• Format
  • Publications (documents)
• Type
  • Text
• Source institution
  • Western Carolina University
• Identifier
  • HL_WesternCarolinian_1990-07-26_Vol56_No02_07

Volume 56 Number 2 Sports The Western Carolinian Page 7 Thursday. July 26, 1990 Reasons for Howell's dismissal Courtesy of The Asheville-Citizen (Reprinted with permission) Sports Editor's Note: The following is reprinted from the Asheville Citizen's Tuesday July 17, 1990 edition. These are the reasons as requested by Coach Babe Howell for his not being reassigned as football coach. The list (bold) is followed by his response to the violations, incidents or conditions. 1. Violated North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) rules and regula- tions by allowing an academically ineligible player to participate in spring practice, holding individual ant team practices during part of the school day,.'and allowing team practice during the spring training this year. "It's possible that an ineligible player came out, but because it's voluntary, that's not against the rules. (When asked NCHSAA Assistant Executive Director Rick S trunk said, "Since they are voluntary unofficial workouts, that is not a violation of our rules.") It was never brought to my attention that someone was academically ineligible. "We never held a team practice during school days...as far as team practice, if you use less than 11 men at once, it does not constitute a team. We never use more than nine at a time." 2. Violated conditions of reassignment as head football coach at Smoky Mountain High School set up by the Board of Education relating to the operation of the football program. "Evidently when 1 look the job, there were some conditions... that dealt with making full use of the coaching staff, and communication (with the administration), and buying (supplics),..Supposcdly, I violated three of the four conditions, but I don't know what those conditions are or how I violated them." 3. Repeatedly refused to accept and follow directions from the athletic director and the school principal, and other administrative personnel, "I received good evaluations (as a teacher), and I got along well with these people." 4. Insubordination. "I don't know who 1 was insubordinate to. You would have to ask somebody else." 5. On several occasions, both past and present, has ordered unauthorized equipment, causing thousands of dollars to be expended by the school system which had not been appropriated for athletic equipment. One or more unauthorized purchases are still unpaid. 6. Has ordered football equipment on several occasions without authorization or sufficient funds to pay for it after being told by ijic principal not to order anything without prior approval. 7. Incurred a debt in the amount of $1,000 on football uniforms without approval. 8. Has turned in purchase order requests after the items to be purchased had already been ordered, contrary to school procedures. "In 1988, we were to play Mitchell County. It was extremely cold during the week, and the prediction was most extreme for the game...So I bought long-sleeve shirts and the shirts came in about the timel put in a request for them. We had a discussion about this and that incident has been brought to my attention several times since then. "That was the only time in two years that I bought anything without going through the proper procedures. When (the shirts) were bought,, the booster club said they would pay thebill if the school didn't want to." 9. Requested and used school funds to purchase Shrine Bowl tickets for assistant coaches, although none of these coaches requested to go, and none went, "As a former coach of the Shrine Bowl, I feel like 1 should buy the tickets and attend the game.. .1 see it as a donation to the Shrine Hospital, a very good cause.. .Last year, I had a difficult time getting the tickets through (McConnell), so Tasked the principal to buy them, and he gave the OK (the total cost of the tickets was $20). 10. Has given players their practice jerseys and then requested replacement with new ones. "We requested new ones, and then gave the players the old ones. That happens almost yearly, because the jerseys get ragged after a lot of use." 11. Gave players new game jerseys and allowed them to be cut off, without administrative permission. "When shirts hang down, we feel like it's just something else for a tackier to grab a hold of. So for the backs and ends, we sometimes cut off jerseys. I didn't get administrative permission to do that, and I didn't ask for any, cither." 