jmspears3 Posted July 12, 2007 Report Posted July 12, 2007 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Miami Northwestern experienced the highs of a state championship and the lows hit today when Miami-Dade Schools Superintendent Rudy Crew announced that the season would go on, but the entire Northwestern football coaching staff would not be retained. FlaVarsity.com brings you the latest news of today's meeting. 'The dismissal of the Bulls' coach staff stems from sex scandal involving star RB Antwain Easterling Pain, anguish and confusion can best describe the week for Northwestern players and alumni after hearing that their season might be over before it begins. That nightmare nearly became a reality when Miami-Dade Schools Superintendent Rudy Crew revealed that the Northwestern Bulls might have their 2007 season cancelled stemming from a sex scandal between the team's top player and a 14 year-old girl. Obviously, many will point the finger at the Northwestern coaching staff, but does the blame go soley on the coaches and not the administration that made the actual decision to grant the star player access to participate in the State Title game? One has to wonder. With their season in jeopardy, a final decision came down Wednesday afternoon from Crew on whether the Bulls will defend their title, and if Northwestern head coach Roland Smith will be retained in the process? The good news, if you call it that for Northwestern is they will get a chance to play, but under strict observation throughout the year."You will play this season, but under a one-year probationary period," the Superintendent replied. "In addition, there are going to be strict guidelines about acting in appropiate manner that is suitable in representing Northwestern High school.The bad news was that for a lot of these kids the coaching staff they have learned to trust all these years will no longer be there, and now the Bulls will have to start over with a new staff. "Anyone that was on the coaching staff last year I don't want them here. The former coaches for Northwestern will not be invited back," replied Crews at the school board meeting. Following the tough annoucement, the players were overcome with emotion. "The coaches weren't just good teachers, but they were like father figures to us here," explained Northwestern DT Marcus Forston.The departure of the entire football staff at Northwestern doesn't end the rulings by Crew. Other faculty and administrators scould see their services not retained as well sources close to FlaVarsity.com stated.FlaVarsity.com has attempted to reach the players for a reaction, but as expected most of the players were not available for comment.So what now, where do the Northwestern Bulls go from here and can the Liberty City community bounce back? First, and foremost the foundation of a student athlete and what is expected of a student athlete will need to be restored again and that starts at the top. On the football field Northwestern will need to find a need head coach and staff. But half way into the summer? Obviously, with a storied program like the Bulls many coaches will be on the list and while a list hasn't been revealed, current Miami Central head coach Billy Rolle has been mentioned as a possible candidate. For the time being though, Northwestern will need to turn their focus to academics and let football have a back seat for the time being. There are bigger circumstances facing the Bulls then taking home a possible State Championship and unfortunately that lesson was brought to fruition the hard way. Next on the agenda for the Bulls will be turning their attention to summer practice. But several questions remain unanswered in the process. How will the players react to the new coaching staff, will there be any transfers? Can this team have the same chemistry they enjoyed through out the 2006 season? No one knows for sure except for Miami Northwestern.
stevieray Posted July 12, 2007 Report Posted July 12, 2007 I just read this in the Star-TelegramMiami team's game against Carroll stays on scheduleBy TRAE THOMPSONStar-Telegram Staff WriterThe football game between Southlake Carroll and Miami (Fla.) Northwestern High School is still scheduled for Sept. 15 after the Miami-Dade school board decided not to suspend Northwestern's season, said Dave Stephenson, president of Dallas-based Titus Sports Marketing, which is organizing the game.TheMiami Herald on Wednesday reported the possibility of a suspension because of a grand jury report of a sex scandal coverup that was revealed in December involving Northwestern running back Antwain Easterling and a 14-year-old girl.Easterling was charged with lewd and lascivious battery on a minor, according to TheHerald, which also reported that an investigation indicated that he received preferential treatment and wasn't punished. He played in the Bulls' state championship game last season and is due to play for Southern Miss this fall.The Carroll game is scheduled for 6 p.m. Sept. 15 at SMU's Gerald J. Ford Stadium and will be televised on ESPNU.Carroll, which has won three straight Class 5A state titles and has a 48-game winning streak, will face the team that won the Florida Class 6A title in 2006. Both are expected to be ranked in the top five nationally.Tickets will be available later this month at Dragon Stadium, $10 for adults and $5 for students. The price will be $15 for everyone on game day.
