Current Gaylord Weather
PhoneGuide
Search the PhoneGuide:
Directory
Archives
Calendar
Classifieds
Search Gaylord Herald Times Classifieds:
Vanderbilt quartet quits by walking out on coach, forcing 'Jackets to forfeit
By Jeremy Speer • Sports Editor
Friday, January 9, 2009 8:43 AM EST
VANDERBILT — It wasn’t the way coach Luke Reinhardt imagined it, but the Wolverine girls basketball team got a much-needed win Wednesday.
The Wildcats did so without even taking a dribble, as host Vanderbilt forfeited the Northern Lakes Conference contest as four players walked out on coach Chris Rupe, quitting just minutes before warm-ups.
The players were too be benched for missing practice and showing up late to the game, and Rupe inquired to the referees about starting the game with three players, because Vanderbilt has just seven on varsity roster. The referees said he could not and in the ensuing moments proceeded to take off their shoes and hand over their uniforms, forcing a forfeit.
“I don’t think it’s how I should have been treated,” Rupe said. “I’ve done a lot for the girls, helping them to a conference title last year, getting new uniforms and doing the Adopt-A-Family program.”
According to Rupe, the players not involved in the incident pleaded with those who were, and the girls walking out began to criticize those who didn’t.
The Wildcats did so without even taking a dribble, as host Vanderbilt forfeited the Northern Lakes Conference contest as four players walked out on coach Chris Rupe, quitting just minutes before warm-ups.
The players were too be benched for missing practice and showing up late to the game, and Rupe inquired to the referees about starting the game with three players, because Vanderbilt has just seven on varsity roster. The referees said he could not and in the ensuing moments proceeded to take off their shoes and hand over their uniforms, forcing a forfeit.
“I don’t think it’s how I should have been treated,” Rupe said. “I’ve done a lot for the girls, helping them to a conference title last year, getting new uniforms and doing the Adopt-A-Family program.”
According to Rupe, the players not involved in the incident pleaded with those who were, and the girls walking out began to criticize those who didn’t.
- Advertisement -
Rupe said he will finish coaching the year, bringing junior varsity players up to the varsity.
“I originally thought about resigning right then and there, but then I decided to finish out the year to be there for the kids who worked hard and believed in me.”
After the players rebelled, Rupe said he would step aside for one night and let a willing junior varsity coach Donna Kassuba take over the varsity team for the game, the girls still walked out, and referees informed Wolverine coach Luke Reinhardt there would be no varsity game with 30 seconds remaining in the junior varsity game.
“I heard a little bit of shouting — our girls were really disarrayed when they found out the game wouldn’t be played. We wanted to get a win, but not this way.”
Vanderbilt, with four staters returning from last year’s NLC title team, was still in the chase prior to the game. But with its third conference loss, the Yellowjackets are all but eliminated from title contention.
“I originally thought about resigning right then and there, but then I decided to finish out the year to be there for the kids who worked hard and believed in me.”
After the players rebelled, Rupe said he would step aside for one night and let a willing junior varsity coach Donna Kassuba take over the varsity team for the game, the girls still walked out, and referees informed Wolverine coach Luke Reinhardt there would be no varsity game with 30 seconds remaining in the junior varsity game.
“I heard a little bit of shouting — our girls were really disarrayed when they found out the game wouldn’t be played. We wanted to get a win, but not this way.”
Vanderbilt, with four staters returning from last year’s NLC title team, was still in the chase prior to the game. But with its third conference loss, the Yellowjackets are all but eliminated from title contention.
5 comment(s)
wowfactor wrote on Jan 13, 2009 1:25 PM:
" KAndy kane, LEARN BOTH SIDES OF THE STORY. AND TO SAY THESE STRONG LADDIES ARE SNOBBY, WHO THEY HECK ARE YOU. IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU NEED TO GROWN UP AND NOT JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER. they are all very smart and 2 will be the val and sal of their class, so where do u get off saying they need to grow up, are you 12? If I were you I would feel very embarrased for writing this and not even knowing both sides. "
TallPaul wrote on Jan 13, 2009 7:44 AM:
" as a former high school and college coach I find this story very strange. when an athlete refuses to play they are DONE. the ultimate slap in the face to the program is to do what these girls did. for the school to not back the coach is wrong and the coach did the correct thing by leaving. by not backing the coach the school just redered all rules meaningless. I would have a hard time teaching there if the school was run the same way. the school is so small you would think "word" would have gotten around if there had been serious problems. if there were problems the adm. should have addressed them either before or after the game. as a player you NEVER refuse to play. it is unforgiveable to do what they did! but they are kids and that's why adults have rules{reasonable ones} and they must be enforced. the 4 girls should have been allowed to quit and j.v. should have been used to finish the season. there is also one other golden rule---you never miss practice. the school has set a terrible precedent. "
Mortimer wrote on Jan 13, 2009 1:06 AM:
" Character and loyalty work both ways. Coach Rupe was correct in limiting playing time to the girls who missed or were late for practice. Apparently, the A.D. agreed. Unfortunately, the JV coach should have but did not support Coach Rupe as well as the school administrators. I would have been proud to coach the three remaining girls for the remainder of the season as I am sure Coach Rupe would have been. Exactly what rule did the referees cite for not allowing the game to proceed......you don't usually forfeit a game when two members of a five man team foul out or do they? I think the season should be forfeited if the varsity can not play with just three players. Otherwise, let them play with the three girls that stuck by their coach and attended practices. Shame on the girls, who think they are bigger than the team and the JV coach for coaching the girls who skipped practice. Perhaps, all parties involved will learn the lessons of life at some later stage in their development. "
kandykane112002 wrote on Jan 12, 2009 4:20 PM:
" I was at the next basketball game after this, and let me tell u, I don't know those girls, but they are DEFINITELY snobby little girls! they get their way and just laugh about it? that is SOOOO rediculous!I cannot even believe they got their way!!! and they started that next game after the coach resigned!!!! that is soooo rediculous! girls, how bout you learn some respect! AND GROW UP!!! oh my god!!! I would personally be embarrased if I were their parents. VERY EMBARRASED. "
If you have registered, enter your Member ID/Password to comment.
You must agree to the Terms of Use and registerwith a valid email address to post comments.
amazed wrote on Jan 13, 2009 1:50 PM: