Ex-Charter girls coach responds

In October, Doug Grant read with interest the comments of Dan Nicklay, Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy principal, on the school’s decision to pull the plug on the Panthers’ boys and girls basketball programs, effective this season.

Nicklay cited several reasons, among them a lack of success, trouble raising money (sports at Charter largely have to be self-supporting), and lack of interest.

Grant, who coached the Panther girls the last seven seasons, took exception to several statements, including lack of success.

“I think the kids deserve a lot more than what Mr. Nicklay gave them in his comments,” Grant said. “My girls worked hard and had a lot of success. I hated to see it go. I am sure a lot of what he referred to was in regards to the boys program; however his comments were all-encompassing in my view. I just want the players and parents to know I have their back, and all they did for me, does mean a lot as their coach.”

Grant, who is not coaching this season despite interest from at least one area school, responded to several of Nicklay’s comments, which follow.

Nicklay: “Every dime spent on a ball is a dime we don’t have for a book, and we are unabashedly an academic school first.”

Grant: Outside of the initial outlay of 12 basketballs and a set of uniforms (8 years ago), the girls basketball program has been financially independent of the school. The girls basketball program was run entirely from the gate, parents and fundraisers. At no time did my program go to the school and ask for money.

I have been active in coaching at all levels in North Idaho for more than 25 years. During that time I had the opportunity to meet hundreds of coaches, administrators, and educators; I have not met one that does not think academics comes first. This is not a focus reserved only for the Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy.

Nicklay: “No one attended the games.”

Grant: While this is true, shame on you, Mr. Nicklay and your administration, for not supporting your student athletes in all the programs you offer at your school. The difference I observed in my coaching experience is that the vast majority of administrators outside of Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy support their student-athletes in all of their endeavors, not just the ones they choose to support.

Nicklay: “We were unable to hold onto coaches.”

“And of course, they just weren’t competitive.”

“... has had three winning seasons”

Grant: Girls’ basketball at Charter was only in its eighth season. I was involved in coaching for seven of those eight seasons. During that time we compiled a record of 84-73, played in two district title games, one state play-in game, and six out of the eight seasons we were at or above .500 including a 12-10 record when we moved up to 3A a year ago. Few if any would consider that less than somewhat competitive, given the infancy of the program.

Nicklay: “My criteria for sports and activities have always been that they be self-sustaining, that they be at least somewhat competitive, and that they provide a positive experience for our students. In my opinion, those criteria were not being met.”

Grant: For Mr. Nicklay to state that we were not even somewhat competitive is absurd, and in my opinion horribly disrespectful to our student-athletes who have put in countless hours in becoming competitive basketball players, and to our parents who also have made the extraordinary sacrifice emotionally, and financially to ensure that their children have the opportunity to participate in extra-curricular activities. It astonishes me that Mr. Nicklay is prepared to make these negative statements about our program, when he admits he did not attend but a handful of games in eight years, and obviously had no idea of the accomplishments our girls have made in the short period of time our program was allowed to exist. In my opinion our record speaks for itself, and we met all of Mr. Nicklay’s criteria for a successful program.

Nicklay: “Basketball was not a source of pride for the school, the student body, or its participants.”

Grant: Even if this is true I find this incredibly irresponsible for a school principal, who is supposed to be a trusted leader, and role model, to publicly denounce, and demean the efforts made by his student-athletes. I will also add that he never sat in our locker room to witness a tremendous amount of pride our girls had when they got it right, win or lose.

Nicklay: “For what it’s worth, we haven’t heard any clamoring to bring it back.”

Grant: For what it’s worth I never heard any clamoring for it to go away.

I would like to take this opportunity to pass along my heart-felt thanks to all my past players, and to the parents for their undying support, both emotionally and financially to our program, which I truly believe was on the right track, as we continued to build from a solid foundation. Winning basketball programs take a lot of time and effort, and are not built overnight. Look no further than Timberlake High, where coach Matt Miller has built his program to be the best in the state. Matt and Molly Miller will be the first to tell you about the time and dedication that it takes to get there.

Mark Nelke is sports editor of The Press. He can be reached at 664-8176, Ext. 2019, or via email at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter@CdAPressSports.