Benilde High School Coaching

Discussion of Minnesota Girls High School Hockey

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PAMESH
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Benilde High School Coaching

Post by PAMESH » Tue May 09, 2006 10:04 am

Does anyone know about the Benilde Girls Varsity coach? I understand he quit but does anyone have an idea why or who might be coming in for next year? <p></p><i></i>

husky5
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Re: Benilde High School Coaching

Post by husky5 » Tue May 09, 2006 2:52 pm

Certain parents on the 3rd or 4th line w/money is the rumor. Who would want to coach in that situation? It is sad, as Jack was a good coach.. 80-20-5 give or take a game or two. When will adminstrations stand up and be counted on. Benilde's story is one of a long list of parents with to much control. <p></p><i></i>

ghshockeyfan
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Re: Benilde High School Coaching

Post by ghshockeyfan » Tue May 09, 2006 3:40 pm

Jack got a raw deal. That's the bottom line. 80-20-5 isn't even the start of what he did there. The program during his time won a state championship (28-1-1 that year...), countless conf. titles (maybe never lost a conf. game?), had a top academic group (3.6 GPA or higher at all times?), produced a dozen or so college, and a handful of D1, players. They lost 4 games last year! <br><br>Yep - you deserve to move on coach, it was those 4 games you lost! (never mind the 20 some you won as you have pretty much every year...) Maybe it was the LOADED section he didn't win, right? RIGHT!<br><br>I have to hold myself back on this, but what I know is that whoever does this kind of thing, or looks the other way when it does, gets theirs eventually. I hope this haunts all those that had a hand in it. Not the kids, but the parents or any other adult that should know better.<br><br>If you haven't been through this sort of thing as a coach, you have no idea as to how difficult it is. I know what it is like to recieve those multiple page letters from kids about how upset they are, and I've answered those tearful phone calls where all you can do is tell kids that it will all work out. This can absolutely destroy even the best programs and create huge division among the parents, and then so too the kids unfortunately.<br><br>You just don't treat people this way, and when you slap them in the face after all they've done for the program??? AMAZING! And this is happening at a private school yes, but let's remember what the supposed faith based background of that institution is supposed to teach our kids!<br><br>I PRAY that someone is looking into this. <p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p100.ezboard.com/bmnhs.showUserP ... ckeyfan</A> at: 5/9/06 3:42 pm<br></i>

brookyone
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Re: Benilde High School Coaching

Post by brookyone » Tue May 09, 2006 4:17 pm

How in the world you can...or why you'd even want to mess with that kind of success, both on / off the ice is beyond me. Building a program that should be used as a model for others.<br><br>I'm sure there are many here far more informed than I on the sordid motives / details. Strikes me as gutless, inexcusable behavoir and totally without character. <p></p><i></i>

WestMetroMom
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Poor Jack Gravel?

Post by WestMetroMom » Wed May 10, 2006 7:39 am

Poor Jack Gravel? Gimme a break. No sympathy here for him or any others like him who take a job at a school like BSM whose only measure of success is State Championship titles. And what did Gravel produce in 4 years for a school and athletic administration who work hard to “attract” highly skilled and highly sought after skaters from all over the metro area? Let’s take another look.<br><br>One Class A championship with a team that was really coached by Mike Drazan (hired to be the “assistant” for his daughter’s senior year) and included three Division 1 players. A 10-year-old could have coached that team to a Class A title. The other three years…a Class A section final loss to Blake, a Class A section semi-final loss to lowly St. Louis Park (could they not defend the only player Park had?) and the total domination this year by Wayzata (4-0) in the Class AA section semifinals. <br><br>That’s way too many tears for the highly skilled and highly sought after young skaters and their parents (and grandparents) to endure. Those girls, who were “attracted” to BSM, were sold (either by their parents, their coaches or the administration) that glory would be theirs…and it wasn’t. <br><br>Jack knew exactly what the rules of the game are at BSM. What the “demands” would be from the school, the parents and the prima donna skaters, who think of themselves as the most elite players in the metro area. Feel sorry for Jack? No way…and no sympathy for the new incoming coach either….that coach will clearly be told by the school and athletic administration (and the parents and grandparents) what the expectations are….not character building…not team work…not enjoying a worthwhile pursuit…and definitely not living the Gospel…ONLY STATE CHAMPIONSHIP banners. Do it…or be gone.<br><br>Any player or coach who joins a program like BSM, which has so distorted what the game should be about, gets what they deserve.<br><br> <p></p><i></i>

