Two TCU head coaches resign
The TCU School Board accepted the resignations of the head coaches for its boys and girls basketball programs at its regular meeting on Monday, March 11.
Boys coach Andrew Meier, and girls Kevin Woitas submitted their resignations, which were unanimously approved by the board. Neither letter of resignation indicated the reason they were leaving their position.
However, during the board’s open forum, a district resident and two athletes alleged that the two coaches were asked to resign because of the the teams’ record at the end of the season, and also because of parental complaints of unfair playing time.
Sherry Glende, along with Titan girls’ basketball players Edith Martinez and Courtney Hentges, expressed their displeasure of Woitas losing his job due to the team’s record.
“It is unfair for these two to lose their job because of the season,” Glende said. “They didn’t have a great record, but it was no worse than Montgomery-Lonsdale’s or Le Center’s records. I just don’t think it was fair that he lost his job. He wanted to keep coaching these girls.”
The girls’ team ended the season with a 5-21 record, with wins against Triton, Le Sueur-Henderson (twice), Maple River, Sibley East. Last year, the newly formed Titans ended the season with an overall record of 8-18.
Glende alleged that Woitas was also forced to resign because of parental complaints about unfair playing times. She acknowledged that Woitas brought up younger students to the varsity level, but that was only because the young athletes showed determination and were consistently in the gym showing him they wanted to play. Glende said Woitas worked well with the girls.
“Kevin has done wonders for these girls, building their self-esteem and working with the younger girls,” she said.
She added that more parents agreed with her opinion but said they didn’t want to attend the board meeting for fear of losing their child’s playing time in future contests.
“I applaud these two (Martinez and Hentges) for coming to the meeting,” she said.
The boys’ team ended with a 7-16 record with wins against Blooming Prairie, Norwood Young America, Cannon Falls, Le Sueur Henderson, Zumbrota-Maezppa, Mayer Lutheran and Belle Plaine.
The M-L Redbirds ended the 2012 season with a 4-21 record. The Le Center Wildcats ended their season last year with a 10-12 record, with Activities Director Greg Feddema as its coach.