Portal
Home
Calendar
Gallery
FAQ
Search
Register
Log inDeering's baseball coach resigns
Deering's baseball coach resigns
by Outspoken on Wed Aug 13, 2008 4:30 am
Deering's baseball coach resigns
Mike D'Andrea cites the scrutiny of a student drinking probe, but says 'I did nothing wrong.'
By TOM CHARD
Staff Writer Portland Press Herald
Deering High School's Mike D'Andrea, under fire over a victory party that allegedly involved underage drinking by students in the presence of assistant coaches, resigned Tuesday as both head baseball coach and girls' basketball coach at the school.
D'Andrea's resignation follows the dismissal last week of three of his assistant coaches as a result of a June 21 party following Deering's win over Brewer for the Class A state baseball championship.
D'Andrea told the Press Herald last week that he was not at the party and had little knowledge of it, a point he reiterated in his resignation letter to Superintendent Jeanne Whynot-Vickers and Deering Principal Ken Kunin.
He also cited "the scrutiny this event has placed on me" during the school district's investigation.
"After the revelation of recent events involving the Deering baseball team, I feel this is the appropriate decision for me at this point in my coaching career," D'Andrea said in the letter. "I want to make it clear that I did nothing wrong and this resignation should in no way infer to anyone an admission of improper actions."
Kunin said that D'Andrea, who teaches physical education, will remain at the school as a teacher.
"We received and accepted Mr. D'Andrea's resignation as coach of boys' baseball and girls' basketball," Kunin said. "We agree with Mr. D'Andrea that the resignation was the right thing to do, and we respect his decision."
Kunin said last week that the investigation of the party could lead to student suspensions at the start of the school year.
Portland police have been conducting their own inquiry, which could result in charges. Lt. Tony Ward said Tuesday that the department's investigation is ongoing.
D'Andrea has been Deering's baseball coach since 1997 and its girls' basketball coach since 2001. His teams won seven state titles in baseball and two in girls' basketball.
John Coyne, chairman of the Portland School Committee, said he has known D'Andrea for years. He credited the coach for establishing a winning program in which youngsters looked forward to participating.
"The kids are upset by this. He was a loved coach. Mike built a great program," Coyne said.
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=204456&ac=PHnws
Mike D'Andrea cites the scrutiny of a student drinking probe, but says 'I did nothing wrong.'
By TOM CHARD
Staff Writer Portland Press Herald
Deering High School's Mike D'Andrea, under fire over a victory party that allegedly involved underage drinking by students in the presence of assistant coaches, resigned Tuesday as both head baseball coach and girls' basketball coach at the school.
D'Andrea's resignation follows the dismissal last week of three of his assistant coaches as a result of a June 21 party following Deering's win over Brewer for the Class A state baseball championship.
D'Andrea told the Press Herald last week that he was not at the party and had little knowledge of it, a point he reiterated in his resignation letter to Superintendent Jeanne Whynot-Vickers and Deering Principal Ken Kunin.
He also cited "the scrutiny this event has placed on me" during the school district's investigation.
"After the revelation of recent events involving the Deering baseball team, I feel this is the appropriate decision for me at this point in my coaching career," D'Andrea said in the letter. "I want to make it clear that I did nothing wrong and this resignation should in no way infer to anyone an admission of improper actions."
Kunin said that D'Andrea, who teaches physical education, will remain at the school as a teacher.
"We received and accepted Mr. D'Andrea's resignation as coach of boys' baseball and girls' basketball," Kunin said. "We agree with Mr. D'Andrea that the resignation was the right thing to do, and we respect his decision."
Kunin said last week that the investigation of the party could lead to student suspensions at the start of the school year.
Portland police have been conducting their own inquiry, which could result in charges. Lt. Tony Ward said Tuesday that the department's investigation is ongoing.
D'Andrea has been Deering's baseball coach since 1997 and its girls' basketball coach since 2001. His teams won seven state titles in baseball and two in girls' basketball.
John Coyne, chairman of the Portland School Committee, said he has known D'Andrea for years. He credited the coach for establishing a winning program in which youngsters looked forward to participating.
"The kids are upset by this. He was a loved coach. Mike built a great program," Coyne said.
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=204456&ac=PHnws
"Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything."
Plato (427-347 BC)
Plato (427-347 BC)
