Almost a week ago, Coach Shawn Otto was involuntarily disassociated from the Urbana boys Varsity team in the Mid-Maryland Basketball League.
Throughout the season, Coach Shawn has been instrumental in involving parents through frequent and detailed communication. Behind the scenes, Shawn has been involved in pre-game preparation, scouting, plays, and practices which has directly impacted the team’s success. As an assistant coach, Shawn's responsibilities did not include controlling the crowd, or dealing with player personnel on the floor. Additionally, Shawn has never picked up a technical foul during a game.
In the end, this is a middle school basketball league and it’s about the players and their development. Player development involves more than increasing their skill as basketball players. Just as important are character development and sportsmanship. Shawn's efforts were clearly focused on all of these.
Without any explanation of why Shawn was involuntarily disassociated, this action is sending the team a message that hard work, honesty, and integrity do not pay off at the end of the day.
However, the league rightly pointed out a problem that needed to be addressed by coaches, players, and parents. In our joint goals of developing the players’ character and sportsmanship, we are falling short. This goal should be kept in mind even though we may feel that other teams, their parents, and other spectators are engaging in the same behavior. It is also no excuse if we feel the officiating is subpar -- we must assume they are doing their honest best. As parents we must hold the goals of developing the actual participants, our children, as our primary concern and set good examples ourselves. Shawn Otto strongly supported these goals and continually worked to reinforce them with the players.
As Don Cline, President of the Mid-Maryland Basketball League stated in his recent email to Karen Orens "I ask that you, as director, take immediate steps to see that this is corrected or the League will take steps that could include coaches suspensions, playing the varsity games with no spectators permitted in the gym, or other measures deemed appropriate by our officers and Review Board", the issues with sportsmanship must be addressed. However, it was not required that anyone be disassociated with the team.
We respectfully urge the league director, Karen Orens, to reverse the decision to disassociate Coach Shawn and welcome him back in time to usher our basketball team to the playoffs. This is what is best for the players as we strive to continue their development. Reinstate Coach Shawn now!
NBA Washington Wizards honors Coach Shawn Otto as Coach of the Week
Updates
February 15, 2016
Seeing this level of support makes me feel less isolated in this fight even though the silence from the leadership remains heavy. It is exhausting to keep pushing for answers when they seem so determined to ignore us. We are staying in this until someone finally listens.
27 Comments
I can say that he cares about the well being and success of all the kids on this Urbana Varsity team. He commits hours of his days creating game plans and researching new and effective plays that will help the team succeed. Winning, teamwork, and hard work are all goals that Shawn strives to obtain. He pushes his team to also work to accomplish the same goals while having fun at the same time. I hope the Urbana athletic director reverses her decision. Shawn is a strong and positive attribute to the team.
Shawn is heavily invested in the success of each player, and we appreciate his constant communication
Shawn was a very positive coach and I felt as though he brought a balance to the coaching staff.
I don't know if these coaches get paid, but it seems counter productive to kick out volunteer coaches. He seems to be good with the kids and respected by the players and parents. Let the volunteer coach coach
Reinstate Coach Otto. He is an inspiration to the boys, a motivator and a stand up guy.
Reinstate!
Great guy with the best intentions! Not sure who made this horrible decision, but he should be reinstated without delay.
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
Almost a week ago, Coach Shawn Otto was involuntarily disassociated from the Urbana boys Varsity team in the Mid-Maryland Basketball League.
Throughout the season, Coach Shawn has been instrumental in involving parents through frequent and detailed communication. Behind the scenes, Shawn has been involved in pre-game preparation, scouting, plays, and practices which has directly impacted the team’s success. As an assistant coach, Shawn's responsibilities did not include controlling the crowd, or dealing with player personnel on the floor. Additionally, Shawn has never picked up a technical foul during a game.
In the end, this is a middle school basketball league and it’s about the players and their development. Player development involves more than increasing their skill as basketball players. Just as important are character development and sportsmanship. Shawn's efforts were clearly focused on all of these.
Without any explanation of why Shawn was involuntarily disassociated, this action is sending the team a message that hard work, honesty, and integrity do not pay off at the end of the day.
However, the league rightly pointed out a problem that needed to be addressed by coaches, players, and parents. In our joint goals of developing the players’ character and sportsmanship, we are falling short. This goal should be kept in mind even though we may feel that other teams, their parents, and other spectators are engaging in the same behavior. It is also no excuse if we feel the officiating is subpar -- we must assume they are doing their honest best. As parents we must hold the goals of developing the actual participants, our children, as our primary concern and set good examples ourselves. Shawn Otto strongly supported these goals and continually worked to reinforce them with the players.
As Don Cline, President of the Mid-Maryland Basketball League stated in his recent email to Karen Orens "I ask that you, as director, take immediate steps to see that this is corrected or the League will take steps that could include coaches suspensions, playing the varsity games with no spectators permitted in the gym, or other measures deemed appropriate by our officers and Review Board", the issues with sportsmanship must be addressed. However, it was not required that anyone be disassociated with the team.
We respectfully urge the league director, Karen Orens, to reverse the decision to disassociate Coach Shawn and welcome him back in time to usher our basketball team to the playoffs. This is what is best for the players as we strive to continue their development. Reinstate Coach Shawn now!
NBA Washington Wizards honors Coach Shawn Otto as Coach of the Week
Updates
February 15, 2016
Seeing this level of support makes me feel less isolated in this fight even though the silence from the leadership remains heavy. It is exhausting to keep pushing for answers when they seem so determined to ignore us. We are staying in this until someone finally listens.
27 Comments
Shawn shows complete passion and dedication towards coaching and molding these kids into young men. He including all of the other coaches positively impact these kids tremendously. They should not by any means be robbed of such. Reinstate Shawn so that the focus can go back on the kids, where it belongs!
I can say that he cares about the well being and success of all the kids on this Urbana Varsity team. He commits hours of his days creating game plans and researching new and effective plays that will help the team succeed. Winning, teamwork, and hard work are all goals that Shawn strives to obtain. He pushes his team to also work to accomplish the same goals while having fun at the same time. I hope the Urbana athletic director reverses her decision. Shawn is a strong and positive attribute to the team.
Shawn is heavily invested in the success of each player, and we appreciate his constant communication
Shawn was a very positive coach and I felt as though he brought a balance to the coaching staff.
I don't know if these coaches get paid, but it seems counter productive to kick out volunteer coaches. He seems to be good with the kids and respected by the players and parents. Let the volunteer coach coach
Reinstate Coach Otto. He is an inspiration to the boys, a motivator and a stand up guy.
Reinstate!
Great guy with the best intentions! Not sure who made this horrible decision, but he should be reinstated without delay.
Help this petition grow
Share it with friends to help reach 100 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.
Shawn shows complete passion and dedication towards coaching and molding these kids into young men. He including all of the other coaches positively impact these kids tremendously. They should not by any means be robbed of such. Reinstate Shawn so that the focus can go back on the kids, where it belongs!