NISB Area's Top 10 Most Controversial
A look at the decade's cheaters, lawsuits, and other unfortunate events
High school sports is supposed to be a positive atmosphere. The feeling of success and
accomplishment is something we all like. In contrast, the losses and poor performances
help us understand that we cannot always get what we want. That's how the educational
experience relates to high school sports.
In order to make the educational experience a reality, there needs to be a way to make it
fair for everyone. There have been several breaches from the positive experience. We
wish to share the area's ten most important.
It seems wrong to include a top ten list on controversy in such a positive idea such as high
school sports. However, it is important to document the actions of those who may have
taken a huge risk in order to achieve success in sports, or with their lives in general.
These stories must be told to, perhaps, remind us of what not to do, or show the
consequences of actions.
We stress that the Top 10 Most Controversial moments are those which have been
officially documented – either through the media, or through our governing body of high
school sports (the IHSA). Rumor and hearsay were not considered.
10 - The Saga of Robert Eppinger
Born in the basketball-crazy city of Peoria, Robert Eppinger grew up loving the sport and
brought it with him to Rockford. He starred on his middle school teams, and soon became
one of the Rockford area's most talent up-and-comers on the high school level. He helped
lead his Jefferson J-Hawk team to a 20-win season in 2004 as a sophomore, and reached
new heights the following year. In 2004, Eppinger helped lead his team to a fourth place
finish in Class AA. The state exposure helped his recruiting stock.
Back at school, however, the 6'8” Eppinger wasn't as up to par. Everything changed when
he got involved in a fight with students at Rockford East High School in May of 2005,
allegedly over a pair of stolen shoes. Athletic successes overlooked, Eppinger was
expelled from school and saw his star diminished. Unable to compete for another Illinois
high school, Eppinger transferred to Minneapolis Henry for his senior year.
After academic trouble forced him out of his Division I hopes, Eppinger enrolled at JUCO
basketball power Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa, Iowa. It was there that
Eppinger worked his way back up. He transferred to Highland Community College in
Freeport, another JUCO power, and finally signed a letter of intent to play Division I-AA
hoops for the University of Illinois-Chicago in 2008.
9 - Hood v. Illinois High School Association
After retiring from a teaching and successful basketball coaching career in Chicago (Von
Steuben and Taft), Frank Hood arrived in the Rockford area in 2000. Coaching was still in
his blood, and he became the head coach at Christian Life. On September 18, 2002, the
school told the IHSA that Hood had violated IHSA rules pertaining to recruiting student
athletes. He denied the allegations, but was punished by the IHSA and suspended from
coaching for one year. Hood sued the IHSA and Executive Director Marty Hickman
claiming they did not use due care in investigating the case and failed to inform him of the
charge or allow him to answer it with evidence. Hood also stated that further defamation
was committed by the IHSA by publishing its ruling on its website and elsewhere.
It turned out such recruiting allegations were false. The Winnebago County trial court
dismissed the case, but Hood appealed the the Illinois Second District Appellate Court,
where it was remanded. Hood was victorious, and went on to coach at Elgin St. Edward
before retiring in 2006 with 674 career wins. Hood unsuccessfully ran for Rockford's
School Board in 2009.
8 - Chuck Christopher's Computer
Only with the Sterling Wrestling program for a couple of years, Chuck Christopher was
named the successor to coach Don Meekel in 2003. Having wrestled for Decorah High
School in Iowa in the late 1990s, Christopher brought Iowa's legendary wrestling style to
Sterling. In three years as coach, Christopher compiled a 55-21 record, and won a Class
AA Regional championship in his first year as coach.
A soon-to-be-successful coaching career would take a turn for the worse just weeks
before the start of the 2006-07 season, and just days before his wedding. Christopher
was arrested on October 19 (and fired) and charged with allegedly using a computer at
Challand Middle School in an attempt to persuade two young girls in a Yahoo chat room
to agree to have sex with him. It was a set-up by an undercover police officer from
Burlington, Iowa while conducting a child predator sting. After initially pleading not guilty,
and requesting that the charges be dropped, Christopher changed his plea to guilty in
October 2007. He was sentenced to ten years in federal prison, and is currently serving
his sentence.
7 - Ottawa Teacher's Strike
There have been many teacher strikes in northern Illinois this decade, but none more
drawn out than the strike by teachers of Ottawa Township High School in the fall of 2009.
Ottawa teachers and the School Board debated about salary and health insurance
coverage for several months. After failing to reach an agreement during the school year's
board meetings, a strike date was set for September 30. It was the third strike involving a
LaSalle County school in the last four years.
Not only did Ottawa students get time away from school, but also the school's athletic
programs saw their operations cease. All fall sports at Ottawa – football, volleyball, cross
country, golf, girls tennis, girls swimming and boys soccer – could not compete under
IHSA rules. The strike came just before the golf teams competed at the NCIC meet, and
before the big football rivalry game with LaSalle-Peru. All the fall sports seasons were
over. The strike was settled in early November, just in time for the winter sports season.
Tragedy struck the school during the strike, as Superintendent John Harrison committed
suicide in October.
6 - Gary London's Mouth
Chicago Hales Franciscan boys basketball coach Gary London rebuilt a basketball
powerhouse during the early 2000s. As with some Chicago schools, a little trickery and
secret behind-the-scenes work sometimes makes things successful. London was involved
in such matters while at Hales, successfully recruiting Nate Minnoy and Jerome Randle.
After Hales won the Class A State Championship in 2003, London slipped in the details
about recruiting in a post-game interview with WRHL's Jeff Leon: “... I talked with some of
the kids that we're recruiting tonight. I told them to make sure you are watching. This is
the kind of program we want you to come into. The quality program. They see how hard
our kids play ...”
While the controversy happened in Chicago, it resonated with two northern Illinois schools:
Mount Carroll was the team Hales beat for their 2003 championship. The IHSA
investigation of the team also found that two assistant coaches did not meet the IHSA's
coaching requirements. So the championship was won with players recruited illegally, and
illegal coaches.
The fallout from the situation continued into the next couple of seasons. Hales was
suspended from competing in the 2004 State Tournament due to controversy stemming
from the compliance with the initial violations. The following year, Hales won the Class A
State Championship over Winnebago. However, later in the school year, the IHSA learned
that Hales was not recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education since June of 2003.
The IHSA Board forced Hales to forfeit their state championship. The record books show
that the title was vacated, but still recognized Winnebago as the runner-up.
5 - Amateurism and Bling-Bling
Kewanee Wethersfield's Class 1A football championship in 2001 brought a positive story
to a community that has seen better days. To help commemorate the accomplishment, the
Wethersfield Booster Club gave each member of the team a ring – just like how
professional athletes get rings after winning the World Series, NBA championship and the
Super Bowl.
What the players didn't realize is that the rings were worth just as much as the
professional rings. Okay, maybe not that much, but still more than what is required by
IHSA rules. The amateurism by-law allows students to receive rewards that have a fair
market value of no more than $20. The rings cost $80 each. Word reached the IHSA
about the purchases, and penalties were handed out. The Booster Club wasn't penalized,
however, the entire 2002 season was declared a loss – literally. The 2002 team, which
included athletes with rings, made it to the semifinal round.
IHSA Executive Director Marty Hickman required Wethersfield to forfeit games it won in
2002 because players on the team who were on the 2001 team and received rings
participated in the victories. Students on the 2003 who had the rings were required to
make restitution of the $80 in order to regain their eligibility for that season. The school
had to return its semifinal plaque and was placed on one year's probation.
4 - The Fall of Duncan Reid
Duncan Reid is one of Illinois high school basketball's all-time greatest coaches. He was
an assistant on Pekin's 1964 State Championship team, and coached Lincoln and Rock
Island to state tournament successes in three decades. In northern Illinois, Reid turned
Rock Island into a basketball powerhouse. His stint succeeded Quincy's remarkable run
as the Western Big 6 team to beat, a time in history that Blue Devil fans will never respect.
