Swarrow hired at B-C
Bill Swarrow was hired as varsity wrestling coach at Monday night's Beth-Center School Board meeting. Swarrow replaces Dave Nelson, who was hired for the same job at Charleroi High School.
The school board, as this hires shows, is not considering disbanding the program or creating a co-op with another school district.
Beth-Center will return seven wrestlers from last year's team that went 3-8, including 2-3 in Section 2-A.
The school board, as this hires shows, is not considering disbanding the program or creating a co-op with another school district.
Beth-Center will return seven wrestlers from last year's team that went 3-8, including 2-3 in Section 2-A.
posted by Joe Tuscano at
1:35 PM
130 Comments:
Best of luck this season coach Coach. I'm not from BC but its always good to see schools moving forward and keeping the wrestling programs alive.
Shame on the school board of Bethlehem Center. There was a definite move ment from the board to have the wrestling program eliminated. This was a tactic that was used by board members Mazzeppa, Katruska and Smith to get Bill Swarrow hired. He is in no way qualified to coach high school wrestling. Would Swarrow even of applied if his son wasn't on the team? No he wouldn't have. It is widely known that the Swarrow's are a major reason their has been a rift in the wrestling program for years at Beth Center. Now the board puts the husband of the booster president as the head wrestling coach. Did the board not take this into consideration? There was nothing wrong with coach Nelson. He had an extensive wrestling background at Beth Center. Bill Swarrow has never wrestled at any level. How does he plan to instruct wrestlers during practice? Will the practices be safe? This is simply more of the same from this school board. Which by the way 4 members of this board lost their seats during the primary's. Shame on the school board members that orchestrated this hiring. You have jeopordized a program that has success and put it into the hands of an individual that cannot advance the program to success. Well done Katruska, Smith, Mazzeppa's and Ewing.
This was a post on "Nelson hired at Charleroi"
Anonymous said...
It is ashame that the majority of the BC board has to act so unprofessionally. If you are not in it for the best of the school and the student athletes, then please remove yourself from the board. This position is not for personal vendettas and politics, but instead should be for what is best students and the district. You had a quality applicant that has wrestled throughout his high school/college career and best of all he is a TEACHER in the high school. The one year he coached the middle school he went from a program that had 5-6 wrestlers and losing every match to 19-20 and winning every match. Where is your justification for hiring a person who never wrestled and knowledge on wrestling is around a 3rd year youth wrestler.
After reading this post. If I had a child on this wrestling team, I would be worried about the his safety. Is the school going to be liable for when a wrestler gets hurt. After reading the post, it really concerns me more knowing that there was a compitent person who applied. I sure hope that the four that lost their seat on the school board was four of the five that voted for this hiring. If not they should be reminded of what the purpose of the school board is there for and if you are not in it for the right reasons then shame on you!!!!
The school board did not have the nerve to eliminate the program in front of all the wrestlers that showed up at the meeting so instead they did the next best thing. They placed an incompitent person in the position to ensure the program will dissolve.
What were they thinking? It was widely known througout the community that A teacher of the school district was suspended for leaving school to visit the workplace of a school board member to politic for Bill Swarrow. Then the school board member does not show up for last nights meeting to vote? What is going on within this school district? This program loses coaches like Charles Colburn and Dave Nelson and ends up with an individual who's reputation is questionable at best. How do these things continue to happen in this school district?
From an outsider looking in and a Trinity graduate. We have these problems in our district as well where the school board grossly oversteps their boundaries. I find this situation very similar to that of the Trinity School District. Was the candidate hired the recommendation of the superintendent or that of the athletic director? Are they not the individuals whose recommendations the school boards hires from? Good luck Beth Center. Sounds like you are going to need it.
I don't know the specifics but wish BC luck. If necessary the head coach can facilitate, organize, and keep the program going in the right direction. If they acquire a good assistant o rtwo to lead the wrestlers with technique, drill, etc. on the mat; it's not the perfect situation but you can make it work if you care about the program. I hope BC works it out; Sometimes given lemons, you make lemonade.
Answer to your question...is no. He was not recommended from the Superintendent or the Athletic director. This was made known by Karen Drill when she made her no vote. She wanted it to be on the record that she was ashamed of the members for going against the recommendation of the administration and going against one of their own teachers who was qualified.
The school district did not even post the position out to the public...who knows what they would have gotten.
Can't you just say good luck coach!Hope with the right help the one's that count the wrestlers will have a good year.Pull back the fangs and claws! Good luck Coach Swarrow!
Head coach facilitate, organize and keep the program going? Shouldnt the head coach know a little about the sport? This individual has no knowledge of this sport nor has he ever wrestled. Again the question is asked. Would he be interested in this position if he did not have a sone on the team? Secondly, how is this person going to improve the program? To improve a program doesnt all of the wrestlers on the team need to improve? How will he do this. I have a son in the middle school at Beht Center who has wrestled for years and will not be wrestling this year because of this hiring. As a parent I do not feel that Swarrow is a capable coach of wrestling who can insure me of my sons safety during the two hours of practice after school everyday. And for the record. I love Beth Center and wish them the best of luck but this hiring was plain and simply wrong.
How was this position filled without advertising to fill it? Not sure if there actually was another candidate for the position but something is wrong if it was not advertised.
Why was a teacher of the school district leaving school during work hours to visit a board member?
Bill Swarrow as a head wrestling coach???? What a joke!
