Next Grayslake Central hoops coach?

Whoever gets the job, good luck! I think any experienced and successful coach who takes that job is crazy. Knowing Grayslake Central's reputation of hiring coaches to fire them (when successful), it's not a situation that most people would want to put themselves in.

Thornton is a good coach. It would be a very nice addition if they were able to bring him onboard.

I played for Bowen. Demanding yes but he definitely turned that team around. does anyone remember the 2001? year 1-27 when he first took over? I would love to find out the real reason for his (not being rehired). But i'm sure it'll be swept under the rug and not reported like everything at Good old GCHS.

I have a great idea for a new coach at GCHS...you can have Todd Grunloh. He is a disciple of Bowen, is the same "type" of coach, so except for the obvious physical differences it would be like Bowen never left. More importantly GNHS could get rid of him and get a real coach. Alas, I won't let myself dream of such things. I have read with amusement some of the posts on other articles from some of Bowen's supporters. The guy was a joke. They have no idea why the guy was let go...they think that certain parents who complained about playing time and verbal abuse go their way. That's not what the parents complained about and its not why he was let go. They are all quick to condemn the board but I doubt any will ever go to a meeting or step up and run for a spot. It is far easier to complain from the sidelines when things don't go your way than step and make a difference. One poster even made mention about the 2-2 vote and had it completely backwards on how the members present that night voted. I was there and believe me all those parents who are now whining, none of them were there. Go on down to the "Last Chance" and cry in your beer, Bowen is gone and GCHS is better of it. Finally, I believe Bowen lives in GNHS territory...if you read this Mr. Bowen...please move.

"I have read with amusement some of the posts on other articles from some of Bowen's supporters. The guy was a joke. They have no idea why the guy was let go...they think that certain parents who complained about playing time and verbal abuse go their way. That's not what the parents complained about and its not why he was let go. They are all quick to condemn the board "

This was from the last post. Why are you amused? How can anybody "have an idea" what "really" happened if no one is being told? Are we all supposed to be mind readers? Or are we just supposed to accept that the Grayslake School Board in all their infinite wisdom would never possibly make a bad decision? How can you possibly be "amused" when no one HAS been told what the "real" reasons are?

I do know this. I have personally talked to players on the team. From the horses' mouth they have told me they are very upset their coach has been taken from them. Whoever has perceived this "abuse", it certainly hasn't been the overwhelming majority of the players, who should count for most.

I really can't imagine any self-respecting good coach wanting to coach football or basketball in the Grayslake community after some of the antics the parents and administrators have pulled. The students deserve much better, but the community deserves nothing of the kind.

CWahoo...What I find amusing is how no one was at the meeting where they voted not to retain him, how no one is willing to step and run for the board (its much easier to criticize every decision they make that you don't agree with) and how so many think the kids should decide if Bowen stays or not. Even more amusing is how many get upset that parents are getting involved. Oh my gosh...parents getting involved in school business...what is the world coming to. But most amusing of all is how everyone was up in arms for about three days, but now they really don't care. Most probably aren't even aware that Moe was hired last night. While there was initial outrage, after thinking about I guess everyone is now happy with the board's decision.

To GHNS Parent:

"Even more amusing is how many get upset that parents are getting involved. Oh my gosh...parents getting involved in school business...what is the world coming to."

Wait a minute. Parent involvement is most definitely a GOOD thing. It's great when the parents come to the game to watch their kid play. It's great when they take him to and pick him up from practice. It's great when they are telling him he did a nice job or are encouraging him when things aren't going well. That's positive parental involvement. Harrassing the coach and costing him his job when the overwhelming majority of the players clearly never wanted that....THAT'S parental meddling, and that's definitely NOT a good thing.

"and how so many think the kids should decide if Bowen stays or not."

And why SHOULDN'T they? They are the ones dealing with him every day. These are not 10 year olds. Most of them are voting age or very close to it. They are more than capable of deciding for themselves if this coach was "abusing" them. I find it it audacious that adults would look upon these juniors and seniors in high school with such disdain that they aren't even capable of making a proper judgement in this situation and they need mommy and daddy to save them from themselves. I played varsity high school basketball and didn't need my mom or dad to determine for me if my coach was worthy or not.