So when recruiting allegations and other illegal things came to light in November of 2000,
the Rock Island program went straight down. A Rock Island player, Phillip Johnson,
transferred from Rock Island to Woodhull AlWood, but an assistant coach at Rocky, Craig
Sharp, tried to persuade him otherwise. Sharp was nailed for the action, as was Reid for
failing to stop Sharp's plan. It turned out that Reid approved of the plan. The IHSA defined
Reid's action as a “direct violation of the ethics of interscholastic competition.” Even more
trouble was discovered when it was learned some Rock players participated in a fall
league sporting school affiliation.
Reid was suspended for the first eight games of the 2000-01 season, suspended for one
practice a week for eight weeks, and even being banned from contacting the team or
being at the games. The ordeal was too much for Reid, who retired at the end of the
season.
As for Quincy, it too had it's problems with recruiting. Head coach Loren Wallace was
penalized a couple of years later for securing a student from another school.
3 - Mediagate
Freedom of Religion wasn't the only time the United States Constitution was involved with
Illinois high school sports. The same First Amendment played a role in the documentation
of high school sports starting with the fall sports season of 2007.
The IHSA had an agreement with Visual Image Photography (VIP), based in Wisconsin, to
shoot pictures of its state series events. During the state series events in the fall,
newspaper cameramen found themselves unable to take pictures of awards ceremonies,
and other settings, from reasonable distances and angles. However, the IHSA let VIP take
pictures from such distances and angles. The press discussed the issue with the Illinois
Press Association, who filed a lawsuit against the IHSA and sought a temporary
restraining order. While litigation continued, several newspaper photographers were
denied credentials to the State Football Championships for refusing to adhere to the
IHSA's policy on secondary use of photos. The IHSA claimed that the newspapers were
using photos of their events to make money.
The controversy surrounding photographs saw the IHSA at their most intense. Executive
Director Marty Hickman made more statements about the issue than any other issue
during the decade. The IHSA even had an announcement entitled, “Information You Won’t
Find in Most Illinois Newspapers About the Photo Dispute,” a rare second-person
approach.
Lawsuits, counter suits, and even legislation (HB 4582) were put forth in order to come up
with an agreement. Hickman stated that the Bill's passing would prevent the IHSA from
televising the state series events. On April 8, 2008 the IHSA and IPA reached a court-
sanctioned agreement. Illinois newspapers would continue to sell photos of IHSA events,
and the IHSA redefined its policy with VIP by only having preferential access for “training,
promotional and educational purposes.”
Anthony Holman, the IHSA's media liaison and Assistant Executive Director, resigned in
June of 2008. Matt Troha was hired two months later to fill the spot, with main duties
centering around media relations.
2 - Save Dixon Sports
Part of the responsibilities of a school board is the take input from the public on matters
related to the school. During each board meeting there is a time when the public can
communicate with the school board. No school board received more public input
regarding the high school's athletics this decade than the Dixon Public Schools' Board.
The focus was on boys basketball coach and athletics director Steve Sandholm. Parents
had been concerned about the treatment of their boys under his supervision. The 2007-
08 team in particular gave parents some concern. They decided enough was enough,
and formed a committee to get rid of Sandholm. It was called the Save Dixon Sports
committee. Members of the committee spread their message throughout town, and
through the Dixon Telegraph and WIXN radio. One member posted messages on Northern
Illinois Sports Beat.
Richard Kuecker, Ardis Kuecker, Glen Hughes, Michael Venier, Tim Oliver, Dan Burke,
David Deets and Mary Mahan-Deatherage were the members of the SDS committee, and
launched a website to promote their message. Rich Kuecker, whose son Chris was a
senior that year, led the group. They petitioned Dixon Principal Mike Grady and
Superintendent Jim Brown to investigate Sandholm. It was decided that on the Board
Meeting on March a petition to fire Sandholm would be sent to the Board. The board
immediately went into a three-hour closed session after roll call. On April 23, the Board
voted unanimously to not renew Sandholm's contract as coach.
