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T-Ball Coach Allegedly Paid Player to Assault Teammate
Los Angeles Times
July 16, 2005
From Associated Press
PITTSBURGH — A T-ball coach allegedly paid one of his players $25 to hurt an 8-year-old
mentally disabled teammate so he wouldn't have to put the boy in the game, police said
Friday.
Mark R. Downs Jr., 27, of Dunbar, Pa., is accused of offering one of his players the money
to hit the boy in the head with a baseball, police said. Witnesses told police Downs didn't
want the boy to play in the game because of his disability.
The boy was hit in the head and in the groin with a baseball just before a game, and did not
play, police said.
"The coach was very competitive," state police Trooper Thomas B. Broadwater said. "He
wanted to win."
Downs was arrested and arraigned Friday on charges including criminal solicitation to
commit aggravated assault and corruption of minors. He was released from jail on an
unsecured bond and could not be reached for comment.
The alleged assault happened June 27 in North Union Township, Pa., about 40 miles
southeast of Pittsburgh, authorities said.
The boy's mother asked state police to investigate her son's injuries because she
suspected Downs wanted to keep the boy off the field, despite a league rule that required
each player to participate in three innings a game, Broadwater said.
Eric Forsythe, president of the R.W. Clark Youth Baseball League, said Downs had two
daughters on the T-ball team.
League organizers investigated accusations against Downs before the T-ball season ended
earlier this month but could not prove that he did anything wrong.
Los Angeles Times
July 16, 2005
From Associated Press
PITTSBURGH — A T-ball coach allegedly paid one of his players $25 to hurt an 8-year-old
mentally disabled teammate so he wouldn't have to put the boy in the game, police said
Friday.
Mark R. Downs Jr., 27, of Dunbar, Pa., is accused of offering one of his players the money
to hit the boy in the head with a baseball, police said. Witnesses told police Downs didn't
want the boy to play in the game because of his disability.
The boy was hit in the head and in the groin with a baseball just before a game, and did not
play, police said.
"The coach was very competitive," state police Trooper Thomas B. Broadwater said. "He
wanted to win."
Downs was arrested and arraigned Friday on charges including criminal solicitation to
commit aggravated assault and corruption of minors. He was released from jail on an
unsecured bond and could not be reached for comment.
The alleged assault happened June 27 in North Union Township, Pa., about 40 miles
southeast of Pittsburgh, authorities said.
The boy's mother asked state police to investigate her son's injuries because she
suspected Downs wanted to keep the boy off the field, despite a league rule that required
each player to participate in three innings a game, Broadwater said.
Eric Forsythe, president of the R.W. Clark Youth Baseball League, said Downs had two
daughters on the T-ball team.
League organizers investigated accusations against Downs before the T-ball season ended
earlier this month but could not prove that he did anything wrong.
Ky coach indicted
in player's death
talks of loss
Jan 24 09
AP
A Kentucky high school football
coach charged in the death of
a player who collapsed at
practice says he is
heartbroken and that part of
his life has been taken away.
"The one thing people can't
forget in this whole situation is
that I lost one of my boys that
day. A boy that I loved and a
boy that I cared for and a boy
that meant the world to me,"
coach David Jason Stinson told
dozens of supporters at his
home Saturday night. "That's
the thing that people forget
and don't ever forget that.
That's a burden I will carry with
me for the rest of my life."
It was his first public remarks
since he was charged with
reckless homicide Thursday in
the death of 15-year-old Max
Gilpin, a sophomore offensive
lineman who died three days
after collapsing during a
sweltering practice in Aug. 20.
Heat exposure deaths have
occurred occasionally in all
levels of football and the cases
have led to numerous lawsuits.
However, it appears a coach
has never been criminally
charged in the deaths.
Stinson's attorney has said the
coach is innocent. But Stinson,
who spent his first three years
at Pleasure Ridge Park as an
assistant before taking over
last season, wasn't talking
about the charge Saturday.
"Part of my life's been taken
away," he said. "I no longer
teach. I no longer coach."
A school spokeswoman said he
has been reassigned pending
the outcome of the case.
Stinson is expected to be
arraigned Monday.
Some of Stinson's supporters
held up signs. Others left
notes. Some shared prayers
and memories of the coach.
Many of them were students,
and they clapped and cheered
"we want Stinson," urging the
coach to come outside of his
home and address them.
"Every morning he would come
in, he just had this glow about
him," Ariel Whitaker, who had
Stinson for two Web design
classes, told The
Courier-Journal of Louisville.
"He could make anyone smile."
in player's death
talks of loss
Jan 24 09
AP
A Kentucky high school football
coach charged in the death of
a player who collapsed at
practice says he is
heartbroken and that part of
his life has been taken away.
"The one thing people can't
forget in this whole situation is
that I lost one of my boys that
day. A boy that I loved and a
boy that I cared for and a boy
that meant the world to me,"
coach David Jason Stinson told
dozens of supporters at his
home Saturday night. "That's
the thing that people forget
and don't ever forget that.
That's a burden I will carry with
me for the rest of my life."
