George Curry in a little hot water at Berwick.

[Mister Magoo]

Football ops suspended for two weeks. I'm curious how this turns out. Because, Geno Lewis played football in the fall for Wyoming Valley West and he transferred to another school for basketball a couple of weeks later. Lived in the same house too. Didn't move.

http://citizensvoice.com/sports/berwick-suspends-football-program-1.1880459

 

[psuguy04]

I'm surprised this even draws scrutiny.

Gus Felder, Frank Jankowski, and a couple of kids from Pittston a few years ago all did the same thing.

 

[Alphabets]

I'm surprised this even draws scrutiny.

Gus Felder, Frank Jankowski, and a couple of kids from Pittston a few years ago all did the same thing.

The coach at Pittston caught the heat for those transfers, the students/players didn't have to suffer like the Berwick case.

 

[psuguy04]

The coach at Pittston caught the heat for those transfers, the students/players didn't have to suffer like the Berwick case.

Agreed.

What's strange is the reputation that Berwick/Curry has for doing this. He's blatantly got kids to transfer into the school, and magically their parents have jobs.

But, most all of the kids have been role players, or just not that good. Felder was the only player that amounted to much. Jankowski was a sack and interception machine, and the Pittston kids weren't game changers. So, when people say "no wonder why Berwick always won", that's not true. The big name kids (Orlando, Kelchner, Powlus, Bennett, Stoiko, Robbins, Quick, etc.) were all "homegrown" kids.

 

[Ceasar]

Football ops suspended for two weeks. I'm curious how this turns out. Because, Geno Lewis played football in the fall for Wyoming Valley West and he transferred to another school for basketball a couple of weeks later. Lived in the same house too. Didn't move.
Interesting story and prompts a few observations. First, why did Berwick accept these two kids if there were questions? In other words, call me a cynic but I suspect Bewick's admin is now doing damage control over their failure to ask questions before admitting these two (or perhaps simply turning a blind eye?).
On a more general issue of HS transfers, it is normally the private schools that get hammered for "recruiting" but the reality is this is quite common. Case in point - Bishop McDevitt is a HS power and gets transfers every year from kids who want to attend a top notch school and/or play for a big time program. But the reality is each year more football players transfer out of McD than transfer in. Since the season ended in Dec McD has had two starters transfer out - one to Harrisburg High and one to Central Dauphin. Nobody will focus on those transfers but if someone transfers in there will be plenty of discussion about it.
My overall point is this trend of kids transferring is common and widespread in the public and prvate schools alike.

http://citizensvoice.com/sports/berwick-suspends-football-program-1.1880459

 

[TheBigUglies]

So someone got pissed off at Curry and complained to the admin and leaked it to the newspaper. This is usually the only reason anyone ever cares about this. Most likely the parent(s) of the kid(s) who will lose their spots due to the transfers.

 

[Monty2007]

Agreed.

What's strange is the reputation that Berwick/Curry has for doing this. He's blatantly got kids to transfer into the school, and magically their parents have jobs.

But, most all of the kids have been role players, or just not that good. Felder was the only player that amounted to much. Jankowski was a sack and interception machine, and the Pittston kids weren't game changers. So, when people say "no wonder why Berwick always won", that's not true. The big name kids (Orlando, Kelchner, Powlus, Bennett, Stoiko, Robbins, Quick, etc.) were all "homegrown" kids.

Are you sure about Powlus. I always heard that he lived in the Northwest School District.

 

[psuguy04]

So someone got pissed off at Curry and complained to the admin and leaked it to the newspaper. This is usually the only reason anyone ever cares about this. Most likely the parent(s) of the kid(s) who will lose their spots due to the transfers.

It's not the first time it's happened. There was something "leaked" to the Bloomsburg Press Enterprise about Curry being too hard on players a year or two ago. The source of that leak was likely a school board member.

 

[Fox Chapel Lion II]

Berwick and Curry have been shady for a long, long time. Frank Jankowski played QB and pitched for Villanova, so he had some ability. He was a little better than a sack and INT machine.

 

[Mister Magoo]

There is a power struggle going on here too. Berwick's AD is Frank Sheptock. He coached at Wilkes University and is from Mt. Carmel. Many thought he took the AD job with a wink-wink that he's replacing George. When their Coach Campbell resigned in Summer of 2012, George was brought back because it was so late in the process. And, he didn't need a teacher's job. Not to mention, a helluva coach. Curry has been back for 3 years and many thought he'd be gone by now. Sheptock replacing him. In Jan., Sheptock accepted the Mt. Carmel job and abruptly resigned a couple of days later. Went back to being Berwick AD.

