Case
Basketball Team

When the high school principal first offered me the job, he said that my main role would be coaching the basketball team. He told me that his school's basketball team had not been doing well, and this year was the first year in a long time that the team has a collection of very good players. He said multiple times that he wanted championship at least at the county level. I had coached basketball teams before and enjoyed many championships. My first meeting went very well with the players; it was a nice group of students from variety of backgrounds. Players worked very hard in the practice meetings. Two weeks before the matches began the team players found out that one of their teammates, David, was gay. They immediately started isolating David in the practice games. The team sent a representative to tell me that they did not want David in the team and that if he is not removed, they would sabotage the games. David was one of my best players, and without him it would be very difficult to win the championship. Plus, I thought it was unfair to David that he would have to leave the team because he was gay. I did not have a problem with him being gay. Things got more complicated for me when the principal asked me to remove David from the team. I disagree with the principal, but I do not know what to do. Please offer a solution with a justification.

Posted on: 11/16/12 | Views: 1778
Solution #1
Top Solution
I would recommend that you talk to the principal one on one about why you won't sacrifice your career or participate in any discriminating activities to remove David from the team. He would probably find a reason to have him removed in another way. If this happens I recommend that you contact someone above the principal about the situation. This is a lawsuit waiting to happen and you do not want your school, yourself, or David to be a part of it. I would also talk to the team. You should talk to them about discrimination and remind them that they were a team. Also put them in David's shoes. Ask them of any times they've been victims of discrimination and to rethink how it felt.

I like that you mentioned what to do even if the principal continues doing what they're doing.

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Solution #2
First of all, I can't believe the principal has asked you to remove David from the team. You should take David's side in all of this. You need to have a team meeting and explain to everyone that no one will be cut based on how they live their life. They are all on the team because they are great basketball players and that they are all replaceable. If they choose to sabotage the games and play poorly, then cut them from the team. In life, we have to deal with many people we don't care for or that lead a life we don't agree with but that doesn't mean that we can't still work together and live side by side peacefully. Besides the fact that it would be morally wrong to cut David from the team because of his sexual orientation, it is also illegal. I'm sure there are other students, staff, and/or community members who would back you up on this issue.

I love this solution. Show no tolerance for this kind of behavior.

There is no way that it is legal for the principal to request David's removal.

There is no way that it is legal for the principal to request David's removal.

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Solution #3
You as the basketball coach have an obligation to your students. There is no way you can tell Dave to drop from the team. I have two options of how you can possibly go about this situation. The first option is to let the players see how they would do without Dave. Make them see that it's impossible for them to win a game without his skills. You can also show the team other teams in the NBA that have gay players on them. Just because Dave is gay doesn't mean anything, he still has the right to play and if they cant get over it then you will call off all the games until they learn to work together. The second option is to quit as the basketball coach. If the players and principle cant accept Dave for who he is then you can no longer accept the title as the basketball coach.

I like your idea of telling the member of the team that there are many successful gay basketball players.