It was his first public remarks
since he was charged with
reckless homicide Thursday in
the death of 15-year-old Max
Gilpin, a sophomore offensive
lineman who died three days
after collapsing during a
sweltering practice in Aug. 20.
Heat exposure deaths have
occurred occasionally in all
levels of football and the cases
have led to numerous lawsuits.
However, it appears a coach
has never been criminally
charged in the deaths.
Stinson's attorney has said the
coach is innocent. But Stinson,
who spent his first three years
at Pleasure Ridge Park as an
assistant before taking over
last season, wasn't talking
about the charge Saturday.
"Part of my life's been taken
away," he said. "I no longer
teach. I no longer coach."
A school spokeswoman said he
has been reassigned pending
the outcome of the case.
Stinson is expected to be
arraigned Monday.
Some of Stinson's supporters
held up signs. Others left
notes. Some shared prayers
and memories of the coach.
Many of them were students,
and they clapped and cheered
"we want Stinson," urging the
coach to come outside of his
home and address them.
"Every morning he would come
in, he just had this glow about
him," Ariel Whitaker, who had
Stinson for two Web design
classes, told The
Courier-Journal of Louisville.
"He could make anyone smile."
Are coaches also abused by
the system that trains them?
the system that trains them?
2nd witness says Scotty Eveland complained of headaches
before collapse
[Maura Larkins note:
Kids are taught to do what coaches and teachers want without question. Why? Because it's
easier that way--for the adults. I think we'd have a better-educated population if adults were
willing to subject at least some of their decisions to a critical-thinking process. Sometimes
adults are wrong, and there is no need for them to be ashamed of this fact. It's inevitable that
adults will make mistakes.
What they should be ashamed of is covering up their mistakes and lying about them. Of
course school employees are told to keep quiet. Also, school attorneys instruct witnesses not
to answer questions during depositions. I wonder how many times this happened during the
50 depositions in this case? It would be a lot easier for the courts to administer justice if
lawyers instructed their clients to tell the truth.
Why didn't the school investigate this horrible tragedy on the football field? The school is paid
by taxpayers to help students, not hurt them. The school should not have let a week pass
without interviewing the student trainers and adults involved in this incident. And then the
school should have done the right thing by making reparation for damage done to a student,
rather than forcing the student's family to struggle for years trying to find the truth.]
By J. Harry Jones
SDUT
January 15, 2011
SAN MARCOS — A former student trainer has testified that a few days after Mission Hills High
football player Scotty Eveland collapsed during a game in 2007, the school’s lead trainer
confided that Eveland had asked to sit out because he was suffering from headaches and
disorientation but was called in anyway by the head coach.
The account, given during a deposition completed Wednesday, corroborates testimony from
another former student trainer who was deposed in October.
The San Marcos Unified School District has maintained that Eveland showed no sign of
medical problems before the collapse. Scott Gommel, the lead trainer, said the same during
his deposition four months ago. A judge has agreed to let lawyers for Eveland’s family
redepose Gommel because of the new information.
Eveland has remained in a mostly vegetative state since his collapse. Doctors think he will
need constant medical care that could cost millions of dollars over his lifetime.
Testimony from the two former student trainers is part of evidence collection in an ongoing
lawsuit filed by Eveland’s family against the school district.
San Marcos Unified is confident it will “absolutely be vindicated” at trial, said Daniel Shinoff, a
lawyer for the district. He also urged that facts be decided in a court of law and not in the court
of public opinion.
Shinoff said it’s a complicated case “in terms of people’s perceptions, people’s recollection,
and there’s a large passage of time.”
On Thursday, school officials denied a request to interview Gommel and the head football
coach, Chris Hauser, who has not been deposed.
Robert Francavilla, an attorney for Eveland’s family, said the latest deposition confirms what
really happened.
“Scotty lives every day with an injury that we believe could have been prevented,” Francavilla
said.
Eveland’s parents, Diane Luth and stepfather Paul Luth, said they had no idea their son was
experiencing headaches. They now devote themselves to caring for him.
Until Breanna Bingen’s deposition in September, there was no mention of Eveland having a
health complication.
More than 50 depositions have been taken for the lawsuit — from doctors, paramedics and
others connected to the football team or the game. Only Bingen and now Trevor Sattes have
spoken about Eveland complaining of headaches, although one player testified that Eveland
was acting disoriented during the game.
Until this fall, the family had focused their lawsuit against the maker of Eveland’s helmet and
the question of whether Eveland was sent to the hospital in a timely manner. The information
from Bingen and Sattes has changed the target dramatically, Francavilla said.
Bingen testified that she was one of several student trainers on the field the night of Eveland’s
collapse. She recalled that he twice complained about headaches during the week before the
game and sat out parts of two practices. She also remembered overhearing him tell Gommel a
few minutes before the game about not being able to see the football because his head was
killing him.
Eveland wanted to skip at least the first quarter in hopes that his head would feel better,
Bingen testified, but Hauser disagreed and told Gommel, “you’re no doctor.”
Bingen, now a member of the Army National Guard, hasn’t been available for comment.
