Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
SYRACUSE - Wawasee boys basketball coach Jerry Davis has turned in his letter of resignation.
In the letter Davis wrote he felt this was bad timing but that he didn't think he had a choice.
"While this may seem as a most inopportune time for this announcement, I do not believe that there is ever a good time," said Davis in his letter of resignation. "On February 22, 1999, the options of my future at Wawasee High School were spelled out to me by superior."
Wawasee High School Athletic Director Mary Hurley - believed to be the superior -Ê wouldn't comment this morning when given the chance, other than to say Davis had turned in his resignation to the school board. She refused to comment on his resignation, saying "until the school board acts, nothing is official."
A school board meeting was scheduled for tonight but was canceled because of the weather.
The timing of the talk with his superior irked Davis.
"The timing of this conversation too was very inopportune as we had two regular season games to play before entering the tournament," Davis wrote in his letter. "However, this is typical of the type of support and consideration given to coaches at Wawasee."
Davis, who came to Wawasee three years ago from Triton Central High School, owned a varsity record of 32-31 when hired at Wawasee. In his three years at Wawasee he posted a record of 14-50. The Warriors finished the 1998-99 season with a 1-21 record, with the lone win coming in the first game of the NorthWood Sectional, 51-48 over Lakeland.
"While the number of wins at the varsity level has not been as many as desired, the fact remains that our players were competing regularly against other schools with programs and kids who had been afforded these developmental opportunities," Davis said in his letter. "Ours had not. Regardless of their skill level, scheduling and injuries our Warriors fought and played with heart, determination, and great desire constantly. I couldn't be prouder of them or for them."
Davis said in his letter that over the past three years the number of boys playing basketball in the fourth and fifth grades has increased to a point where there are now more than 140 boys playing at that level.
"The results are showing," Davis said in his letter. "It is important to remember that programs are not developed overnight; they are built and established over time. If they were quick or easy to be obtained, then everyone would have one and they would all be excellent."
In the last paragraph of Davis' letter of resignation he states that a program was established.
"A program was established," Davis said, "but not given the time to prosper. I will miss the opportunity to see it grow in the sun and stand tall in the rain. I am reminded of a quote by an unknown author, 'If you want a rainbow you have to put up with the rain.'
"I had my umbrella."
