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Gateway School Board turns down hefty donation
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By Kyle Lawson
Published: Wednesday, September 12, 2012, 8:59 p.m.
Updated: Thursday, September 13, 2012
While a majority of Gateway school directors say the decision to reduce athletic director Terry Smith's position to half time was based on a lack of funding, some Smith supporters maintain the decision was personal.
The school board approved the decision July 11, moments after school directors learned of a $57,000 donation from former Steeler and entrepreneur Chuck Sanders. The check was signed over to the district for the purpose of maintaining Smith's full-time status. A majority of school directors rejected the donation and voted 8-1 to reduce the athletic director position to half time.
School board President Dave Magill said he took exception to someone telling him how the donation should be spent.
“I'm not going to have someone say, ‘Here's $57,000, put it in to robotics. We just don't do that ... at that time, we were more interested in giving (money) to academics and all-day kindergarten.”
After teacher concessions and increased enrollment, the district has since recalled all furloughed teaching positions, restored academic programming at the high school and added full-day kindergarten at all elementary buildings.
While the $57,000 donation was on its way to the podium July 11, Magill ended the public-comment section and motioned for a vote. He said later that acting Superintendent Bob Reger and Solicitor Bruce Dice said it was a bad idea to accept the donation. Neither Reger nor Dice could be reached for comment.
“What they did is pretty self-explanatory,” Smith said. He declined further comment.
Whether the decision was financial, personal, or both, the fight to keep Smith could be in vain.
As it stands, he has until Jan. 1 to decide if he'll step down as athletic director to keep his head coaching job, or vice versa. Smith said he's weighing his options.
A Gateway parent group organized in support of Smith hoped the school board would use the $57,000 donation to help fund Smith's full-time status, in addition to his head-coaching duties for the current year, said Tammy Richardson, a member of the Concerned Citizens of Monroeville. The group planned to raise funds to support the full-time position in future years.
When Smith supporters pressed the issue in the days after the vote, they received a letter from Dice.
“At the present time, no full-time position for the athletic director exists at Gateway School District,” wrote Dice. “Secondly, a part-time position has been approved. Third, a budget has been approved allocating proceeds to fund the part-time position.”
School director Bill Bailey, who voted against reducing Smith's position to part time, said he wanted to accept the check.
“Since Terry became the head coach, it's a highly winning successful team,” Bailey said. “He puts a lot of his personal time in. The students appreciate that. I thought the board would've accepted (the donation) to make up the difference.”
The school board also voted that an athletic director cannot act as a head coach of any sport. School director Steve O'Donnell said in July that an athletic director doubling as a head coach creates a conflict of interest.
Some residents have criticized the size of the 2011-12 athletic budget, which included Smith's $93,000 salary in addition to the $11,000 he earned for coaching. School director Skip Drumheller said last week that an administrator should not be permitted to earn supplemental funding.
Drumheller is heading an audit of the athletic department and football boosters.
“Before, the boosters weren't accountable and didn't have to answer to us,” Magill said. “We're making sure the funds that the kids are raising are going where they're supposed to go.”
“It's constantly a personal attack on football,” said Bobbie Robak, vice president of the Gateway Football Boosters Association. “It's so blatant.”
Parents have complained in recent years about transfer students from the City of Pittsburgh and other districts earning starting positions over students who were born and raised in Gateway, Magill said.
Richardson said that when her son played Midget football 10 years ago, some parents thought their children were entitled to an eventual starting position on the varsity team.
“When that stopped happening, it became a problem for folks,” she said.
Bailey said that similar complaints were directed toward his son in the 1980s, when his family moved to Monroeville and his son became the starting running back.
“This is a close community of people. Maybe some of them don't like outsiders coming in and displaying ability greater than what the current residents have,” Bailey said.
Residents also have taken issue with recent blowouts by Gateway. The team's 61-6 victory over Latrobe this year drew criticism from 2011 school board President Jim Rosipal.
“Once again, our illustrious head coach doesn't know when to stop putting too many points on the board,” he wrote in a Facebook post directed toward Smith. “There is a big difference between beating a team and beating down a team. It should be for the kids, not for you.”
Smith said the head coach for Latrobe thanked him for subbing in second- and third-string players.
“Every kid on our team played a minimum of two quarters,” Smith said.
Hundreds of Smith supporters have praised him for the scholarships he has helped students earn over the years, saying he's a positive role model for students.
Nearly 1,000 people showed up to the July 11 school board meeting, some of them saying the decision to reduce the position held by Smith was racially motivated. O'Donnell later said that people shouting from their seats and accusations of racism were an embarrassment to the district.
Smith is a Gateway graduate and has been the AD for about nine years.
Kyle Lawson is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-856-7400, ext. 8755, or klawson@tribweb.com.
Submitted by:
beatrice
on Sunday, September 30, 2012
Dan Dan Dan, What a foolish man you are. You keep bringing up kids names. Why don't you go get your facts again. The poor child you are talking about was bullied sooo badly in his school because the child has 2 passions. Football and Dance are 2 things that his other teammates could not accept to go together. Would you rather have him stay at the school be bullied just because he was being offered a scholarship? Those are the kids Dan you idiot that you hear about the tragic news after the fact when they hurt themselves because no one accepts them. Quess what? The Gator boys love him and accept him for who he is. Terry's team is showing this child love and acceptance. This is something that these kids could teach you and your Gateway school Board members that you are in with the word is ACCEPTANCE. There is no conversation that will ever show you just how narrow minded you and the Board members who are behind this are. I see Eric has realized that you are just an angry old man who is not going to listen to anyone. I see you have many supporters. Only people willing to give you the time of day is myself and Eric. See we can supply you with so many facts. Once again why would you be mentioning kids names. You are so looking forward to the findings of the audit of Football. Maybe you could ask the Gateway Basketball coach Mitch Adams how its going. He takes Scott Williams out to a business to get information for the Audit the School Board is doing on Football. Since when does the basketball coach(who doesn't like Terry)go to preform the audit on football. Better yet ask Mitch Adams bout his "recruits" for Basketball.We can't look at one and not the other. Let's talk about cheaters Dan. Ther is so much unethical garbage going on with members of that board. Hope all will be exposed as we continue to fight for things to be done with the kids in mind. If this District can save 1 childs life by letting them into our schools. I welcome all with open arms. Your silly rant about scores, do you watch the high school scores on the 11 O'clock news? The more you keep commenting the sillier you sound. I really don't think you were picked for alot of teams when you were a young man. Just maybe you need to go get some help for your angry issues? I contacted Gateway Acting Super. Bob Reger, the investigator for these issues you have is Mr. Taylor. I believe you can reach him through the school board friends you have. Ask him these questions I have done my research I think it would be Really nice of you to please not mention kids names in these conversations. It is not fair to them,but I need to defend these kids from people like you who don't care about them. You have a personal agenda along with some other Kings club members. Please keep those boys out of it. The Concerned Cit. Org. is doing a great job with keeping all informed. I hope that they can make things right. People like you we don't need in this District...So much hate you have in your words....it is very sad. By the way GATEWAY WON AGAIN!!!!! Lov Beatrice
Submitted by: Dan on Friday, September 21, 2012
Eric, Ricky Rogers transferred to Gateway and he was recruited by Terry Smith. Rogers played for the AAU passing team that Terry coaches in the summer. Watched a Gateway game from the sidelines last season and now is a member of the 2012 team. Am I missing something? Why is this ok. Rogers had scholarship offers while attending Keystone Oaks. He was one of the top juniors in state of Pa at end of last season. Who's helping who? Seems to me, this kid helping Terry Smiths team this yr by adding another talented athlete. You can make empty statements regarding terry HELPING kids, but nobody ever lists an example. Again...just more repeating of Terry Smiths self promotion. Cheating in high school sports is unacceptable. The coach is supposed to be a leader by example. Not someone who breaks the rules to help bolster an inflated record.
