>Craig Mahler, the boys soccer coach at Ridgewood High School, announced his resignation Friday after interim superintendent Paul Arilotta reinstated two players who had been cut from the varsity team.
Arilotta cited the district’s student eligibility and participation policy, which reads in part: “Whenever the ability of facilities, coaching personnel and budget permits, a no-cut policy is desirable.”
>The coach had an excellent record; 100 wins. 118 students tried out for the team this year.
>What is the interm superintendent doing with rosters of a HS Varsity team??? Unless there is a lot behind this story (pls tell us that there is…), why is he involved? Dont we have an Athletic Director?
I’d like to think that the interm superintendent has more important things to worry about. In-town politics? What a shame and what an awful message to send to all student-athletes in Ridgewood.
>arnt these educators turing our kids into a bunch of sissy’s
>I’d like to know why the coach cut these two kids in the first place. And I’d like to know why the interim superintendent got involved. There seems to be more to this story that what is presented.
>118 students showed up for try outs. Isn’t it likely that someone would be cut?
>Kids have been cut from this team for at least the past 15 years. Why the sudden change in policy – Their are “TRYOUTS” to make the team – If you can’t pass the minimum requirements to make the team, then you’re not in shape to play on the team. That’s why its a Varsity team – not every kid gets to make it onto a varsity team. Does the tradition of excellence stop at academics? Have high school sport competitions turned into little league… “Hey Coach!, my kid hasn’t played yet…”
>Maybe varsity teams shouldn’t compete and keep score anymore so everyones a winner…
Pretty soon we’ll be hearing that RHS football will be no-contact “touch” football to prevent kids from getting boo-boos.
>My son tells me that there were more than these 2 kids cut from the team. Why these two kids were reinstated is a mystery at the moment.
>No mystery — it was whining, complaining parents with that common Ridgewood disease — “Entitlement.” There are those parents who just stomp their feet hard enough until they find the spineless “interim” administrator (backed by the brand new AD) who bends to their wishes. Mr Mahler was (is) an amazing teacher and great coach and he should have been respected enough to act on his professional judgement as to who was qualified for the varsity team.
>i herd he was well you no .you tell me what happend.
>THATS HOT.????????????????????????
>so whats the inside story here? Was it really a set of “typical” Ridgewood parent complaining..? Or some secret deal and scandal brewing? Or should everyone in town roll-over again and watch a perfectly competent educator and coach walk out the door? Whole athletic department should protest this.
>No mystery, it’s what looks good on college applications!
>Has the interim superintendent made any statement to the public on this? What about the AD? Or just happy to have the puppet job? Whats the message to the RHS student/athletes? 1) Make sure your parents run in the right circles within town. 2) If you dont have $$$, make sure that you’re connected with those who pull the BOE and municiple purse-strings.