Two days later Sandholm filed a defamation lawsuit against members of the SDS
committee, WIXN and new ardent supporters of the cause. After an eight month battle, the
suit was thrown out based on the defendant's rights under the Citizens Participation Act: a
law that provides immunity for speech related to certain matters of government and public
concern. It was during this time that Sandholm was transferred from the athletic office to
district administration. That move prompted him to file a suit against Dixon Public Schools
and four Board members. That case is currently being reviewed.
1 - Monts v. Illinois High School Association
The decade was a turbulent one for the Illinois High School Association. Lawsuits and
legislation against the IHSA were up in numbers during the 2000s. One such lawsuit
featured a talented senior football player from Streator Woodland, a team that wasn't too
good. Surely, playing on a much better team will give him more exposure to colleges.
That's what Pontiac head football coach Mick Peterson had in mind. The events that
unfolded is the decade's top controversy in northern Illinois high school sports.
Woodland Football did not have a winning season since 1989 and finished 1-8 in 2000
and 0-9 in 2001.The Warriors were a pass-happy team, and Monts had 412 passing
attempts in 2001, completing 182 of them. He had 11 fewer attempts the prior season. He
was 37-for-71 in attempts in a 2000 game against El Paso, and currently ranks 22nd in
state history in attempts and ninth in passing average. However, none of the accolades
could help Woodland get wins. In August 2002, the Monts family moved to Pontiac, and
Monts was a member of Pontiac's football team. The details behind the transfer weren't
fully realized until Woodland inquired about where Issac was. Once they found out he was
at another school, and playing football, Woodland alleged that Pontiac had some sort of
undue influence in acquiring Monts. The IHSA was contacted and an investigation was
conducted.
The following information comes from the Illinois High School Association's finding:
Peterson was suspended from coaching at any IHSA member school for one year for his
role in recruiting Monts. Furthermore, Monts was ruled permanently ineligible to compete
at Pontiac. The Monts family filed a restraining order against the IHSA in an effort to allow
Issac to play football at Pontiac. The McLean County Circuit Court denied the request,
and after appeal, the 4th District Illinois Appellate Court upheld the ruling and remanded
the case back to McLean County. The County granted summary judgment on behalf of
the IHSA. This was again appealed, and the Appellate Court ruled that the Circuit Court
be required to hear the case on its merits. The Appellate Court's decision was appealed
to the Illinois Supreme Court. The Supreme Court directed the Appellate Court to vacate
the case on October 7, 2003.
Peterson retired from coaching in 2006, and has written three books based on his high
school coaching career: “Once a Coach,” “Homecoming,” and “Carpe Diem!” Monts
attended Illinois Wesleyan University and graduated with a bachelor of arts degree.
A look at the decade's cheaters, lawsuits, and other unfortunate events
High school sports is supposed to be a positive atmosphere. The feeling of success and
accomplishment is something we all like. In contrast, the losses and poor performances
help us understand that we cannot always get what we want. That's how the educational
experience relates to high school sports.
In order to make the educational experience a reality, there needs to be a way to make it
fair for everyone. There have been several breaches from the positive experience. We
wish to share the area's ten most important.
It seems wrong to include a top ten list on controversy in such a positive idea such as high
school sports. However, it is important to document the actions of those who may have
taken a huge risk in order to achieve success in sports, or with their lives in general.
These stories must be told to, perhaps, remind us of what not to do, or show the
consequences of actions.
We stress that the Top 10 Most Controversial moments are those which have been
officially documented – either through the media, or through our governing body of high
school sports (the IHSA). Rumor and hearsay were not considered.
10 - The Saga of Robert Eppinger
Born in the basketball-crazy city of Peoria, Robert Eppinger grew up loving the sport and
brought it with him to Rockford. He starred on his middle school teams, and soon became
one of the Rockford area's most talent up-and-comers on the high school level. He helped
lead his Jefferson J-Hawk team to a 20-win season in 2004 as a sophomore, and reached
new heights the following year. In 2004, Eppinger helped lead his team to a fourth place
finish in Class AA. The state exposure helped his recruiting stock.