"But most amusing of all is how everyone was up in arms for about three days, but now they really don't care. Most probably aren't even aware."

I don't know what the Grayslake community at large thinks. I work at a neighboring high school district and I can tell you that it was a hot topic of conversation the past few days in many circles about "what's going on over there at Grayslake." I do live in Grayslake, and the times I have asked a high school age student about the situation, whether they were part of the team or just a student who knew players on the team, every time I've gotten a passionate pro-Bowen response. It's abundantly clear to me that people care about this issue and are not very happy with its outcome.

CWahoo...You know what I find audacious is someone who doesn't think parents should have a say in the how a school district is operated. Who do you think pays the bills...the kids, I don't think so they don't pay property taxes. You say you work for a high school district, so it makes sense you don't want parental involvement. Heaven forbid you are held accountable to those who pay your salary...you've obviously not had much experience in the corporte world. Not many companies let their employees pick who the supervisors are, yet you think thats a good idea. I've never heard anything so ridiculous.

You know what else is pretty audacious, people don't get involved until something happens they don't like, then all of a sudden they want everyone to cowtow to their wants although they have never done anything to get involved or be anything resembling useful before. Had all those people who showed up to one meeting (for most probably the only they have ever been too) actually been a little more involved on a continual basis maybe things would be different.

This is the part you don't get...all these backers of Bowen...they are the whiners. It's nothing new that he has had his conduct reviewed by the board and not one of his "supporters" got involved until it was too late and now they are all whining. Get involved and help shape the direction things go, don't wait until they don't go your way and then cry like two year olds. Bowen's supporters have no one to blame but themselves and Bowen himself. I bet not one of those folks have been to a meeting since.

I'm willing to bet that if all the details ever come out you will see the board was more than justified in their actions and if anything didn't act soon enough. If all his supporters are so passionate, have them run against current board members. Let that be their platform and when they lose by an overwhelming margin the truth about how people really feel about the great Bowen will be known. But we both know that won't happen, they are much more comfortable going to one meeting per lifetime and doing nothing but complain.

To GNHS Parent:

"You know what I find audacious is someone who doesn't think parents should have a say in the how a school district is operated."

I think the parents should have a say. I also think majority rules is a pretty good concept. It seems to me the majority (both players and parents) wanted Coach Bowen to continue. It makes me angry that the majority of the parents DID NOT have a say.

"Who do you think pays the bills...the kids, I don't think so they don't pay property taxes."

Maybe the kids don't pay property taxes but they are certainly the ones that have to deal with the coach day in and day out and know better than anyone if he is abusive or not. It really troubles me the contempt you show for the kids you profess to be "helping."

"You say you work for a high school district, so it makes sense you don't want parental involvement."

I've already stated I think parental involvement is a good thing. A very good thing and I encourage it. What I don't like is parental meddling, which I define as parents forcing their own perceptions on the overwhelming majority that do not share their perceptions of "what is right."

"This is the part you don't get...all these backers of Bowen...they are the whiners."

You're right about that. I don't get that part. And still don't. My perception is the whining was initiated from the other side.

"It's nothing new that he has had his conduct reviewed by the board and not one of his "supporters" got involved until it was too late and now they are all whining. Get involved and help shape the direction things go, don't wait until they don't go your way and then cry like two year olds."

What were they supposed to be "involved" in? They were happy with the status quo. They became involved when that status quo was upset. That seems natural to me.

"Bowen's supporters have no one to blame but themselves and Bowen himself. I bet not one of those folks have been to a meeting since."

Correct me if I'm wrong (and I might be), but I thought the school board meets once a month, usually during the third week. Has there even been another meeting to attend since the July decision? If there hasn't even been another board meeting, how is anyone supposed to attend one since Bowen was fired?

"I'm willing to bet that if all the details ever come out you will see the board was more than justified in their actions and if anything didn't act soon enough."

That very well may be true. If Bowen tied a kid up in the lockerroom and made him stay in there all weekend or made a kid do 100 pushups in the snow in only his shorts, I would concede you were right all along. But if the "secret truths" are that he yanked a kid from a game after a mistake, or yelled at a kid in practice he didn't think was working hard enough, or ignored a kid in the hallway after he was mad at him in practice one time, well, I think just about every one of my basketball coaches from 5th grade through college would have been fired...since ALL those things happened to me during my own playing career.

