Should School Have Fired Coach Who Ran up Basketball Score?
by Donna Gundle-Krieg January 26, 2009
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A Texas high school girls’ basketball coach was fired Sunday after major controversy over his team’s 100-0 win over Dallas Academy's team.
Micah Grimes, former coach of the Covenant School, was fired shortly after he posted the message below on a youth basketball Web site stating that he disagreed with school officials who publicly apologized for the blowout game.
In part, Grimes' statement said "We played the game as it was meant to be played and would not intentionally run up the score on any opponent...... Does forfeiting really help Dallas Academy girls? We experienced a blowout almost 4 years ago and it was painful, but it made us who we are today.” Several of his players also posted anonymous comments on the Web site.
He was responding to the other statement below, which was on the Covenant School’s Web site, reading in part that the school "regrets ... the outcome of the game…. It is shameful and an embarrassment….and clearly does not reflect a Christ-like and honorable approach to competition."
Covenant agreed to forfeit the game, which had spectators and an assistant coach cheering wildly as their team edged closer to 100 points. The school also kept its starters in for most of the game, and the team continued to make three point shots, even in the fourth quarter.
The girls’ team from Dallas Academy, a school for students with learning disabilities, has not won a game in four seasons. “We don’t play to win, we play to have fun,” one of the players told NBC. However, she admitted that she was relieved when the game was over.
"My girls never quit," said Dallas Academy Director Jeremy Civello. "They played as hard as they could to the very end.” He said that he has never been prouder of a team than he was that night.
Many others were impressed with the losing team, and they were even invited by Dallas Maverick owner Mark Cuban to see an NBA game from his suite.
There is no mercy rule in girls’ basketball that shortens the game when scores become lopsided. There is, however, “a golden rule” that should have applied in this contest, said Edd Burleson, the director of the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools.
“On a personal note, I told the coach of the losing team how much I admire their girls for continuing to compete against all odds,” he said. “They showed much more character than the coach that allowed that score to get out of hand. It’s up to the coach to control the outcome.”
According to the Dallas Morning News, parents of the Covenant team's eight players met with school officials and outlined three goals for the program.
"We want to represent Christ with the highest respect; we don't want to humiliate anyone ever; and we want our students to be enthusiastic in everything they do."
Coach Grimes was fired shortly after that meeting. He did not otherwise teach or work at the Covenant School.
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Statement From the Covenant School
The Covenant School, its board and administrators, regrets
the incident of January 13 and the outcome of the game with the Dallas Academy
Varsity Girls Basketball team. It is shameful and an embarrassment that this
happened. This clearly does not reflect a Christ-like and honorable approach to
competition. We humbly apologize for our actions and seek the forgiveness of
Dallas Academy, TAPPS and our community. The school and its representatives in
no way support or condone the running up of a score against any team in any
sport for any reason. The school’s board members, Head of School Kyle Queal and
Athletic Director Brice Helton have acted to ensure that such an unfortunate
incident can never happen again.
Covenant school officials have met with and personally apologized to Dallas
Academy Headmaster Jim Richardson and Athletic Director Jeremy Civello and wish
to extend their highest praise to each member of the Dallas Academy Varsity
Girls Basketball team for their strength, composure and fortitude in a game in
which they clearly emerged the winner. Accordingly, The Covenant School has
contacted TAPPS and is submitting a formal request to forfeit the game
recognizing that a victory without honor is a great loss.
Kyle Queal
Head of School
Todd Doshier
Board Chair
Statement on
flightbasketball.com From Former Coach Grimes
"In response to the statement posted on The Covenant School Website, I
respectfully disagree with the apology, especially the notion that the Covenant
School girls basketball team should feel "embarrassed" or "ashamed". We played
the game as it was meant to be played and would not intentionally run up the
score on any opponent. Although a wide-margin victory is never evidence of
compassion, my girls played with honor and integrity and showed respect to
Dallas Academy. We honor God, ourselves, and our families when we step on the
court to compete. I do no wish to forfeit the game. What kind of example does it
set for our children? Do we really want to punish Covenant School girls? Does
forfeiting really help Dallas Academy girls? We experienced a blowout almost 4
years ago and it was painful, but it made us who we are today. I believe in the
lessons that sports teach us. Competition builds character, and teaches us to
value selflessness, hard work, and perseverance. As a coach, I have instilled in
my girls these values. So if I lose my job over these statements, I will walk
away with my integrity."
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