KFDM COOP Posted July 12, 2007 Report Posted July 12, 2007 The game will be played!!!Michael LangstonFlaVarsity.com PublisherTalk about it in the Message BoardsMiami Northwestern experienced the highs of a state championship and the lows hit today when Miami-Dade Schools Superintendent Rudy Crew announced that the season would go on, but the entire Northwestern football coaching staff would not be retained. FlaVarsity.com brings you the latest news of today's meeting.'The dismissal of the Bulls' coach staff stems from sex scandal involving star RB Antwain Easterling Pain, anguish and confusion can best describe the week for Northwestern players and alumni after hearing that their season might be over before it begins. That nightmare nearly became a reality when Miami-Dade Schools Superintendent Rudy Crew revealed that the Northwestern Bulls might have their 2007 season cancelled stemming from a sex scandal between the team's top player and a 14 year-old girl. Obviously, many will point the finger at the Northwestern coaching staff, but does the blame go soley on the coaches and not the administration that made the actual decision to grant the star player access to participate in the State Title game? One has to wonder. With their season in jeopardy, a final decision came down Wednesday afternoon from Crew on whether the Bulls will defend their title, and if Northwestern head coach Roland Smith will be retained in the process? The good news, if you call it that for Northwestern is they will get a chance to play, but under strict observation throughout the year."You will play this season, but under a one-year probationary period," the Superintendent replied. "In addition, there are going to be strict guidelines about acting in appropiate manner that is suitable in representing Northwestern High school.The bad news was that for a lot of these kids the coaching staff they have learned to trust all these years will no longer be there, and now the Bulls will have to start over with a new staff. "Anyone that was on the coaching staff last year I don't want them here. The former coaches for Northwestern will not be invited back," replied Crews at the school board meeting. Following the tough annoucement, the players were overcome with emotion. "The coaches weren't just good teachers, but they were like father figures to us here," explained Northwestern DT Marcus Forston.The departure of the entire football staff at Northwestern doesn't end the rulings by Crew. Other faculty and administrators scould see their services not retained as well sources close to FlaVarsity.com stated.FlaVarsity.com has attempted to reach the players for a reaction, but as expected most of the players were not available for comment.So what now, where do the Northwestern Bulls go from here and can the Liberty City community bounce back? First, and foremost the foundation of a student athlete and what is expected of a student athlete will need to be restored again and that starts at the top. On the football field Northwestern will need to find a need head coach and staff. But half way into the summer? Obviously, with a storied program like the Bulls many coaches will be on the list and while a list hasn't been revealed, current Miami Central head coach Billy Rolle has been mentioned as a possible candidate. For the time being though, Northwestern will need to turn their focus to academics and let football have a back seat for the time being. There are bigger circumstances facing the Bulls then taking home a possible State Championship and unfortunately that lesson was brought to fruition the hard way. Next on the agenda for the Bulls will be turning their attention to summer practice. But several questions remain unanswered in the process. How will the players react to the new coaching staff, will there be any transfers? Can this team have the same chemistry they enjoyed through out the 2006 season? No one knows for sure except for Miami Northwestern.
wos08 Posted July 13, 2007 Report Posted July 13, 2007 Easterling was charged with lewd and lascivious battery on a minor, according to TheHerald, which also reported that an investigation indicated that he received preferential treatment and wasn't punished.Im assuming the principal or whoever handled the situation let him off easy.Why wasnt the principal fired along with the coaches?Preferential treatment? Hmm...