Submitted by: Eric on Thursday, September 20, 2012
Again I say... if you have all this proof then why has the district/school board taken action against these families? If it is so widely know that they live somewhere else and commute, this is a school administration issue not a football coaching issue. It is obvious that the school board has an issue with Coach Smith so where are they on this issue? Where is the investigation?? You, by your own post are talking about one or two players who you suspect do not live in the district. I can guarantee you that you can find one or two players on almost every team who are suspected of not living in their school district. This problem exists everywhere, you just want to make Terry Smith the poster child for the issue. Call your cohorts on the school board and have them do something about this problem and please don't limit the investigation to the players on the football team. You obviously weren't at the game and are going on facts that someone told you. Players in the most recent games were substituted for beginning in the 2nd quarter. You are foolish to think that the things you describe don't go on in every school district. The week that they scored 85 points there were two other games in the WPIAL where they teams scored more than 80 points. Is Terry Smith responsible for those despicable acts of sportsmanship as well?? Central Catholic has been plucking good Catholic boys from the Hill District and surrounding communities for years to produce their "all-star" teams as you describe them. Where has your outrage been all these years?? If it was all about winning championships then why would someone bring their kid here? All you see is what happens on Friday night, you have no idea what the man does for the players every other day of the week and into their futures. What is an embarrassment to the community is people like you and your school board trying to backdoor someone that you don't like regardless of the kids that he helps. Believe me, it is the school board who looks like the "Joke" in this situation. And your name calling really is immature.... LOL!!!
Submitted by: Dan on Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Eric, you seem to have bought into the self promotion by Terry Smith. Someone told me if you are great others will tell you so. Terry Smith having a website that lists to dollar amounts of the scholarships each year for Gateway Student Athletes is obnoxious. The recent RECRUITS from Keystone Oaks and Steel Valley had division one scholarships prior to illegally transferring to Gateway. Who gets the credit for their scholarship amount in 2013? The self promotion isn't necessary if you are a good coach. George Novak of Woodland Hills and George Smith of Mckeesport have put tons of kids into colleges over the years, and they haven't ever had an article calling out the dollar amount. They have never been an embarassment to their schools by treating the rules of the WPIAL as if they weren't intended for them. You telling me that I don't know how things are in Western Pa is a joke. Terry Smith having kids pay rent in low rent housing in Pitcarin while they commute from Pgh, Penn Hills and other communities isnt what the WPIAL is about. That my friend is called cheating. Its been proven that the addresses being used arent being lived in by the utility bills for those addresses. If this is the way things are done in Western Pa, please correct me. Winning a game 85 to 0 wasn't an accident. Throwing the ball to kids in the 4th quarter when you are winning 78 to 0 is dispicable sportsmanship. Using the excuse that the kids work hard and it was their chance to shine also shows your ignorance. Terry "cheat" Smith could have put those player in during the 3rd quarter when the game was in the 50's. CheatSmith was trying to make a statement because he lost the previous week. Pete Antimarino won with class and integrity. He made young men better. Please don't compare the cheater to a hall of famer. Pete won games when he didn't have the most talent because he developed a team. I don't remember Terry Smiths players ever being less talented than the opposition, but he seldom wins a big game. Has Terry smith ever coached his team to a victory that would have been considered to be an upset. No. His allstar teams from multiple communities are always talented. Plucking other schools players gives Terry a competitive advantage on the field. Fortunately for the rest of the WPIAL the cheater's inability to coach has kept him from winning a championship. This year will probably be no different.
Submitted by: Eric on Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Dan, you obviously know nothing about what goes on in Western PA sports. People move their kids into communities where they feel they are going to have the best opportunity to succeed. Do you think that Ron Gronkowski of the New England Patriots dad moved him moved into the Woodland Hills school district from NY several years ago because the district is so well know for academics? People want their kids to play for Terry Smith because of what he does to help the kids to have the opportunity after high school to further their education through athletics. FEW coaches/administratior do as much. I don't care what your talent is, there is money available to help further your education. Why people think that athletes are not worthy of having that opportunity is beyond me. If you are a great tuba player than use that to help you not run up a huge debt when you go to college, if you can run fast or throw a ball use that. Why people feel that they should be able to prevent someone from doing what is best for their child just because they didn't grow up here is shocking. Check the papers on Saturday mornings and see how many "Close" games there are on a Friday night? I think you will be shocked to see how many teams put up 50/60 points on their opponents. And what would you have a team do? Begin taking a knee in the 3rd quarter? Those 2nd and 3rd team players work their butts off and deserve the opportunity to play and play hard not go in and lay down. A team will be more embarrassed by having a team quit playing and take a knee or punt the ball right back to them than if they continue to play. How about we have two teams one that plays on Friday when they play a team that is weak and over matched and one that plays when the team has more talent cause we don't want anyone to feel bad. That is the everyone gets a trophy and don't hurt anyone's feeling mentality. You want to talk about cheating and lack of integrity, lets talk about the school board members who are cheating the kids because they have a personal vendetta against one man and want to hide what is clearly a personal issue behind the curtain of finances. They don't care about all of our kids otherwise this wouldn't even be an issue. No other coach at Gateway has done as much for the kids that play for him as Terry Smith. Event the great Pete Antimarino didn't put as many kids into college as Terry Smith is doing and he got a stadium named after him. Don't say that everyone that goes to the Catholic schools are PAYING to go there because they get their "financial aid". If you want to blame someone for kids being in the district who don't belong there, blame the district, the WPIAL and the PIAA who all investigate, and approve these transfers. I can't speak for the other sports, but I do know that the kids on the football team fund raises and fund raises and fund raises to get the socks and jocks that they have. I am not going to say that this issue is about race, but it definitely is personal and not financial. I and many others can't wait for the opportunity to begin to remove those currently sitting on the school board.