 

[psuguy04]

BHe was a little better than a sack and INT machine.

Not if you watched him play in high school.

Frank is a wonderful guy, and he had a great arm. But, he just didn't put it all together.

 

[gobble2]

Are you sure about Powlus. I always heard that he lived in the Northwest School District.

hIS Father taught at Northwest I believe. They lived between Berwick and Bloomsburg but in Berwick school Dist.

 

[Sullivan]

Let's keep this in perspective. If these kids were transferring to a Catholic school, this wouldn't be a story.

 

[Fox Chapel Lion II]

Not if you watched him play in high school.

Frank is a wonderful guy, and he had a great arm. But, he just didn't put it all together.

I'll buy that if you say so. I never saw him play. I went to high school with his parents - his dad was our QB, he was OK. Big arm. His mom was also a great athlete, 1000-pt scorer in basketball.

 

[psuguy04]

I'll buy that if you say so. I never saw him play. I went to high school with his parents - his dad was our QB, he was OK. Big arm. His mom was also a great athlete, 1000-pt scorer in basketball.

Frank was a great athlete too--and a very, very nice guy.

It doesn't surprise me that his parents were good athletes too--the kind of arm talent he had isn't often found. He wasn't huge, in the 6-1 or 6-2 range, but he was built solid. If he would've been able to get a better read on defenses and not get sacked, he would've had some major scholarship offers without a doubt.

 

[Fox Chapel Lion II]

Frank was a great athlete too--and a very, very nice guy.

It doesn't surprise me that his parents were good athletes too--the kind of arm talent he had isn't often found. He wasn't huge, in the 6-1 or 6-2 range, but he was built solid. If he would've been able to get a better read on defenses and not get sacked, he would've had some major scholarship offers without a doubt.

I just have to say about Mr. and Mrs. Great people. Mr. is an engineer and Mrs. is a pharmacist. Mr. is a year older than me, Mrs. is a year younger than me. They did well in school. Popular, friendly kids - almost everybody liked them, athletes and regular students alike. They were the anti-asshole-athletes. Both of them were involved in all kinds of school activities, not just sports. Both their families were rock solid.

So I'm far from surprised Frank turned out to be a great guy. The apple don't fall far from the tree.

 

[OaktonDave]

hIS Father taught at Northwest I believe. They lived between Berwick and Bloomsburg but in Berwick school Dist.

Ron's mom and dad were originally from the five mountain/Mocanaqua area, and his dad taught at Northwest, but they lived with the Berwick School District.

 

[psuguy04]

Ron's mom and dad were originally from the five mountain/Mocanaqua area, and his dad taught at Northwest, but they lived with the Berwick School District.

Yes. Ron's parents lived near the Berwick Hospital. FWIW, his dad passed away not too long ago.

 

[Steviedpsu]

I live right outside of Berwick (fortunately do not live in Berwick School District) and was talking to another AD about this the other night. I don't know what ended up happening at the board meeting that night they were discussing this or what is going on as I refuse to pay for the Bloomsburg Enquirer (also known as the Press Enterprise) because it is one of the worst newspapers around. From what I was told it doesn't sound like Curry is going to make it through this one if the board has any type of backbone. I believe that Sheptock now coaches for the football team at Bloom U, at least he was offered a position on the staff.

 

[psuguy04]

I live right outside of Berwick (fortunately do not live in Berwick School District) and was talking to another AD about this the other night. I don't know what ended up happening at the board meeting that night they were discussing this or what is going on as I refuse to pay for the Bloomsburg Enquirer (also known as the Press Enterprise) because it is one of the worst newspapers around. From what I was told it doesn't sound like Curry is going to make it through this one if the board has any type of backbone. I believe that Sheptock now coaches for the football team at Bloom U, at least he was offered a position on the staff.

There is one particular school board member who has it out for Curry more than most. The latest story update all but confirms that said school board member is involved. http://thetimes-tribune.com/sports/sources-internal-probe-into-berwick-football-widens-1.1881221

It will be interesting to see how this turns out--it could get ugly. Said school board member has a couple of skeletons hanging in the closet too.