Dodson explains rejection of coaching spot

By Tracy Dodson Special to The Telegram
Saturday, Oct 10, 2009 - 11:24:50 am CDT

Don’t be concerned about Coach Dodson. Wrestlers never give up ... they prepare for the next match.

I have had the opportunity to coach in one of the most respected programs in the state of Nebraska. I have been graciously offered the second assistant wrestling position at Columbus High School by the administration and wish to clarify and explain my perspective.

While I am passionate about Columbus wrestling and have coached as an assistant for 19 years and one year as head coach for a great community, I feel if I were to accept the offer of assistant to the assistant wrestling coach, I would be regressing in my coaching aspirations, overall approach and career path of personal expectations.

This was not an easy decision to separate from a lifelong passion, but I felt it was the best recourse, given the current circumstances, the best decision for the team and Columbus wrestling and all the constituents that make this great sport possible.

I owe it to former and current wrestlers to show them that I am always striving to bring out the best in any situation, by doing the right thing each and every day. Therefore, I know that if I cannot continue in the capacity that they have known me to be, especially this past year, I would be doing them and myself an injustice too difficult for me to make the adjustment to. Wrestling, much like life, sometimes teaches us it’s time for a new move. A new move is what I must pursue.

“Just Living the Dream” was my forte this past year and being passionate and building momentum for winning a state wrestling team title was one of my driving forces to my success in this program. My desire to push these wrestlers and community to go the “extra mile” for them, e.g. fundraisers, wrestling leagues, wrestling at events with Freestyle and Greco, wrestling summer leagues, wrestling camps in Arizona and Colorado, our planned trip to Hawaii, etc., were extra special events that I felt empowered to do to help meet these dreams and goals.

Burning desires and passion were to motivate this new “wrestling family”.

Although I have lost my head coaching position, I will never forget what Columbus wrestling means to its wrestlers and to this community. As we learn on the mat, we face our adversities head on and do our best. If we get pummeled, we stand back up, learn from our experience and try again. Victorious or not, we take the experience and go forward. That is what I’m going to do now.

To everyone involved in Columbus wrestling, I would expect you to keep your heads up, stay in a good standing, get back on the mat of life and move forward. For me and my family, that’s what we are going to do. I will continue to encourage students to wrestle and always bring out the best in our kids and everyone I encounter. Courage should always prevail over fear.

God has a plan for each and every one of us and I certainly thank all those who walked with me through this recent incredible journey. There were many and words cannot describe all of the support you have shown. Strength and persistence are measured in time, and my time with wrestling has taught me well. It’s time for Coach Dodson to pursue a different kind of match. I truly believe in and look forward to a successful future for all of us, regardless of the form it comes in.

Tracy Dodson is a teacher and the former head wrestling coach at Columbus High School.

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azulancer
Oct 10, 2009 2:21 PM
So Coach, let us know what your plans are as soon as you decide.
CHS employee
Oct 10, 2009 2:45 PM
Way to walk away with your head held high and thanks for the letter.
what
Oct 10, 2009 3:03 PM
all those people who "knew right" and went to bat for you and you just shut the door right in front of thier faces....that is funny!!!!! good luck to you!!thankyou for doing what is truly right!!
jeff
Oct 10, 2009 3:27 PM
And the drama continues! It would be a horrible conflict of interest and honestly, admitting to guilt. Why should Mr. Dodson be punished and except any guilt? Mr. Dodson is making the correct and rational decision. Furthermore, he should probably look for another head coach wresting job elsewhere, somewhere where the school administration supports him.
jt
Oct 10, 2009 3:44 PM
After watching Coach Dodson speak at the Scotus athletic banquet a few years back I will vouch for his coaching passion. I wish all coaches had that much enthusiasm for their sport. I accept his explanation as sincere but I would like to know if he is accepting the skills program position back.
former student
Oct 10, 2009 5:51 PM
I totally agree with Mr. Dodson. Go on with life. Everything happens for a reason and we have to accept it. He decided to go wherever life takes him. And I think everyone should just accept it.