Submitted by: Dan on Monday, September 17, 2012
Beatrice, you didn’t make me speechless. you are also incorrect in thinking that I am on the school board at Gateway. Terry Smith is a tireless self-promoter and I pay attention enough to know that a change needed to be made. the article talks about the booster club being audited, so i assumed it was the QB Club. If you want to talk about money, please give me an example of another football program in the WPIAL that spends what Terry smith has on "socks and jocks". If Terry isn’t doing anything wrong and doesn’t have anything to hide, then he should welcome the audit. here are facts for you Beatrice......Terry Smith has embarrassed Gateways program by running up scores on weak overmatched teams. Terry Smith has recruited kids to the district to play football earning a reputation as a team and district that cheats. Terry Smith spending on football and abuse of the budget as an athletic director was another example of his poor leadership. This behavior isn’t of a great coach and administrator. It is the behavior of someone that lacks integrity. FYI, I was one of the 700 people that attended Terry Smith’s school board meeting. All that night showed is that Terry made a situation about race, that really isnt about race. Terry Smith is facing these issues right now because he is Terry Smith, the coach / AD that lacks integrity, not because he is Terry Smith the coach / AD who’s an afro-american. If Terry ran a clean program and didn’t embarrass his school by cheating, he would have my support. Last, to act as if Terry Smith was over-worked as the Head Coach / AD, you really need to get a reality check. The assistant coaches on every football team in the state log those hours (or more) and aren’t GIVEN a 6 figure salary. Terry Smith didn’t make Gateway. This school isnt the Terry Smith Gators. it is the Gateway Gators. It is a great place with a rich history of athletic success that had a great tradition in football. There are coaches that can win that will perform the job with integrity. I am hopeful that we will see that day soon.
Submitted by: beatrice on Monday, September 17, 2012
I made "Dan" speechless. I really don't mind talking about issues and we all don't have to agree on everything. I have raised my kids to be fair open minded people. We are not going to like every person who walks down the street. That doesn't give anyone who has power the right to target that single person "they" don't like. Our District has many more pressing issues that need to be addressed. This man has more friends then he has enemies. Supports by the 100's and petitions by the 100's. The kids love him and respect him, he is their mentor.. The Athletics Department has only improved under his leadership. He has helped many students with scholarships. Can you say that about yourself?
Submitted by: beatrice on Sunday, September 16, 2012
Dan, Here are some facts I want you and all who read this to know. You say you are a concerned resident who pays taxes in Monroeville,but all you talk about is 1 person. This budget mightmare began with the selling of Pitcarin school. Mr. Smiths Athletic Budget is approx. 228,000.00 for 7th-12th grade. is less then 1% of the 63 million total budget. This school board has never recieved a written neg. write up or complaint. His school reviews must all be positive.They would have been able to use these as a reason for fire,so now they are accusing him of...What? As I told you Gateway has a person who investigates all your claims. The Board listens to the investigators advice and the advice of Mr. Dice (who we pay over 300,00.00)It sounds like your issue is with the people investigating these matters and your frustration that the facts were given to board and you don't like it the final answer.Dan, please remember like you said yourself this is High School Football. Be a concerned resident and start looking into all that this board is doing which is not for the kids or you as a resident. Let's take a look at some more facts you asked for. Now this is all public knowledge in all's right to know laws. CHUCH RILEY is a 1.Teacher pay 9 1/2 month pay scale($93,594.00).2.Head coach basketball7/8 grade supple. pay($3,717). 3.Math counts 8th grade supple. pay($1,052). 4.A.D.(little like Terrys job,but 2 grades only and a hand full of athletic teams verses Mr. Smiths approx. 39 teams)supple. pay($4,949). I'm not done NICOLE RILEY (whom is Chuck's wife) 1. Teacher pay 9 1/2 month pay scale($93,594.00) 2. Head Volleyball coach supple. pay($2,302). So that is a total of($199,208.00)in Teachers pay and supple. going to 1 household with($12,020.00) in supplemental pays alone! May I mention that Mr. Riley is also Head of the Teachers Union. TERRY SMITH 1.Athletic Director pay 12 month pay scale 45,000.00 2.Head Football Coach($2,302.)3. Fitness summer coach($3,056.). They are paying the Head Basketball coach at the Jr High more then they are paying our HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL COACH. Was this not the same board that was dropping 7th and 8th grade sports cause we are broke? They found enough funds thanks to Mr. Smiths additional budget cuts in his Athletics budget.This brought 7th & 8th grade sports back and gave Mr. Riley a nice supplemental pay. Please stop with the name calling! Hope this puts you on the correct path to the true facts, the numbers don't lie. These are all facts any district resident can find on our Gateway School Board web site. I am taking a wild guess that "Dan" is a member of the Kings Breakfast club,mtg day Wed. mornings between 7:30-8:30 a.m.?
Submitted by: beatrice on Saturday, September 15, 2012
All need to not forget what Mr.Lawson's article is about. He is trying to let us know just how unethical this Gateway School Board is with their personal battle. Why can Lamar Woodley of the Steelers give a donation to his High School Athletics program of approx.the same amount Mr. Sanders was willing to give to Gateway? Because Mr. Magill says "HE" is not going to accept donations and told where they should go. Last I heard Gateway has 9 board members. Mr Bailey a school board member says he can't believe they didn't accept the check(reread article). There was also another personal donation request made to school board 1st from a monroeville resident on July 11th. They turned it down, I was at that meeting as that resident held the check in hand and was told times up!They turned her mic off! If my math is on target Mr. Magill has refused to take donations in the amount of 114,000.00 in less then a months time. But we are told that this District is broke( the beginning of Aug. balance in school account 12 million.Is this the same board that has said this is about money, It has never been personal? People were trying to save an Athletic Program for their kids. Mr. Smith has molded this Athletics Program that had FAILED in the past before he took over. We are speaking of approx. 39 student athletic teams. See I have done my research Dan. Lets take a look at a 63,000,000.00 budget. Lets take a look at the amount we pay the Teachers of this district on a 9 1/2 month pay scale verses Athletic Director pay which is a 12 month scale. When you break that down Gateway is paying it's Athletic Director of a Quad-A school the 2nd lowest salary, so please get off the pay issue. Trust me I have done my homework along with MANY other members of this District. Lets look into Mr. O'Donnell saying the reason Mr. Smith Can't be a coach and A.D. is he could show favorites. We have 101 Gateway staff members holding a supplemental(what they call pay for the extra jobs(coaching) teachers and staff get paid for along with regular pay.) Mr. O'Donnell is worried about 1of these teachers or staff members(Mr.Smith) showing favorites or collecting extra supplemental pays? Has anyone told Mr. O'Donnell we have 101 people working in this District holding extra jobs just as Mr. Smith. WOW!A parent of an athlete shouldn't be worried that favortism can't be shown by a teacher who holds a supplemental only Terry Smith?? Let's look at the amount of money we sub-contract out on painting,landscaping(flower gardens),trimming trees,cutting grass. When asked why these jobs weren't given to janitors and Maint. personal? Mr. O'Donnell informs a Board member when asked why not hire within? Was told they weren't quialified for the jobs. Also was asked question at a board mtg by someone attending and was told the same thing. Let's look at the janitors and Maint. workers who lost their jobs and now Mr. O'Donnell is telling them they don't know how to paint,cut grass, or cut some branches off trees on campus.Wow! I will ask you 1 more question that all who are reading this would like to know along with myself. If you are not on school board. How did you know that there was an audit on Quarterback Club? That was never mentioned in any article. By the way Quarterback club gives to many athletic groups at Gateway. Ask Mr. Mitch Adams(Basketball Coach),the Quarterback club has helped Basketball out in the past. Nearly 1,000 people showed up at mgt. July 11th to support Terry Smith. I saw not 1 of your supporters there at that mgt or any of the other mtgs. Mr. Lawson do not think that you are not a great journalist. You go to every Council mtg and every school board mtg. If anyone has the facts it would be you. Keep up the great reporting.