The person who corroborated her testimony was Sattes, now 21 and a college student
studying to become a trainer. Sattes testified that he considered Gommel to be his mentor,
and that he met with Gommel for lunch the Monday or Tuesday following Eveland’s collapse.
In a statement signed by Sattes and then confirmed during the deposition, Sattes said: “While
eating lunch, I asked Mr. Gommel again what happened with Scotty. He told me he was going
to explain what occurred in order to make me a better trainer. ... Mr. Gommel then stated that
Scotty told him he did not feel well enough to play the first quarter and that Scotty did not feel
like he should play. Mr. Gommel told me that he assessed Scotty’s condition and found him to
be a little wobbly and having trouble focusing.
“Mr. Gommel then told me he went to Coach Hauser to discuss Scotty’s condition. ... Mr.
Gommel said Coach Hauser made the decision to play Scotty.”
Through school officials, Hauser declined to comment for this story.
During her deposition, Bingen also testified that Principal Brad Lichtman, Gommel and an
assistant football coach told her and others to not talk about the case with lawyers or the
media. An attorney for the school district said that never happened, and Sattes didn’t address
that issue in his deposition.
before collapse
[Maura Larkins note:
Kids are taught to do what coaches and teachers want without question. Why? Because it's
easier that way--for the adults. I think we'd have a better-educated population if adults were
willing to subject at least some of their decisions to a critical-thinking process. Sometimes
adults are wrong, and there is no need for them to be ashamed of this fact. It's inevitable that
adults will make mistakes.
What they should be ashamed of is covering up their mistakes and lying about them. Of
course school employees are told to keep quiet. Also, school attorneys instruct witnesses not
to answer questions during depositions. I wonder how many times this happened during the
50 depositions in this case? It would be a lot easier for the courts to administer justice if
lawyers instructed their clients to tell the truth.
Why didn't the school investigate this horrible tragedy on the football field? The school is paid
by taxpayers to help students, not hurt them. The school should not have let a week pass
without interviewing the student trainers and adults involved in this incident. And then the
school should have done the right thing by making reparation for damage done to a student,
rather than forcing the student's family to struggle for years trying to find the truth.]
By J. Harry Jones
SDUT
January 15, 2011
SAN MARCOS — A former student trainer has testified that a few days after Mission Hills High
football player Scotty Eveland collapsed during a game in 2007, the school’s lead trainer
confided that Eveland had asked to sit out because he was suffering from headaches and
disorientation but was called in anyway by the head coach.
The account, given during a deposition completed Wednesday, corroborates testimony from
another former student trainer who was deposed in October.
The San Marcos Unified School District has maintained that Eveland showed no sign of
medical problems before the collapse. Scott Gommel, the lead trainer, said the same during
his deposition four months ago. A judge has agreed to let lawyers for Eveland’s family
redepose Gommel because of the new information.
Eveland has remained in a mostly vegetative state since his collapse. Doctors think he will
need constant medical care that could cost millions of dollars over his lifetime.
Testimony from the two former student trainers is part of evidence collection in an ongoing
lawsuit filed by Eveland’s family against the school district.
San Marcos Unified is confident it will “absolutely be vindicated” at trial, said Daniel Shinoff, a
lawyer for the district. He also urged that facts be decided in a court of law and not in the court
of public opinion.
Shinoff said it’s a complicated case “in terms of people’s perceptions, people’s recollection,
and there’s a large passage of time.”
On Thursday, school officials denied a request to interview Gommel and the head football
coach, Chris Hauser, who has not been deposed.
Robert Francavilla, an attorney for Eveland’s family, said the latest deposition confirms what
really happened.
“Scotty lives every day with an injury that we believe could have been prevented,” Francavilla
said.
Eveland’s parents, Diane Luth and stepfather Paul Luth, said they had no idea their son was
experiencing headaches. They now devote themselves to caring for him.
Until Breanna Bingen’s deposition in September, there was no mention of Eveland having a
health complication.
More than 50 depositions have been taken for the lawsuit — from doctors, paramedics and
others connected to the football team or the game. Only Bingen and now Trevor Sattes have
spoken about Eveland complaining of headaches, although one player testified that Eveland
was acting disoriented during the game.
Until this fall, the family had focused their lawsuit against the maker of Eveland’s helmet and
the question of whether Eveland was sent to the hospital in a timely manner. The information
from Bingen and Sattes has changed the target dramatically, Francavilla said.
Bingen testified that she was one of several student trainers on the field the night of Eveland’s
collapse. She recalled that he twice complained about headaches during the week before the
game and sat out parts of two practices. She also remembered overhearing him tell Gommel a
few minutes before the game about not being able to see the football because his head was
killing him.
Eveland wanted to skip at least the first quarter in hopes that his head would feel better,
Bingen testified, but Hauser disagreed and told Gommel, “you’re no doctor.”
Bingen, now a member of the Army National Guard, hasn’t been available for comment.
The person who corroborated her testimony was Sattes, now 21 and a college student
studying to become a trainer. Sattes testified that he considered Gommel to be his mentor,
and that he met with Gommel for lunch the Monday or Tuesday following Eveland’s collapse.