Good luck Mr. Dodson
John
Oct 10, 2009 6:17 PM
Coach Dodson, You are a honorable man with a lot of integrity. Although I have never met you, you have my upmost respect. Thank you for all you've done at CHS.
blah blah blah
Oct 10, 2009 6:17 PM
I personally know Dodson , and this letter sounds like someone else wrote it for him.....As others in the community probably also agree, I feel there is still more to this saga....Eventually all will come out. If Dodson feels like he is regressing, he should just be thankful he still has a teaching job.
God Speed
Oct 10, 2009 6:26 PM
Good Luck to you and your family! This reminds me so much of a situation at the hospital a few years ago. We visited recently with that person in that situation and he said the move to the west coast was the best move in his life for he and his family. So wherever, the next steps take you whether here in Columbus or elsewhere - God Speed! Maybe some day the necessary people will step up in this situation and the ones involved will search their souls to find the correct thing to do. In the meantime, have you ever thought about telling your story to a movie maker? It certainly has all the ingredients for a good one.
MeMyselfAndI
Oct 11, 2009 1:09 AM
It's obvious that Dr. Hillyer doesn't have any respect or care for both the wrestling tradition of CHS nor does he care about Skills USA/VICA or the industrial technologies area of CHS.

Dr. Hillyer needs to understand that Columbus is an industrialized community and that Mr. Dodson's classes are very important to the area, regardless of his elitists attitude toward the industrial trades.

Dr. Hillyer is barely able to maintain his own household, but passes judgment on others for being blue collar.
Realist
Oct 11, 2009 8:34 AM
I totally respect Coach Dodson for taking a stand and doing the right thing. He could of accepted the positio and be miserable. It is a travisty that Hillyer, Board of Education and Adminsitration have messed with a mans passion in life to teach and coach student-athletes then just rip it from him and throw it away. I do believe that this is a defimation of character and Coach Dodson should seek legal action. I personally believe that Hillyer needs to step down along with many Board of Education members. Again, Mr. Goos was the only one to have the testicular fortitude and stand up for what is wrong. A real man will at least do what he feels is not right and that is what Coach Dodson did. Hillyer took the low road and won the fight unfairly and establishing no trus with the community and CPS district. To the family that destroyed his coaching dream, hope you feel good in what you did and I am sure to see you along with Hillyer raising a toast to your dirty play to win. It is a sad day in teaching and coaching as well as being a mentor! We are behind you Coach no matter what!
Tony Dworak
Oct 11, 2009 10:48 AM
Thank you "GOD SPEED"!

Yes. We are VERY blessed to be in the foothills of the beautiful Cascade Range in the great state of Oregon!!

It was about 2 years ago when "they" came after me at the hospital. Who are "they"? I don't know if there is a "they", or if it's an "it". I've been around a bit, and Columbus did appear to have something of a "culture" in her executive suites and board rooms.

At times, it seems like change agents in that town (not that I was anything great; I sure as hell wasn't) tend to find themselves in the cross-hairs. And once that happens, you are basically cooked. To quote the old blues number, "You Gotta Move"!

My advice to the coach is get out, and put it behind you before your own health starts to suffer. In my case, I kept trying to figure out what i did wrong. That made me sick, and it damn near drove me to drink. Wait a minute, I've always drank.

At any rate, I do know that the vast majority of the people who actually do the work in the schools, the hospital, the plants, etc, are simply the best. And of course, there are some very fine folks among Columbus'so-called "leaders"; not to mention the financial supporters of the major charities, and the hundreds of selfless volunteers, especially at that hospital.

But I will never forget the colleagues of mine at the hospital who risked their jobs and appealed to the top on my behalf when I was "on the skewer." It was truly humbling and awesome. Like just about all of us, these are folks who really needed their jobs!

Their actions tought me more about integrity and loyalty than all the big words I've heard and read over the years. It sounds like the coach has such friends. Coach, as painful as the process is, it is the only way to truly find out who your friends are!

How fun it is to come back to visit once in awhile and get the Big Red Blood pumping.

I caught a beautiful wedding and took in an incredible concert by The Deal ("The Greatest Band Ever to Come out of Columbus, Nebraska") last Labour Day, and my wife and kids invade the grandparents' homes every summer. Life is good.

"Lumbo" is where i grew up, and you can't change your hometown. Hell, who'd want to? So God bless you, and go Lakeview b-ball!!!

- Hoss
To Realist
Oct 11, 2009 10:57 AM
You are so far off base with your post. I would love to meet with you over coffee and explain just how far this whole thing has "slipped over your head". I think that we will have to do it in person so that I can use pictures and crayons for you.