Submitted by: Dan on Saturday, September 15, 2012
Also, why do you accept cheating by an admnistrator? How can anyone call someone that lacks integrity a coach. I cant. Coach to me is a person that does things the right way, leads by example and brings out the best in young people. Back to your comment...A family that moves to the district, owns a home, pays taxes and becomes a part of the community is a little different than kids transferring from the Pittsburgh City League, becoming a starting football player for a semester and transferring back to Schenley IMMEDIATELY after the last game of the season. I wont use this kids name, but he played Defensive End last year. Cheat Smith has been doing this from the very first year he coached, when he had relatives from Aliquippa play the season and move back immediately after seasons end. This behavior is awful and shouldn't be tolerated. We have a very good team this year. Do you think we needed to recruit the recent transfers from Keystone Oaks and Steel Valley? What other schools football team has transfers like this? Cheat Smith has supporters that bring up Central Catholic. One important thing to remember is that the kids at Central PAY to be a student athlete. The recruits at Gateway get a free ride at the Monroeville tax payers expense. As for me being a member of the school board, that's not true. I am just a tax payer that loves Gateway. I lived in Monroeville and supported Gateway my entire life. I care enough to pay attention to what is going on and have an opinion. I look forward to you responding with facts that prove me wrong. What "false facts" did I write about? Don't just make statements, give us the facts. When you talk about kids choosing Gateway, what do you mean? That is exactly what I am talking about....choosing to transfer to a school to play football is illegal. Our football program has become an embarassment because of the complete disregard for the rules of the WPIAL. Cheat Smith has earned his reputation as a recruiter and a coach that enjoys running scored up on overmatched teams. There isn't any amount of self promotion by Cheat Smith talking about scholarships and posting his record over his tenure (aided by illegal players) that could change my mind. I just don't understand the recruiting. This is HS football. There isn't pressure put on the Gateway football coach to win at all cost or else. So why is there a need to recruit other good players from outside districts? I look forward to your response to the truth.
Submitted by: Dan on Saturday, September 15, 2012
Also, why do you accept cheating by an admnistrator? How can anyone call someone that lacks integrity a coach. I cant. Coach to me is a person that does things the right way, leads by example and brings out the best in young people. Back to your comment...A family that moves to the district, owns a home, pays taxes and becomes a part of the community is a little different than kids transferring from the Pittsburgh City League, becoming a starting football player for a semester and transferring back to Schenley IMMEDIATELY after the last game of the season. I wont use this kids name, but he played Defensive End last year. Cheat Smith has been doing this from the very first year he coached, when he had relatives from Aliquippa play the season and move back immediately after seasons end. This behavior is awful and shouldn't be tolerated. We have a very good team this year. Do you think we needed to recruit the recent transfers from Keystone Oaks and Steel Valley? What other schools football team has transfers like this? Cheat Smith has supporters that bring up Central Catholic. One important thing to remember is that the kids at Central PAY to be a student athlete. The recruits at Gateway get a free ride at the Monroeville tax payers expense. As for me being a member of the school board, that's not true. I am just a tax payer that loves Gateway. I lived in Monroeville and supported Gateway my entire life. I care enough to pay attention to what is going on and have an opinion. I look forward to you responding with facts that prove me wrong. What "false facts" did I write about? Don't just make statements, give us the facts. When you talk about kids choosing Gateway, what do you mean? That is exactly what I am talking about....choosing to transfer to a school to play football is illegal. Our football program has become an embarassment because of the complete disregard for the rules of the WPIAL. Cheat Smith has earned his reputation as a recruiter and a coach that enjoys running scored up on overmatched teams. There isn't any amount of self promotion by Cheat Smith talking about scholarships and posting his record over his tenure (aided by illegal players) that could change my mind. I just don't understand the recruiting. This is HS football. There isn't pressure put on the Gateway football coach to win at all cost or else. So why is there a need to recruit other good players from outside districts? I look forward to your response to the truth.
Submitted by: Dan on Saturday, September 15, 2012
Beatrice, obviously you have bought into the self promotion of Terry Smith. I only stated the truth. You didn't comment on "our running bac...no name", that commutes from Penn Hills daily. You didn't comment on "our other running back...no name mentioned" that resides in a coaches basement. these are facts that show the lack of integrity by the gateway head football coach. The sad thing is that these are two examples but there are many more during Terry Smiths tenure that prove him a cheater, not an asset.
Submitted by: beatrice on Thursday, September 13, 2012
For your information "dan" u make a comment that the same school board hired Terry Smith 10 years ago. Lets get our facts correct. Wasn't the same school board members dear Dan.You have such a mass of knowledge sounds like you know a school board members very well who is feeding you lots of false facts that make you sound like a complete idiot. These are minors you are talking about. Or better yet,this looks like one of their games the board would do to throw all off track. "dan" which school board member are you?
Submitted by: beatrice on Thursday, September 13, 2012
THANK YOU SO MUCH MR. LAWSON.It is articles like this that research the truth and print the truth. It's a shame when you bring up minors names out in your comments"Dan".I believe that Gateway has someone that is to be investigating these illegal students. Mr. Taylor was his name last year. Why not call him before you call out minors names in your rant. They must have all passed the school boards guidelines that have been set in place. We don't have to worry about any of this. Mr. Magill made it clear that if your not born and raised in Monroeville, ya don't have writes to play sports(FOOTBALL) at Gateway...okay.Is this the same school board that were recruiting kindergarden kids back to Gateway just 2 weeks before school began? When recruiting didn't work they told the little 5 year olds they had already said weren't ready for full day kindergarden,change of plans. Guess if you are cute and the age of 5 you can be recruited by Gateway.But when you are order and don't have that cute face anymore and your parents or gaurdians are trying to SAVE a childs life. You turn these kids away?Instead of investigating athletics which is 228,000.00 to run the whole A.D. program from 7th-12th grade. We only get 14,000.00 per child, but it cost us 17,136.00 to send 1 child through gateway. Who is doing the audit on this department? We have at least 5 school disricts in area lower cost to send kids to school and they have more students. Lets ask the board why 1,455,000.00 was moved in Oct and 7 months later they are laying teachers off. Lets take a long hard look at the books of this school board and see how money is moved around so quickly and then placed into funds so it can't be used for our kids aqnd our teachers. There is a nice poem in the program book that I purchased at the game. Think you need to buy a copy and read the poem in with the baby pictures. Did you Ever "Dan" think of the PERSONAL reason these kids chose Gateway? My Gosh get your head out of the sand. We live in 2012 A huge diverse community. Maybe it is residents like you that should think about moving out of our great colorful District. If Our District can safe 1 childs life then i will welcome them with open arms. "Dan" sounds like he was the last kid picked for the kickball team.LOVE THE ARTICLE MR.LAWSON and its articles like this and ones to come that expose the truth and just maybe justice will come.