BEST LUCK to all the BOYS and COACH! Let's think about the kids and not your own personal feelings!
To the parent that is not letting there kid wrestle becaus eof the hiring of Bill Swarrow is terrible parenting! You should be ashamed of yourself. Not letting your kid wrestle because of you as a parent not liking the high school coach! WOW.. I see why the program at Beth Center is going down, not because of Swarroe and his family. Maybe if the politics throughout the program (that have been going on for years since I know of)stopped they could become a decent program with the kids that the high school still has yet to see.. Good Luck Coach Swarrow!
Facts are facts...Bill Swarrow should not have been hired as a head wrestling coach. Name one other school district that would have him as a coach let alone a head coach? Their are no personal feelings. His hiring was a shameful act on the student athletes and the supporters of the wrestling program by the school directors that hired him.
I too would not let my son wrestle for a coach that has no experience and has never conducted a varsity wrestling practice. It is unsafe and politics have nothing to do with that. The only thing that politics has to do with this situation is Bill Swarrow getting hired as a head wrestling coach. What a lousy school board. Could be why many of them are on their way out.
Good Luck Bill and the Bulldog Wrestling team!All the anonymous and negative comments can pretty much explain why the district wanted to drop the program. If Bill would not have stepped would there still be a wrestling program at B.C? And for the other canidate, he has been on the school board agenda since May and could not get the votes for the open position! As a parent I am here to do what it takes for for these boys to succeed and have a GREAT season!
To all of you that disagree with the school district choice just keep quiet and let us wrestlers wrestle. Stating that the other candidate would have been a better choice is a huge misunderstanding to all you outsiders. By sitting in gyms and practice for the last eight or nine years, I'm sure my dad has pick a few things up, and can handle himself just fine in the position as head wrestling coach. I don't understand what you people think he is going to do for it to be unsafe, he is not bringing cages into the wrestling room for us to wrestle in or whatever you people think. My dad was just stepping up to save the program because no one else did. So to all the anonymous.. Maybe if you would have stepped up since you know so much about wrestling and ran for the job you wouldn't have to sit on the computer making negative comments about my father because he saved the program!
Can't worry about what they say on these stupid blogs Zach. Good Luck to you and your teammates this season! Best of luck to Coach Swarrow too. Stay focused! Glad to see the program survive.
Well... I agree that it is a blessing to keep the wrestling program alive at Beth-Center! Thank you Bill Swarrow for stepping up to keep a sports program from vanishing away from our youth in the district.
I hardly agree that "safety" is an issue and the fact that he has not wrestled is also not necessarily a factor to dwell on at this point. Years of watching every match, every practice and even his own son reaching the highest esteem of taking the mat at the state championships will have a huge impact on what will take place this season as Coach Bill leads the bulldogs. Keep in mind Coach Bill is not actually wrestling!
The "shame" that is being thrown around by a few individuals is obnoxious. This wrestling program was being destroyed by their own booster club! Maybe now with a lot of heart and passion for wrestling we can get back to... Well.... wrestling. Shame on you shamers! Embarrassing yourselves and the school district with gossip and venge! There is no place for it in sports.In addition, to not allow your child to wrestle? Squash his passion because you didn't get what you wanted? Not an example of sportsmanship. Safety is always an issue in sports but there is nothing about this coach that would further any concern.
I will end with this: Coach Swarrow, and his family, are of good charachter and standards. I have first hand seen the passion for the sport of wrestling in him, his son Zach and the entire family. I know it is possible to coach without ever playing the sport. Wrestling is an individual sport that demands the individual to invest and sacrifice 24/7 through the season. I am thankful the program did not disolve. He did the work to keep it alive.
Congratulations Coach Bill Swarrow and to the Bethlehem Center Wrestlers! I am thrilled that our wrestling program survives! Thank you to the B.C. School board for making this decision. GO BULLDOGS!
did he transfer for athletic intent?
Wrestling has evolved so much more then in the earlier years. You may have been able to coach in the earlier years without the experience, however, not now of days. I understand wanting the program to survive and thank god it did. But, there is nothing he has to offer the program and the wrestlers. 90% of the wrestlers have way more knowledge then he does. How is he going to be able to get his son or any of the wrestlers to the next level?
Securing a technically sound assistant or assistants is key. By the time they get to high school most of the kids are beyond what a lot of head coaches can give them. Instilling discipline, work ethic, conditiong, being a role model and keeping keeps motivated and out o ftrouble combined with technically sound assistants could be recipe for success could be a recipe for success. I've seen very good coaches who can't even kneel on a mat.
After reading all the comments, how do you get experience without experience? Hasn't anyone ever watched a Disney movie? It's the underdog that makes the movie! Let the kids have fun! After all it's just a 'sport'!
You people that are saying that Bill Swarrow has no expericene and that has never wrestled how can he be a coach? I would like to see the videos or pictures of all the male coaches out in any school that has coached a girl sport example VOLLEYBALL I would love to see those videos of the coaches playing cause I know for a fact that B-C had a male coach for volleyball for years while I was in school and they made the playoffs most of the seasons that he coached! So let's let the boys wrestle and support them!
You people are a joke. I do know that Bill has coached at the jr. high leavel before. I've sat in the corner opposite him before. I rememmber when B.C. was one of the best team in the area. Now I see why the program has took such a nose dive in the last ten years or so. You had two quality coach's in the past few years, but seemed to run them off. Good Luck Bill and thick skin.