There is no family that destroyed a coaching dream. A group of wrestlers...NOW SUSPENDED WRESTLERS...destroyed a dream. Many people are trying to blame the people that stood up to this bullying. There were several of these kids that spoke out, not just one.

Coach Dodson destroyed his own dream. He destroyed it by not protecting it. I am sick and tired of people EXACTLY LIKE YOU posting on here, and blaming everyone except the people that were in the wrong. I wish it were your kid that got taped up and had the crap kicked out of him...and then had pictures of it circulated all around town. Yea sure...blame the people that stood up for themselves.

Not only are you stupid, you are insensitive and stupid.
Realist
Oct 11, 2009 11:50 AM
I totally see you as an individual whom is not in the education/coaching profession. We as educators know what we are getting into and understand the lives that we have in our hands. We would never let any child recieve any harm to anyone at anytime. We cant be everywhere at one time but do our best to prevent that. I am supposing that parents like you would rather put the blame on others instead of find a way to resolve the problem. By threatening and winning the battle of getting a great educator/teacher fired and dragged in the mud shows what type of person you may be. This had totally affected the life of an educator who believes and loves his students/athletes. I know for a fact what happened and this family has threatened many lawsuits against wrestlers parent and have tied their hand behind their back. That child chose to participate at all levels. While you sit in the stands and teach/coach from the passaner seat, you do not know the time, effort, drive and want we have to the #1 safety of each child and how to make them THE BEST productive member of SOCIETY after high school and be the BEST STUDENT ATHLETE while in school! Again, I would love to meet you but fortunately I know how to color inside the lines. Guess it would be a pleasure as an educator to teach you "back to basics" in more than just coloring. Again, I am so supportive of Coach Dodson and feel terrible for CPS District because teacher/coaches now know for fact that your administration/superintendent does not have your back and would rather take the other side rather than find all facts and back your school educators. Hope you have a great day!
Realist
Oct 11, 2009 11:53 AM
Also, my child has never been in that situation and has never participated or been a victim of. Maybe he is smarter and wiser. Not sure but I just was a parent and not my child's friend and bail him out! I have him learn from his mistakes and know that there are choices.
Tony Dworak
Oct 11, 2009 12:02 PM
*****CHECK THAT*******

"Go Lakeview B-ball", EXCEPT, when they are playing against my nephews.
students parent
Oct 11, 2009 12:13 PM
I commend Mr. Dodson on his stance, integrity and empathy for the current head coach. How could that man do his job, earn his student's respect with Dodson on the side. he's right, God does have a plan for each of us, I hope that he finds his ELSEWHERE and gets away from Columbus. That's the only way he will be successful. Columbus messed up a good thing again.
To Realist
Oct 11, 2009 12:44 PM
"I wish it were your kid that got taped up and had the crap kicked out of him...and then had pictures of it circulated all around town." Oh brother - you know and we all know that is NOT what happened.
wrong tune
Oct 11, 2009 1:25 PM
Nice article. Good attempt at going out with your head held high.

Depending on what happens next....we could see you on CNN with your head held... NOT SO HIGH!?

Instead of offering a form of an APOLOGY....you "thank" your supporters, that supported this behavior? SO ADMIRABLE!! And your STILL a teacher?

Not so smart...in my opinion.

We hope all details are soon to follow. You have been allowed to look like the "innocent" or "hurt" one...Im betting those days are nearing an end.

Oh, and to Realist: a lawsuit of defamation....would be GREAT! All details would be made public. Finally!

We can only HOPE..the silence is about to break.