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Solution #4
Principals need to realize that everybody is their own individual. With his playing ability and personality is not affected by his feelings. Me personally, I would stand by my feelings and protect his rights to playing on the team. Everyone has to realize that there is something about each one of us that someone does not like. Someone may not like how I look, or the way I dress, or even what I drive but that does not effect the way I possibly can play a sport. I personally would want the best player on my team. Someone's belief does not affect me or make me change the way I feel. Sometimes you have to look past some things you do not believe in and look forward to the positive things.
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Solution #5
WOW! I would hope in this day and age a Principal would not ask you to remove Dave from the team. If I were the coach I would stand up for Dave. Dave has every right to play the game, he has done nothing wrong. If the kids have issues, then maybe they need not to play the game. As a team have a meeting and discuss the issues that they have and tell them your stand on the issue. It should make no difference what kind of player Dave is, Dave is a person with human feelings and he needs to be shown respect regardless of how anyone else feels. If others feel they don't want to play then they know where the door is.
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Solution #6
I would ask the principal what's the reason for removing David from the basketball team. I will address that David is one of the best players on the team and has the right to play ball just like everyone else. I will tell him that as a Principal he should be fair and if not I might just resign. Once I discuss the matter with the Principal I would meet with my players and tell them we must all accept and respect each other sexual orientation. Even though some maybe against it will are all teammates and must treat each other equal. I will then tell them if the matter can't be resolved and we can't respect each other I would automatically forfeit the games.
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Solution #7
No true solution. if the kid is good enough to make the team allow to play on the team, if the principal doesnt allow that tell him you cant coach the team anymore
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Solution #8
The principal is wrong in asking you to remove David from the team. That could definitely lead to a law suit. I've faced a similar situation that I will post as a new case. I believe you should provide an inquiry traning approach that points out the differences of all players, such as religions. Also point out that David's sexual orientation has no effect on the team. I understand if players do not want to change clothes or shower in front of David, so provide other options for the players that feel uncomfortable. If the team members do not like your decision, then they could quit. Chances are, most good players will prefer to play basketball with a gay teammate than not play at all.
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Solution #9
I'm pretty sure removing him from the team due to him being gay is illegal. You can't remove him for the team for that anymore than you can keep a child with special needs from trying out. I would talk to the principal and tell him he's going to have a bigger problem with you taking him off the team for being gay then you will for the team losing. I'd also talk the team and tell them they need to think about their actions/words. They are discrimination again David for something that he can't control. He is a good player and they need him so they need to put their differences aside and do what they're there to do which is play ball.
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Solution #10
I would refuse to remove David from the team. I would first let the principal know that he has asked you to do something illegal and that you will not take part in that. I would sit the team down and explain to them that each member is replaceable on the team and that win or lose no one will be leaving the team because of their chosen way of life. This would be a great opportunity to teach the students a lesson that will be helpful in the real world. You do not have to like the way someone chooses to live but you must co-exist or you might find yourself on the outside looking in.
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Solution #11
I would not have the team treating David as an alien. He would explain to the team that he is a a part of this team. Next, I would say to the representative that this student has done nothing wrong to offend the other players. I feel that if the student had not cross the line with any of the team players then there is no need to remove him. I can not judge the student based on his sexual orientation. The student problem already has self-esteen issues, knowing that he is gay. I see this as an opportunity to explain to him that he can do whatever he wanted, but to not put his beliefs on anyone else.

Agreed!

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Solution #12
He can't be kicked off the team just for being gay as that would be unethical. The student making fun of the student are the ones that need punishing not the student being bullied. I would go to whoever is above your principal and have it addressed.
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Solution #13
Take Davids side! The student is more important!
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Solution #14
I will call a team meeting since it is an issue concerning the entire team. I would tell them that there is no way that I can cut him from the team. "Furthermore, David is my best player which is probably the reason you all want him off." Before they would attempt to sabotage the game, I will see about having them remove instantly from my team. One or two negative attitudes will filter down upon the rest of the team to prejudice their opinion or decision about David. As a coach, will defintely fight for David to remain on the team. The however, the principal stated that they as a team have not been doing well and that this is the first year that they had quality players, I might add. Evidently he is not trying or do not want a championship. David worked hard in order to obtain a spot on the team just like everyone else. What if David was not gay and a mediocre player? The Bible speak of going after one lost sheep. I cannot remove David from the team nor will I quit. I will fight every step of the way. No Discriminating!I will be looking at removing other players from my team especially after they about mentioning sabotaging. There are more athlets in the school system that will step in and salvage the season. Who knows!!? Championship.
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Solution #15
From a civil liberties union website it states: But the law requires school administrators and teachers to: •Protect LGBTQ students from bullying and harassment. •Treat LGBTQ students fairly and equally. •Respect LGBTQ students' free speech and free expression rights. •Respect LGBTQ students' privacy rights. Explain the law to your principal and ask if he wishes to remove the gay student and deal with the subsequent ACLU lawsuit or keep the student and deal with the homophobic team members. Do whatever he says.

I liked that you looked up what the law states.

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Solution #16
I think you should take this situation to the county or even the state. There is obviously an issue with administration if they are asking you to take the player off of the team. I would do what I felt was right in my heart, and you would not be in the wrong for approaching someone at a higher level about the issue.

I agree. This is a lawsuit waiting to happen if your principal is encouraging discrimination.

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