This is all pretty ridiculous. I understand that this hiring left a sour taste in some peoples mouth but it's irrelevant now. Everyone is missing the point and that is the wrestling program is barely hanging on and if something isn't done it will be disbanded. Here's an idea.. why don't we put all the political bullspit aside, let the coaches do their jobs, and parents stop interferring with that. Instead of bickering with each other, why don't everyone pull together and do what is best for the program, which in turn, is best for the kids.
From experience I can tell you that the problems with Beth-Center’s program are caused by a select group of people and that this is not the first time that a coach has been forced out of the program by folks too ignorant to recognize talent. In fact one coach started a summer wrestling program at BC where wrestlers like Mark Angle, Chuck and Mike Murdy, Robby Waller, etc. used to travel to BC to practice. That coach was forced out by townies that in their own miserable existence created useless drama. And while this is likely a completely different group, this is really no different. A great coach and person has been forced out by parents who have plagued the organization year after year with rumors, false accusations, and the like – only to fill some void in their lives created by the fact that they themselves cannot accept that their kids, like them, are simply mediocre. I applaud Bill Swarrow for stepping into a position to save the program. It is telling when a high school student has more sense than the parents. I wish Coach Swarrow and all wrestlers at BC good luck. Further to the individuals trying to destroy years of tradition and honor that is BC wrestling: It has been said that “Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.” Let go of the anger and shift the negativity to a more positive focus because in the end, you and those around you are the ones who are getting burned.
Sincerely,
Bill Shakespere
Everyone keeps "saying" that they want to do what is best for the kids/program.. Well, actions speak louder than words. I'd say now is the time for the coaches, parents and most importantly, the boosters to prove it.
Everyone on this blog is speaking about supporting the program and pulling it all together. That has been utterly impossible to do over the last several years because of the booster organization and other groups of people not getting along. With that being said the Swarrow's meaning Bill and Dana have been a major source of constant disruption and dividence within the program. A blogger early said that we are to teach are young wrestlers to be responsible young men. How will Bill Swarrow do this? Does he not hold a full time job? Will he now be coaching full time? As for saying that he is a role model and stepped up for the program. If you think this man is a role model go smell his breath at a friday night football game. My son will not be wrestling this year.
Everyone needs to stop this bickering. There were two candidates for the position and the school board chose the one that they wanted. Enough said. Good luck Beth Center wrestling.
As an outsider, I have to say the biggest issue is why did the members of the school board hire a non-experienced outsider to coach the wrestling team over a teacher in the district who is an experienced wrestler and coach. He's good enough to teach in the district but not good enough to coach a few wrestlers....... really board members?
Thats a pretty good point.
Everyone knows that this has been going on over the past two years. Lets ask the new Coach Swarrow's school board buddies, Katruska, Smith and Mazzeppa how they could hire this individual over a teacher in the school district. As a person whoe was at the meeting Monday evening Mrs. Drill said it correct. She is ashamed of the board for not hiring the recommended candidate of not only the superintendent but the athletic director as well. Cant wait for the new board to come in. Can only hope that there is not the same kind of political strings being pulled that took place with the wrestling job. The better candidate was not hired! Period!
Frank Mazeppa and his ugly politics is on the way out of the board. Too bad some other people will still be there. An ex-teacher, yet, supporting an outsider. Not right.
No one really knows who the other candidate was or if there even was one. The real question should be why was the position not advertised? Maybe Bill Swarrow was the only individual who had applied for the position. Which would explain why the board was forced to hire someone with limited wrestling experience.
Yes, there was another candidate, if you would bother reading all the above. Also, the position was advertised. I saw it in the paper.
The board had an excellent alternate candidate.
As a senior at Beth center wrestling, I'm awaiting a successful year for the individual's and as a team as a whole. I started wrestling at 8 and Bill Swarrow has been a big influence as a coach to me. I'm excited to see how this season turns out and put my full trust in my coach for a successful year. If it wasn't for bill I wouldn't be able to finish what I put so much time into and worked so hard for so thankyou bill for letting me finish my last year as a bulldog wrestler!
The other canidate is highly hated throughout the area and is a poor influence to the kids of the program. The year he coached junior high wrestling he ran practice like it was a circus act. He might a brought out a few kids but he didnt teach them a damn thing. As the bible says don't throw stone, if you live in a glass house.
I can't stand this. There so much people don't know about BC Wrestling. Their is one person in the district that consistly causes problems and has for many years, and until their son is gone there will never be peace. Congratulations Bill and to all of this years BC Wrestlers.
I want to thank Zach Holmes for your support, you and Zach have wrestled together for eight years, win or lose, Bill has always been there for you guys. You know the real Bill. Let's start and act like parents, that want the best for our kids.
Martin and Mary Swarrow
To the anon. at 7:31 pm. Your right there is one person that consistently causes trouble for the school district. Now he is the head coach.
My son wrestled for the other candidate the year he coached junior high. The team lost only 3 dual meets for the entire year. Placed in the top ten of every team tournament that they entered. Took four wrestlers to states, two of which brought state medals home. To top that off their were 19 kids on the team. The kids enjoyed wrestling for him and he was having success doing the the right way and not he Nelson -Swarrow way of only coaching the kids that you like. Practice being a circus act? How did all these things happen if practices werent structured correctly? To the individual that posted that comment your insecurity is showing and it really makes you sound stupid.
Gable, Kolat, Saunderson, Swarrow. All great coaches. Great hire BC school board.