Submitted by: Dan on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
The illegal recruits, outrageous Football Budgets and poor sportsmanship is what has worn out Terry Smiths welcome as the Gateway Coach IMO. Terry received plenty of support when he was first hired. He was quickly given the head coaching job and then the AD job. The people being criticized for trying to get control of the problems referenced above are the same people that hired Terry ten years ago. Terrys record as a coach is pretty impressive since he's been the coach. However, if you vacated the wins accumulated with illegal transfers that Smith brought into the district (on our expense), I don't think he would have a single victory. his abuse of the system has been agregious and it should be written about. Kids playing the season and transfering back to their original schools immediately after the last game of the season is unreal. Kids moving from VA (Martin....this year and last) living in coaches basements to play football at Gateway is embarassing to the district. Kids commuting from Penn Hills daily to play football and go to school (Darin Franklin) for the past four years is an embarassment. Players using monroeville residents as legal guardians but not residing in the district is a new trick by Smith and his "CHEAT TEAM" At $14,000 per year per student athlete, that is $84,000 in tax payer money just for Terry's running backs. The Rogers kid being recruited last season and now hes a cyber student at our cost. It is just a gross display of cheating and disregaurd of the rules. The list of transfers goes back to his first year of coaching and continues to grow. I wish a reporter would decide to actually graduate to becoming a journalist and do some investigative reporting. It will be very interesting to see what is uncovered in the audit of the football boosters and Terry's quarterback club. The amount of money raised by the players in the past 9 years is probably staggering. Let's stop talking about the college scholarships that terry is supposedly responsible for and give the player a little bit of credit. I am pretty sure the player has something to do with the scholarship. start talking about the scholarships terry is giving to the kids from Penn Hills, Wilkinsburg and the City of Pittsburgh at $14,000 per year with our tax money.
Dan Dan Dan, What a foolish man you are. You keep bringing up kids names. Why don't you go get your facts again. The poor child you are talking about was bullied sooo badly in his school because the child has 2 passions. Football and Dance are 2 things that his other teammates could not accept to go together. Would you rather have him stay at the school be bullied just because he was being offered a scholarship? Those are the kids Dan you idiot that you hear about the tragic news after the fact when they hurt themselves because no one accepts them. Quess what? The Gator boys love him and accept him for who he is. Terry's team is showing this child love and acceptance. This is something that these kids could teach you and your Gateway school Board members that you are in with the word is ACCEPTANCE. There is no conversation that will ever show you just how narrow minded you and the Board members who are behind this are. I see Eric has realized that you are just an angry old man who is not going to listen to anyone. I see you have many supporters. Only people willing to give you the time of day is myself and Eric. See we can supply you with so many facts. Once again why would you be mentioning kids names. You are so looking forward to the findings of the audit of Football. Maybe you could ask the Gateway Basketball coach Mitch Adams how its going. He takes Scott Williams out to a business to get information for the Audit the School Board is doing on Football. Since when does the basketball coach(who doesn't like Terry)go to preform the audit on football. Better yet ask Mitch Adams bout his "recruits" for Basketball.We can't look at one and not the other. Let's talk about cheaters Dan. Ther is so much unethical garbage going on with members of that board. Hope all will be exposed as we continue to fight for things to be done with the kids in mind. If this District can save 1 childs life by letting them into our schools. I welcome all with open arms. Your silly rant about scores, do you watch the high school scores on the 11 O'clock news? The more you keep commenting the sillier you sound. I really don't think you were picked for alot of teams when you were a young man. Just maybe you need to go get some help for your angry issues? I contacted Gateway Acting Super. Bob Reger, the investigator for these issues you have is Mr. Taylor. I believe you can reach him through the school board friends you have. Ask him these questions I have done my research I think it would be Really nice of you to please not mention kids names in these conversations. It is not fair to them,but I need to defend these kids from people like you who don't care about them. You have a personal agenda along with some other Kings club members. Please keep those boys out of it. The Concerned Cit. Org. is doing a great job with keeping all informed. I hope that they can make things right. People like you we don't need in this District...So much hate you have in your words....it is very sad. By the way GATEWAY WON AGAIN!!!!! Lov Beatrice
Submitted by: Dan on Friday, September 21, 2012
Eric, Ricky Rogers transferred to Gateway and he was recruited by Terry Smith. Rogers played for the AAU passing team that Terry coaches in the summer. Watched a Gateway game from the sidelines last season and now is a member of the 2012 team. Am I missing something? Why is this ok. Rogers had scholarship offers while attending Keystone Oaks. He was one of the top juniors in state of Pa at end of last season. Who's helping who? Seems to me, this kid helping Terry Smiths team this yr by adding another talented athlete. You can make empty statements regarding terry HELPING kids, but nobody ever lists an example. Again...just more repeating of Terry Smiths self promotion. Cheating in high school sports is unacceptable. The coach is supposed to be a leader by example. Not someone who breaks the rules to help bolster an inflated record.
Submitted by: Eric on Thursday, September 20, 2012
Again I say... if you have all this proof then why has the district/school board taken action against these families? If it is so widely know that they live somewhere else and commute, this is a school administration issue not a football coaching issue. It is obvious that the school board has an issue with Coach Smith so where are they on this issue? Where is the investigation?? You, by your own post are talking about one or two players who you suspect do not live in the district. I can guarantee you that you can find one or two players on almost every team who are suspected of not living in their school district. This problem exists everywhere, you just want to make Terry Smith the poster child for the issue. Call your cohorts on the school board and have them do something about this problem and please don't limit the investigation to the players on the football team. You obviously weren't at the game and are going on facts that someone told you. Players in the most recent games were substituted for beginning in the 2nd quarter. You are foolish to think that the things you describe don't go on in every school district. The week that they scored 85 points there were two other games in the WPIAL where they teams scored more than 80 points. Is Terry Smith responsible for those despicable acts of sportsmanship as well?? Central Catholic has been plucking good Catholic boys from the Hill District and surrounding communities for years to produce their "all-star" teams as you describe them. Where has your outrage been all these years?? If it was all about winning championships then why would someone bring their kid here? All you see is what happens on Friday night, you have no idea what the man does for the players every other day of the week and into their futures. What is an embarrassment to the community is people like you and your school board trying to backdoor someone that you don't like regardless of the kids that he helps. Believe me, it is the school board who looks like the "Joke" in this situation. And your name calling really is immature.... LOL!!!