In a statement signed by Sattes and then confirmed during the deposition, Sattes said: “While
eating lunch, I asked Mr. Gommel again what happened with Scotty. He told me he was going
to explain what occurred in order to make me a better trainer. ... Mr. Gommel then stated that
Scotty told him he did not feel well enough to play the first quarter and that Scotty did not feel
like he should play. Mr. Gommel told me that he assessed Scotty’s condition and found him to
be a little wobbly and having trouble focusing.
“Mr. Gommel then told me he went to Coach Hauser to discuss Scotty’s condition. ... Mr.
Gommel said Coach Hauser made the decision to play Scotty.”
Through school officials, Hauser declined to comment for this story.
During her deposition, Bingen also testified that Principal Brad Lichtman, Gommel and an
assistant football coach told her and others to not talk about the case with lawyers or the
media. An attorney for the school district said that never happened, and Sattes didn’t address
that issue in his deposition.
[Temecula Valley USD] Chaparral principal declines to
meet with group to discuss football coach’s dismissal
By Jose Arballo Jr.
SDNN
January 31, 2011
About 40 parents and players who met at Chaparral High School looking to discuss the
apparent removal of football Coach Tommy Leach with Principal Gilbert Compton were told
the school administrator would not meet with the group Monday morning.
Instead, a school representative told the group, which gathered in the school’s main office,
that Compton would meet individually with parents and students. Several of those who met
with Compton said later he told them very little and would not explain the apparent dismissal
of Leach, whose team won the CIF title two years ago and made the playoffs five years
during his tenure.
“This is not over,” said Anthony Guillory, whose son, Darius, is a senior star safety and slot
receiver at Chaparral. Guillory met with Compton for about two minutes. “We will be heard.”
Compton, who is in his second year as head of the Temecula school, met with several
reporters individually, but would not discuss Leach’s status or even confirm that the coach
had been removed. With students standing outside his office window — some holding signs
urging Leach’s reinstatement – Compton said the decision to remove the football coach is
his and it would be more appropriate to discuss the matter individually.
Compton said he “respected the students’ voice” but would not comment on the reasons
Leach may have been removed, the search for a new coach or whether someone else is
being considered for the position.
Parents and students began gathering in the school parking lot about 7:30 a.m., some
saying they had only heard about Leach’s dismissal over the weekend.
Guillory said he was shocked to learn the news, although he acknowledged there are those
who do not like Leach’s approach to coaching. Leach can come across as brash and
cocky...
meet with group to discuss football coach’s dismissal
By Jose Arballo Jr.
SDNN
January 31, 2011
About 40 parents and players who met at Chaparral High School looking to discuss the
apparent removal of football Coach Tommy Leach with Principal Gilbert Compton were told
the school administrator would not meet with the group Monday morning.
Instead, a school representative told the group, which gathered in the school’s main office,
that Compton would meet individually with parents and students. Several of those who met
with Compton said later he told them very little and would not explain the apparent dismissal
of Leach, whose team won the CIF title two years ago and made the playoffs five years
during his tenure.
“This is not over,” said Anthony Guillory, whose son, Darius, is a senior star safety and slot
receiver at Chaparral. Guillory met with Compton for about two minutes. “We will be heard.”
Compton, who is in his second year as head of the Temecula school, met with several
reporters individually, but would not discuss Leach’s status or even confirm that the coach
had been removed. With students standing outside his office window — some holding signs
urging Leach’s reinstatement – Compton said the decision to remove the football coach is
his and it would be more appropriate to discuss the matter individually.
Compton said he “respected the students’ voice” but would not comment on the reasons
Leach may have been removed, the search for a new coach or whether someone else is
being considered for the position.
Parents and students began gathering in the school parking lot about 7:30 a.m., some
saying they had only heard about Leach’s dismissal over the weekend.
Guillory said he was shocked to learn the news, although he acknowledged there are those
who do not like Leach’s approach to coaching. Leach can come across as brash and
cocky...
Coaches in schools
Former UCR player, USD assistant basketball coach among
those named in alleged sports-bribery ring
Federal prosecutors in San Diego said the organizers conspired to bribe players to alter the
outcome of games so the defendants could profit by betting on games in Las Vegas.
By Staff, City News Service
Monday, April 11, 2011
A former UC Riverside basketball player was among 10 people named in a federal indictment
unsealed today in connection with an alleged sports-bribery ring that offered bribes to college
basketball players to fix games.
Federal prosecutors in San Diego alleged the organizers conspired to bribe players to alter
the outcome of games so the defendants could profit by betting on games in Las Vegas.
Brandon Dowdy, 22, who played UCR from 2008-2010, was among those indicted.
Also indicted were former University of San Diego star basketball player Brandon Johnson, and
former USD assistant coach Thaddeus Brown. Dowdy also played at USD during the 2006-
2007 season.
The indictment alleges that in February 2011, Brown and Dowdy solicited an individual to
affect the outcome of a college basketball game at UCR.
Dowdy, of San Diego, and several other defendants were expected to make their first
appearance in San Diego federal court on Tuesday, said U.S. Attorney Laura Duffy.