Back at school, however, the 6'8” Eppinger wasn't as up to par. Everything changed when
he got involved in a fight with students at Rockford East High School in May of 2005,
allegedly over a pair of stolen shoes. Athletic successes overlooked, Eppinger was
expelled from school and saw his star diminished. Unable to compete for another Illinois
high school, Eppinger transferred to Minneapolis Henry for his senior year.
After academic trouble forced him out of his Division I hopes, Eppinger enrolled at JUCO
basketball power Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa, Iowa. It was there that
Eppinger worked his way back up. He transferred to Highland Community College in
Freeport, another JUCO power, and finally signed a letter of intent to play Division I-AA
hoops for the University of Illinois-Chicago in 2008.
9 - Hood v. Illinois High School Association
After retiring from a teaching and successful basketball coaching career in Chicago (Von
Steuben and Taft), Frank Hood arrived in the Rockford area in 2000. Coaching was still in
his blood, and he became the head coach at Christian Life. On September 18, 2002, the
school told the IHSA that Hood had violated IHSA rules pertaining to recruiting student
athletes. He denied the allegations, but was punished by the IHSA and suspended from
coaching for one year. Hood sued the IHSA and Executive Director Marty Hickman
claiming they did not use due care in investigating the case and failed to inform him of the
charge or allow him to answer it with evidence. Hood also stated that further defamation
was committed by the IHSA by publishing its ruling on its website and elsewhere.
It turned out such recruiting allegations were false. The Winnebago County trial court
dismissed the case, but Hood appealed the the Illinois Second District Appellate Court,
where it was remanded. Hood was victorious, and went on to coach at Elgin St. Edward
before retiring in 2006 with 674 career wins. Hood unsuccessfully ran for Rockford's
School Board in 2009.
8 - Chuck Christopher's Computer
Only with the Sterling Wrestling program for a couple of years, Chuck Christopher was
named the successor to coach Don Meekel in 2003. Having wrestled for Decorah High
School in Iowa in the late 1990s, Christopher brought Iowa's legendary wrestling style to
Sterling. In three years as coach, Christopher compiled a 55-21 record, and won a Class
AA Regional championship in his first year as coach.
A soon-to-be-successful coaching career would take a turn for the worse just weeks
before the start of the 2006-07 season, and just days before his wedding. Christopher
was arrested on October 19 (and fired) and charged with allegedly using a computer at
Challand Middle School in an attempt to persuade two young girls in a Yahoo chat room
to agree to have sex with him. It was a set-up by an undercover police officer from
Burlington, Iowa while conducting a child predator sting. After initially pleading not guilty,
and requesting that the charges be dropped, Christopher changed his plea to guilty in
October 2007. He was sentenced to ten years in federal prison, and is currently serving
his sentence.
7 - Ottawa Teacher's Strike
There have been many teacher strikes in northern Illinois this decade, but none more
drawn out than the strike by teachers of Ottawa Township High School in the fall of 2009.
Ottawa teachers and the School Board debated about salary and health insurance
coverage for several months. After failing to reach an agreement during the school year's
board meetings, a strike date was set for September 30. It was the third strike involving a
LaSalle County school in the last four years.
Not only did Ottawa students get time away from school, but also the school's athletic
programs saw their operations cease. All fall sports at Ottawa – football, volleyball, cross
country, golf, girls tennis, girls swimming and boys soccer – could not compete under
IHSA rules. The strike came just before the golf teams competed at the NCIC meet, and
before the big football rivalry game with LaSalle-Peru. All the fall sports seasons were
over. The strike was settled in early November, just in time for the winter sports season.
Tragedy struck the school during the strike, as Superintendent John Harrison committed
suicide in October.
6 - Gary London's Mouth
Chicago Hales Franciscan boys basketball coach Gary London rebuilt a basketball
powerhouse during the early 2000s. As with some Chicago schools, a little trickery and
secret behind-the-scenes work sometimes makes things successful. London was involved
in such matters while at Hales, successfully recruiting Nate Minnoy and Jerome Randle.