SEhockeyDAD
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BSM

Post by SEhockeyDAD » Wed May 10, 2006 9:00 am

Does George Steinbrenner run BSM? <p></p><i></i>

hockeyhead
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Re: Poor Jack Gravel?

Post by hockeyhead » Wed May 10, 2006 9:42 am

If championships is what is expected at BSM then they should have stayed in class A and not moved to 6AA... This was the worst situation for them (the parents should have known this)... Between EP, Wayzata and Edina... this section is pretty much covered for the next 10 years! If my memory serves me right, in the last 9 years this section has been won by... Jefferson 5 times, EP 3 times, and Wayzata once. My guess is Edina will get their shot in the years to come. <br><br>The good news is... BSM can opt back down in 3 more years! Maybe that will keep their parents happy!<br><br>Finally, whatever you thoughts are on BSM, their program in general (good or bad), what was done to Jack was not right! My hope would be that teams who have games with BSM would cancel them and not schedule them in the future. It's the only power some coaches have. <br><br>Hockeyhead <p></p><i></i>

D5Dreamer

Re: Poor Jack Gravel?

Post by D5Dreamer » Wed May 10, 2006 10:31 am

Don't hold back....keep it coming...this is getting good! <p></p><i></i>

hockeygymnast
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Re: Poor Jack Gravel?

Post by hockeygymnast » Wed May 10, 2006 12:49 pm

The BSM situation reminds me of what happened to the Moundsview girls coaches several years ago. The coaches led MV to I believe two consecutive state appearances. However, the star player's dad apparently was not satisfied and was instrumental in having the coaches fired. Very beneficial to the program; I don't think MV has been back to State. <p></p><i></i>

norconboy
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Re: Benilde High School Coaching

Post by norconboy » Wed May 10, 2006 2:31 pm

Are we talking About BSM or EP...I thought they were a public school<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :lol --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/laugh.gif ALT=":lol"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <p></p><i></i>

mnhock
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Re: Benilde High School Coaching

Post by mnhock » Wed May 10, 2006 2:36 pm

Are you suggesting that they may have some students going there for a " reduced tution"? <p></p><i></i>

puckhog
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re: Benilde High School Coaching

Post by puckhog » Wed May 10, 2006 7:55 pm

I have it from a member of the team that they, the players on the team, did not like playing for Gravel. I know this girl is not on the 3rd or 4th line, so that argument is out. The complaints that she mentioned were the lack of communication and poor relationships with the girls on the squad.<br><br>This is a horrible situation. My source said that they were worried that they did not get the job done in getting him to quit. But I guess they did just enough.<br><br>Jack is a great coach and the argument should stop there. The people at BSM need to remember that this is High School sports and not professional hockey. They were in a position every season to contend for a title. <br><br>It appears as though HS sports is beginning to look more and more like major professional sports.<br><br>This is a sad situation. Everyone at BSM who worked to get rid of the coach shoule be ashamed and embarrassed.<br><br>Funny how EP is coming up. I think that the next BSM head coach could be from EP?? I guess we will see. Who ever it is they better invest in some thick skin or buy stock in miracle blade. <p></p><i></i>

MNhockeyfan09
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Re: re: Benilde High School Coaching

Post by MNhockeyfan09 » Thu May 11, 2006 7:14 am

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>Becareful what you wish for!</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--><!--EZCODE EMOTICON START ;) --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/wink.gif ALT=";)"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br><br>Good coaching at the HS level is hard to find and Jack is a good coach. <p></p><i></i>

OldCoachC
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A Great Coach?