KFDM COOP Posted July 15, 2007 Report Posted July 15, 2007 According To Player, MNW Team Doesn't Need Coaches Another Interesting Article;Football power in disarray after firingsBy BEN VOLINPalm Beach Post Staff WriterSaturday, July 14, 2007MIAMI — Brett Perriman, Antonio Bryant and Vernon Carey are just three of a long list of Miami Northwestern Senior High football players who starred in college and later in the NFL.The 2007 team, coming off an undefeated state championship season, could be the school's best collection of talent yet."They've got what, 14 or 15 Division I NCAA prospects?" said South Fork coach Dennis Lavelle, who coached at Miami-Columbus for 27 years and was a district rival of Northwestern. "They're returning everybody."Off the field, however, it is a program in turmoil. The head coach is gone. So are all of his assistants. The principal resigned in March. The longtime athletic director did the same earlier this month.Quietly, the players continue to work out in preparation for defending their state title. "We don't even need a coach," junior defensive end Alex Johnson said Friday in the school's parking lot. "We just stand by each other."Head coach Roland Smith, who compiled a 69-13 record in his six seasons, was dismissed from the team and school Wednesday by Miami-Dade Superintendent Rudy Crew. So was Smith's entire staff, and a total of 21 teachers, coaches and counselors who helped cover up a sex scandal involving Antwain Easterling, the team's star running back.Crew announced the decision Wednesday at a packed school board meeting, opting to punish the adults instead of canceling the Bulls' 2007 season, which he previously had threatened. Instead, the Bulls were put on one year of probation, and each player must achieve a 2.5 GPA to stay eligible instead of the normal 2.0."I couldn't believe it," Johnson said of Smith's dismissal. "I thought they were lying until I heard it on the news that night."Several upset players discussed transferring to another school Thursday, though FHSAA guidelines make that difficult because the players already have participated in summer drills.Easterling, who scored 32 touchdowns last season, was arrested Dec. 7 on charges of lewd and lascivious battery on a minor. He admitted to having sex with a 14-year-old girl in a school bathroom after a September game.The school board recommended a 10-day suspension, but Easterling, 19, received no punishment from the school. Instead, administrators allowed him to play in the state championship game two days later, and he rushed for 157 yards in a 34-14 victory. The coverup was discovered in February, and in June, a Miami-Dade grand jury concluded that administrators "allowed for the glory of football to trump the needs and safety of a little girl."Easterling completed a 26-week pre-trial diversion program, and his conviction did not go on his record. He was heavily recruited by Florida and Miami, but instead signed with Southern Mississippi.Palm Beach Gardens coach Kevin Fleury, whose team won the 2005 Class 6A state championship, said "without a doubt, it was the right call" to fire the coaching staff."If that's what football is about in this state, then I'm going to resign right now, because it's not worth it," Fleury said.Northwestern is an F-graded school located in the heart of the crime-ridden Liberty City neighborhood in northwest Miami. The freshman class of 2005-06 had 924 students, but only 430 students graduated that year. Female students said Friday they are in fear of sexual predators. Police officers often are stationed outside the school, and were present Friday.Even with all of the challenges the school faces, athletics remain a serious matter. Under Athletic Director Gregory Killings - a school employee for 23 years - the Bulls won three state football titles and five track and field titles. A documentary about the football team, Year of the Bull, debuted in 2003, and the school has its own merchandising line. The 2007 Bulls have 14 players ranked by Scout.com as NCAA Division I prospects, and they are ranked pre-season No. 1 in the nation by one high school sports magazine."Football is king, and they've been good forever and ever," said Lavelle, whose Bulldogs never have faced Northwestern. "When we played them, it was as classy a program as you could imagine." Crew and new principal Charles Hankerson - the school's sixth principal in three years - are searching for a new coaching staff with the season less than a month away.The two have dodged interview requests since Wednesday's meeting, while Northwestern players and coaches offered stern "no comments" throughout Friday's conditioning workout at the school.A school board spokesman said he received requests from 30 different media outlets Friday, including ESPN, Fox and USA Today. "This one incident has been so overwhelming. It just doesn't want to go away," said Ildiko Matchus, a media specialist at the school who never misses a football game. "We're all just tired of it."
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