WILSON: Coaches’ case delayed

Communities

January 13, 2009

Board waits on naming of new coaches; parents express concern

By April Amadon The Niagara Gazette Tue Jan 13, 2009, 09:52 PM EST

WILSON — As two coaches appeared in Wilson Town Court on Tuesday night, across the street at Wilson High School, the school board was meeting to discuss naming their replacements.

In court, the cases against last year’s varsity coach William Atlas and junior varsity coach Thomas Baia were adjourned until Feb. 26, as their attorneys said they have yet to receive crucial evidence from the prosecution.

Baia and Atlas were reportedly on a school bus last April when three varsity players — Christopher Sidote and Colton Sherman, both 17, and Geoffrey Seefeldt, 18 — allegedly assaulted at least two junior varsity players in the back of the bus.

Assistant District Attorney Robert Zucco said he will turn over several pieces of evidence, including a team roster and images of the school bus, in the next two weeks.

They will return to court next month to schedule possible hearings in advance of a trial.

“Assuming we can get all these other issues settled ... we’re looking at setting a trial date,” Zucco said.

Baia’s attorney, Robert Viola, said he hopes they can get the case on track.

“Believe me, my clients want this resolved,” Viola said.

Meanwhile, at the school board meeting across the street, the agenda listed the naming of 2008-09 spring coaches: John Thilk as the varsity baseball coach and Jerry Kadryna as the junior varsity baseball coach.

Patricia McIntosh said Thilk and Kadryna were volunteer assistants with the team last year, and they were on the bus when the alleged incident occurred.

“Is this the best possible thing to do for the children in our district?” McIntosh asked. “We would like a clean slate. A new beginning would be the best possible thing.”

Several parents attended the meeting to express their displeasure with the choices.

The official naming of the prospective coaches was tabled during the meeting, and the board went into executive session to discuss the matter.

Athletic Director Charles Jufer had advertised the position twice and received no response from anyone outside the district.

After the executive session, Superintendent Michael Wendt said the position would be posted again, but Thilk and Kadryna are still in the running.

“The board of education will do everything we can to have the (baseball) season,” Wendt said.

Parent Debi Diez said she was concerned if Thilk and Kadryna are given the jobs, some players may feel intimidated, especially those who might be called as witnesses in the court proceedings against their former coaches.

Bob Martin, who has served as spokesman for a concerned parent group in Wilson, said he hopes the school board will consider the kids involved.

“It’s got to be about the kids,” he said. “It all boils down to accountability.”

Diez agreed.

“It’s for the kids. ... so they grew up in the community that focuses on kids first,” she said. “It’s not about anything else.”

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