Somerset wrestlers return to action; Pyle out as coach

[NS grad]

From the Somerset Daily American

Somerset wrestlers return to action; Pyle out as head coach
By JEFF MAURER
Daily American Sports Writer

There was some good news and some bad news to come out of the Somerset Area High School athletic department on Monday concerning the wrestling program.
The good news is that Somerset’s varsity wrestlers have been cleared to get back to the mats after a Golden Eagle grappler was diagnosed with MRSA last week.
“We faced the isolated case of MRSA last week and set forth a plan that all of our wrestlers would have to demonstrate clear skin conditions before they would be allowed to compete or practice again,” Somerset athletic director Gene Castrovillo said. “As of the weekend, everybody got their PIAA papers that indicate they have been checked out and cleared. They’re practicing as we speak (Monday afternoon).”
Somerset was forced to postpone a dual meet last Tuesday against Richland and missed the Bedford Thomas Tournament this past weekend because of the case of MRSA (methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus) which is a bacterium that causes infections in different parts of the body.
MRSA can affect anyone and is often contracted through an open wound on the skin. It develops into a red swollen lesion and can potentially infect a person’s blood.
Castrovillo said that Somerset will be able to finish its dual meet schedule and the Golden Eagles will be ready for the District 6 Class AA tournament Feb. 15-16 in Altoona.
The wrestler who was diagnosed with MRSA could even return in time for the postseason tournament, according to Castrovillo.
“If the doctors clear him, he can come back,” Castrovillo said. “We’re certainly hoping.”

Pyle out as head coach
The bad news: Randy Pyle is out after less than a full season as Somerset’s head varsity wrestling coach. Assistant coach Brian Barron has taken over the head coaching duties for the remainder of the season.
Castrovillo would not reveal the reason for Pyle’s departure, including whether the coach was fired or he resigned his post.
“I have no comment on that,” Castrovillo said. “Right now Brian Barron is our coach. Brian’s been with the program for years. He knows the kids and he knows the program.”
Pyle, a Somerset graduate, served as an assistant coach for the Golden Eagles under Roger Baer last season. He was the head coach at Berlin in 2005.
Pyle won a District 6 Class AAA title as a senior for Somerset in 1999. He then went on to excel at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown where he was a two-time NCAA Division II All-American.
(Jeff Maurer can be reached at [email protected])

[cougarmats]

I am still wondering why Randy Pyle is the only one out? Others knew about the situation then why was nothing done about them? Seems like one of those situations where it just depends on who you are.

[4him]

If anyone has Randy's rebuttle that he wrote to the Daily American (I believe), I would love to read it.

[NS grad]

Let the truth be told

Somerset Daily American, Tuesday, February 12, 2008 11:17 PM EST

To the editor:

On Jan. 21 as practice was in progress, the wrestler involved verbally informed me he was diagnosed with MRSA. Taking direct action, I told him he could not practice or compete in Tuesday’s home match and to go to the athletic trainer’s office to inform the trainer of his diagnosis.
As I am not employed by the school district other than as a wrestling coach, my next contact with the wrestler was Jan. 22 at the Somerset Area High School gym directly before the wrestling match against Richland. As a follow-up from Monday, I asked the wrestler what the trainer’s reply was to his diagnosis. He then informed me he hadn’t seen the athletic trainer as I instructed. I then took immediate action and walked him down to see the trainer.

Shortly after, I was enlightened by the athletic trainer that the wrestler was instructed to go home and retrieve the skin form that was apparently issued to him sometime during the prior week by the athletic trainer. This was the time when I became aware that a skin form had been issued.

The athletic trainer issued a skin form, possibly 5 to 6 days prior and was aware the wrestler was being checked for a skin disease but failed to inform me of the situation by verbal or written notice. Where was the athletic trainer’s communication over that stretch of days?

Why didn’t the athletic trainer do a follow up after issuing the skin form the previous week? I as head wrestling coach have yet to see this skin form, so I’m not sure on the actual date it was issued to the wrestler.

The wrestler was instructed to retrieve the skin form from his home. Where were the copies of the skin form for the athletic trainer, athletic director, and myself?

Why didn’t the parents/guardians of the wrestler inform the school district after they knew he was diagnosed with MRSA? Why didn’t the wrestler return the skin form to the athletic trainer during that Monday or Tuesday? Were all parties involved relying on the wrestler to do the right thing as I did on Monday evening?

I learned at a meeting on Feb. 7, that the athletic director, to the best of his knowledge, knows of no written school policy on the issuance of skin forms. How can I be held accountable without any notification from the wrestler or athletic trainer that a skin form was issued?

If I had been properly notified on the issuance of the skin form, none of the events that transpired afterward would have happened. If a skin form is issued from the trainer, the trainer must then clear that wrestler from skin complications for him to compete again.

On Jan. 24, my position as head Wrestling Coach for Somerset was terminated. According to the athletic director and high school principal, it was because of my ignorance of the severity of MRSA and potential lawsuits that could surface if I was still employed by the school district. I’ve kept quiet for weeks in hopes this could get settled in private, unfortunately differences could not be resolved in that manner.

MY OPINION

I have nothing to hide, nor am I ashamed of my actions.

I have no intent to harm any person’s career or retaliate for my job loss, but if punishment is suitable for me, it should also be suitable to all responsible parties involved.

I am an honorable Somerset resident, a loyal friend and a loving family member. My passion for the sport of wrestling is ever-known and I would not intentionally do anything to harm any wrestlers, coaches, school districts, myself or the sport. And for those reasons, I want my facts told.

Randy Pyle

Head Wrestling Coach

Somerset Area High School

[4him]

Thank you for posting the letter. I tend to believe what Randy has written. I'm not sure that I fully understand the situation, but it does not sound like he intentionally put a wrestler on the mat with MRSA just so his team could win like many had thought.