Submitted by: Dan on Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Eric, you seem to have bought into the self promotion by Terry Smith. Someone told me if you are great others will tell you so. Terry Smith having a website that lists to dollar amounts of the scholarships each year for Gateway Student Athletes is obnoxious. The recent RECRUITS from Keystone Oaks and Steel Valley had division one scholarships prior to illegally transferring to Gateway. Who gets the credit for their scholarship amount in 2013? The self promotion isn't necessary if you are a good coach. George Novak of Woodland Hills and George Smith of Mckeesport have put tons of kids into colleges over the years, and they haven't ever had an article calling out the dollar amount. They have never been an embarassment to their schools by treating the rules of the WPIAL as if they weren't intended for them. You telling me that I don't know how things are in Western Pa is a joke. Terry Smith having kids pay rent in low rent housing in Pitcarin while they commute from Pgh, Penn Hills and other communities isnt what the WPIAL is about. That my friend is called cheating. Its been proven that the addresses being used arent being lived in by the utility bills for those addresses. If this is the way things are done in Western Pa, please correct me. Winning a game 85 to 0 wasn't an accident. Throwing the ball to kids in the 4th quarter when you are winning 78 to 0 is dispicable sportsmanship. Using the excuse that the kids work hard and it was their chance to shine also shows your ignorance. Terry "cheat" Smith could have put those player in during the 3rd quarter when the game was in the 50's. CheatSmith was trying to make a statement because he lost the previous week. Pete Antimarino won with class and integrity. He made young men better. Please don't compare the cheater to a hall of famer. Pete won games when he didn't have the most talent because he developed a team. I don't remember Terry Smiths players ever being less talented than the opposition, but he seldom wins a big game. Has Terry smith ever coached his team to a victory that would have been considered to be an upset. No. His allstar teams from multiple communities are always talented. Plucking other schools players gives Terry a competitive advantage on the field. Fortunately for the rest of the WPIAL the cheater's inability to coach has kept him from winning a championship. This year will probably be no different.
Submitted by: Eric on Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Dan, you obviously know nothing about what goes on in Western PA sports. People move their kids into communities where they feel they are going to have the best opportunity to succeed. Do you think that Ron Gronkowski of the New England Patriots dad moved him moved into the Woodland Hills school district from NY several years ago because the district is so well know for academics? People want their kids to play for Terry Smith because of what he does to help the kids to have the opportunity after high school to further their education through athletics. FEW coaches/administratior do as much. I don't care what your talent is, there is money available to help further your education. Why people think that athletes are not worthy of having that opportunity is beyond me. If you are a great tuba player than use that to help you not run up a huge debt when you go to college, if you can run fast or throw a ball use that. Why people feel that they should be able to prevent someone from doing what is best for their child just because they didn't grow up here is shocking. Check the papers on Saturday mornings and see how many "Close" games there are on a Friday night? I think you will be shocked to see how many teams put up 50/60 points on their opponents. And what would you have a team do? Begin taking a knee in the 3rd quarter? Those 2nd and 3rd team players work their butts off and deserve the opportunity to play and play hard not go in and lay down. A team will be more embarrassed by having a team quit playing and take a knee or punt the ball right back to them than if they continue to play. How about we have two teams one that plays on Friday when they play a team that is weak and over matched and one that plays when the team has more talent cause we don't want anyone to feel bad. That is the everyone gets a trophy and don't hurt anyone's feeling mentality. You want to talk about cheating and lack of integrity, lets talk about the school board members who are cheating the kids because they have a personal vendetta against one man and want to hide what is clearly a personal issue behind the curtain of finances. They don't care about all of our kids otherwise this wouldn't even be an issue. No other coach at Gateway has done as much for the kids that play for him as Terry Smith. Event the great Pete Antimarino didn't put as many kids into college as Terry Smith is doing and he got a stadium named after him. Don't say that everyone that goes to the Catholic schools are PAYING to go there because they get their "financial aid". If you want to blame someone for kids being in the district who don't belong there, blame the district, the WPIAL and the PIAA who all investigate, and approve these transfers. I can't speak for the other sports, but I do know that the kids on the football team fund raises and fund raises and fund raises to get the socks and jocks that they have. I am not going to say that this issue is about race, but it definitely is personal and not financial. I and many others can't wait for the opportunity to begin to remove those currently sitting on the school board.
Submitted by: Dan on Monday, September 17, 2012
Beatrice, you didn’t make me speechless. you are also incorrect in thinking that I am on the school board at Gateway. Terry Smith is a tireless self-promoter and I pay attention enough to know that a change needed to be made. the article talks about the booster club being audited, so i assumed it was the QB Club. If you want to talk about money, please give me an example of another football program in the WPIAL that spends what Terry smith has on "socks and jocks". If Terry isn’t doing anything wrong and doesn’t have anything to hide, then he should welcome the audit. here are facts for you Beatrice......Terry Smith has embarrassed Gateways program by running up scores on weak overmatched teams. Terry Smith has recruited kids to the district to play football earning a reputation as a team and district that cheats. Terry Smith spending on football and abuse of the budget as an athletic director was another example of his poor leadership. This behavior isn’t of a great coach and administrator. It is the behavior of someone that lacks integrity. FYI, I was one of the 700 people that attended Terry Smith’s school board meeting. All that night showed is that Terry made a situation about race, that really isnt about race. Terry Smith is facing these issues right now because he is Terry Smith, the coach / AD that lacks integrity, not because he is Terry Smith the coach / AD who’s an afro-american. If Terry ran a clean program and didn’t embarrass his school by cheating, he would have my support. Last, to act as if Terry Smith was over-worked as the Head Coach / AD, you really need to get a reality check. The assistant coaches on every football team in the state log those hours (or more) and aren’t GIVEN a 6 figure salary. Terry Smith didn’t make Gateway. This school isnt the Terry Smith Gators. it is the Gateway Gators. It is a great place with a rich history of athletic success that had a great tradition in football. There are coaches that can win that will perform the job with integrity. I am hopeful that we will see that day soon.
Submitted by: beatrice on Monday, September 17, 2012
I made "Dan" speechless. I really don't mind talking about issues and we all don't have to agree on everything. I have raised my kids to be fair open minded people. We are not going to like every person who walks down the street. That doesn't give anyone who has power the right to target that single person "they" don't like. Our District has many more pressing issues that need to be addressed. This man has more friends then he has enemies. Supports by the 100's and petitions by the 100's. The kids love him and respect him, he is their mentor.. The Athletics Department has only improved under his leadership. He has helped many students with scholarships. Can you say that about yourself?