To Anonymous 0811: Angie Stay did not get the head wrestling coach's job.
Atta boy swilly, kick some swass!!!
I blame the superintendent for not exercising any leadership at all in this district. He should have gone on public record with the administration's recommendation and stated reasons to support it. Being non-commital until the board decides, then running out in front and saying follow me is not leadership. That's why Beth Center is always losing good people and the board continues to make lousy decisions like this one. Given the choice of lead, follow, or get out of the way Beth Center administrators tend to get out of the way and let unqualified board members make consistently poor decisions. Shame!
To Zack H., Zach S. and to any other BC wrestlers that have been reading all of this, you are the most important and we all support you. No matter what has been said I will support every BC wrestler no matter what your name is. I trust in coach Swarrow with my child and never put my sons safety at risk. To Zach Swarrow, I'm sorry you had to see all the negatively that has been said about your father. It's just adults being adults. Sometimes I think we should let you boys run the program. I'm thankful that your dad is giving up his own time to be with you boys. I believe that this program will get better. Good luck to all the BC wrestlers and coaches!
That team of the three loses was constructed from 4 or 5 very talented wrestlers that didn't learn a thing off of Jim Wilkins! Your trying to give him credit of teaching of what they learned and how they proformed on the mat in 3 months? Rewind time 5 or 6 years back from what they learned all through the youth program. And the team succeeded because of the talent of the 4 or 5 wretlers. If you give any program numbers, with that talent anyone can succeed. Keeping kids out for wrestling by playing dodgeball and football in the room might be able to slide by on the middle school level. The products that Jimmy himself produced lasted just as long as he himself did. High School wrestling is more than throwing dodgeballs and playing games in the room. There is a big difference in high school wrestling then middle school wrestling.
ps.. if you have an guts post your name!
Everyone needs to stop all this nonsense. Put differences aside and as they say " its water under the bridge." Swarrow my not have been the most qualified candidate and maybe his hiring was all politically motivated by a few vengeful school board members but the desicion has been made and it is final and over with. I challenge evryone on this site to post no more negative comments related to Beth Center, Bill Swarrow or anyone related to the wrestling program. Past or present. Pull together and act like adults. Lets see if your all supporters.
Charleroi's last coach never wrestled and was always praised for producing his talent. When in reality quest did that, so why is this guy who is trying to better a program getting slammed by these posters?
Good Luck BC!
Say hello to the beginning of the end of the Beth Center program and legacy. My prediction: People will speak of Beth Center wrestling in the past-tense in two years.
Aj Buckiso you rock!
Wow..All I have to say is the Stay family produced THREE Multi Talented young men and they didnt have to travel all over to do it..It was in their own yard! Lets hope Dudley will give Bill some tips!
Where is the school sprite? It's not there! Grow up! Let the boys have their youth! Don't live your life through them!
To the anonymous that posted on Oct 25 at 11:14pm. You stated "Coach Swarrow, and his family are of good character and standard." You really must not know them very well. For his son to disrespect an adult as he did in his last post..is that the type of character we want instilled in these young wrestlers. Zach you should be ashamed of yourself for attacking Jim Wilkins the way that you did. They (Jim Wilkins and Tim Nelson) made of had a core group of 4-5 talented wrestlers, but they also developed first year wrestlers into some quality young wrestlers. For example: Ian Petroskey; Tyler Dingle one match away from going to JO States, Josh VanDivner making it to states and was one match away from placing. You were not in the practices to be to make that type of statement. I am sure that more then playing dodgeball and football was taking place. As for rewinding back in time, please tell me who was responsible for the talent (Sweany, Morgan, Stay's, Tarley's, Catalina, Moore, all don't forget yourself) that was sent to the varsity level. It was not Bill Swarrow but instead Frank Morgan. All was it mentioned, Frank Morgan was going to be the assistant coach for Jim Wilkins. Amazing things would have happened. Now the program as stated above will be referred to in the past-tense.
Responding to Zach Swarrow at 8:51 PM: You , Zach, are an example of what is wrong with the wrestling program. You insult a teacher, your parents obviously are letting you...Maybe you should learn how to write and spell first before voicing your opinions. ..Sad, very sad
I did not attack/insult Jim Wilkins. I stated that the talented wrestles of that team made that team of what it was. People("Anonymous") were acting as he produced all the talent of which the group of kids had. Secondly I never said it was Tarley's, Catalina's, Moore's who produced the talent on that team. Coach Frank Morgan started producing the talent of all of us Beth Center as young wrestlers, I my self stated above did help alittle by wrestling with those group of kids all through the youth program. Then I know for myself Coach Colborn, and Coach Nelson was just as important! You may just be right as referring to the past tense to the program because it seems like people are not satisfied and will not just drop it that my father is the coach and is trying to help the program. And who knows, maybe if everybody just comes together as a group and not act like were 3 when we don't get our way and WORK TOGETHER. And "anonymous" if I insulted Jim Wilkins by my comment I'm sorry!
Zach,
A bit of advice; read more, post less, and proofread.
Sincerely,
Fredericktown's Finest
The whole Swarrow Family has registered a post and season hasn't even started...Good luck Bulldogs, you will need it!
At 1:00, looks like the circus has arrived at Beth Center, just find a few elephants, a lion, and a seal balancing a ball on his nose and this scene will be complete...I want ring side seats for this show!!!!
What school was BC going to co-op with?
