STILLWATER COACH RELEASED

[MNSS]

The board members of this program did not think the consequences through properly. Don't blame the rest of the Bantam A coaches for your poor decisions. The kids of that program are going to suffer because of your constant arrogance as board members. It is Stillwaters' board that is the problem like most youth hockey associations.

You had a coach that put you on the map and you kicked him in the face. Pretty obvious to the outsiders looking in what happened here. It didn't take this forum to get this "dirty laundry" on the table.

[flatontheice]

The best resolution would be for these 2 guys to work out their differences and maybe Mark can be Housleys assistant with the high school next year. If they were friends prior to this mess, fix it and move on.

Ok. Who are you?

[fanatichockeyguy]

hckey kid and shooter75,

You make it sound like Coach Tollefsbol is insane. When the coach of a team says to do something, the players on that team should do it. When the coach says jump, the players should say how high. Remember that no parent or high school coach or anybody has the authority that the Bantam A coach has of the Bantam A team. I think we all know that Coach tollefsbol is the only one who has the guts to say no to Housley, you two definitely do not, you wont even say your names. So quit acting like this guy is a jerk, even if he is, he's the coach, you are losers who are afraid to say who you are, and if you had balls, maybe you would see that life isn't always fair, its just how it goes. Go ahead and ask the Bantam A players if they ever were abused, they were made into better hockey players and people, and anyone with a brain could see that.

[lxhockey]

According to the folks who have stepped up for the open board positions according to the SAHA: http://www.stillwaterareahockey.org/
it doesn't look like the members are volunteering to put any new blood on the board.

If you don't get involved and run for an opening board position and make the changes you need and want, you are doomed to continue to whine in this forum about the decisions your association board makes.

[PointBlank]

FanaticHockeyguy, you are so right. ASK THE PLAYERS is what the members and parents repeatedly said. These kids are loyal and committed beyond measure to this "Big, Bad coach". (Have you ever seen kids be loyal to someone who is abusive toward them?) The powers that be knew that if they asked the kids, it wouldn't work out the way they wanted, so they pushed the "Secret 6am meeting" to keep anyone else, particularly the coach's past and present players from having a voice. The boys found a voice. Only 2 of 7 2nd year BA boys will be playing for the HS Coach. It remains to be seen what implications this will have on the program for the next several years. But hey, the HS coach will be gone in 3 years anyway, as will the Traveling Committee members and President. Nice Legacy!

lxhockey...While your point is valid, it is pointless. The BA Coach was supported by 2 current Board members (who were trusted friends of the President), 3 past Board members, and 2 of the 6 Traveling Committee members who had kids on last years BA team. All jumped up and down to make sure that the President and remaining Traveling Committee members knew that this whole agenda was a mistake (discussions have been going on since shortly after the Captain issue). The agenda had already been set. Pleasing the HS coach was the priority. The Traveling Committee members that weren't going along with what the President wanted were replaced instead of having their tenure renewed. The SAHA structure is screwed up, and there is FAR too much power in the hands of a few, with no accountability to the membership. The President role is particularly out of whack. Everyone else on the Board is just a worker bee/pawn.

[all4hockey]

Point Blank –
I agree the SAHA board structure needs to be totally revamped. Also, get rid of the traveling committee. Make all your decisions with one board and in open meetings. Assn members have a right to know what’s going on.

You’re right though – they will all be gone in three years anyway with the assn left in total disarray.

As far as asking the players, the Pres had no desire to even hear what any A- Bantam players had to say. His mind was made up even before the meeting. You hit it right on when you said the main priority was to keep the HS coach happy. The arrogance of these people is what continues to amaze me. They gave up on some incredible hockey people with years of volunteer time and dedication for a pampered, over-indulged former player who obviously has never heard the word "no" -- all because he got his feelings hurt by Mark. And people say we’re the whiners?

[lxhockey]

I've been on an association board that executed a witch hunt on a coach. One or two people on a board backing the coach up against a majority that has a personal agenda that includes getting rid of him cannot win. The membership does have the responsibility to put into power on these boards the folks who will do the right thing. If the membership does not accept that responsibility, then they have to accept what they get.

If you don't have the time to get involved, at least take the time to understand the process the board has to follow on these matters according to their own bylaws and the mandatory grievance process that they claimed they have in place by the affiliate agreement they signed with MN Hockey. I can guarantee you that if this happened the way it has been described in this forum, SAHA is in violation of this affiliate agreement.

Do your homework and find out the actions and consequences of such matters.

[Shooter75]

hckey kid and shooter75,

You make it sound like Coach Tollefsbol is insane. When the coach of a team says to do something, the players on that team should do it. When the coach says jump, the players should say how high. Remember that no parent or high school coach or anybody has the authority that the Bantam A coach has of the Bantam A team. I think we all know that Coach tollefsbol is the only one who has the guts to say no to Housley, you two definitely do not, you wont even say your names. So quit acting like this guy is a jerk, even if he is, he's the coach, you are losers who are afraid to say who you are, and if you had balls, maybe you would see that life isn't always fair, its just how it goes. Go ahead and ask the Bantam A players if they ever were abused, they were made into better hockey players and people, and anyone with a brain could see that.

Yes, No balls..... I see you have listed your name... I do like your statement “So quit acting like this guy is a jerk, even if he is, he's the coach.” This is why he no long is the coach. I am glad you have enough intelligence to see this side of him as well.

[all4hockey]

No Shooter – you missed the boat – AGAIN.

There are a lot of “jerks” out there who get to keep their jobs. He’s no longer the coach because he was man enough to say "no" to Housley. Could you?

[Shooter75]

No Shooter – you missed the boat – AGAIN.