Submitted by: beatrice on Sunday, September 16, 2012
Dan, Here are some facts I want you and all who read this to know. You say you are a concerned resident who pays taxes in Monroeville,but all you talk about is 1 person. This budget mightmare began with the selling of Pitcarin school. Mr. Smiths Athletic Budget is approx. 228,000.00 for 7th-12th grade. is less then 1% of the 63 million total budget. This school board has never recieved a written neg. write up or complaint. His school reviews must all be positive.They would have been able to use these as a reason for fire,so now they are accusing him of...What? As I told you Gateway has a person who investigates all your claims. The Board listens to the investigators advice and the advice of Mr. Dice (who we pay over 300,00.00)It sounds like your issue is with the people investigating these matters and your frustration that the facts were given to board and you don't like it the final answer.Dan, please remember like you said yourself this is High School Football. Be a concerned resident and start looking into all that this board is doing which is not for the kids or you as a resident. Let's take a look at some more facts you asked for. Now this is all public knowledge in all's right to know laws. CHUCH RILEY is a 1.Teacher pay 9 1/2 month pay scale($93,594.00).2.Head coach basketball7/8 grade supple. pay($3,717). 3.Math counts 8th grade supple. pay($1,052). 4.A.D.(little like Terrys job,but 2 grades only and a hand full of athletic teams verses Mr. Smiths approx. 39 teams)supple. pay($4,949). I'm not done NICOLE RILEY (whom is Chuck's wife) 1. Teacher pay 9 1/2 month pay scale($93,594.00) 2. Head Volleyball coach supple. pay($2,302). So that is a total of($199,208.00)in Teachers pay and supple. going to 1 household with($12,020.00) in supplemental pays alone! May I mention that Mr. Riley is also Head of the Teachers Union. TERRY SMITH 1.Athletic Director pay 12 month pay scale 45,000.00 2.Head Football Coach($2,302.)3. Fitness summer coach($3,056.). They are paying the Head Basketball coach at the Jr High more then they are paying our HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL COACH. Was this not the same board that was dropping 7th and 8th grade sports cause we are broke? They found enough funds thanks to Mr. Smiths additional budget cuts in his Athletics budget.This brought 7th & 8th grade sports back and gave Mr. Riley a nice supplemental pay. Please stop with the name calling! Hope this puts you on the correct path to the true facts, the numbers don't lie. These are all facts any district resident can find on our Gateway School Board web site. I am taking a wild guess that "Dan" is a member of the Kings Breakfast club,mtg day Wed. mornings between 7:30-8:30 a.m.?
Submitted by: beatrice on Saturday, September 15, 2012
All need to not forget what Mr.Lawson's article is about. He is trying to let us know just how unethical this Gateway School Board is with their personal battle. Why can Lamar Woodley of the Steelers give a donation to his High School Athletics program of approx.the same amount Mr. Sanders was willing to give to Gateway? Because Mr. Magill says "HE" is not going to accept donations and told where they should go. Last I heard Gateway has 9 board members. Mr Bailey a school board member says he can't believe they didn't accept the check(reread article). There was also another personal donation request made to school board 1st from a monroeville resident on July 11th. They turned it down, I was at that meeting as that resident held the check in hand and was told times up!They turned her mic off! If my math is on target Mr. Magill has refused to take donations in the amount of 114,000.00 in less then a months time. But we are told that this District is broke( the beginning of Aug. balance in school account 12 million.Is this the same board that has said this is about money, It has never been personal? People were trying to save an Athletic Program for their kids. Mr. Smith has molded this Athletics Program that had FAILED in the past before he took over. We are speaking of approx. 39 student athletic teams. See I have done my research Dan. Lets take a look at a 63,000,000.00 budget. Lets take a look at the amount we pay the Teachers of this district on a 9 1/2 month pay scale verses Athletic Director pay which is a 12 month scale. When you break that down Gateway is paying it's Athletic Director of a Quad-A school the 2nd lowest salary, so please get off the pay issue. Trust me I have done my homework along with MANY other members of this District. Lets look into Mr. O'Donnell saying the reason Mr. Smith Can't be a coach and A.D. is he could show favorites. We have 101 Gateway staff members holding a supplemental(what they call pay for the extra jobs(coaching) teachers and staff get paid for along with regular pay.) Mr. O'Donnell is worried about 1of these teachers or staff members(Mr.Smith) showing favorites or collecting extra supplemental pays? Has anyone told Mr. O'Donnell we have 101 people working in this District holding extra jobs just as Mr. Smith. WOW!A parent of an athlete shouldn't be worried that favortism can't be shown by a teacher who holds a supplemental only Terry Smith?? Let's look at the amount of money we sub-contract out on painting,landscaping(flower gardens),trimming trees,cutting grass. When asked why these jobs weren't given to janitors and Maint. personal? Mr. O'Donnell informs a Board member when asked why not hire within? Was told they weren't quialified for the jobs. Also was asked question at a board mtg by someone attending and was told the same thing. Let's look at the janitors and Maint. workers who lost their jobs and now Mr. O'Donnell is telling them they don't know how to paint,cut grass, or cut some branches off trees on campus.Wow! I will ask you 1 more question that all who are reading this would like to know along with myself. If you are not on school board. How did you know that there was an audit on Quarterback Club? That was never mentioned in any article. By the way Quarterback club gives to many athletic groups at Gateway. Ask Mr. Mitch Adams(Basketball Coach),the Quarterback club has helped Basketball out in the past. Nearly 1,000 people showed up at mgt. July 11th to support Terry Smith. I saw not 1 of your supporters there at that mgt or any of the other mtgs. Mr. Lawson do not think that you are not a great journalist. You go to every Council mtg and every school board mtg. If anyone has the facts it would be you. Keep up the great reporting.
Submitted by: Dan on Saturday, September 15, 2012
Also, why do you accept cheating by an admnistrator? How can anyone call someone that lacks integrity a coach. I cant. Coach to me is a person that does things the right way, leads by example and brings out the best in young people. Back to your comment...A family that moves to the district, owns a home, pays taxes and becomes a part of the community is a little different than kids transferring from the Pittsburgh City League, becoming a starting football player for a semester and transferring back to Schenley IMMEDIATELY after the last game of the season. I wont use this kids name, but he played Defensive End last year. Cheat Smith has been doing this from the very first year he coached, when he had relatives from Aliquippa play the season and move back immediately after seasons end. This behavior is awful and shouldn't be tolerated. We have a very good team this year. Do you think we needed to recruit the recent transfers from Keystone Oaks and Steel Valley? What other schools football team has transfers like this? Cheat Smith has supporters that bring up Central Catholic. One important thing to remember is that the kids at Central PAY to be a student athlete. The recruits at Gateway get a free ride at the Monroeville tax payers expense. As for me being a member of the school board, that's not true. I am just a tax payer that loves Gateway. I lived in Monroeville and supported Gateway my entire life. I care enough to pay attention to what is going on and have an opinion. I look forward to you responding with facts that prove me wrong. What "false facts" did I write about? Don't just make statements, give us the facts. When you talk about kids choosing Gateway, what do you mean? That is exactly what I am talking about....choosing to transfer to a school to play football is illegal. Our football program has become an embarassment because of the complete disregard for the rules of the WPIAL. Cheat Smith has earned his reputation as a recruiter and a coach that enjoys running scored up on overmatched teams. There isn't any amount of self promotion by Cheat Smith talking about scholarships and posting his record over his tenure (aided by illegal players) that could change my mind. I just don't understand the recruiting. This is HS football. There isn't pressure put on the Gateway football coach to win at all cost or else. So why is there a need to recruit other good players from outside districts? I look forward to your response to the truth.