She alleged that the three lead defendants in the case — San Diego residents Steve Warda
Goria, Paul Joseph Thweni and Richard Garmo — orchestrated multiple schemes, including
the sports bribery scheme involving Johnson, Brown and Dowdy.
Brown coached at USD the same year Dowdy played there.
Johnson, 24, was arrested Saturday in Texas and was expected to be arraigned today.
The indictment accuses the group of conspiracy to commit sports bribery, running an illegal
sports bookmaking operation and distributing marijuana.
According to the indictment, Johnson — while he was the starting point guard for USD — took
a bribe to influence the result of a game in February 2010. Duffy would not be specific on
which game was involved.
According to the indictment, Johnson — after he was gone from USD in January 2011 —
solicited an individual to affect the outcome of USD basketball games.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Keith Slotter said the investigation, dubbed “Operation Hookshot,”
began more than a year ago and started out as a drug probe.
Slotter said he didn’t know how many basketball games were affected by the illegal
bookmaking activity.
“If games are thrown by a small number of greedy individuals who are only hoping to line their
own pockets, the entire industry can suffer if the populace believes games are fixed,” Slotter
said.
those named in alleged sports-bribery ring
Federal prosecutors in San Diego said the organizers conspired to bribe players to alter the
outcome of games so the defendants could profit by betting on games in Las Vegas.
By Staff, City News Service
Monday, April 11, 2011
A former UC Riverside basketball player was among 10 people named in a federal indictment
unsealed today in connection with an alleged sports-bribery ring that offered bribes to college
basketball players to fix games.
Federal prosecutors in San Diego alleged the organizers conspired to bribe players to alter
the outcome of games so the defendants could profit by betting on games in Las Vegas.
Brandon Dowdy, 22, who played UCR from 2008-2010, was among those indicted.
Also indicted were former University of San Diego star basketball player Brandon Johnson, and
former USD assistant coach Thaddeus Brown. Dowdy also played at USD during the 2006-
2007 season.
The indictment alleges that in February 2011, Brown and Dowdy solicited an individual to
affect the outcome of a college basketball game at UCR.
Dowdy, of San Diego, and several other defendants were expected to make their first
appearance in San Diego federal court on Tuesday, said U.S. Attorney Laura Duffy.
She alleged that the three lead defendants in the case — San Diego residents Steve Warda
Goria, Paul Joseph Thweni and Richard Garmo — orchestrated multiple schemes, including
the sports bribery scheme involving Johnson, Brown and Dowdy.
Brown coached at USD the same year Dowdy played there.
Johnson, 24, was arrested Saturday in Texas and was expected to be arraigned today.
The indictment accuses the group of conspiracy to commit sports bribery, running an illegal
sports bookmaking operation and distributing marijuana.
According to the indictment, Johnson — while he was the starting point guard for USD — took
a bribe to influence the result of a game in February 2010. Duffy would not be specific on
which game was involved.
According to the indictment, Johnson — after he was gone from USD in January 2011 —
solicited an individual to affect the outcome of USD basketball games.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Keith Slotter said the investigation, dubbed “Operation Hookshot,”
began more than a year ago and started out as a drug probe.
Slotter said he didn’t know how many basketball games were affected by the illegal
bookmaking activity.
“If games are thrown by a small number of greedy individuals who are only hoping to line their
own pockets, the entire industry can suffer if the populace believes games are fixed,” Slotter
said.
Youth Football Coach Injured In Beating Talks To 10News
Mark Cannon, 32, Beaten After Football Game At Lincoln High School
April 24, 2011
CHULA VISTA, Calif. -- An injured youth football coach spoke for the first time to 10News on
Saturday about the beating that brought his life to a complete stop.
"I have some serious brain injuries. I'm still learning how to walk again. [There's] fluid coming
out my brain through my ear. I'm deaf in my right ear. I lost my sense of smell and sense of
taste," said 32-year-old youth football coach Mark Cannon.
Cannon said it's been two weeks since he took a beating from another coach that
almost killed him.
"I was gone," said Cannon. "My grandfather – who passed away in 1995 – I actually [saw] him
and he brought me back. He told me he was not ready for me and that's when I woke up and
the ambulance was there."
Cannon said it started after he complimented a player on the opposing team who reminded
him of himself as a kid.
"I compliment any kid. You don't have to play for me for me to compliment you," he said.
Cannon said the opposing coach, 32-year-old Saivaauli Savaiinea, thought Cannon was trying
to recruit the player for his own team and beat him in front of children at Lincoln High School.
Police said Savaiinea threw the first punch but the district attorney's office has yet to charge
him.
In the meantime, Cannon's medical bills are now more than $200,000. A fundraiser was held
on Saturday in Chula Vista to help with those bills.
Mark Cannon, 32, Beaten After Football Game At Lincoln High School
April 24, 2011
CHULA VISTA, Calif. -- An injured youth football coach spoke for the first time to 10News on
Saturday about the beating that brought his life to a complete stop.