12. Disposal of school property without permission and then requested replacement. "I don't know what this could mean. It may have been giving away an old helmet that was outdated. 1 don't feel like I needed anyone's permission to do that." 13. Made no effort after the end of football season to collect equipment, thereby causing an unaccountable shortage of athletic equipment and supplies. "As soon as the season is over, we have to gather all the equipment and store it so our (locker- room) space can be used by other teams. We've always done a good job of that." 14. Openly critical of and belittled the swim team, soccer team, and other components of the athletic program and band program, as well as other school programs. "I have never been openly critical or belittled anyone out therci'vebeen friendly with those coaches and have gotten along with all of them." 15. Objects to the soccer team using the playing field and criticized coaches and soccer players. "I do object to the soccer team using the playing field because they do a lot of damage to it, particularly when it's muddy. But, I have not been criticized the soccer players or the coaches." 16. Contributed to the controversy between the soccer team and football team to the ex tent that WLOS-TV requested permission to produce a story on the controversy between the soccer team and the football team. "I don't know anything about this; I didn't know WLOS wanted to do anything about it." 17. Conducted two-hour practices without water breaks which caused parents to call school officials complaining about the matter. "When we have stand around practices, where not much is going around, we take fewer water breaks than a normal practice...To my knowledge, no parent has ever complained to me about this." 18. Criticized school officials in the presence of a group of parents for not providing equipment, when in fact school officials had not been approached regarding the purchase of that equipment. "I may have jokingly said that another team beat us because they had better equipment, but I have never publicly humiliated them." 19. Publicly humiliated football players and staff. "I don't know when I have ever done that. 1 have heaped praise on them, and I admire them for everything they have accomplished. But I have never publicly humiliated them." 20. Openly critical, rude, and impertinent to non-school persons dealing with the athletic department. "The only thing I know here was that maybe a salesman brought in something that wasn't what I was told it would be, and I was critical... but I didn't sec any of them crying when they left. Salesmen ought to have lough skins." 21. Made unauthorized and premature announcement regarding employment of assistant coaches, contrary to board policy. "We had an athletic banquet, and I was paying accolades to our staff and I also recognized Brian Bryson, who had become a teacher and had worked with our weight program." "Brian wasn't there, so I turned to (McConnell) and said 'Maybe one of us should have invited Brian, since he is going to be on the coaching staff next fall.' In turn, I got a letter saying I shouldn't do anything of this nature, that it was premature." 22. Used unauthorized persons as assistant coaches. "Occasionally we have someone from Western Carolina who is a player or who is interested in coaching, and we encourage them to come on out...This may refer to (volunteer assistant) Bucky Tarr. (McConnell) is strongly against Bucky; I guess he just doesn't like him" "But Bucky has been part of our staff for nine years and made a strong contribution. He getsivcry little pay; he just enjoys doing this: I have fought for him when they tried to get rid of him." 23. Refused to attend coaches meetings. "I haven't refused to attend any meetings. 