After Hales won the Class A State Championship in 2003, London slipped in the details
about recruiting in a post-game interview with WRHL's Jeff Leon: “... I talked with some of
the kids that we're recruiting tonight. I told them to make sure you are watching. This is
the kind of program we want you to come into. The quality program. They see how hard
our kids play ...”
While the controversy happened in Chicago, it resonated with two northern Illinois schools:
Mount Carroll was the team Hales beat for their 2003 championship. The IHSA
investigation of the team also found that two assistant coaches did not meet the IHSA's
coaching requirements. So the championship was won with players recruited illegally, and
illegal coaches.
The fallout from the situation continued into the next couple of seasons. Hales was
suspended from competing in the 2004 State Tournament due to controversy stemming
from the compliance with the initial violations. The following year, Hales won the Class A
State Championship over Winnebago. However, later in the school year, the IHSA learned
that Hales was not recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education since June of 2003.
The IHSA Board forced Hales to forfeit their state championship. The record books show
that the title was vacated, but still recognized Winnebago as the runner-up.
5 - Amateurism and Bling-Bling
Kewanee Wethersfield's Class 1A football championship in 2001 brought a positive story
to a community that has seen better days. To help commemorate the accomplishment, the
Wethersfield Booster Club gave each member of the team a ring – just like how
professional athletes get rings after winning the World Series, NBA championship and the
Super Bowl.
What the players didn't realize is that the rings were worth just as much as the
professional rings. Okay, maybe not that much, but still more than what is required by
IHSA rules. The amateurism by-law allows students to receive rewards that have a fair
market value of no more than $20. The rings cost $80 each. Word reached the IHSA
about the purchases, and penalties were handed out. The Booster Club wasn't penalized,
however, the entire 2002 season was declared a loss – literally. The 2002 team, which
included athletes with rings, made it to the semifinal round.
IHSA Executive Director Marty Hickman required Wethersfield to forfeit games it won in
2002 because players on the team who were on the 2001 team and received rings
participated in the victories. Students on the 2003 who had the rings were required to
make restitution of the $80 in order to regain their eligibility for that season. The school
had to return its semifinal plaque and was placed on one year's probation.
4 - The Fall of Duncan Reid
Duncan Reid is one of Illinois high school basketball's all-time greatest coaches. He was
an assistant on Pekin's 1964 State Championship team, and coached Lincoln and Rock
Island to state tournament successes in three decades. In northern Illinois, Reid turned
Rock Island into a basketball powerhouse. His stint succeeded Quincy's remarkable run
as the Western Big 6 team to beat, a time in history that Blue Devil fans will never respect.
So when recruiting allegations and other illegal things came to light in November of 2000,
the Rock Island program went straight down. A Rock Island player, Phillip Johnson,
transferred from Rock Island to Woodhull AlWood, but an assistant coach at Rocky, Craig
Sharp, tried to persuade him otherwise. Sharp was nailed for the action, as was Reid for
failing to stop Sharp's plan. It turned out that Reid approved of the plan. The IHSA defined
Reid's action as a “direct violation of the ethics of interscholastic competition.” Even more
trouble was discovered when it was learned some Rock players participated in a fall
league sporting school affiliation.
Reid was suspended for the first eight games of the 2000-01 season, suspended for one
practice a week for eight weeks, and even being banned from contacting the team or
being at the games. The ordeal was too much for Reid, who retired at the end of the
season.
As for Quincy, it too had it's problems with recruiting. Head coach Loren Wallace was
penalized a couple of years later for securing a student from another school.
3 - Mediagate
Freedom of Religion wasn't the only time the United States Constitution was involved with
Illinois high school sports. The same First Amendment played a role in the documentation
of high school sports starting with the fall sports season of 2007.
The IHSA had an agreement with Visual Image Photography (VIP), based in Wisconsin, to
shoot pictures of its state series events. During the state series events in the fall,
newspaper cameramen found themselves unable to take pictures of awards ceremonies,
and other settings, from reasonable distances and angles. However, the IHSA let VIP take
pictures from such distances and angles. The press discussed the issue with the Illinois
Press Association, who filed a lawsuit against the IHSA and sought a temporary
restraining order. While litigation continued, several newspaper photographers were
denied credentials to the State Football Championships for refusing to adhere to the
IHSA's policy on secondary use of photos. The IHSA claimed that the newspapers were
using photos of their events to make money.