I doubt this is quite over yet. Sounds like your preaching to the wrong choir! And singing the wrong tune.
jj
Oct 11, 2009 1:58 PM
I am glad the Hospital situation has reappeared. The Telegram left us in the dark on that story and I still do not anything about why the admin. was fired. I do credit the Telegram for staying on this story and hopefully they will continue to do so untill all the truth is out. Untill we have total open discussions with all the facts these things will keep happening, and the good ole boy network will continue to get their way. At least we had one victory for the small guy rescently in the latest debacle downtown. From Tony Dvorak's post he sounds like a guy that I would like to have a drink with. It is just too bad that we have people like Moser and Co. who chase most of the good people away!
rob g
Oct 11, 2009 3:37 PM
To "wrong tune", those are pretty strong accusations but since you did not give us one single detail I will dismiss your post as nothing but hyperbole. Really, CNN, when he was not even in the building when any of this happened from the details I heard. I am open for full disclosure so bring on what you think you have and let the chips fall where they may.
Hurray for the Good Guys
Oct 11, 2009 3:40 PM
Coach Dodson should be commended for airing his views. The wrestling job offer as an assistant to the assistant is demeaning to say the least. Columbus has lost an enthusiastic and classy coach, more than we can say of parents who defend and make excuses for kids who don't take responsibility for themselves. That's what makes the teaching and coaching professions so hard and so unrewarding. The administration is making that happen, and the inmates are truly running the asylum. A kid gets out of line, his peers mete out their brand of justice, juvenile as that may seem, but commonly practiced in sports and activities, and the coach is forced to resign. Well, it's time for Dr. Hillyer to do the same. His PHD stands for "Piled Higher and Deeper!"
A Sincere Mesage To Parents
Oct 11, 2009 4:36 PM
I agree that we forget who is to blame here. The teachers, coaches, administration and school board are not. The kids are. For future reference, the answer to all this is quite simple. PARENTS: This is the deal. Teachers are not babsitters. That stops way back in about 3rd grade. My own son in 3rd grade prompted a phone call from the school principal. Our son was involved in a food fight in school. Our response to that - O.K. if he can't behave in school he will walk home every lunch hour and eat in front of Mommy until he convinces us he is big enough to go on with life without someone holding his hand. And if he was tardy returning back to school after lunch then we would deal with that too. He learned to run real fast. Two weeks - he figured it out. At that point, we told him, if we ever get another phone call from the school regarding your misbehavior you are to expect a load of bricks to come down on you by us when you come home. We also explained to him that it didn't matter if he was totally in the wrong, slightly in the wrong or just didn't use good judgement as a bystander. The punishment would be the same. He and his sister both graduated from Columbus High and we never received one phone call.

I have heard many variations of what happened. In my opinion, the coach was not in the wrong with any of them. As far as the continuing "bullying" and the coach not doing anything that one person stated on here - I don't believe that either. Please ask yourself why, a young boy would want to go to a summer wrestling camp with a bunch of known bullies. Doesn't make sense. How in the world was a coach suppose to be with these kids 24/7? Not to be cynical but did you want him to take showers with them too? How about going poddy?

And parents, if your kids can't handle life yet - don't entitle them to an out of state wrestling camp. Parents your kids need to grow up. YOU need to make them grow up. In our day, kids were months from entering the Viet Nam War at that age.

I, as a taxpayer who supports the school system in Columbus am disgusted that the parents today equip their kids with I-POD's and cellphones equipped with cameras and texting and picture texting (ya, picture texting) and whatever else is the latest and greatest on the market. Then, we ask our educators to overcome the odds. If something goes wrong, the parents blame everyone but themselves and their kids. The school is the scapegoat and teachers get caught in the free-fall. I personally, hope the school uses the tax money I provide and hires a really good attorney.

To Mr. Dodson and your family: You are a teacher and should be proud of that fact. Go on with your life and let the parents of CHS try to figure it out. We, the tax-payers are getting tired of their lack of discipline, character, morals, and guidance. And we are especially tired of the entitlement they are giving your kids and the lack of support and spitefullness they show the educators.
Mrs. Dodson
Oct 11, 2009 7:23 PM
I wanted the opportunity to express my extreme gratitude to all of you who understood, believed, and supported not only my husband, but our whole family through this crazy ordeal. You people are the silver lining. You are the proof of how many good people are out there; people whose goal is not to bring others down, but reach out and help when it is needed. We had such a great amount of phone calls, well wishes, letters, visits, and comments, you really do find out who your friends are. We are very fortunate and humbled to have earned your friendship and support.
My daughter says this experience is like what "Rocky" said in one of his movies, "The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows, it's a mean and nasty place. It will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, nobody is going to hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard you can hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.
Thank you for helping us move forward.
Re wrong time
Oct 11, 2009 8:05 PM
Sue, I mean wrong time, if you are so bent on the details coming out then the alleged victims family should continue with their lawsuit. Just a reminder, I hope he's told his parents EVERYTHING that happened cause it may be very embarrassing in court when they find out what he hasn't told them yet. Everyone needs to remember, Dodson knew nothing of these happenings until 2 months after the camp, he didn't cover it up, end of story. Not one among us would convict him of anything should this be the court of law, NONE of us.
I have seen it before
Oct 11, 2009 9:27 PM
Small community = small minds and dreams!! Nuff said! Coach Dodson will have the last laugh on this one when a year from now he will have a new team with a supportive administration and a community that values his integrity. I am glad I moved from your god forsaken town years ago!!!
T Froehner
Oct 11, 2009 10:24 PM
To Mrs Dodson:
Your words and sentiments were well spoken. I sincerely hope that you, your family and your husband have found solace and support from the many individuals that have attempted to right the wrong so unjustly administered by the school administration. I can only hope that, if there is such a thing as Karma, it will yield itself with a silver hammer the size of Texas to deal it's justice. Reasonably priced legal litigation would be a close second. But, not nearly as fulfilling. Until then, I will rely on my voting rights as an individual of this community to oust those in the school administration and school board who lack the common sense and moral integrity to do what is right. As a consumer, I will ensure that there will never be another penny of my income going to those that would destroy an institution to mask the shortcomings of their son.