From an unbiased view, Zach is the only one with the nads to attach is name to his opinion, looks like someone has has the integrity to satnd behind thier views, followed by a bunch of "let me poke out my chest while I'm punching keys" which is probably where you were when they needing someone to mop a mat.
Most of the people who post on these blogs have never put on a jock strap let alone wrestling shoes as evidenced by their cowardly anonymous comments. Very few people have a deep understanding of this sport and even fewer probably understand that we all have to give an account of ourselves before the awesome judgement seat..any sensible adult would never make these comments in front of or directly to our youth as we the adults are their example and protectors. Coaching is a very thankless job with very little pay incentive most do it with the right intentions whether successfully or not. Wrestling is a very demanding sport that requires a lot of discipline, hard work and self sacrifice so please let us only respect those who are currently undergoing this challenge!
As someone who has been around the Beth Center wrestling program for about 23 years, I find that it is sad that the rest of the wrestling world has been dragged into the drama that has surrounded it. As long as I can remember, there has been a certain group of people who will do anything to have control of the money and of the program. They will stop at nothing-slander, blackmail, and threats. Fredericktown's Finest, as they call themselves and which isn't saying very much, have sabotaged every coach and now are attacking a child, who is just defending his father.
This behavior answers the question as to why that program has lost some very good coaches over the years. And now that other people have seen the ugliness that is rampant in that program, I doubt that they will ever get their "qualified" coach. Who would want the headache???
What is even more disturbing is that some people actually believe that sports are why they send their children to school!!! Athletics are EXTRACURRICULAR -which means that they are secondary to education. These programs are a way to socialize your children, keep them fit, and give them something to do other than hang on the streets or at the Owl's Club.
Does anyone bother to check the credentials of their child's teacher? If the board hired a teacher without experience, I doubt that there would be one comment! That is the sad state of BC!!!
To Mr. Smith, Mr. Katruska and the other members who chose to save the program, thank you. Without this sport, many of the children (and that is why the program exists) would have nothing better to do than run the streets. Keep up the good work!
Good luck to the boys and to the coach this year! Keep your heads high and ignore the negativity! Don't let it discourage you-instead use it as motivation.
Everyone needs to STOP this! All of you are fighting over the Internet like it's Facebook and fighting with teenagers that are still in high school. When you are the adults ALL of you should be ashamed of yourself for acting like this!! No one is perfect everyone makes mistakes! EVERYONE! Past and present that's how you learn. My brother is not perfect he's made mistakes!! But I will be there to support my nephew and all the other wrestlers that will wrestle on the team!!
Amen to the last post! You said it all!
These comments exemplify the kind of petty in-fighting that has plagued our program for years. I’m embarrassed at the ignorance and outright stupidity of some of these posts. You would think that the fate of the world hangs on the hiring of a wrestling coach. Guess what folks – life is so much more than what is represented by the posters here on Joe’s blog.
As a wrestler, a coach, a fan and a father – I can tell you that wrestling taught me many things, but what is represented here is not one of them. Wrestling is about self-control, pride, honor and hard work. I encourage all kids to get out there and wrestle; however, what kid would want to be part of a program that constantly separates into factions and resorts to name-calling and attacks? I was lucky enough to have parents who stayed away from that behavior. Mind you, Wayne would not let people push me around – but he also allowed me to grow as a person and an athlete. He realized that the issues and concerns were no longer about him. It was about his son making decisions, mistakes, and learning. It was about teaching me humility. It was about pushing my mind and body to the point of breaking, only to find that I could go past that. I encourage the parents involved here to do the same. This isn’t about you. It has never been about you.
Good luck BC wrestlers and good luck Coach Swarrow.
-Patrick
Well said Patrick. Joe Tuscano, this entire blog has become quite ridiculous. It's great to keep up with information from the sport but after reading this along with all of the Weircoch information this blog has become a place to continuously bash and disrespect people. I know that is not the intention but the blog is being ruined for everyone by everyone who is involved in these negative posts. I think that it is terrible these kids are being put in this position.
If anyone thinks that Tom Katroska helped "save" the program, think again. He's been everywhere telling people for years that the wrestling program should be eliminated. He knows that the program will soon be dead and he is secretly cackling behind everyones backs...
Just noticed this crazy blog.To be sure, the issue is not about "either/or candidates", but how the majority of the present board will give teachers a "slap in the face" when it comes to hiring for extracurricular activities. Remember Andy Medved?? BC head volleyball coach, Sports Hall of Fame, and most "winning" coach in the area??? He was not supported, either, by people ON THE BOARD. He had to go elseshwere to be appreciated and continue his wonderful successes. And, what happened to BC girls volleyball?--yep, down the tubes...
Bill Swarrow being mentioned in the same sentence as Kolat, Gable, or Sanderson is an offense to wrestlers everywhere. Nothing against Bill but he is not an olympic-caliber wrestler or coach and I think he knows that. That statement shows EXACTLY what is wrong with the program in the first place. That said, best of luck to all BC wrestlers this year and hopefully for years to come.
Got that right, Matt.
Could someone refresh my memory and tell me what high school and college programs Wilkins wrestled for? Honestly, from what I have heard he doesn't have much more experience than Swarrow. All I can say to all of you is:our program was saved, we now have a coach, let's move forward in a positive way for the sake of the kids!!!!
Wheeee... program saved. Frank Zappa saves the day! Another Mario Lemieux!!