"I have some serious brain injuries. I'm still learning how to walk again. [There's] fluid coming
out my brain through my ear. I'm deaf in my right ear. I lost my sense of smell and sense of
taste," said 32-year-old youth football coach Mark Cannon.
Cannon said it's been two weeks since he took a beating from another coach that
almost killed him.
"I was gone," said Cannon. "My grandfather – who passed away in 1995 – I actually [saw] him
and he brought me back. He told me he was not ready for me and that's when I woke up and
the ambulance was there."
Cannon said it started after he complimented a player on the opposing team who reminded
him of himself as a kid.
"I compliment any kid. You don't have to play for me for me to compliment you," he said.
Cannon said the opposing coach, 32-year-old Saivaauli Savaiinea, thought Cannon was trying
to recruit the player for his own team and beat him in front of children at Lincoln High School.
Police said Savaiinea threw the first punch but the district attorney's office has yet to charge
him.
In the meantime, Cannon's medical bills are now more than $200,000. A fundraiser was held
on Saturday in Chula Vista to help with those bills.
Lifestyle
Washington Post
By Amy Dickinson
July 29, 2011
DEAR AMY:
I have recently finished
my third year as a
volunteer coach for a
team on which my
daughter has also been
playing.
In one of the last
games of this season, I
made a decision to call
a certain play and it
failed. The result was
that it knocked us out of
the tournament and the
season was essentially
ended.
It was a close game and
the decision was risky,
but I felt it was the right
decision given the
circumstances. After the
game was over, some
of the parents were
verbally berating me
and my decision in
front of the team. I
didn’t respond but
rather lined the girls
up for the handshake.
When I encountered
the parents the next
day, some would not
talk to me and a
couple even turned
their heads or
physically walked away
when I approached. Up
until this decision, I had
received a lot of
encouragement and
praise from all of the
parents.
I thought they were
friends and we were
common in our goals of
success, but I question
that now. Any
suggestions on how I
should handle this?
-- Struck Out
DEAR STRUCK:
You have behaved
appropriately. You took
responsibility for the
coaching call you made
and stood by your
decision to make it.
You modeled good
sportsmanship by holding
your head up and lining
the girls up for their
handshake.
The parents who berated
you on the field have
behaved abominably.
Their children will learn
the worst lesson from
sports: that winning is
more important than
playing, and that
mistakes (from coaches
or players) are
unforgivable.
Washington Post
By Amy Dickinson
July 29, 2011
DEAR AMY:
I have recently finished
my third year as a
volunteer coach for a
team on which my
daughter has also been
playing.
In one of the last
games of this season, I
made a decision to call
a certain play and it
failed. The result was
that it knocked us out of
the tournament and the
season was essentially
ended.
It was a close game and
the decision was risky,
but I felt it was the right
decision given the
circumstances. After the
game was over, some
of the parents were
verbally berating me
and my decision in
front of the team. I
didn’t respond but
rather lined the girls
up for the handshake.
When I encountered
the parents the next
day, some would not
talk to me and a
couple even turned
their heads or
physically walked away
when I approached. Up
until this decision, I had
received a lot of
encouragement and
praise from all of the
parents.
I thought they were
friends and we were
common in our goals of
success, but I question
that now. Any
suggestions on how I
should handle this?
-- Struck Out
DEAR STRUCK:
You have behaved
appropriately. You took
responsibility for the
coaching call you made
and stood by your
decision to make it.
You modeled good
sportsmanship by holding
your head up and lining
the girls up for their
handshake.
The parents who berated
you on the field have
behaved abominably.
Their children will learn
the worst lesson from
sports: that winning is
more important than
playing, and that
mistakes (from coaches
or players) are
unforgivable.
Moral responsibility: Would a woman have handled the
Penn State child abuse allegations differently?
by Theresa Walsh Giarrusso
ajc
November 9, 2011
I keep trying to find the right words to write about the alleged child abuse by the former
Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky. I have just been sick about it for
days and keep writing draft and draft not expressing exactly what I want to say. But I feel like
we should discuss it.
Michael and I lived in the Happy Valley for two years after we first were married. I worked for
the local newspaper there as a reporter and an editor. Michael covered central
Pennsylvania, including Penn State football, for the AP. We met Joe Paterno on many
occasions. I personally talked with him multiple times at university dinners and cocktail
parties. He was sweet and very much like a grandfather. I think because I have met many of
the people involved in this case, it is even more shocking to me that they didn’t do more
to stop this alleged abuse.
A lot is being written about the moral responsibility of Paterno and the other leaders of Penn
State. I think the Pennsylvania state police Commissioner Frank Noonan said it best on
Monday. While he agrees that Joe Paterno fulfilled his legal requirement when he relayed to
university administrators that graduate assistant Mike McQueary had seen Sandusky
attacking a young boy in the team’s locker room shower in 2002, the commissioner
also questioned whether Paterno had a moral responsibility to do more.
“Somebody has to question about what I would consider the moral requirements for a human
being that knows of sexual things that are taking place with a child,” Noonan said.
“I think you have the moral responsibility, anyone. Not whether you’re a football coach or a
university president or the guy sweeping the building. I think you have a moral responsibility
to call us.”