As for gratitude, it is I who owe your husband and your family. In the two short years that I have been exposed to Tracy's energy, optimism, concern and commitment to his student athletes, I have truly been moved. It is rare to find and individual who has the character and integrity to live according to his statements and beliefs. Not just when people are watching, but every moment of every day. It is even more rare to find and individual of such caliber to inspire others to feel compelled to participate in a system as broken and dysfunctional as our school system. Our society needs people like Tracy. Not just for the difference he makes in those he mentors, but for the difference he makes in the lives of those of us who, through his own actions, allows us to recognize our own shortcomings and strive to be better.

I THANK YOU! I know good things will be coming your way!
bystander
Oct 12, 2009 10:04 AM
"Sincere Message...",

You have made an excellent post

I wish we could bottle your parenting skills and then pour it down the throats of those who could use a stiff belt of it.

Somehow, things have been switched around so that instead of having kids striving to become adults, we have adults trying to remain children. Don't believe it? See how many adults dress up for Halloween...
chs parentsupporter
Oct 12, 2009 10:06 AM
Well, phase I of this episode is behind us. The wrestlers suspended, should man up and accept their role and punishement (so should their parents). Phase II resumes tonight at the Board meeting. The next melee will between the man hired to run the schools, and those elected to oversee his job performance. BoE, you had no business of putting Tracy in the position of having to decide whether he would coach again in Columbus.
Dear REALIST
Oct 12, 2009 8:02 PM
It is called a paragraph. Try using one next time you compose a lengthy statement.

You state you are an educator and you can color inside the lines. I just hope you are the art teacher and not my children's English and Writing Composition teacher. Geeze.
Josy Richards
Oct 13, 2009 11:31 PM
Way to look foward coach and not behind i agree 100%. its pointless to go back 20 years ago. i think if u would have accepted there would be a lot of authority problems between coaches. wat i dont get is why coach dodson gets fired in an out of state event not sponsored by cps with highly false information. still not seein any police reports or documents on this so called bullying. i wonder why cps is hiding it from the public? o maybe cause IT NEVER HAPPEND!!! cps wat just savin there own neck from being sued by forcing him out of his dream. if this causes dodson to loose his job from not being present at this so called bullying at an unschool related event that was out of state. then why in the world arent they firing teachers custodians and lunch supervisors for not being there when a kid gets hurt or is bullied or sexually assulted? its the same darn situation right? it makes no sense to fire a coach who had no idea wat was going on or that it even happend. tell me how many times this happens in a school day in cps does a kid get called names, pushed shoved, discluded from social groups etc. and no one is fired for it or is disiplined for the student/atheletes action? NEVER SO WHY SHOULD THEY DO THIS TO DODSON!how can they prove that those wrestlers bullied him anyway is he mentally unstable do to the "bullying" or physically harmed in any way? or emotionally incompitent to function? i dont see him in any way disturbed in any form. just all happy he gets his way agian.
Mike
Oct 14, 2009 3:42 PM
".......as a taxpayer who supports the school system in Columbus am disgusted that the parents today equip their kids with I-POD's and cellphones equipped with cameras and texting and picture texting (ya, picture texting) and whatever else is the latest and greatest on the market. Then, we ask our educators to overcome the odds. If something goes wrong, the parents blame everyone but themselves and their kids. The school is the scapegoat and teachers get caught in the free-fall."

