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By BRIAN COOK, Times Leader Sports Writer
No one can ever doubt you for wanting to do better in life. There isn't a day that goes by when someone wakes up and says "I don't want to succeed today" unless you are harvested in the Buckeye Local School District.
The Panthers athletic program is still having trouble cracking into the mainstream of teams in the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference. Creeping in the depths of the Buckeye 8 Conference, the potential for the athletes is tremendous, but not for the good folks leading those athletes.
At a recent school board meeting, former Buckeye Local wrestling coach Brian Davis was denied his request to be relinquished his social studies teaching contract from the district after filling a last minute void left as head wrestling coach at West Liberty State College.
Former Hilltoppers' coach Mike Wehler submitted his resignation to the college on Aug. 1 - giving administration little time to fill in his spot. Davis, a former Marine and National Champion for West Liberty, was honored being asked to apply and take the position.
However, not making the deadline of July 10 of the Ohio Revised Code to resign, Davis will now carry a dark mark on his permanent record because Buckeye Local has released him from his coaching responsibilities and not from his teaching responsibilities.
"When I took the new job I spoke with our principal, Scott Celestin, and hated to put him in this spot," Davis admitted. "I had a great experience at Buckeye Local, but this was too good of an opportunity to pass up."
As most know from being in the valley, to find a good coach you need to have a great teacher. This combination position Davis played for the Buckeye Local School District was a great one, but not appreciated.
"As a leader of a team and team leader we must take care of our team," Buckeye Local Superintendent Mark Miller stated. "We're looking as a matter of professionalism in his teaching career and not as a wrestling coach.
"We are going to petition for his teaching license."
According to the state rules, Miller has a right to petition to have Davis' license revoked for one year, but what an unclassy move by the district.
The district is punishing a coach that made a catapult in his career.
The status quo for these situations as of recent in Belmont County is very pro-teacher. Meaning if the move for the teacher is beneficial they will release them from their contract and wish them well
Davis left the wrestling program in great standing being involved with the parents and OVAC wrestling coaches association and tailored a enthusiastic replacement with teacher-coach Nathan Skrzypek. The Wheeling Central graduate will enter his third year on the mat with the Panthers' program and will easily be able to maintain high caliber wrestlers.
HAVING FOLKS leave your program and see how well they do is only a benefit and credit to your program. Three past members of the Panthers' wrestling program include Sean Doyle, Rich McCardle and Jay Michael. Doyle now serves as head wrestling coach at Wheeling Park - the largest school in the OVAC; McCardle serves as an assistant principal at Wheeling Park; and Michael is an assistant principal and head wrestling coach at St. Clairsville. What a credit to your program producing such prominent coaches and administrators, but that is not how it is viewed in the Dillonvale office.
Until the Buckeye Local Board of Education sees this for its teacher-coach individuals athletics can only viewed as mediocre.
DOUBLE OVERTIME
BURNING BRIDGES is another concept Buckeye Local may need to learn. Having Davis move into the collegiate level can only help get your kids get into the ranks of collegiate wrestling. Davis, a soldier on the mat, won't let this small setback change his great times at Buckeye Local. However, not everyone works in the same classy manner of Davis either.
Cook can be reached at bcook@timesleaderonline.com