Chicago High School Coaches Suspended For Not Setting Positive Example

Chicago Tribune

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/highschool/ct-spt-0124-haugh-chicago–20130124, 0, 1984402.column

Barbara Byrd-Bennett still remembers how often her daughter, Nailah, quoted coaches of every sport growing up in New York.

Nowadays, Byrd-Bennett frequently hears similar reverence repeated from her twin grandsons, who just started playing football.

“I just know from them it’s always, ‘The coach did or said this or that … the coach, the coach, ‘ ” the Chicago Public Schools CEO said Wednesday inside her office. “To some kids, the coach is like a god, better than dad and mom.”

Men and women placed on such lofty pedestals by children must meet standards equally high, which explains what compelled Byrd-Bennett to suspend two high-profile, successful CPS boys basketball coaches for four games apiece. Simeon’s Robert Smith and Morgan Park’s Nick Irvin behaved in a way Byrd-Bennett considered unacceptable for coaches during a profane altercation in front of players Jan. 16 at Chicago State University after Simeon’s 53-51 victory.

No, Byrd-Bennett doesn’t care that the suspension will keep Smith from coaching Simeon’s nationally televised showdown Saturday against No. 1 Young, a game she plans to attend. Bold agendas outweigh basketball schedules and only one audience concerns Byrd-Bennett.

“What is the message we are sending to our children if adults are exhibiting behavior contrary to what we want for our kids?” Byrd-Bennett said. “I’m really disturbed.”

Chicago High School Coaches Suspended For Not Setting Positive Example

Chicago Tribune

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/highschool/ct-spt-0124-haugh-chicago–20130124, 0, 1984402.column

Barbara Byrd-Bennett still remembers how often her daughter, Nailah, quoted coaches of every sport growing up in New York.

Nowadays, Byrd-Bennett frequently hears similar reverence repeated from her twin grandsons, who just started playing football.

“I just know from them it’s always, ‘The coach did or said this or that … the coach, the coach, ‘ ” the Chicago Public Schools CEO said Wednesday inside her office. “To some kids, the coach is like a god, better than dad and mom.”

Men and women placed on such lofty pedestals by children must meet standards equally high, which explains what compelled Byrd-Bennett to suspend two high-profile, successful CPS boys basketball coaches for four games apiece. Simeon’s Robert Smith and Morgan Park’s Nick Irvin behaved in a way Byrd-Bennett considered unacceptable for coaches during a profane altercation in front of players Jan. 16 at Chicago State University after Simeon’s 53-51 victory.

No, Byrd-Bennett doesn’t care that the suspension will keep Smith from coaching Simeon’s nationally televised showdown Saturday against No. 1 Young, a game she plans to attend. Bold agendas outweigh basketball schedules and only one audience concerns Byrd-Bennett.

“What is the message we are sending to our children if adults are exhibiting behavior contrary to what we want for our kids?” Byrd-Bennett said. “I’m really disturbed.”