Robert Rousseau (Coach Rob) of the West Stokes Prowlers which is part of the Foothills Youth Athletic League was ejected from his game on Saturday October 6, 2018. The disciplinary action that was given to him initially was 1 week suspension (game/practice). This punishment was expected and accepted by the coach. In the interval another decision was made to suspend Coach Rob for the season. The decision was determined according to an email from the board that Coach Rob despite multiple warnings he:
- Used inappropriate language
- An obscene hand gesture
- And in doing so incited the parents to mimic his behavior
We are petitioning against this decision on behalf of our kids & selves. The NCHSAA guidelines are followed as we have been told these are the guidelines that are followed. In Section 2.4.3 Sportsmanship/Ejection Policy Penalties for an Ejection: (J)Anytime a student or coach is ejected from a game or meet, he or she does not participate or coach the remainder of that day. The student or coach is also suspended from the next 2 scheduled, rescheduled or contracted dates at that level of competition (one in football) and all games or meets in the interim at other levels of competition. (K)The coach is not permitted to be at the game site during his or her suspension, but the student is allowed at the game site.
In review of these guidelines they do not outline the type of conduct to determine the severity of the punishment only the determination from official to be unsportsman like and the above punishment (no other) to be imposed. His 1 week suspension is the guideline as well as what we feel is fair. Coach Rob did not incite the parents as we observed the same behavior from the officials and formed our own action to express disagreement. We demand that this be reconsidered and our coach be reinstated as head coach for the season beginning on Monday October 22, 2018.
Updates
October 13, 2018
I spent all morning reading through what everyone is typing here and honestly the stories about how much Coach Rob actually helps the kids are just overwhelming me so keep those coming please. The board finally agreed to hear us out but I have a bad feeling they are just looking for ways to dodge the actual NCHSAA policy text I keep pointing at. It is exhausting trying to get them to see logic when they have already made up their minds but I am not going anywhere until we get some real answers.
October 13, 2018
I really never thought this would reach so many people when I first started typing it out on my phone in the parking lot. It feels like the community is finally being heard which is just wild and actually kind of overwhelming in the best way.
Reached 100 supporters
October 13, 2018
50 Comments
Coach Rob is a great coach and shows genuine love and care for these boys. I have personally seen coaches from this league do way worse and get way less punishment. There have been incidents where the coaches have called the children deragatory names. Coach Rob's comment was not to a child, and he was rightfully concerned about his boys. This ruling is unjust.
This young man played sports in highschool with my sons . he was always respectful. I was so proud and impressed that he was working with our youth to encourage them to work hard and achieve their goals . keep up the great work you do Rob. Please reinstate him our youth need him. Thanks
The one week suspension fit the "crime" . Taking him away from his team right before the playoffs is excessive.
Coach Rob is a good man and a good coach. He cares very much about our kids which is why the ref's flagrant disregard for our children's safety upset him so bad. The board should be ashamed to impose this suspension. Rob didn't care about the score he cared about the kids and what was right. You should do the same.
Let’s just be fair far worse actions have been initiated against players and those coaches fulfilled their 1 wk. suspension according to guidelines and moved on.#reinstatecoachrob
We have four kids that play five different sports, this coach is by far the fairest and respectable coach that one of my sons have ever had. This punishment is substantially harsh, especially for a coach that is as envolved and dedicated to these boys. Coach admitted all wrong doing and apologized to these boys, but I am disappointed in the brutal disciplinary action the league has taken in this manner. In a time when this sport is at a all time low in participation numbers nationwide, we don’t have time for grown men to have pissing contests of who can get the last word.
If you're going to dole out punishment it should be done fairly at least....