The controversy surrounding photographs saw the IHSA at their most intense. Executive
Director Marty Hickman made more statements about the issue than any other issue
during the decade. The IHSA even had an announcement entitled, “Information You Won’t
Find in Most Illinois Newspapers About the Photo Dispute,” a rare second-person
approach.
Lawsuits, counter suits, and even legislation (HB 4582) were put forth in order to come up
with an agreement. Hickman stated that the Bill's passing would prevent the IHSA from
televising the state series events. On April 8, 2008 the IHSA and IPA reached a court-
sanctioned agreement. Illinois newspapers would continue to sell photos of IHSA events,
and the IHSA redefined its policy with VIP by only having preferential access for “training,
promotional and educational purposes.”
Anthony Holman, the IHSA's media liaison and Assistant Executive Director, resigned in
June of 2008. Matt Troha was hired two months later to fill the spot, with main duties
centering around media relations.
2 - Save Dixon Sports
Part of the responsibilities of a school board is the take input from the public on matters
related to the school. During each board meeting there is a time when the public can
communicate with the school board. No school board received more public input
regarding the high school's athletics this decade than the Dixon Public Schools' Board.
The focus was on boys basketball coach and athletics director Steve Sandholm. Parents
had been concerned about the treatment of their boys under his supervision. The 2007-
08 team in particular gave parents some concern. They decided enough was enough,
and formed a committee to get rid of Sandholm. It was called the Save Dixon Sports
committee. Members of the committee spread their message throughout town, and
through the Dixon Telegraph and WIXN radio. One member posted messages on Northern
Illinois Sports Beat.
Richard Kuecker, Ardis Kuecker, Glen Hughes, Michael Venier, Tim Oliver, Dan Burke,
David Deets and Mary Mahan-Deatherage were the members of the SDS committee, and
launched a website to promote their message. Rich Kuecker, whose son Chris was a
senior that year, led the group. They petitioned Dixon Principal Mike Grady and
Superintendent Jim Brown to investigate Sandholm. It was decided that on the Board
Meeting on March a petition to fire Sandholm would be sent to the Board. The board
immediately went into a three-hour closed session after roll call. On April 23, the Board
voted unanimously to not renew Sandholm's contract as coach.
Two days later Sandholm filed a defamation lawsuit against members of the SDS
committee, WIXN and new ardent supporters of the cause. After an eight month battle, the
suit was thrown out based on the defendant's rights under the Citizens Participation Act: a
law that provides immunity for speech related to certain matters of government and public
concern. It was during this time that Sandholm was transferred from the athletic office to
district administration. That move prompted him to file a suit against Dixon Public Schools
and four Board members. That case is currently being reviewed.
1 - Monts v. Illinois High School Association
The decade was a turbulent one for the Illinois High School Association. Lawsuits and
legislation against the IHSA were up in numbers during the 2000s. One such lawsuit
featured a talented senior football player from Streator Woodland, a team that wasn't too
good. Surely, playing on a much better team will give him more exposure to colleges.
That's what Pontiac head football coach Mick Peterson had in mind. The events that
unfolded is the decade's top controversy in northern Illinois high school sports.
Woodland Football did not have a winning season since 1989 and finished 1-8 in 2000
and 0-9 in 2001.The Warriors were a pass-happy team, and Monts had 412 passing
attempts in 2001, completing 182 of them. He had 11 fewer attempts the prior season. He
was 37-for-71 in attempts in a 2000 game against El Paso, and currently ranks 22nd in
state history in attempts and ninth in passing average. However, none of the accolades
could help Woodland get wins. In August 2002, the Monts family moved to Pontiac, and
Monts was a member of Pontiac's football team. The details behind the transfer weren't
fully realized until Woodland inquired about where Issac was. Once they found out he was
at another school, and playing football, Woodland alleged that Pontiac had some sort of
undue influence in acquiring Monts. The IHSA was contacted and an investigation was
conducted.
