BATTLE CREEK — Win or lose, there were going to be plenty of tears shed by the Unionville-Sebewaing Area softball players.
Despite a valiant comeback attempt, the Patriots lost to Petersburg-Summerfield 6-5 in eight innings in the Division 4 state title game on Saturday.
It not only ended their season, but more than likely brought to a close a brilliant six-year run by coach Lary Houthoofd.
Last month, Houthoofd was informed that he would not be brought back for the 2012 season.
The coach walked down his line of players, giving each one of them a hug. Nearly every one of them burst into tears, knowing this would probably be the last game they ever played for him at USA.
Houthoofd remained quiet publicly in order not to be a distraction for his players. Following the loss, he finally commented.
“I was called into the office by the principal (George Rierson) and the athletic director (Mark Gainforth) and was told that I would not be coming back next year, it was their decision,” he said. “They also repeatedly two weeks ago kept asking me in that meeting they would understand if I quit right now. I said, ‘this my team, these are my girls.’
“I went out and addressed the girls and told them I wouldn’t walk away from them. They’re quality kids and I believe in them.”
During a recent USA board of education meeting, around 60 to 70 people came to show their support for the embattled coach.
“(People’s) support is fundamentally based on a respect for a coach who has built this program into a perennial super power in girls high school softball,” said community member John Neuman. “His overall record includes 227 wins against only 26 losses. His teams have won three state championships, six regional titles, six district titles and has won or tied for the league title every year. ... But the support for Coach Lary is because of much more than this winning record. Anyone that really knows Lary knows that deep down, he would do anything to help make his players grow and develop into better players. His commitment to the program in the amount of time, energy, passion and effort is unquestionable. ... His players play hard for him, respect him and know if they follow his instruction he will lead the team to success.
“What more can you really ask of a coach?”
To the players’ credit, they used the situation as fuel, but they also spoke out during the meeting.
Junior first baseman Jessica Gremel was reduced to tears while pleading to the board.
“I have more respect for him than any other coach. ... I don’t want to be with any other coach in my senior year (next year),” she said. “I don’t know what’s all happening (here).”
Houthoofd was asked the reasons he was not being retained.
“I’ve done nothing illegal at all,” he said. “The only thing they say is something about disconnect. We want some answers on disconnect.”
I have remained quiet on this situation, as well, for the same reasons as Houthoofd. I did not want every story to be about him during this great run. But now that the season is over, I think this is an awful shame.
Plain and simple, Houthoofd has helped transform USA softball into one of the best programs in the state.
The numbers speak for themselves — six straight trips to Battle Creek, three championships, and now a runner-up finish.
His record now stands at 229-27 (.894).
It would be one thing if the players and parents were the ones calling for his job. But by all accounts, that’s not the case.
“These kids and parents like me, they want me as a coach, no question,” Houthoofd said. “I love coaching USA softball, I believe in the kids and the parents. My coaching style is a little different. We do a lot of things as a team, and our team is just not the kids and the athletes, it’s the parents. We do an awful lot together and we believe in each other.”
Obviously players win games, but the coach makes a world of difference too.
Don’t believe me?
Ask Bay City All Saints and Frankenmuth. Veteran coach Brad Walraven left BCAS two years ago for Frankenmuth.
The Cougars have struggled while the Eagles are the Division 3 runner-up this year.
Will the same kind of decline happen at USA?
I’m not sure, but Houthoofd’s importance to the Patriots’ success can’t be understated.
“I don’t think that fight is over,” he said. “They want answers and I want answers. There’s a lot of stuff that’s going to come out that people aren’t going to like.
“I just know there’s a lot of people that are very upset. They say they want to go in a different direction.”
At the school board meeting, there was at least a glimmer of hope given that the decision may not be final.
Houthoofd said he and his lawyer have a meeting scheduled Wednesday morning with members of the USA administration. He didn’t know what would come of the meeting.
“I always believe in my kids, my program and the hard work,” he said. “It’s sad where there’s a couple of people that do this to a human being. It’s not right and it’s not fair. People need to answer for it.
“We need to take our school back, our community needs to take our school back and make it where they’re accountable.
“I am upset, but I’ll tell you what... I sure loved the opportunity to coach USA softball, and I love the kids.”
I am hopeful that cooler heads will prevail in this situation. In matters like this, the old saying is “it’s all about the kids.”
Well, if that’s the case, then let the kids have the coach they want, the coach they deserve.
Traci L. Weisenbach contributed to this article. Paul P. Adams is a sports writer for the Huron Daily Tribune and can be reached at (989) 269-6464 ext. 112 or at padams@hearstnp.com. You can also follow him on Facebook.