These posts are hillarious. The supporters of Wilkens are bashing Bill Swarrow and the supporters of Swarrow are bashing Wilkens. Again the board has made a decision and have hired a coach. Let it go and lets see how it all unfolds. Who knows maybe Beth Center will end up with their first state champion this year and from what I heard the numbers of students wrestling is up. Seems to be both candidates where given a fair shake at getting hired and Swarrow got the votes. We all need to support the program from a distance and let the team come together.
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Anonymous 10/27/11 at 4:04 if your gonna post something on here about someone at least know what your talking about.. Someone just trying to look smart and think they know something but they don't have a clue what there talking about
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This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous Oct 27th 1:31pm Jim Wilkins wrestled for Mapletown High School. WPIAL 1986-3rd place, 1987-1st place. SW Regional 1987-4th place and walked on at Perdue. Where did Bill Swarrow wrestle? nowhere. I believe that this proves who has more knowledge. Don't you!
He walked on at California University of Pennsylvania in the early 90's for two years. Wrestled with the current coach of Fort Cherry, Carl Yanek.
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Would someone please inform me where the university of perdue is at? I don't believe there is one
It's the one that makes chickens. You know, Perdue chicken.
There most definitely is a PURDUE University Indiana. Only one of the best in the country. Home of many nobel prize winners, pulitzer prize winners, etc. If that is where he went,he has got to be top notch. Is that where he went??
Good Luck goes out to Bill Swarrow for taking this coaching position! Coaching a team takes a lot of time and dedication, and doesn't leave time for much else. Bill may not have a lot of experience but i do believe you can learn along with your child. With all the knowledge and experience that Zach has Bill has learned a lot!!!! Good luck Bill and I trust you with my son. Zach let all this crap be your motivation to be BC 1st state champ you can do it.
Would everyone mind not using my name too much on this site. I have the utmost repsect for Zach Swarrow as he strives to reach Hershey for a third straight year. Which may be the first time ever accomplished by a Beth Center wrestler. What this young man accomplished last year working his way through the WPIAL's, SW Regionals and then losing his first match at states and coming all the way back through to place seventh in what was arguably one of the toughest weight classes in the state was an amazing accomplishment and certainly has my respect and should have yours. No young man, father, teacher or coach should have to go through what he and his father have had too since Monday evenings board meeting. Beth Center has a long list of wrestlers that have had success at the state level including names such as: Tarley, Catalina, Moore, Bartolomucci, Stay, Morgan, Kime, Paci and now Swarrow. The tradition is there and Zack has put it on his shoulders to carry it on. The board of directors have hired a coach for this great wrestling program and if we are all truely supporters of it we will get behind the coaching staff and the wrestlers and support them the way that they deserve to be and not ridiculed on a website. There are a lot of good solid wrestlers working their way through our midget and middle school programs and the future of the program is bright. Good luck to the new coach, I believe that you can pull it all together.
Thank you for your comments. Just shows what care you have for children, and what class you have...
I have been reading these Blogs and I can't believe what I am reading. I feel no matter who the Board voted in some people are going to be happy and others mad. You cannot make every parent or student happy at BC and this goes for life also. What about kids out there that has a terminal illness or no legs or arms? I know these kids would do anything to want to participate in sports, be thankful and blessed that your child has a opportunity to play a sport and enjoy watching them being a kid. It's a tough and cruel world out there. Let the kids be kids and parents stop being so uneducated in their actions. Maybe the Board should stop the program and then what will your children be doing drugs? Is this what you want seriously? Think before speaking.
It's the Stays vs the Swarrows in Fredericktowns version of the backyard brawl. I congratulate Bill for stepping up to save the program. Without him there would be no program and that's what I truely believe the board wanted to begin with. It sounds very similar to what was happening at Charleroi. But, that's a another blog site to rant on. The difference with Charleroi and BC is that they now have our coach! Who forced him out of BC again? To the Parents of the children who have to go through this I feel truely bad for because, I know that they spent years of taking their kids to practice to get them the opportunity to wrestle at this level. No, Bill does not have the knowledge that Kolat and the rest of your fantasy coaches have but he has the basic requirement that a leader of men must have and that is 2 very large, I mean absolutely enormous ones. This was not a political move by the board. This was the result of the backyard brawl. If everyone was so worried about getting a quality coach then why didn't anyone step up when they got rid of not one but two of the areas finest. You all should be ashamed of yourselves. This year will be tough but it is necessary to rebuild a program that was deteriorating for the last ten years. I'm sure if there was a quality coach that would step up. I know Bill wouldn't stand in the way. But, for now it is what it is. We can do one of two things. Cry on a blog site to the world about how unfair life is. Or we can stand up and do what we can for the community and the kids. So this is my informal invitation to all past wrestling alumni and anyone with wrestling knowledge to go out to practice and help Bill with his sincere attempt to save a dying program. And no, if his son did't wrestle I'm sure he would not be there. Just like all the rest of you blogging on this site. I'll be the first to admit that I would not want that job even if my son did wrestle for the team. What he is doing should be commended. Good luck Bill. Remember a great leader leads not follows. Get yourself some good assistants and you'll do just fine. And thank you for allowing my sons dream to continue in the future. And remember BC fans if it was left up to the board you would not be having a program at all this year. I know some of you were hoping to transfer to Canon Mac to wrestle with Cody. But, I don't think they have any open slots left. Truthfully though. How many of you were going to apply to transfer your child to Bentworth. Was that really an option? Because that is the only reason why anyone should truely feel shortchanged by this deciscion.