The following information comes from the Illinois High School Association's finding:
Peterson was suspended from coaching at any IHSA member school for one year for his
role in recruiting Monts. Furthermore, Monts was ruled permanently ineligible to compete
at Pontiac. The Monts family filed a restraining order against the IHSA in an effort to allow
Issac to play football at Pontiac. The McLean County Circuit Court denied the request,
and after appeal, the 4th District Illinois Appellate Court upheld the ruling and remanded
the case back to McLean County. The County granted summary judgment on behalf of
the IHSA. This was again appealed, and the Appellate Court ruled that the Circuit Court
be required to hear the case on its merits. The Appellate Court's decision was appealed
to the Illinois Supreme Court. The Supreme Court directed the Appellate Court to vacate
the case on October 7, 2003.
Peterson retired from coaching in 2006, and has written three books based on his high
school coaching career: “Once a Coach,” “Homecoming,” and “Carpe Diem!” Monts
attended Illinois Wesleyan University and graduated with a bachelor of arts degree.
“Prior to March 17, 2002, Pontiac Football Coach Mick Peterson was
contacted by Jason Aubry, the former football coach at Woodland, and
asked whether he would be interested in having the student play at Pontiac
High School. Aubry was told to have the student's family contact Peterson.
Coach Peterson received a call from the student's father on or about
Sunday, March 17, 2002, inquiring about the student's participation in the
Pontiac High School football program.
Following the March 17, 2002, phone conversation, Coach Peterson met
with the student and his parents at Buster's restaurant in Pontiac. Coach
Peterson brought video equipment to the restaurant and presented a video
highlight film of Pontiac football entitled "The Perfect Fan" to the family
for their review. Coach Peterson also presented the family with information
regarding Pontiac High School football camps, passing leagues and the
organizational meeting in April. Some of this information was
communicated in writing and some was given orally.
After the March 17 meeting with Coach Peterson, the family contacted
Pontiac High School to gather additional information regarding the school.
The student attended the April football meeting. The student and his family
were living in the Woodland district at the time.
During June and July 2002, the student participated in Pontiac High School
football camps and passing leagues. During this time, the student received
the Pontiac High School Football Video Playbook. The student and his
family still lived in the Woodland district, and the family had made no effort
to enroll or register the student at Pontiac High School.
During June 2002, the student participated in the Bradley team basketball
camp with students from Streator (Woodland) High School. The student
and his family continued to live in the Woodland district.”
contacted by Jason Aubry, the former football coach at Woodland, and
asked whether he would be interested in having the student play at Pontiac
High School. Aubry was told to have the student's family contact Peterson.
Coach Peterson received a call from the student's father on or about
Sunday, March 17, 2002, inquiring about the student's participation in the
Pontiac High School football program.
Following the March 17, 2002, phone conversation, Coach Peterson met
with the student and his parents at Buster's restaurant in Pontiac. Coach
Peterson brought video equipment to the restaurant and presented a video
highlight film of Pontiac football entitled "The Perfect Fan" to the family
for their review. Coach Peterson also presented the family with information
regarding Pontiac High School football camps, passing leagues and the
organizational meeting in April. Some of this information was
communicated in writing and some was given orally.
After the March 17 meeting with Coach Peterson, the family contacted
Pontiac High School to gather additional information regarding the school.
The student attended the April football meeting. The student and his family
were living in the Woodland district at the time.
During June and July 2002, the student participated in Pontiac High School
football camps and passing leagues. During this time, the student received
the Pontiac High School Football Video Playbook. The student and his
family still lived in the Woodland district, and the family had made no effort
to enroll or register the student at Pontiac High School.
During June 2002, the student participated in the Bradley team basketball
camp with students from Streator (Woodland) High School. The student
and his family continued to live in the Woodland district.”
| Northern Illinois Sports Beat http://www.northernillinoissportsbeat.com |
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