From the Morning Call:
The name Rich McIntyre is synonymous with Freedom High School wrestling.
He won the school's first state wrestling championship in 1975 at 145 pounds. He coached youth feeder teams in Bethlehem Township for decades. He was inducted into the school's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007. Last year he became the Patriots' head coach.
On Monday, McIntyre, 52, nearly lost it all.
The Bethlehem Area School Board postponed a vote on accepting McIntyre's coaching resignation, which he offered for ''personal'' reasons.
If about 30 parents, many affiliated with the Freedom Patriot Wrestling Booster Club, have their wish, the board will not be asked to accept his resignation again. They spoke glowingly of a man they said has given tirelessly to his community and sport.
Carla Young, a widowed mother of two Freedom wrestlers, said McIntyre has been a strong role model for her children. She said he helped them have confidence to wrestle and play football.
Young said McIntyre shows the same level of commitment to all children and to Freedom wrestling.
''There is no more passionate coach or committed coach than Rich McIntyre,'' Young said.
Board President Loretta Leeson said coaching decisions begin at the building level. She instructed Young and other Freedom parents to talk to Freedom and district administrators about how they feel about McIntyre.
After the meeting, Freedom Principal Mike LaPorta declined to comment, citing private personnel reasons.
''It's not settled,'' LaPorta said.
McIntyre, who was not present, could not be reached after the meeting.
The Patriots went 6-10 as a team in the Lehigh Valley Conference last year. With this season about half over, they are 2-5.
During the meeting, Booster Club President Laura Fortes said McIntyre has helped the club raise money. McIntyre has worked like no other coach before him to build a feeder program that connects community youth teams to Freedom, she said.
His future with the Pates, however, remains unknown.
Source: The Morning Call
On this page I will have all information on sports events from Nazareth High School and all other sports events in the country. I will also have news about myself and other people.
No comments:
Post a Comment