Illinois girls' basketball coach allegedly calls administration 'morons,' gets suspended
The coach of a top-ranked Illinois prep girls' basketball team has been suspended for the remainder of the regular season after private game notes -- which included disparaging remarks about the opposing team and his own school's administration -- ended up on Twitter, according to multiple local media reports.
The notes for last week's game between Annawan (Ill.) High and Granville (Ill) Putnam County included the line, "just for you," and were apparently meant for the radio broadcaster's eyes only -- presumably WLPO Radio, which broadcast the game -- but a LaSalle News Tribune reporter posted a photo of them on Twitter. That tweet has since been deleted but shared by a Peoria Journal Star colleague.
"This should be an ugly game for you to announce," the sheet read. "(Putnam County) has played absolutely nobody and we can score 100 if we want.
"I will not be coaching. I have been suspended for making comments towards officials after our (Bishop McNamara) game. Our administrators are morons. People not happy."
If he thought people weren't happy before the game, the coach should've seen them afterwards.
The school district since suspended Annawan coach Jason Burkiewicz for the rest of the regular season, according to the Kewanee (Il.) Star Courier. The notes were signed "Jason." The suspension seems generous from administrators he apparently called "morons" to a member of the media a few days earlier.
“As you know the district is limited in its ability to comment on personnel matters,” Annawan superintendent Joe Buresh said in a statement. “Please be assured that the district takes seriously the concerns over the photo which appeared on Twitter. The Annawan district has the utmost respect and admiration for all of the opposing teams it plays and strives to encourage good sportsmanship and respect for others. The matter has been fully investigated and appropriate action taken."
Burkiewicz has been granted "partial coaching responsibilities," according to Buresh, but will not be allowed to man the bench until Feb. 10, when postseason play begins. The Bravettes currently own a 21-4 record and are reportedly ranked No. 1 in Class 1A.
Oh, and Annawan didn't manage 100 points against Putnam County, although they did win by double digits, 66-50. And the two teams could potentially meet again wtih Burkiewicz back at the helm.