1 may have missed some because it slipped my mind or whatever. But I have never refused to attend one." Smoky Mountain coach out Controversy grows over Babe Howell's dismissal Tony Bolick Sports Editor Controversy continues to build over the firing of Smoky Mountain High School's head football coach Babe Howell. Howell was "not fired, but was not reassigned as football coach" said the Jackson County Board of Education in a statement released on July 16. On Thursday July 14, the Jackson County Board of Education went behind closed doors with the 62-year-old coach and his two lawyers. Afterwards the board announced it had voted unanimously to uphold the dismissal made by Principal Franz Whitmire and Athletic Director Gene McConnell. The veteran coach was notified to his being "fired" as football coach on July 9 and the swarm of controversy and irritated supporters have grown since then. On Monday July 16, Howell's attorney, Tom Jones, released a list of reasons as to why he was not reassigned to his post The reasons range from NCHSAA violations to public ridicule of school officials and administration. Howell said that these violations have been compiled over a two-year period, and that he was unaware the list was being gathered. Currently, he is seeking reinstatement, and the newly assigned coach, Lionel Brooks, has offered to step down to accommodate it. Volunteer coach, Bucky Tarr, said on July 16, that the Jackson County Board of Education received a petition from disgruntled people in the county demanding reinstatement of one of the state's winningest coaches. There were 1,600 signatures on the petition. Tarr said the Board also heard requests for a special meeting to discuss the issue but the request was denied. On July 23, Tarr received word from the Board of Education that he was not to return to his duties as volunteer assistant and that Coach Brooks will name his own assistants. Jones said that Coach Howell was disappointed with all that has come about, and he is still wanting to seek reinstatement through an appeal hearing. Jones also said that a lawsuit is being considered as an option. The Board meeting on July 23, had to be moved as the tensions between supporters of Howell and the Board of Education increase. One supporter said the group was under the assumption they had a spot on the agenda. When they found out different, the group waited until the board went into executive session before trying to speak. When asked to leave by board members and deputies, the supporters stayed. Board members were finally transferred into another room and then locked in as the group was escorted out and deputies called for assistance to guard against any further disruption. Signs of support are beginning to surface on highways. Signatures on the petition demanding the reinstatement of Coach Howell now number around 2,500. Women's basketball coach resigns Tony Bolick Sports Editor Women's head basketball coach Tony Baldwin has left Western Carolina and accepted an administrative position at T.C. Rober- son High School in Asheville. Baldwin made the somewhat expected announcement on July 16. The search for a replacement has gotten underway with a committee being designated by Athletic Director Bobby Setzer to review applications for the job. Applications are to be taken until August 8. The 35-year-old coach was 8-19 with the Lady Cats last season and winless in the Southern Conference. His career at Western saw the 35-year-old coach amass a 51-83 record at WCU for his five seasons. Baldwin was the first women's coach at Belmont-Abbey College and totalled 51 wins and only 20 losses. His career record over eight seasons is 102-103. The Asheville native will begin his duties as assistant principal at his alma-mater around July 26. The one-time All-Conference standout for T. C. Roberson High could not pass up this career opportunity since he lived in Asheville and went to high school there. "The position in the Buncombe County system was very attractive to me from a family and professional standpoint and, although I will be leaving behind some great friends and super young ladies, I felt it was the right time to move." Setzer hopes to fill the vacancy by August 31. He stated that Coach Baldwin left the program "in good shape" and "ready to move -OPI Phau by Mark Hatktu Tony Baldwin forward." "We wish him the best in his new position and feel sure that he will bring the same kind of professionalism to that job as he did here," he added. Catamounts release 1990-91 schedule Tony Bolick Sports Editor The Western Carolina University Catamounts have set their 1990-91 basketball schedule and a couple of heavy weights highlight the 27-game season. The season is set to begin on a Monday November 26 in Cullowhee against St. Andrews Presbyterian College. The final regular-season game will be at home against The Citadel and will be followed by the Southern Conference Tournament on the first three days of March. The schedule includes 15 home games and another difficult four-game road trip that will see the Catamounts visit Campbell, VMI, Marshall, and Clemson. The Cats will then come home to face defending 1-2 