Is a lawsuit aimed at Section 1 leadership worth pursuing?

17 Comments

  • mc - 6 years ago

    Having participated in and won Section 1 Championships at the CC over the last 40 years I say - "Follow the money." Imagine if the Red Sox decided to hold playoff games at Boston University instead of Fenway. Same thing - different scale. The CC creates an intensity of game and experience unmatchable in Section 1. The proximity of the fans to and on top of the court creates a pressure cooker. Future NBA and NCAA stars have graced the Section 1 games at CC. When I became a dad - I took my kids to the CC. They loved it and considered it a thrill in a manner that cannot be in any way matched by the boring gym on the boring Pace campus. This is, I fear, the tip of the iceberg, as there have been other arbitrary decisions and incompetence in other sports affecting fans and athletes. As my son, a multiple times Section One champ said, "Section 1 is cheap and they never explain."

  • Chris Gilroy - 6 years ago

    The arrogance and utter disregard of our student athletes, athletic directors, and coaches by this group of supposed section one leaders is disturbing as well as disgusting. Mr. Harrington is to be applauded for his recognition of this travesty, and his commitment to righting a wrong. We need more of his kind period! I also love the idea of KDJ involved in some shape of form in section one. He would be an advocate for our kids, ADs, and coaches. Someone who listens and is transparent with his ideas, and GETS IT!

  • john - 6 years ago

    Bring in Kevin Devaney to replace Simmons, he will put the athletes and coaches first! Simmons is far from what Section 1 needs now or has ever needed.

  • JFS - 6 years ago

    I think the key word here is "arrogance".
    Contributors prior to my thoughts have done an exemplary job in describing this sad and unnecessary chain of events.
    If ED Simmons and crew have a valid reason for terminating this relationship, then make your case.
    We have two warring factions going at it and both are on the public dole. Right or wrong WE the taxpayers, in the highest taxed county in the world, have a right to know what the hell is going on with our school taxes, county taxes, and all other taxes.
    I honestly don't think that Section 1 is part of the "dark state" right behind Area 51.
    Great example for the kids. COME ON ADULTS GROW UP!!

  • J.R.Bergman - 6 years ago

    as somebody who has attendedhigh school basketball games at the Westchester country center since 1959, I would like to thank mr William p.Harrington on his efforts to help save the sectional high school basketball at the Westchester country center, for the many high school student athletes who grow up dreaming of playing basketball at the country most famous area,and for the many fans who enjoy coming to the Westchester country center to watch the players play in what is a great venue for all ,thank you again for your time to hopefully keep high school basketball where it belong.

  • Kelly - 6 years ago

    Please forgive bad spell check/typo on attorney Bill Harrington’s name in last post!

  • Kelly - 6 years ago

    Hi Stock. Please accept my sympathy. Your words echo the sentiments of many! Although I’ve never met Ms Simmons, I’ve learned plenty about her over the last few weeks. No doubt, most feel the same way you do about her! She marches to the beat of one drum...her own! She’s about to wake up to her worst nightmare and so is BOCES. Trust that litigation in this matter was a last resort, forced by the hand of Ms. Simmons, who put her own agenda ahead of all parties concerned. As unfortunate as the situation is for all concerned, it’s necessary in order to bring forth much needed, long overdue accountability, transparancy and change within. Although the County Center debacle is the catalyst in this concerted effort, it is just a piece of the big picture. It forced elements of a perfect storm to come together, bringing coaches, AD’s, parents, administration and members of the community together in unity, demanding change. Attorney Bill Worthington, who is the attorney representing the coaches associations in this matter, is a long time, upstanding member of the community and member of a law firm who for 80 years has stood up for the rights of those less fortunate than most of us. He is doing so pro bono! As for the comments from anyone thinking this will be a distraction to coaches and athletes....Think again. The only distraction to the kids and coaches was the initial shock to the announcement of Section 1 yanking the 83 year history of the tournament being played at the County Center, out from undtneath their dreams and aspirations. Not a chance this decision will take away from the passion coaches always have for what they do, nor the student-athletes who wake up every day, looking forward to getting back on the court, supporting their tram mates in their shared goal...winning!

  • Stuck - 6 years ago

    Having been involved with S1 athletics for 14 years and having dealt with Her and her executive committee extensivley, I can tell you that she thinks she is the end-all be-all, she doesnt believe she answers to anyone. She infact does answer for the S1 Exec. Committee. Unfortunately some of those committee members are politicians not athletics people. Do I think Jenn needs to go? YES. For many reasons other than this nonsense. Championship sites are changed year in and year out. Thats life. She will say it her job to do what she feels is best. The lawsuit will go nowhere. It will tie up money and time and be a distraction to all. It will accomplish nothing.

