A sea of supporters for Norwin head football coach Dan Conwell successfully convinced the school board Monday night to retain him for the 2007-08 season.
School directors invited about 40 parents who supported Conwell to meet in an executive session for an hour prior to the regular meeting.
In November, a smaller group of parents of football players complained to the school board about an incident during which Conwell allegedly cursed at a junior team member repeatedly and embarrassed him in front of the other players. The same group of parents returned in December to repeat their complaints about Conwell, but board solicitor Alfred Maiello cautioned the group to consider holding their comments until they can be heard in a private executive session.
A much larger group turned out last night in favor of Conwell. They did not react when the board voted to rehire him as coach.
Before the board voted on whether to approve the list of fall sports coaches, which included Conwell's name, some players spoke on behalf of their coach.
Dan Kozak, a 17-year-old senior, said he had respect for his coach because he had an open-door policy and addressed concerns face to face.
"He never disrespected me. Once, I dropped a pass and he yelled at me. I said something back to him. We talked about it later. Be man enough to go up and talk to him -- not bring it up to the school board to get him out. It is ridiculous and immature," he said.
Zane Zahorchak, a 16-year-old sophomore, called Conwell "a great man who is even better off the field."
"I wouldn't want to play for anyone else but him," he said.
Football wasn't the only sport being tossed around the board room last night.
A group of girls soccer parents attended the meeting to see if head coach Dana Ferry and her assistant Troy Shasko would be rehired for their positions for the fall.
One parent, Judy Mullen, spoke against the rehiring of Ferry. She read a speech written by her daughter and then asked the board to open the coaching positions.
Directors voted 6-2 to retain Conwell.
Director Jeff Rutkowski voted against retaining both Conwell and Ferry, but agreed with the rest of the hirings. Director Casey Harper also voted against retaining Conwell, but in favor of the others. Director Becky Gediminskas was absent.
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