Its funny how so many say"have the courage to post your name"! Are you kidding? I would be willing to bet that half the post on here are from people who flock in the same group as the Swarrows.Sit back at a game or match and listen how they all talk about each other.A little advice to all in their group,if your not around,you are the one being talked about. CARMA! I think the real issue on here is not so much Bill having ZERO experience,but more to do with the lack of respect him and his wife have for people.Hopefully this will make them realize their not as great as they think they are.
I have no idea what the previous anon 7:01 means but thank you Mr. Wilkens for your support of the wrestling program.
A backyard brawl, thats funny...More like backyard mawl..It wouldnt be fair though,from what I remember a while back those 2 families were very close..I believe the gossip was once the Swarrows were done clinging on to the Stays for knowledge and a foot in the athletic door, they turned on them.Seems they should of held on a little longer..Sad :( Its a shame Frank Morgan and Dudely Stay have real jobs..Just settle for what we got people, I dont think it could get any worse.
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Reality Check!, you have no reasoning to be posting bs things like that on this blog.. This a blog about the hiring of Bill Swarrow. It's not a blog about The Swarrow Family, so don't bring in things about there family into this. And remember everybody this is a sports related blog! No one cares what you think about the family thats your personal opinion!
PUT IT TO BED, PEOPLE. This is getting boring...
AMEN
Legally I feel these posts have gone too far. I am embarrassed and ashamed of this "adult" behavior. Slander from anonymous names behind a keyboard. This has to stop for the sake of the wrestlers. If you have any dignity or morals you will leave the trash in the garbage for the season. Pull together for each of these young men wearing the blue & gold bulldog singlet. These guys need to put it on the mat. That is what matters! Fake your enthusiasm if you must... and cheer them on! The new coach will do what is best with all his heart and in the best interest of the wrestlers. It showed passion to want the position in the first place. Let's face it, B.C. Is not a threat as a team to take on the division. It has not had the talent to project it to the next level as a whole so, it is not going to happen folks. So the thought to just "give up" on the entire program makes me ill. If there is one single difference made in a young mans life... or personal enrichment that occurs it is a success!
I do know that individually each wrestler will push themselves to their limits. On the mat. Alone against their opponent. Be a fan and encourage each one of them to excel beyond their own standard of achievement. Teach your own wrestler not to behave this way if they lose a match. It seems that some of you folks have done just that. You lost your match in a democracy. Move on and make the best of it. Extra curricular activities, sports, become a saving grace for our children. Keep them occupied and structured. In every sport at B.C. I can name "questionable" choices by the coaches. I'm sure every school has had some issue in that regaurds. The point here is that coach Bill has nothing but get hired right now! Never say never, never give up and never lose before the battle begins.
To Sleep, Perchance to dream....
Yawn....
How about some pre season rankings? Instead of negativity let's start focusing on positive things about our sport. Top incoming freshman? WPIAL wrestlers going to the super 32? ect....
Well I see the BC BULLDOGS are acting like the rednecks people think we are!GOD BLESS all of you!To bad you all don't support our boys as much as you bash the people trying to save the program.No Bill is not perfect,but I know from first hand experience he loves his kids and wants what is best for them. I hope all of this doesn't scar them for life.People put all our energy together and support the boys.I have to say I'm ashamed to say I'm a bull dog at this time.I hope you people can look at your self in the mirror and be proud.As for the bashing please leave my family alone! All this has nothing to do with coaching it's just a long bad blood that needs to end here!Good luck Bill and all the boys on the wrestling team!People please don't let the last memories of high school be about you!
if wilkins went to purdue...what the heck is he doing in fredericktown????????????????? and if he accomplished as much as he said he did, every high school program would be knocking on his door begging him to coach....get real!!!
Come on Joe give us something new, something positive to talk about. Beth center is getting ugly.
It is sad that all you people care about is athletics at B-C. Our facilities are falling down around us in our school buildings, but you could care less about that. You are worried about 10 kids at the max wrestling. The board should co-op with another school district and save some money. It is an absolute joke! To hell with your kids getting a quality education, in good facilities but make sure that Mr. Swarrow or Mr.Wilkins (both good people) are the coach of the wrestling team. It is time to get your priorities straight. P.S. I think it’s absolutely shameless and pathetic how you trashed a 16 year old boy who was defending his father. You people are supposed to be adults, try acting like it.
B-C Teacher
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Really??? At the bar? What's next people? Did you really want the program to dissolve? Do you really want your kids to represent Bentworth or JM? The teachers and board members would love that. They can then use your taxpayer money to give themselves a bigger raise. So, In the end isn't that what this all comes down to money and power. Who has it? It must be the guy who is at the bar at 11:00 in the am who thought he saw the BC coach there. Wasn't that excuse used once already to get rid of a coach? How original. Follow the bread crumbs to the money and that will always be where the root of the problem is. Joe you should go down to Beth-Center and do some investigational reporting. What you would find could make the front page. It would be better than the movie sex, lies and videotape. Only there wouldn't be any sex and videotape. Maybe that's what those folks down dere in dem dere darn hills need. And by the way people when you threaten somebody in writing on the internet the police do get notified. Right JOE? I know this blog site is getting some fantastic ratings right now but, this subject needs to end before someone gets hurt. This Bill Swarrow needs a fair chance to help these kids out at BC. So let cooler heads prevail and end this blog site today. Go down to BC and do some real reporting and help this community out.