Post by OldCoachC » Thu May 11, 2006 1:48 pm

I’d be careful tossing around the word ‘great.’ To me, a great coach is someone who has a lifelong impact on the players he is entrusted with. It requires tremendous communication and interpersonal skills, an understanding of adolescent development and the ability to help each individual reach his or her greatest potential as an athlete, student and person.<br><br>The late Charlie Stryker comes to mind. I’m not sure Jack Gravel does. I think a lot of coaches, given a select group of some of the most talented players around, are going to win 20+ games a year. Greatness, though, involves quite a bit more than racking up victories against often-times uneven competition.<br><br>I don’t know if a place like BSM can attract a truly “great” coach, because the attributes named above don’t seem to be their priority. Too bad for all involved.<br> <p></p><i></i>

ghshockeyfan
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Re: A Great Coach?

Post by ghshockeyfan » Thu May 11, 2006 5:12 pm

Charlie was a great coach. Not many of the rest of us will ever reach that level. I'm not sure that many of us are as selfless as Charlie was, even though we all give much of ourselves in this position.<br><br>I guess I'd say there are different types of "greatness."<br><br>Many W's/Championships is one type.<br><br>Profound positive impact on the lives of young people (even at times in talent deficient situations) is another.<br><br>Then there are those that do it both, and that's even more rare & special. I'd say one that comes to mind is a longtime Jefferson boys coach... If you can fill in his name, I think that proves my point.<br><br>There are coaching "legends" and I'd put Charlie in that category from a girls hockey perspective for certain.<br><br>Charlie actually had a tremendous impact in my life as a young coach even! So, that kind of says it all I think. <p></p><i></i>

cluelessinminnesota
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Re: Poor Jack Gravel?

Post by cluelessinminnesota » Fri May 12, 2006 10:09 am

I am confused by West Metro Mom's posting. Does she believe that Coach Gravel set himself up for this situation because he signed up to coach in a unreasonable situation or does she believe that BSM underachieved for the last three years? <p></p><i></i>

ghshockeyfan
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Re: Poor Jack Gravel?

Post by ghshockeyfan » Fri May 12, 2006 11:15 am

The point may have been both.<br><br>My feelings on that subject are as follows:<br><br>1) 04-05 SLP had two players - <!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://startribune.sportshuddle.com/Fan ... 8B402D6B79}" target="top">Keseley</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--> and <!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://startribune.sportshuddle.com/Fan ... 8B402D6B79}" target="top">Frakie</a><!--EZCODE LINK END-->, plus as I recall the goalie <!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://startribune.sportshuddle.com/Fan ... 8B402D6B79}" target="top">Zoe K.</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--> played an amazing game that was won in OT.<br><!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://startribune.sportshuddle.com/Fan ... 8B402D6B79}" target="top">Boxscore</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--><br><br>2) The 02-03 section final Blake loss came 2-1 in 2OT to the eventual State Champions:<br><!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://startribune.sportshuddle.com/Fan ... B1812DDEA1}" target="top">Boxscore</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--><br><br>3) The Wayzata loss came to one of the very top teams in the best section in the state. I also don't believe the BSM G was 100% as she had tweaked an ankle while volunteering with area youth assn. a week earlier. The true story of this game though is that Haralson of Wayzata stopped nearly 40 shots and her teammates got it done scoring wise.:<br><!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://startribune.sportshuddle.com/Fan ... 411B418E11}" target="top">Boxscore</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--><br><br>What I think many forget is how much has to go right (no matter how good you are) for a team to win it all. Ask EP about how their illness in the sections made for some close calls, etc. (plus they came up against some of their toughest competition of the season too...) I think that is also why it is so unique for a team to go undefeated too. Everything has to go right all year long...<br><br>Jack knew full well the pressures of the job, as he is no fool. Some may not like him or the BSM program for various reasons, and I'm sure they have their reasons. Even when the enemy does something negative to its own though, I don't believe in taking shots when that person is in this position. <p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p100.ezboard.com/bmnhs.showUserP ... ckeyfan</A> at: 5/12/06 11:17 am<br></i>

puckmaniac
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Poor Jack Gravel?