There are a lot of “jerks” out there who get to keep their jobs. He’s no longer the coach because he was man enough to say "no" to Housley. Could you?

On that issue the Coach was right. I have never taken that away from Mark. Let's remember that if it was not for Housley Mark would have lost the coaching position two years ago because of his actions. His only supporter was Housley going into this season. He did not loose his job because of what happened this year ONLY... Keep things into perspective. Again, this is muddy water and neither party is correct. Should this have been handled in a different format? Yes. No question. Again, I see a lot of people writing here but no one stepping up to fill a position on the Stillwater Hockey Association Board It’s always easer to criticize everyone else isn’t it guys…..

[fanatichockeyguy]

Shooter,

Intelligence has nothing to do with what is going on here. What's happening is abuse and it's wrong, I know it, you know it. Decisions are not being made based on who's the most intelligent, and that's obvious. It's all about what Housley wants, not anyone else. The president and the board members probably should have used some intelligence, but i think we all know that people are trying to make Housley happy, rather than do what is right and best for the association. I obviously can't persuade you to understand that this was a bad decision, but i will tell you one thing: The Stillwater hockey association will regret, and suffer from their decision. They will lose the support of many local families, and they will lose players that will attend school elsewhere, you can quote me on that.

[Hockeyguy_27]

Shooter,

Intelligence has nothing to do with what is going on here. What's happening is abuse and it's wrong, I know it, you know it. Decisions are not being made based on who's the most intelligent, and that's obvious. It's all about what Housley wants, not anyone else. The president and the board members probably should have used some intelligence, but i think we all know that people are trying to make Housley happy, rather than do what is right and best for the association. I obviously can't persuade you to understand that this was a bad decision, but i will tell you one thing: The Stillwater hockey association will regret, and suffer from their decision. They will lose the support of many local families, and they will lose players that will attend school elsewhere, you can quote me on that.

I only know what I've read here and know there are two sides to every story but it appears the Stillwater board is in the wrong for how this was handled.

[wannagototherink]

The Stillwater hockey association will regret, and suffer from their decision. They will lose the support of many local families, and they will lose players that will attend school elsewhere, you can quote me on that.

And they apparently have lost credibility with the other coaches around the state. Heard Centennial, Duluth, Eden Praire, White Bear Lake and Edina have already replaced them in their tournaments.


Unfortunately, a lot of people are being hurt by this. I do however think enough is enough, the board has made their decision and it appears to be final. It is probably time to move on. The only way this is resolved is if the two coaches come together and that appears to very unlikely.

[lxhockey]

Any member of the association could file (write SAHA a note to which the SAHA grievance chair must respond to) regarding the process used by SAHA to execute this decision. That would at least give the members a chance at due process and if the grievance matter is handled properly it would also give SAHA a way to retract their decision and save face if they wanted to.

[plunk]

I hope there are many associations viewing this thread and are seeing what NOT to do in managing their own associations. Keep hockey about the kids and not adult agenda's. I sympathize with the Stillwater association members who will be paying for the actions of a few for a long time. Our Northern team had the opportunity to play Stillwater twice this season. They were a well coached and disciplined team. Good luck Stillwater Youth Hockey....your going to need it!

[andy5]

Coach Tollesfbol was to accompany Housley to AZ for a golf outing. When Coach Tollesbol wouldn't remove the "C" from the Hill Murray player, Housley retracted the invitation and told Coach Tollesbol that he would no longer coach in Stillwater.

It must be noted that the Pres of the Youth Hockey Assoc., Tom Dick, allowed his son to tryout for this premier A Bantam team two years in a row knowing full well who the Coach was. The kid didn't make it either year.

The VP of the Assoc., Tony Kalupy, also allowed his son to tryout and make the team two years in a row, knowing full well who the Coach was. This undiscipled, disrespectful kid chose to quit the A team instead of correcting his behavior. While playing at the B1 level, he was suspended for 5 games during District playouffs for repeatedly kicking a player on the ice! He never saw ice again.

Both of these kids will be playing for Housley next year as will two other boys of two more guys on the traveling committee.

This Board did not represent it's members at all. Two people on the traveling committee have sons on the A team; two people on the on the Board have sons on the team. The Tuesday night Board meeting was packed with past and present parents and players supporting Coach Tollefsbol, and the Pres & VP were the only ones in opposition.

In fact, Tom Dick threatned one of the traveling committee members in attendance several times during the meeting that "if this doesn't happen, Phil won't participate in developing the program", and "you know about this...".

The secret meeting was called for Thursday at 6am where Tom Dick cast the deciding vote to fire Coach Tollesfbol.

This is absolutely ludicrous and nothing short of personal vendetta's, a witch hunt, a lynching. Coach Tollesfbol doesn't deserve this and a lot of folks want to know what, if anything can be done about it.

I laugh at your stupidity...Your facts are so wrong you shouldn't even be allowed to post. I played with Kalupy and his behavior was just fines. Also he never "repeatedly kicked" anyone. His father is also a very nice man and I got to know him very well. He was very upset by all the problems. You should get your facts straight before you post. It's never good to criticize people about things that you never saw.

About Dick I will not post anything agenst you. I never saw any of this. I heard it, but I'm not sure if people are changing stories like you.

My advice to you is shut your mouth until you know what happened. Also If you don't like a decision or if you have a complaint. PLEASE, send a letter or E-mail to Dick and quit complaining on the internet like Democrats do.

[Hockeyguy_27]

Also If you don't like a decision or if you have a complaint. PLEASE, send a letter or E-mail to Dick and quit complaining on the internet like Democrats to.

Bwhahahaaaaaaaaaa. Good one