This quote from SINCERE couldn't be any more true to describe the climate not only at CHS, but probably at a lot of schools in our community. I have personally witnessed student athletes address their coaches by first name or just the last name. No "Mr." so and so or "Coach" so and so. Might not seem like a big deal, but how you address an adult is a direct measure of respect. TEACHERS/COACHES DONT HAVE TO EARN the RESPECT of ADOLESCENTS. It's the other way around, remember? I firmly believe that the inmates run the prison at CHS, mainly because the system is scared of "litigious threats" from parents that couldn't parent my dog, much less a human. This fiasco's blame lies squarely on all of the parents of the kids involved.
parent of teen
Oct 14, 2009 7:23 PM
Aurora Colorado made national news last night because a couple of soccer players sexually harassed a fellow student.
The players have been disciplined, the teachers as well for not providing supervision, (it was on a bus ride back home)
the head of the school was on tv saying that this type of activity would not be tolerated and was dealt with swiftly and harsh.
Other students were on tv telling what happened.

What happened to the tv media in and around the Columbus area? I will be sending a link to this article
Thank You
Oct 14, 2009 8:24 PM
Dodson,

You are truly a man among men, a coach among coaches, and a teacher among teachers.

The sum of all those who slighted you will never amount to a fraction of the man you are. I wish you and your family the very best in whatever endeavors you pursue. Thank you for all the good you have done for this community, the students, and my own children.
A Bit Confused
Oct 14, 2009 9:25 PM
To Parent of Teen
I am not sure exactly why you would want to contact the national news media after seeing the news on the Colorado event. I see no simularities. It is not like we had a perverse student sexually harass a wrestler on an out of state, non school affiliated school event and NOT get punished. He got a swirley. At least he will get to wrestle this year.
It is not like the adult supervision was on the bus an unaware. Granted, he may have been in the same building.
And, it is not as if our school has not demonstrated a no tolerance policy for sexual harassment. They also swiftly and harshly supended 5 students that gave a swirley 6 months after the fact. Besides, you have to give them credit. At least they are politically correct. They "Didn't Ask, and Didnt' Tell." I just don't get it. What are you trying to say?
Zness
Oct 15, 2009 3:10 AM
You deserve better than what you got. The foundation of ethics, determination, and success that you built over two decades was snubbed in a typically-Columbus-style populist fury. Stick with it! Get outta that town and chase that State Championship elsewhere. The kids that you will end up coaching somewhere else are really going to appreciate it!
Student at CHS
Oct 15, 2009 3:09 PM
I think that what Dodson decided to do was the right thing. He worked very hard to be "head coach", not "assistant coach". The administration evolved in this "case" if you will should be left for part of the blame. They jumped into conclusions and did not realize at the time who they really...fired..

I agree while being in classes at CHS and hearing people talk that many people not just Hillyer are not very fond of "tech classes". I find this funny though because this is Columbus, we have plenty of industrialized jobs.

The other people who should be left with the blame should be the kids. I think it was very stupid, but lets be honest as much as parents,teachers, etc. may not want to admit, HAZING does happen. If the parents who made a big deal about this do not think it will happen to their kid I can assure you that you have made it much worse for your kid at the high school. You basically put a target on him now. I being a student at CHS can also be a first hand source that this takes place in the halls everyday that people get bullied, hit, and verbally insulted. So why don't parents raise a big deal about this everyday...something I don't understand who knows though I'm just a high school student..

The verdict has been made though, however, and Dodson has stepped down, administration evolved has messed up by punishing one of the greatest teachers/mentors/and coach we have ever because they jumped to conclusions. Way to set a good example for the kids!!!
Former CHS Student
Oct 15, 2009 3:38 PM
I don't understand why he has to give up coaching...two years ago at a different high school a team urinated in a gatorade bottle and then used that to initiate the freshman by having the drink it. That coach did not get fired and the girls only got suspended for two weeks. I'm just saying that a kid got a swrily, why should Dodson be punished for what others did, you can't control everybody, every second of the day.
I never had Dodson as a teacher, but within the school he was a great assest and a fun loving guy that brighten up the hallway.
concerned
Oct 15, 2009 10:57 PM
re parent of teen-Sorry to say but the situation inColorado was a lot different than what took place at the NON SPONSORED trip these young men took. First off the coach was on the mat coaching when the swirly took place,he was not in the same room and I do not believe that is sexual assault,maybe the FRESHMAN kid who was begged to go on this wrestling camp by Coach Dodson should tell everyone what he did to another wrestler first that was by far WORSE than a swirly-But that will never happen Mom and Dad have money and a lawyer so he will be fine. I hope when he is in the halls of CHS and on the wrestling mat(if he has enough guts to go out for wrestling)that he is proud of what he has achieved while being there. Good Luck Coach Dodson and I hope someday you will be head coach in a first class school that will support you-UNLIKE CHS
parent that appealed
Oct 16, 2009 8:53 AM
Do you REALLY believe this is just over a swirly, or are you just lying? You appealed the school discipline? Wow!

