Capt. Keith Wils
10-24-2010, 05:04 AM
Schwartz out at Rapid
October 23, 2010 - By Dennis Grall
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RAPID RIVER - Andy Schwartz has resigned as softball coach at Rapid River following a controversial summer.
The board of education accepted his resignation request Monday, ending a simmering issue that began in August when Schwartz and two of his brothers were sentenced for violation of tribal rules relating to commercial fishing. They were charged with a total of 79 violations.
The brothers are members of the Sault Ste. Marie Chippewa Tribe of Indians. They have appealed the judge's Aug. 20 ruling in which they were assessed a total of $13,175 in fines and costs, $15,214 in restitution and loss of their tribal fishing rights.
His coaching position was terminated by Supt. Henry Knoch Aug. 25, but that was reversed by the board following a Sept. 15 special meeting. The board, after meeting with Schwartz and Knoch in private following a public hearing, imposed a coaching suspension for 35 percent of 2011 softball games and suspended his junior high football coaching for the duration of the 2010 season.
Athletic director Rick Pepin said Schwartz submitted his resignation to Knoch "with the premise he was thankful for the opportunity (to coach) and the members of the community and school board for giving him a second chance."
Pepin said "family reasons" were listed for his decision to resign.
Jordan Schwartz, a junior, transferred to Gladstone High School in September. She plays softball and basketball and also ran cross country at Rapid River and would be eligible to compete in the second semester for the Braves.
"Assuming his daughter plays softball in Gladstone, it is important for him to watch her," said Pepin. "It has been a sequence of events."
Pepin said the softball vacancy will be posted internally until Nov. 1 and would then be posted externally if necessary.
He hopes to have a replacement "by the end of the year so they have the opportunity to plan some offseason conditioning and I could get feedback for preferences for scheduling and tournaments. We are self-funded and a lot of preparation goes into a self-funded program."
Pepin said it is unlikely a faculty member will apply since previous coach openings in other sports have not drawn much interest from the staff. "This will let things calm down here," he said of the search.
Schwartz, the third coach in the program's seven-year history, was 48-23 in two seasons and guided the Rockets to the Division 4 state semifinals in 2009 and the regional finals this spring.
October 23, 2010 - By Dennis Grall
Save |
RAPID RIVER - Andy Schwartz has resigned as softball coach at Rapid River following a controversial summer.
The board of education accepted his resignation request Monday, ending a simmering issue that began in August when Schwartz and two of his brothers were sentenced for violation of tribal rules relating to commercial fishing. They were charged with a total of 79 violations.
The brothers are members of the Sault Ste. Marie Chippewa Tribe of Indians. They have appealed the judge's Aug. 20 ruling in which they were assessed a total of $13,175 in fines and costs, $15,214 in restitution and loss of their tribal fishing rights.
His coaching position was terminated by Supt. Henry Knoch Aug. 25, but that was reversed by the board following a Sept. 15 special meeting. The board, after meeting with Schwartz and Knoch in private following a public hearing, imposed a coaching suspension for 35 percent of 2011 softball games and suspended his junior high football coaching for the duration of the 2010 season.
Athletic director Rick Pepin said Schwartz submitted his resignation to Knoch "with the premise he was thankful for the opportunity (to coach) and the members of the community and school board for giving him a second chance."
Pepin said "family reasons" were listed for his decision to resign.
Jordan Schwartz, a junior, transferred to Gladstone High School in September. She plays softball and basketball and also ran cross country at Rapid River and would be eligible to compete in the second semester for the Braves.
"Assuming his daughter plays softball in Gladstone, it is important for him to watch her," said Pepin. "It has been a sequence of events."
Pepin said the softball vacancy will be posted internally until Nov. 1 and would then be posted externally if necessary.
He hopes to have a replacement "by the end of the year so they have the opportunity to plan some offseason conditioning and I could get feedback for preferences for scheduling and tournaments. We are self-funded and a lot of preparation goes into a self-funded program."
Pepin said it is unlikely a faculty member will apply since previous coach openings in other sports have not drawn much interest from the staff. "This will let things calm down here," he said of the search.
Schwartz, the third coach in the program's seven-year history, was 48-23 in two seasons and guided the Rockets to the Division 4 state semifinals in 2009 and the regional finals this spring.