Post by puckmaniac » Fri May 12, 2006 8:47 pm

Open your eyes, people. What happened at Benilde is happening all over the state - psycho parents are running coaches out in record numbers! It appears to me that very soon there will be no one left willing to put up with the parent BS.<br><br>Gravel IS a good coach, and I hope the rich and powerful at Benilde who drove him out will get what they deserve. To the next Benilde coach - prepare to be eaten alive!!!! <p></p><i></i>

husky5
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Re: Poor Jack Gravel?

Post by husky5 » Sat May 13, 2006 12:09 pm

Puckmaniac hit it on the head. Moundsview just hired their assistant from last season and the AD introduced him to the players. As they were walking out a handful of them were already complaining. Their parents were pushing for a coach that said he was here for a year and he was going to Michigan the following year. My god, don't parents understand that to build a program you need continuity and have someone that is not only interested in this year, but the next several.<br> Some of the best coaches in the state are sitting at home these days. They love coaching the players, but couldn't or wouldn't coach the parents. I blame the AD's and upper adminstration for allowing this to happen as time after time they cave into a small vocal group parents. Good Luck to all the coaches out there.<br> <p></p><i></i>

ghshockeyfan
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Re: Poor Jack Gravel?

Post by ghshockeyfan » Sat May 13, 2006 2:03 pm

...makes the college game look very attractive in many respects...<br><br>I should also note though that if you can navigate the parental issues as a coach, you can probably handle just about any situation!<br><br>What I've found is that the entitlement feelings & vicarious nature that is developed through the huge financial & time commitment of parents is a challenge. <p></p><i></i>

hockeygymnast
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Re: A Great Coach?

Post by hockeygymnast » Sat May 13, 2006 3:14 pm

I think Charley Stryker had a couple of huge advantages at SPU. First, the parents at SPA/Vis for the most part really have a grasp on where sports fits in the grand scheme of things. Success in the classroom is much more heavily emphasized at SPA/Vis than sports (as it certainly should be). And secondly, parents and alumnni did not view a successful hockey program in terms of wins and losses. I think he had the ideal situation. A school that allowed him to promote life-long values, good sportsmanship, and hard work. And he did a great job. <p></p><i></i>

ghshockeyfan
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Re: A Great Coach?

Post by ghshockeyfan » Sat May 13, 2006 7:16 pm

I'd say some advantages, some disadvantages. THe last couple years he wasn't always supported 100% - but then many of us rarely are supported 50%! <p></p><i></i>

OnFrozenPond
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New BSM Coach

Post by OnFrozenPond » Mon May 22, 2006 9:16 pm

Anything new on the BSM coaching front? EP Assistant still a front runner? Any others in the hunt?

Roman Legion
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BSM Coach

Post by Roman Legion » Thu May 25, 2006 8:48 pm

I still think that the new coach will come from the EP program. From what I have heard that is where the parents and players would like the coach to come from. I think that someone has been targeted and it is up to him if he wants this job.

I have heard new news on the Gravel front. I guess that it really came down to a very important booster who wanted Gravel out. I guess this booster/donor said that if Gravel was not out then he would stop donating money to the school. Choices.

MNhockeyfan09
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BSM coaching position

Post by MNhockeyfan09 » Tue May 30, 2006 9:21 am

I would not expect to see a certain EP coach at BSM this year, I believe he is not interested in coaching in a controlled environment.
For that matter why would any good, experienced coach want that job?

If the parents/boosters have that much control that they can run out a honest, successful coach with a winning record that produces college players and good people, I find that very unfortunate and wrong!

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