Athletic Director Removed After Posting Photo

March 20, 2013 /
Southtown Star

http://southtownstar.suntimes.com/news/18987363-418/crete-monee-athletic-director-out-over-photo-flap.html

In a glass case outside his office at Crete-Monee High School (Ill.), athletic director Gene Cahan always displayed newspaper articles that highlighted the school’s athletes.

That habit — this time involving newspaper photos of star football player Laquon Treadwell — cost Cahan his position as athletic director this week, a source said.

“I got a raw deal. I devoted my life to kids and will continue to do that. It’s disappointing, not embarrassing,” Cahan said. “The reaction (from people at the board meeting) proved to me that people appreciate what I’ve done. That much was evident. And I will continue to work for those people.”

In a meeting that lasted into the wee hours of Tuesday morning, the Crete-Monee School District 201U Board voted 3 to 2 to reassign Cahan, a district employee for 29 years and the athletic director for the past eight years.

Cahan will be reassigned as a math teacher beginning with the 2013-14 school year, Supt. John Rodgers said. He would not comment on whether Cahan’s salary would be cut. Cahan will remain as the school’s head baseball coach.

School officials declined to explain the matter, saying it was a personnel issue, but Rodgers said what prompted the reassignment was “definitely not a criminal act.”

A source said an article and photo from another newspaper of Treadwell was posted outside Cahan’s office. Treadwell, who will attend Mississippi in the fall, was the 2012 SouthtownStar Football Player of the Year and the No. 1-rated high school wide receiver in the country.

The article and photos were removed after the athletic secretary notified Cahan that Treadwell had stopped by and asked them to be removed, according to the source. One photo showed Treadwell holding some cash in his hand, while another image was of two girls kissing Treadwell on each cheek.

While Rodgers declined to specify why Cahan was reassigned, Rodgers said Cahan was given “due process” and was allowed to address the board before they voted. Several other people also spoke out in support of Cahan, Rodgers said.


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