I think we all have a moral responsibility to watch out for the children around us – in our
neighborhoods, in our schools, in our churches. We can’t turn our heads and hope the
system handles it.
We need to use our intuition. (One administrator at a school had a bad feeling about
Sandusky and told him he couldn’t come back to his school.) We need to be observant. We
need to ask questions. We need to step in if we see something, and we need to shout loudly
if we think something even seems wrong.
I am struck by the similarities between the Penn State case and the Catholic
Church child abuse scandals. These are well-respected men. They are men reporting
to other men. You don’t hear any women’s names mentioned in the chain of command.
Would a woman have made different decisions? Would a woman have called the
police? Would a woman have immediately broken up what McQueary reportedly
testified he saw happening in the locker room shower – the alleged rape of a 10-
year-old boy?
I believe almost any woman would have immediately marched into that shower and
stopped it – even if it was her boss, her father, or someone she respected or
someone she feared.
I’m not trying to slam all men, and I think many men would have also handled things
differently. However, many men were involved and none called the police.
Penn State child abuse allegations differently?
by Theresa Walsh Giarrusso
ajc
November 9, 2011
I keep trying to find the right words to write about the alleged child abuse by the former
Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky. I have just been sick about it for
days and keep writing draft and draft not expressing exactly what I want to say. But I feel like
we should discuss it.
Michael and I lived in the Happy Valley for two years after we first were married. I worked for
the local newspaper there as a reporter and an editor. Michael covered central
Pennsylvania, including Penn State football, for the AP. We met Joe Paterno on many
occasions. I personally talked with him multiple times at university dinners and cocktail
parties. He was sweet and very much like a grandfather. I think because I have met many of
the people involved in this case, it is even more shocking to me that they didn’t do more
to stop this alleged abuse.
A lot is being written about the moral responsibility of Paterno and the other leaders of Penn
State. I think the Pennsylvania state police Commissioner Frank Noonan said it best on
Monday. While he agrees that Joe Paterno fulfilled his legal requirement when he relayed to
university administrators that graduate assistant Mike McQueary had seen Sandusky
attacking a young boy in the team’s locker room shower in 2002, the commissioner
also questioned whether Paterno had a moral responsibility to do more.
“Somebody has to question about what I would consider the moral requirements for a human
being that knows of sexual things that are taking place with a child,” Noonan said.
“I think you have the moral responsibility, anyone. Not whether you’re a football coach or a
university president or the guy sweeping the building. I think you have a moral responsibility
to call us.”
I think we all have a moral responsibility to watch out for the children around us – in our
neighborhoods, in our schools, in our churches. We can’t turn our heads and hope the
system handles it.
We need to use our intuition. (One administrator at a school had a bad feeling about
Sandusky and told him he couldn’t come back to his school.) We need to be observant. We
need to ask questions. We need to step in if we see something, and we need to shout loudly
if we think something even seems wrong.
I am struck by the similarities between the Penn State case and the Catholic
Church child abuse scandals. These are well-respected men. They are men reporting
to other men. You don’t hear any women’s names mentioned in the chain of command.
Would a woman have made different decisions? Would a woman have called the
police? Would a woman have immediately broken up what McQueary reportedly
testified he saw happening in the locker room shower – the alleged rape of a 10-
year-old boy?
I believe almost any woman would have immediately marched into that shower and
stopped it – even if it was her boss, her father, or someone she respected or
someone she feared.
I’m not trying to slam all men, and I think many men would have also handled things
differently. However, many men were involved and none called the police.
San Diego
Education Report
Education Report
Joe Paterno seems to feel sorry for himself and his Penn State football team, rather
than feeling any remorse for allowing a serial rapist to continue to prowl.
Paterno stunned by firing in Penn State scandal
November 10, 2011
(CBS/AP)
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - Joe Paterno was stunned that Penn State's Board of Trustees fired
him Wednesday night amid a child sex-abuse scandal involving his one-time heir apparent,
a source close to the outgoing football coach told CBS News chief investigative
correspondent Armen Keteyian.
The winningest coach in major college football history found out about his termination from a
letter hand-delivered by a university employee about 15 minutes before the trustees publicly
announced their decision in a press conference, the source said.
"You give your life to this place, and that's how you're treated," the source said.
Paterno's termination sent angry students into the streets where they shouted
support for their coach and tipped over a news van.
"Right now, I'm not the football coach. And I've got to get used to that. After 61 years, I've
got to get used to it," the 84-year-old Paterno said, speaking outside his house. "Let me
think it through."
Paterno had earlier in the day announced his intention to retire at the end of the season, his
46th. It didn't matter...
Also relieved of duty was Penn State president Graham Spanier. Both were ousted by a
board of trustees fed up with the damage being done to the university's reputation by the
alleged abuse by former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky.
As word of the firings spread, thousands of students flocked to the administration building,
shouting, "We want Joe back!" and "One more game!" They then headed downtown to
Beaver Avenue, where about 100 police wearing helmets and carrying pepper spray were
on standby. Witnesses said some rocks and bottles were thrown, a lamppost was toppled
and a news van was knocked over, its windows kicked out.