These people have given you every opportunity to be a man and act like a decent parent. It will be your son that suffers, for his idiotic parent.
Your complaining about sitting out a few matches? What will you do when/if he has felonies and misdemeanors on his record? Maybe you should hire a different lawyer that is capable of explaining the potential charges...oh wait, he cant, you told him this was just about a swirly. I see.
Ask your lawyer what FALSE IMPRISONMENT is. x2. Ask him what ASSAULT and BATTERY is. x4 Ask him what EXTORTION is. Remember, pictures dont lie..people do. Then, for the smaller things. Find out if your kid had any alcohol, any knifes, chinese throwing stars, did any sexting (now charged as pornograhpy). Be a bit more exact and find out what charges he could face. And then...just keep on bloggin, and keep on carrying on. Oh, and for yourself..ask him what slander is, and then think of who you have spoken to since this happened. A few of them didnt like what you had to say. Oh, and the thing their son did, their lawywer said gross, but not criminal! Your temper and stupidity has gotton in the way of reality and reason.
Hind Sight - Future Reference
Oct 16, 2009 12:27 PM
This is a very sad situation. A teacher loses his job, the school administration is ridiculed, the school board's decisions are questioned, the wrestling team is dismantled, the situation has been taken out of the parent's hands, the school has a lawsuit to contend with and the kids go on their jolly way. Gadds, they might even be celebrating a wrestling victory together. Where will the parents be?

We had a situation once where two of our little Boy Scouts decided to start a bon fire outside in the corner by our fireplace. We parents got together, called the two boys together, discussed the danger of the situation and the punishment. Punishment was handed out to both kids (we still don't know who actually started the fire - doesn't make any difference and we didn't ask.) Those boys are now grown adults with kids of their own. They still are embarressed talking about. BUT we parents have been life time friends.

Parents - just for future reference: When your kids are involved in a bad situation (one not breaking the law), you parents become the posse. Parents, unite face to face, and hand over the punishment together to each and every kid who should be also present together. You parents live in the same community, you will see each other very often, you might even be vulnerable to the other's business, you obviously were all wrestling fans even though the kids don't all go to the same school. You are parents with a common cause - your kids. I have heard so much about this and quite frankly it appears NONE of the kids were innocent. Take care of it yourself. It takes a Village (that's you) to raise a child but leave the school and the teachers out of it! GO PARENTS!
Behind of the shed
Oct 16, 2009 1:23 PM
I have read and read, blog after blog. It all boils down to the spoiled rotten, haven't had parents that discipline their kids, have money to bail them out of a jam, kids! What have these parents taught their kids? Does someone have to be holding their hands day in and day out? This is plane and simple a fault of the parents and it will be very hard for these kids in the future to be able manage by themselves. Shame on all of you parents that have kids involved in this! Shame, Shame on you!!
Wrestler at Heart
Oct 16, 2009 3:42 PM
Once you have wrastled, everything is easy. Coach D said that...and I live by those very words everyday. Our coaches are Gods. The normal man on the street could not even breath the same air as our men who coach at CHS. Columbus doesn't realize the fine coaches they have.
concerned
Oct 17, 2009 10:09 PM
What the heck is going on I was told 1 kid is not going out for wrestling because he has to miss part of the year-and then was told some of the parents have hired a lawyer to protect their kids WHY????If they are guilty they should have some kind of punishment you need to remember COACH DODSON lost his job because of these kids,I hope they can look the coach in the eye and know THEY are the reason for his resignation,but if the parents keep bailing them out they will never learn.Good Luck to Coach Dodson you are very good teacher,coach and mentor