Just as I thought. The term "Disconnect" as stated by Larry Houthhoofd tells me there is a personal issue here, either by the AD(my guess) and the School Administrator. If there are NO legal issues then what could it be that would go against a coach who has done what likely will never be equaled. How dumb is that? Coach Houthhoofd should be retained, as it looks like at this point he wants to remain, the sooner the better. Second, if the parents of the players have NO issues with the coach, and they help fund the school and program, their input should be taken at face value. Third, if there is any proof that a personal issue is at the heart of this whole matter, that school administrator should be terminated immediately. There is NO room for that kind of decision making process in a public institution. All people who work for the USA school system are in a teaching position for the students. Work hard, be accountable, follow the rules and shoot for the moon. How hard is that? I am a former Huron County resident who has followed HC sports for many years. This is a travesty in all facets. Hire the man back.
ReplyDeleteWho is the AD, principal, superintendent, and administrator to the school? And, in the six years of coaching by Houthoofd, has any of their kids played? If this is the case, did any of them not get enough playing time? I wouldn't be surprised if politics ran into this, just like any other school in any other sport in this county.
ReplyDeletePaul's concluding statement was right on. As I stated in an earlier post, the coach has clearly not done anything that crossed any boundaries, or put anyone in any emotional or physical danger, otherwise the school would have assumed liability by allowing him to continue to coach after they decided to not retain him. So the starting point to any discussion about this should be the clear fact that there is no compulsion to remove him. Therefore, given his record, the clear dedication he has shown, and the support of the players and their parents, the choice to do so appears to be rooted in personal animus. A personality conflict is not a sound rationale upon which to base a personnel decision, and does not indicate the level of professionalism one would expect from a Superintendent, who at the very least, signed off on using that criteria to make this decison. As for a disconnect, there is bound to be some when any coach is not a full-time school employee, but that has not appeared to hinder the program. I don't want to be conspiratorial, but several fans of other teams in Battle Creek were questioning whether he upset a family with influence, possibly by who he has allotted playing time to. I also am wondering if this is a union issue, and whether a full-time teacher wants the job. Hopefully, more information will be shared with the public at the next school board meeting.
ReplyDeleteThere have always been rumblings of Coach Houthoofd recruiting players outside the school district. Could this have finally caught up with him? How many of the players drive in from the Bay City area and are there specifically to play softball with education being second? Bottom line is that if the administration wants him out, he's out. If it is true that he is recruiting players, all of the wins and championships could be taken away from USA. Could the MHSAA be putting heat on USA to clean up their act? Everything else is possible why not this?
ReplyDelete"The kids and parents like me" sounds like insecurity to me. I am not sure but ussually when someone gets treated poorly, they ussually have treated others poorly. I wonder if this is the case
ReplyDeleteThe conjecture about recruiting is not unreasonable, but I am almost certain that it is is not the reason here. There really have only been two out of district players during Houthoofd's 6 years, Laleman in 2006 and Lemere in 2007 and 2008. Both transferred in from Garber, a neighboring district, so their transfer was not unusual. Frankly, I agree that softball was likely their primary, if not sole, purpose for attending USA. As for the MHSAA becoming involved, that is nonsense. They did an inquiry in the fall of 2006, in response to a complaint (likely from Garber), and found no rules violations. The athletic director was totally supportive of the transfers at that time, and I can't imagine that the MHSAA is worried about anything that happened several years ago, particularly when they accepted the USA findings. Also, USA has always been very aggressive in pursuing students through school of choice. They have erected billboards touting their programs, and boast that aroughly 10% of their population is attending under the auspices of school of choice . As the administration has been so blatantly aggressive in their pursuit of students, how and why would they hold that against Coach Houthoofd? If anything, they are probably upset with him for not bringing more out of district students in. Your reasoning is not illogical, I just don't think it is consistent with the facts here.
ReplyDeleteIt is just me, or do the above six comments actually sound like they are coming from an adult brain? Finally, some intelligence is spewing on here and people are actually making clear and concise thought processes...not to mention I don't have to de-code the texting lingo that typically gives off the scent that a teenager is behind the typing.
ReplyDeleteSo, for those of you contributing, thanks for making it easy on my eyes...and not giving me a headache.
Dan in DC, Non 7-wood user
Coach says his players love him...however gets written up for not going to a banquet because five girls wrote "unflattering" items on facebook. I wonder if the coach is telling the full truth
ReplyDeleteThe coach got written up for not attending a banquet? As a part-time employee? That is one of the rationale's being used for not renewing his contract? Seriously? Were all full-time teachers, administrators, and staff required to attend? The more informaton that is being revealed, the less justified this decision appears.
ReplyDeleteCoach does not show up for a team awards banquet. Seems like this guys ego is huge. Its not about the coach its about the kids. poor example for kids. He should go
ReplyDelete