State College police said early Thursday they were still gathering information on any
possible arrests.
The decisions to oust Paterno and Spanier were unanimous, Surma said. Defensive
coordinator Tom Bradley will serve as interim coach, and the university scheduled a news
conference with him for Thursday morning. Penn State hosts Nebraska on Saturday in the
final home game of the season, a day usually set aside to honor seniors on the team.
Provost Rodney Erickson will be the interim school president.
Paterno had come under increasing criticism — including from within the community known
as Happy Valley — for not doing more to stop Sandusky, who has been charged with
molesting eight boys over 15 years. Some of the assaults took place at the Penn State
football complex, including a 2002 incident witnessed by then-graduate assistant and
current assistant coach Mike McQueary.
McQueary went to Paterno and reported seeing Sandusky assaulting a young boy in the
Penn State showers. Paterno notified the athletic director, Tim Curley, and a vice president,
Gary Schultz, who in turn notified Spanier. Curley and Schultz have been charged with
failing to report the incident to authorities, and Pennsylvania Attorney General Linda Kelly
earlier this week refused to rule out charges against Spanier.
Paterno is not a target of the criminal investigation, but the state police commissioner called
his failure to contact police himself a lapse in "moral responsibility."
Paterno said in his statement earlier Wednesday that he was "absolutely devastated" by the
abuse case.
"This is a tragedy," Paterno said. "It is one of the great sorrows of my life. With the benefit of
hindsight, I wish I had done more."
[Maura Larkins comment: Tragedy for whom, Joe? You didn't seem to think that a
child being raped was a tragedy. You give the impression that you wish you had done
more so that you and your school would not be in upheaval now, not because many
children could have been saved from sexual assault if you had called the police.]
See more on arrests of other Penn State officials in this case.
than feeling any remorse for allowing a serial rapist to continue to prowl.
Paterno stunned by firing in Penn State scandal
November 10, 2011
(CBS/AP)
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - Joe Paterno was stunned that Penn State's Board of Trustees fired
him Wednesday night amid a child sex-abuse scandal involving his one-time heir apparent,
a source close to the outgoing football coach told CBS News chief investigative
correspondent Armen Keteyian.
The winningest coach in major college football history found out about his termination from a
letter hand-delivered by a university employee about 15 minutes before the trustees publicly
announced their decision in a press conference, the source said.
"You give your life to this place, and that's how you're treated," the source said.
Paterno's termination sent angry students into the streets where they shouted
support for their coach and tipped over a news van.
"Right now, I'm not the football coach. And I've got to get used to that. After 61 years, I've
got to get used to it," the 84-year-old Paterno said, speaking outside his house. "Let me
think it through."
Paterno had earlier in the day announced his intention to retire at the end of the season, his
46th. It didn't matter...
Also relieved of duty was Penn State president Graham Spanier. Both were ousted by a
board of trustees fed up with the damage being done to the university's reputation by the
alleged abuse by former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky.
As word of the firings spread, thousands of students flocked to the administration building,
shouting, "We want Joe back!" and "One more game!" They then headed downtown to
Beaver Avenue, where about 100 police wearing helmets and carrying pepper spray were
on standby. Witnesses said some rocks and bottles were thrown, a lamppost was toppled
and a news van was knocked over, its windows kicked out.
State College police said early Thursday they were still gathering information on any
possible arrests.
The decisions to oust Paterno and Spanier were unanimous, Surma said. Defensive
coordinator Tom Bradley will serve as interim coach, and the university scheduled a news
conference with him for Thursday morning. Penn State hosts Nebraska on Saturday in the
final home game of the season, a day usually set aside to honor seniors on the team.
Provost Rodney Erickson will be the interim school president.
Paterno had come under increasing criticism — including from within the community known
as Happy Valley — for not doing more to stop Sandusky, who has been charged with
molesting eight boys over 15 years. Some of the assaults took place at the Penn State
football complex, including a 2002 incident witnessed by then-graduate assistant and
current assistant coach Mike McQueary.
McQueary went to Paterno and reported seeing Sandusky assaulting a young boy in the
Penn State showers. Paterno notified the athletic director, Tim Curley, and a vice president,
Gary Schultz, who in turn notified Spanier. Curley and Schultz have been charged with
failing to report the incident to authorities, and Pennsylvania Attorney General Linda Kelly
earlier this week refused to rule out charges against Spanier.
Paterno is not a target of the criminal investigation, but the state police commissioner called
his failure to contact police himself a lapse in "moral responsibility."
Paterno said in his statement earlier Wednesday that he was "absolutely devastated" by the
abuse case.
"This is a tragedy," Paterno said. "It is one of the great sorrows of my life. With the benefit of
hindsight, I wish I had done more."
[Maura Larkins comment: Tragedy for whom, Joe? You didn't seem to think that a
child being raped was a tragedy. You give the impression that you wish you had done
more so that you and your school would not be in upheaval now, not because many
children could have been saved from sexual assault if you had called the police.]
See more on arrests of other Penn State officials in this case.