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via . Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
By signing, you accept iPetitions Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Copy link or share directly
Robert Rousseau (Coach Rob) of the West Stokes Prowlers which is part of the Foothills Youth Athletic League was ejected from his game on Saturday October 6, 2018. The disciplinary action that was given to him initially was 1 week suspension (game/practice). This punishment was expected and accepted by the coach. In the interval another decision was made to suspend Coach Rob for the season. The decision was determined according to an email from the board that Coach Rob despite multiple warnings he:
- Used inappropriate language
- An obscene hand gesture
- And in doing so incited the parents to mimic his behavior
We are petitioning against this decision on behalf of our kids & selves. The NCHSAA guidelines are followed as we have been told these are the guidelines that are followed. In Section 2.4.3 Sportsmanship/Ejection Policy Penalties for an Ejection: (J)Anytime a student or coach is ejected from a game or meet, he or she does not participate or coach the remainder of that day. The student or coach is also suspended from the next 2 scheduled, rescheduled or contracted dates at that level of competition (one in football) and all games or meets in the interim at other levels of competition. (K)The coach is not permitted to be at the game site during his or her suspension, but the student is allowed at the game site.
In review of these guidelines they do not outline the type of conduct to determine the severity of the punishment only the determination from official to be unsportsman like and the above punishment (no other) to be imposed. His 1 week suspension is the guideline as well as what we feel is fair. Coach Rob did not incite the parents as we observed the same behavior from the officials and formed our own action to express disagreement. We demand that this be reconsidered and our coach be reinstated as head coach for the season beginning on Monday October 22, 2018.
Updates
October 13, 2018
I spent all morning reading through what everyone is typing here and honestly the stories about how much Coach Rob actually helps the kids are just overwhelming me so keep those coming please. The board finally agreed to hear us out but I have a bad feeling they are just looking for ways to dodge the actual NCHSAA policy text I keep pointing at. It is exhausting trying to get them to see logic when they have already made up their minds but I am not going anywhere until we get some real answers.
October 13, 2018
I really never thought this would reach so many people when I first started typing it out on my phone in the parking lot. It feels like the community is finally being heard which is just wild and actually kind of overwhelming in the best way.
Reached 100 supporters
October 13, 2018
50 Comments
I was there that day and Think one week suspension was enough. Coach Rob is very enthusiastic and we all saw the favoritism show the other team. He only did what we all wanted to do. Maybe instead of suspending Coach Rob you should suspend some of the refs. Hard to teach children sportsmanship when the refs don't show it. It's the same as bullying. Stop the refs from bullying certain teams.
Coach Rob is a great coach and shows genuine love and care for these boys. I have personally seen coaches from this league do way worse and get way less punishment. There have been incidents where the coaches have called the children deragatory names. Coach Rob's comment was not to a child, and he was rightfully concerned about his boys. This ruling is unjust.
This young man played sports in highschool with my sons . he was always respectful. I was so proud and impressed that he was working with our youth to encourage them to work hard and achieve their goals . keep up the great work you do Rob. Please reinstate him our youth need him. Thanks
The one week suspension fit the "crime" . Taking him away from his team right before the playoffs is excessive.
Coach Rob is a good man and a good coach. He cares very much about our kids which is why the ref's flagrant disregard for our children's safety upset him so bad. The board should be ashamed to impose this suspension. Rob didn't care about the score he cared about the kids and what was right. You should do the same.
Let’s just be fair far worse actions have been initiated against players and those coaches fulfilled their 1 wk. suspension according to guidelines and moved on.#reinstatecoachrob
We have four kids that play five different sports, this coach is by far the fairest and respectable coach that one of my sons have ever had. This punishment is substantially harsh, especially for a coach that is as envolved and dedicated to these boys. Coach admitted all wrong doing and apologized to these boys, but I am disappointed in the brutal disciplinary action the league has taken in this manner. In a time when this sport is at a all time low in participation numbers nationwide, we don’t have time for grown men to have pissing contests of who can get the last word.
If you're going to dole out punishment it should be done fairly at least....
Help this petition grow
Share it with friends to help reach 250 signatures.
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via .
Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
Signing with Google or Facebook verifies your signature instantly — no email needed.
By signing, you accept iPetitions Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Petitions like this
Other petitions you might want to support
Scan to share
Anyone who scans this can sign the petition.
I was there that day and Think one week suspension was enough. Coach Rob is very enthusiastic and we all saw the favoritism show the other team. He only did what we all wanted to do. Maybe instead of suspending Coach Rob you should suspend some of the refs. Hard to teach children sportsmanship when the refs don't show it. It's the same as bullying. Stop the refs from bullying certain teams.