to on this situation. My opinion, to keep you happy, is that Chuck Tolo hasn’t an ice cubes chance in the oven to win this case. It’s not his fault the student broke the rules. In my mind the player’s actions and results are a done deal – Tolo’s issue is an entirely separate situation and by his choice he may certainly seek an answer.
If this is how he wants to spend his time and money, go for it, Chuck. I wouldn’t do it, but again, this is just my opinion.
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Ivorytower, find me a kid that will tell you he didn’t do it. Every kid will tell you they didn’t do it. In that all attempts are made to treat students the same across the board, the way the MSHSL policy reads is that if a violation occurs, penalties will follow. Testing for smoking? Why? It’s not done for any number of reasons, most noteworthy those responsible for his well-being are looking out for his best interests, and trying to keep him safe and sound. Although you may have a different opinion of the WH staffers and their responsibilities in this situation, they are looking out for his best interests when all is sad and done, in my opinion and the opinion of the legal system that committed him to the facility in the first place.
On the other hand, the other coach in this situation has become the legal guardian for this talented athlete. It is my opinion he has done so as an act of simple greed to take advantage of this athlete’s potential financial outlook relative to his basket ball skills. There is a chance this athlete will make it big – the parasitic coach(my opinion, again) would then benefit financially as well. But this is pure conjecture on my part – entirely my opinion and I could certainly be wrong.
Time will tell in this situation. We can wait for the results of the lawsuit if and when it is filed. We can wait to see what becomes of this athlete. And, we can find out the facts, as they occur, relative to those who surround the situation. Just my opinion – no wait a minute, these might actually be the facts. Just say’n.
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“The East boys basketball team has lost a good head coach who was successful not only on the court but with building the lives and character of his players throughout the years.”
Don’t believe everything that you hear- he (along with Starks) alienated as many or more players than he helped. Since the arrival of Starks it seems as though the team is merely a collection of individuals playing a supporting role to a stand out player. It may work to win games with the weak schedule they play and to showcase a particular player but it is no longer a team and has had NO chance of competing at the state level. The talent is there but the TEAMS have been destroyed, not something a good coach would do.
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Couldn’t agree more Joe. Like I’ve said before, this wouldn’t have been an issue for a kid who was 5’5″ and wasn’t a starter, because Tolo would have never gone out of his way for a kid like that.
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Josiah has it right- didn’t Starks move his summer basketball league out of state (all the way to Superior) to avoid the MSHSL player contact rules? Not many (any?) who opted out of playing in Starks summer league made varsity- coincidence?
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