conference foes East Tennessee and Appalachian State. Missing from the schedule is a semester-break tournament trip for the team. Steve White^ director of WCU's Sports Information department, says the tournament the Cats were scheduled to play in was cancelled, and it is doubtful that another will be added. Just as they did last year, the Cats will face some powerhouses. Clemson and N.C. State are the biggest opponents on second- year head coach Greg Blatt's schedule. Although this is the first year these two strong Atlantic Coast Conference schools will face the Cats in the same schedule, Coach Greg Blatt is not very worried. "Playing teams like N.C. State and Clemson on the road are very difficult tasks for our team, but there are benefits," says Blatt. "Playing high profile teams helps in our recruiting, motivates our players and excites our fans." Fifty-three named to conference honor roll Tony Bolick Sports Editor Western CarolinaUniver- sity has placed 53 student-athletes on the 1989-90 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll. The Cats also placed one of only eight students in P EH H3iB FANTASTIC HAIRSTYLING NEXT TO ^ QUIK-STOP, SUNGLITZ HAIR LIGHTNER _ <bqn no & nn Opticurl Matrix Perm iMO.OO & up R£g $45 ^ Nqw $35 Faye T"s Tanning $40 UNLIMITED^^^T 1 month thru (Tanning Beds, August \^^ ^y $30 for 10 visits $4 A single visit Faye Taylor Owner L25 eh: " ra da C.T. Auto Service BEHIND KEL-SAVB 2 Caldwell Street } Sylva, NC 28779 (586-8084) Oil-Changes (Most Cars-Up to 5 Qrts.) $ 15<00 * Tune-Up: 4 cyl. $29.90 6 cyl. $34.90 8 cyl. $39.90 * AC Re-Charge $10.00 * Computer Diagnostics * Interstate Batteries WORK GUARANTEED 'Brakes New Open Monday - Saturday 8-5 Hours: Monday, Friday, and Saturday 8-9 the conference on the list of those athletes to score a perfect 4.0 in the year. Furman University led the way for the conference with 79 qualifiers. The Citadel had 63 qualifiers followed by Appalachian State (55) and Marshall (54). The schools behind Western were VMI (35), East Tennessee State (30), and Tennessee- Chattanooga (24). A total of 393 student-athletes were named to the roll. A freshman infielder for the WCU baseball team scored one of only eight perfect 4.0's in the conference. Rodney Hennon from Dal- ton, Georgia did it in his first year at Western Carolina. To be eligible for the honor roll; a student must compete in a sport that plays for a conference championship, pass at least 24 hours in two semesters and compile at least a 3.0 for those semesters. Here are the students on the p.m. honor roll: Steve Allison, p.m. 3.483; Valerie Bako, 3.17; Kevin Bellmo, 3.18; Shayne Bishop, 3.120; Charles Bostain, 3.45; DwayneBradley, 3.09; Cindy Cabe, 3.242; Adam Cheyunski, 3.034; Kerry Cooley, 3.63; Todd Cottrell, 3.750; Joey Cox, 3.22; Mark Cox, 3.29; Ericka Crawford, 3.03; Rob Doherty, 3.0; David Duckworth, 3.40; Christy Duda, 3.89; KrissyFogleman,3.21; Susan Gardner, 3.96; Shane Garland, 3.065; Jill Hair, 3.34; Kim Hamilton, 3.34; Derrick Harris, 3.14; Rodney Hennon, 4.0; Thomas Jackson, 3.67; Israel Johnson, 3.28; David Jones, 3.32; Lewis Jones, 3.063; Jack Kimal, 3.78; Bruce Kullman, 3.0; Shawn Leatherwood, 3.32; Myron Lewis, 3.65; Scott Lyman,3.0; LoriLyons,3.750; Tim Marshall, 3.0; John Martin, 3.13; Paul Menhart, 3.60; AmyMcEntire, 3.57; Kim Mclnturff, 3.34; Kris Parker, 3.28; Terry Lynn Patterson, 3.294; Wayne Parker, 3.25; Mark Poarch, 3.53; Todd Raleigh, 3.18; Robin Roberts, 3.2; Andra Rosbor, 3.11; Tom Secore, 3.85; Mark Smith, 3.26; Sherry Smith, 3.51; Mike Thomas, 3.04; Laura Thur- man, 3.16; Kim Whiting, 3.01; Roxy Williams, 3.38.

The Western Carolinian is Western Carolina University's student-run newspaper. The paper was published as the Cullowhee Yodel from 1924 to 1931 before changing its name to The Western Carolinian in 1933.

• Creator
  • Western Carolina University
• Format
  • Publications (documents)
• Type
  • Text
• Date
  • Date original: 1990-07-26
  • Date digitized: 2019-09-30
• Extent
  • Dimension: 22.75" x 14.25"
  • Pages: 8 pages
• Subject - Topic
  • College student newspapers and periodicals
  • Cullowhee (N.C.) -- Newspapers
  • Universities and colleges -- North Carolina -- Cullowhee -- Newspapers
• Location
  • Jackson County (N.C.)
  • Cullowhee (N.C.)
• Source institution
  • Western Carolina University
• Source Collection
  • WCU Students Newspapers Collection
• Identifier
  • HL_WesternCarolinian_1990-07-26_Vol56_No02
• Repository
  • Western Carolina University Hunter Library