It bothers me that some of you allege "secret abuses" and just expect everyone should accept these secrets as awful abuses that merit firing. No one should just accept things they don't know about and every one has every right to question them until they do know.

Mr. GNHS Since you appear to have the answers to why he was not asked to return, Would you mind sharing? I have kids in the school and would like an idea on if we in fact there is something one should be concerned about. I understand it would all be hearsay but it would at least give us something to watch. I mean come on you must know something you even asked the guy to move.. If you don't know anything then you must be just another parent in Grayslake that is all talk, and if that is the case stop talking, no one wants to listen to your crap..

CWahoo...While you and I will never agree on this matter, I respect and appreciate you passion for wanting to see done what you think is best. Now is the time to get more involved so that you can see this type of thing coming before its too late and perhaps take action to avoid an outcome that you don't think is right. Start going to the GCHS Booster Club meetings and get more involved there. Check www.d127.org to view the agenda for upcoming school board meetings, if there is something on there that catches your eye, go and give input (by the way, you said to correct you if you're wrong...well you're wrong. The school board met last Thursday, they meet the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month, next meeting is August 28 - and the schedule for the entire school year is up at the district website).

Again I hope you get more involved, you won't regret it.

GCHS Parent...You can file a Freedom of Information Act request with the District to get more information that they used to make their decision if you really want to know. If that is too much effort call the Superintendent, Dr. Finger, at the district office and discuss it with her. You are better off to go right to the source, as you will not get it from me.

Maybe we should all volunteer for the BOOSTER Clubs, Central should be so lucky to have such wonderful parents like NORTH does,
Right MR. GNHS? Maybe we could even be assistants in the youth football program too! You must know it all since you are so active in the community... Put up or shut up just like the GCHS parent suggested...

WOW...Put up or shut up, next you'll triple dog dare me. Since you are so interested why don't you do some legwork and find out from yourself from the district. Besides anything from me would just be second hand and you'd be real mature and call me a liar, so its really not worth the effort. I've got good money says you don't do anything but continue to complain without knowing any relevant facts. Whine on.

By the way...since I don't live in a trailer and actually have a job, I strongly doubt you are either my neighbor or co-worker. And no, not all the parents at North are wonderful. And finally, I suppose you could be an assistant coach in the youth football program but I am not sure they would want someone with such anger issues, but then again its football so maybe they would. I looked up their website for you www.grayslakecolts.org, give 'em a shot.

Dear Mr. GNHS,
I find it very interesting that a man in your position could in fact say such things. You are very judgmental and make derogatory remarks about individuals and situations you know nothing about. You have cannot possibly know any truths as you carried on in prior blogs.

Personally I think North Campus should re-elect a new Booster Club President/Vice President. They should hold them accountable for their actions within the community outside of school functions. Maybe this should be brought to the board of Educations attention! I find it very offensive and inappropriate for someone in this position to say “become a drunken fool using inappropriate language” at a school function say a golf outing? I beleive this position should be a person whom has a Value system and does not encourage cheating (sand in bags at weigh ins)At least we at GCHS can say that Mr. Bowen has NEVER made a public display of himself and as far as I have seen Mr. Grunloh has not either.
While these Coaches may have there own style of coaching and the community may not aggree with that, As members in the community, they still are respected, Can you say the same?

Although a good freind of mine, I certainly do not agree with everything GNHS Parent has posted on this blog and GCHS Parent you have obviously confused the two of us. If you have an issue with me GCHS Parent you can contact me directly at JPech@comcast.net or better yet call me at 847-826-3240.

Mr. Pech/GNHS,

Have you ever met Mr. Bowen? Have you ever had any face to face conversations with him? If so when?

The only one who is obviously confused is you, and more so uncrediable, now that we know you are bi-polar. Why or how could you let anyone "a good friend" of yours write these comments? Do you give out your password? That "friend" is you! Mr. Pech. Just admit it, it was you sitting in your Century 21 office.