Article from local newspaper....
Now Pleasantville coaches may be ones crying
Schools superintendent to suggest disciplinary action for coaches who gave boy 'crybaby award'
By MADELAINE VITALE Staff Writer
PLEASANTVILLE - Schools Superintendent Edwin Coyle said Monday that he will recommend disciplinary action at tonight's school board meeting for middle school basketball coaches who humiliated a student by giving him the team "crybaby award."
Coyle said the coaches thought they would have fun at someone else's expense while at a recent awards banquet and it backfired.
"I was very upset and dismayed that our coaches would take an opportunity to belittle or lessen the self-esteem of our athletes," Coyle said.
The student, Terrence Philo Jr., knew he would be getting an award at the banquet. His coach called to make sure he was attending to receive his "special award."
During the banquet all of his teammates received certificates and trophies. But when Philo got up to get his award, he heard laughter. When he neared his coach, a man he looked up to, he was stunned, his father, Terrence, said Monday.
The boy's trophy had a silver figure of a baby atop a pedestal engraved with his name, which was spelled incorrectly.
The 13-year-old would not let his father, his teammates and especially not his coach, see how hurt he was.
"He went to throw it in the trash and I said no," his father said. "He said, 'Come on. I feel like I'm doing this all for nothing.'"
The boy felt so embarrassed that he could not go to school on the Monday following the April 24 ceremony, his father said.
Philo said his son has always been involved in sports. Terrence Jr. is the shortest student in the eighth grade, but he never backed down from a challenge. Fellow basketball players tower over him, but he is not intimidated. He just loves the game, his father said. In fact, he loves all sports. He plays football and is on the track team.
But since receiving the award, Terrence Jr, who is an honor roll student, has lost some of his self-esteem.
"He doesn't even want to play outside," Philo said. "The same day that he got the award, he went around the corner and someone said, 'I heard about the crybaby award.' A lot of people are talking. The kids are in shock."
Philo said he might get a lawyer involved.
"At the very least, I think my child needs counseling for a few weeks. I am angry that the coaches made him feel that way."
Philo said another student also got the award, but The Press could not confirm that prior to press time.
Terrence Jr. may go along with his father to the school board meeting tonight.
"I just keep telling him to stay on track. I keep him active. I'm trying to keep him going. I just keep telling him, 'You're a good kid. Don't back down.'"
To e-mail Madelaine Vitale at The Press:
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