  • Stuck - 6 years ago

    Having been involved with S1 athletics for 14 years and having dealt with Her and her executive committee extensivley, I can tell you that she thinks she is the end-all be-all, she doesnt believe she answers to anyone. She infact does answer for the S1 Exec. Committee. Unfortunately some of those committee members are politicians not athletics people. Do I think Jenn needs to go? YES. For many reasons other than this nonsense. Championship sites are changed year in and year out. Thats life. She will say it her job to do what she feels is best. The lawsuit will go nowhere. It will tie up money and time and be a distraction to all. It will accomplish nothing.

  • CT - 6 years ago

    As the wife of a section 1 basketball coach, year in and year out, I am fortunate to be apart of a program whose ultimate goal is to win a gold ball. Obviously these are hard to come by, so just making it to the county center Is incredible. No program in section 1, that I’m aware of, puts a tremendous amount of blood, sweat and tears into their season for it to play for a championship ball at some random school. The CC has been a staple in section 1 basketball for years! While I recognize that change is inevitable, I also understand that change should be warranted with good reason. Why have a committee in place if its own members are not listened to by the head of Section 1? I wonder how section 1 is benefiting from moving this event to another location- because if they are, they’re the only ones. The players, coaches, schools and programs certainly are not. And to make this decision during the season? So poorly executed; I feel terrible for these seniors who had hopes of making it to the CC for one last time. I hope we get answers. Again, no student-athlete wants a neutral-site venue or Pace (that can barely accommodate the spectators that come out to the CC)- they want to play for a gold ball at the county center.

  • Laroo - 6 years ago

    Terrible decision. Shame on section 1 committee. Can't see how they sleep good at night.

  • Kelly - 6 years ago

    AA...Attorney was referring to Simmons hand picking who on her own committee could attend the meeting. Bad enough she has no respect for student athletes, coaches, coaches associations, AD’s, etc but deplorable the way she treats her own executive committee members. It is my understanding that although she makes $160,000 a year, everyone else volunteers their time.

  • Howie Green - 6 years ago

    I will go down in Westchester County history as the Section 1 ref who has officiated the most games at the County Center. This year is my 50th with the whistle. There’s a term in High School hoops that’s “It’s Howie’s way or the Highway” I’ve thrown out more coaches/fans players then any ref alive. Before I take up residence at the Hebrew Home in Riverdale I want one more opportunity to work with my life long pal Tommy “Fruit Loops” Bruno. He’s had a struggle all his life and the County Center means so much to him. I implore my friend Jen Simmons to reconsider not just for Tommy and I but for all the memories that the County Center holds for student athletes, coaches and schools. Let’s do what’s right for everyone!!

  • AA - 6 years ago

    The lawyers note of "hand picked ADs on committee" is wrong; trust me, there are some ADson Executive Committee who are more angry about this than anybody. This is a debacle.

  • Timmy Bruno - 6 years ago

    I’m a big time basketball ref. Here’s my resume: countless SEC semi finals, MEAC final 1996, 2001,2003,2007,2008. Big East alternate 2011-2015. ACC Rookie ref of the Year 1998..You have seen me ref at the county center butchering calls left and right. Point is I love the spotlite at the CC. Pace is a junior college. I don’t ref JUCO. Look at my resume for crying out loud. Someone said MSG? Well they have a great facility and the shower pressure is top notch. Even though I don’t shower after games, fear of athletes foot. Bring the games to the County Center. Get the best ref on the game (me and Greenburger) and everyone have a Nathan’s hotdog on Jen Simmons. She’s a hot dog. Woof.

  • KK - 6 years ago

    Every school and basketball teams dream is to get to the county center. Winning the gold ball is just a bonus. Games at Pace are nothing compared to the venue of the county center. Parking is a huge issue for parents, students and other fans at Pace. No one wants to go to Pace or a neutral gym. This decision must be overturned as soon as possible.

  • Kelly - 6 years ago

    It goes well beyond the County Center debacle. The Section 1 Executive Director Jen Simmons and President Mackin have no accountability to coaches, AD’s, Student-Athletes, parents or the public at large. They have no respect for their own committee members. They continue to make decisions behind closed doors under a cloud of secrecy and as attorney Bill Harrington said, what they are doing is illegal. Our tax payers pay for their services and Ms Simmons’ $160,000 salary. They need to be transparent in their decisions and actions. They are supposed to be looking out for the best interest of our student-athletes and they are not. They’ve given no valid reason for pulling the plug on the County Center nor have they disclosed the terms of the agreement with Pace Univetsity. The right thing to do would be for senior management at BOCES to remove Simmons and Mackin from the equation and sit down with leaders in our athletic communities (coaches associations. AD’s, principals and Supers) and do the right thing before it gets to court. I support the coaches associations 1,000%. They give so much if their time for the betterment of our student athletes and they are tried of Section 1 not looking out for any of them.

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