Submitted by: Dan on Saturday, September 15, 2012
Also, why do you accept cheating by an admnistrator? How can anyone call someone that lacks integrity a coach. I cant. Coach to me is a person that does things the right way, leads by example and brings out the best in young people. Back to your comment...A family that moves to the district, owns a home, pays taxes and becomes a part of the community is a little different than kids transferring from the Pittsburgh City League, becoming a starting football player for a semester and transferring back to Schenley IMMEDIATELY after the last game of the season. I wont use this kids name, but he played Defensive End last year. Cheat Smith has been doing this from the very first year he coached, when he had relatives from Aliquippa play the season and move back immediately after seasons end. This behavior is awful and shouldn't be tolerated. We have a very good team this year. Do you think we needed to recruit the recent transfers from Keystone Oaks and Steel Valley? What other schools football team has transfers like this? Cheat Smith has supporters that bring up Central Catholic. One important thing to remember is that the kids at Central PAY to be a student athlete. The recruits at Gateway get a free ride at the Monroeville tax payers expense. As for me being a member of the school board, that's not true. I am just a tax payer that loves Gateway. I lived in Monroeville and supported Gateway my entire life. I care enough to pay attention to what is going on and have an opinion. I look forward to you responding with facts that prove me wrong. What "false facts" did I write about? Don't just make statements, give us the facts. When you talk about kids choosing Gateway, what do you mean? That is exactly what I am talking about....choosing to transfer to a school to play football is illegal. Our football program has become an embarassment because of the complete disregard for the rules of the WPIAL. Cheat Smith has earned his reputation as a recruiter and a coach that enjoys running scored up on overmatched teams. There isn't any amount of self promotion by Cheat Smith talking about scholarships and posting his record over his tenure (aided by illegal players) that could change my mind. I just don't understand the recruiting. This is HS football. There isn't pressure put on the Gateway football coach to win at all cost or else. So why is there a need to recruit other good players from outside districts? I look forward to your response to the truth.
Submitted by: Dan on Saturday, September 15, 2012
Beatrice, obviously you have bought into the self promotion of Terry Smith. I only stated the truth. You didn't comment on "our running bac...no name", that commutes from Penn Hills daily. You didn't comment on "our other running back...no name mentioned" that resides in a coaches basement. these are facts that show the lack of integrity by the gateway head football coach. The sad thing is that these are two examples but there are many more during Terry Smiths tenure that prove him a cheater, not an asset.
Submitted by: beatrice on Thursday, September 13, 2012
For your information "dan" u make a comment that the same school board hired Terry Smith 10 years ago. Lets get our facts correct. Wasn't the same school board members dear Dan.You have such a mass of knowledge sounds like you know a school board members very well who is feeding you lots of false facts that make you sound like a complete idiot. These are minors you are talking about. Or better yet,this looks like one of their games the board would do to throw all off track. "dan" which school board member are you?
Submitted by: beatrice on Thursday, September 13, 2012
THANK YOU SO MUCH MR. LAWSON.It is articles like this that research the truth and print the truth. It's a shame when you bring up minors names out in your comments"Dan".I believe that Gateway has someone that is to be investigating these illegal students. Mr. Taylor was his name last year. Why not call him before you call out minors names in your rant. They must have all passed the school boards guidelines that have been set in place. We don't have to worry about any of this. Mr. Magill made it clear that if your not born and raised in Monroeville, ya don't have writes to play sports(FOOTBALL) at Gateway...okay.Is this the same school board that were recruiting kindergarden kids back to Gateway just 2 weeks before school began? When recruiting didn't work they told the little 5 year olds they had already said weren't ready for full day kindergarden,change of plans. Guess if you are cute and the age of 5 you can be recruited by Gateway.But when you are order and don't have that cute face anymore and your parents or gaurdians are trying to SAVE a childs life. You turn these kids away?Instead of investigating athletics which is 228,000.00 to run the whole A.D. program from 7th-12th grade. We only get 14,000.00 per child, but it cost us 17,136.00 to send 1 child through gateway. Who is doing the audit on this department? We have at least 5 school disricts in area lower cost to send kids to school and they have more students. Lets ask the board why 1,455,000.00 was moved in Oct and 7 months later they are laying teachers off. Lets take a long hard look at the books of this school board and see how money is moved around so quickly and then placed into funds so it can't be used for our kids aqnd our teachers. There is a nice poem in the program book that I purchased at the game. Think you need to buy a copy and read the poem in with the baby pictures. Did you Ever "Dan" think of the PERSONAL reason these kids chose Gateway? My Gosh get your head out of the sand. We live in 2012 A huge diverse community. Maybe it is residents like you that should think about moving out of our great colorful District. If Our District can safe 1 childs life then i will welcome them with open arms. "Dan" sounds like he was the last kid picked for the kickball team.LOVE THE ARTICLE MR.LAWSON and its articles like this and ones to come that expose the truth and just maybe justice will come.
Submitted by: Dan on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
The illegal recruits, outrageous Football Budgets and poor sportsmanship is what has worn out Terry Smiths welcome as the Gateway Coach IMO. Terry received plenty of support when he was first hired. He was quickly given the head coaching job and then the AD job. The people being criticized for trying to get control of the problems referenced above are the same people that hired Terry ten years ago. Terrys record as a coach is pretty impressive since he's been the coach. However, if you vacated the wins accumulated with illegal transfers that Smith brought into the district (on our expense), I don't think he would have a single victory. his abuse of the system has been agregious and it should be written about. Kids playing the season and transfering back to their original schools immediately after the last game of the season is unreal. Kids moving from VA (Martin....this year and last) living in coaches basements to play football at Gateway is embarassing to the district. Kids commuting from Penn Hills daily to play football and go to school (Darin Franklin) for the past four years is an embarassment. Players using monroeville residents as legal guardians but not residing in the district is a new trick by Smith and his "CHEAT TEAM" At $14,000 per year per student athlete, that is $84,000 in tax payer money just for Terry's running backs. The Rogers kid being recruited last season and now hes a cyber student at our cost. It is just a gross display of cheating and disregaurd of the rules. The list of transfers goes back to his first year of coaching and continues to grow. I wish a reporter would decide to actually graduate to becoming a journalist and do some investigative reporting. It will be very interesting to see what is uncovered in the audit of the football boosters and Terry's quarterback club. The amount of money raised by the players in the past 9 years is probably staggering. Let's stop talking about the college scholarships that terry is supposedly responsible for and give the player a little bit of credit. I am pretty sure the player has something to do with the scholarship. start talking about the scholarships terry is giving to the kids from Penn Hills, Wilkinsburg and the City of Pittsburgh at $14,000 per year with our tax money.
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