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Internet threats or slander is federal crime. Any takers? Keep posting!!
So.. How about them wrestlers? I see a state championship wrestler for sure! Hope we can get a second to represent our school! Go dawgs!
Where are all of the BC wrestling alumni that could have prevented this whole mess by stepping up and saving a program they once belonged too? When it comes to stepping up none of you have but everyone will complain about the men who did!
As a former assistant Coach at one school and current head coach at another, i don't believe it is in the best interest of anyone to have a parent in the room.
I know a Head coach in district x that wrestled only two years at the elementary level. In his second year as a head coach his team went 19-9 (best season @ school since 1999 prior to this was 7-12) tripled the size of the team and got a wrestler to the state tournament (1st since 99), lack of wrestling knowledge is not automatically a negative factor.
Everyone thats attacking a 16 year old kid needs to grow up. Everything that Zach said was true. When Jim Wilkins was the coach he had a couple wrestlers thats why they won. Jim Wilkins is a joke. I'm glad Bill Swarrow got the job! Good Luck BC wrestlers
Why are we attacking a teacher in the district who applied for the position, didnt get it, posted a positive comment on this blog, with his name attached to it I might add which you havent? Move on and support the program and stop hiding behind your computer.
first off just because you play the sport doesnt mean you still know anything, trust me my high school basketball coach "played" basketball and knew nothing about the game he got teams handed to him, and notice so even if bill did or didnt wrestle still doesnt mean he knows enough to coach. its just good old beth center for you, hiring who they want.
There are so many sad things about these comments but the issue that stands out the most to me is that writer Joe Tuscano and the newspaper itself are allowing it to happen. I understand the concept of “free speech” but all this is is adult bullying and it is something schools work so hard to eliminate and here he allows a platform for adults to do exactly that! I am a member for the Beth-Center community and there will always be people angry at other people, the administration and the school board, but to promote this in an anonymous forum is pathetic. Granted, I am staying anonymous also because I do not want anyone to take any revenge on my children in the school district. Secondly, for those of you who attacked Zach Swarrow, a minor, a student and son of the the coach, that itself is shameful and disgusting. I am sure since I am speaking negatively about the blogger, this post will be deleted because I suppose he is spending his Saturday morning reveling in all the drama and childish behavior of adults. Shame on you Mr. Tuscano and the entire newspaper for allowing this to continue. Most normal minded and sane people of the school district know the truth about what happened and the dirty laundry does not need to be dried here in a blog. Most of us know who the anonymous comments are from and it is a shame that she cannot accept the hiring and move on. Stop the drama, the attacks and the pettiness and wish the new coach and the wrestlers a productive and successful season. That is what I plan to do to the deserving and respectable coach and the outstanding young men on the team. I am counting the minutes until this is deleted, I doubt Mr. Tuscano can handle the criticism.
Although I totally agree about the sad nature of many of the comments, there is something in this country called free speech. You see it and hear it everywhere, in all media. Isn't that what soldiers in this country died for--our freedoms?
Freedom does come with a price, though...
Legally... No... There is not free speech. Just sayin'!
Court can order an ip address trace...
Yes the beth-Center achool board did exactly what they wanted to. isn't that what you hired them for? nice to see a board who doesn't just rubber stamp what the Admin. tells them to.Don't know Swarrow at all, but hope he does well! Godd luck B-C!
You know people, hiring a school teacher isn't as bad a choice as you think. I don't know Mr Swarrow. I don't even know if he is a school teacher. Just reading the blog I'm assuming he is. But, if he is. It's not a bad deciscion because, how many people can get the time to be at the school at 3:00 in the afternoon and have weekends off and just be there for the kids in general? The coach is not there to teach anymore at that level anyway. If your son needs taught there are so many dvd's on how to wrestle it's pathetic. You can also go online and get some free pointers here and there. Each kid has his own unique way of wrestling and the coaches job is to motivate and inspire him to become the best he can possibly be. I'm sorry people of BC there arn't that many scholarships in wrestling and your son is most likely not going to wrestle professionally. Even our absolute very best in the state will most likely not wrestle for a paycheck. So why then all the fuss over a father/teacher who stood up to save a program. It's not about wins and losses if the team doesn't exsist. You all need to take a step back and realize how foolish and ridiculous this topic is. A teacher went to college to learn how to inspire and motivate no matter what the topic. His son will be able to show most of the moves that your kids would need to know anyway. A 200+ pound man will not be able to wrestle your son no matter what knowledge he may or may not have. And honestly if your son doesn't have it by highschool. He's not going to get it ever. It takes years of instruction and training to be even half decent at this sport. Let the man coach and support your child if he wrestles no matter what the result. I do agree with the previous poster that Joe should investigate the matter. It would make for some great entertainment. Not that I havn't already had my fair share by reading all your posts. Priceless.
I agree with the previous post. If the guy is a teacher it shouldnt matter that he has a son on the team. As for his lack on knowledge Im sure that if he is a teacher that he will be able to put together a decent wrestling practice and study up on the sport. Good luck coach.
Everyone get off B-C's back. I give their team respect because everyone they wrestle they leave it all on the Matt, and Swarrow will do just fine as a coach, his kid went to Hershey, twice. Hes obvoisaly knows how to motivate. And hell pick up on all the wrestling.
BC Wrestling will be an absolute mess because of this hiring. Just sit back and watch it all unfold.
Want Nelson or Colborn back? Lol.
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