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Mother spoke up, now son can't play

An e-mail to the family, apparently from the Azalea Bulldogs president, also bans her husband from coaching.

By LIBBY NELSON, Times Staff Writer
Published November 2, 2007

Michelle Patrick says parents have the right to the information about the backgrounds of their kids' coaches.
	[Willie J. Allen, Jr. | Times]

ADVERTISEMENT Previous story "Who's your kids' coach?" (Oct. 30) [Willie J. Allen, Jr. | Times] Michelle Patrick made scrapbooks for her husband, her son and a few of the other players. She said she feels terrible that they've been banned.

Michelle Patrick didn't tell her husband or son she had talked to the St. Petersburg Times about the coaches in the Azalea Bulldogs youth football program who have criminal backgrounds.

She wanted to shelter her family from the fallout.

It came anyway.

This week the family received an e-mail, apparently from league president Kim Walter, banning Tyler Patrick, 12, and his father Ray Patrick, an assistant coach, from the program. It comes as their team, the junior varsity PeeWees, prepares for the playoffs.

"Your obvious strong hatred, disgust and negativity about this organization could cause disruption as we are trying to mold these kids into positive members of society," said the e-mail the Patricks got Monday.

Walter and Lenny Anderson, president of the Suncoast Youth Football Conference, which includes Azalea among its 11 programs, did not return phone calls Wednesday or Thursday seeking comment.

A story in Tuesday's paper said three Azalea head coaches -- Adrian Monroe, Brian Dozier, and Aundre Stevens -- and assistant coach Charles Price have criminal records that include drug charges, weapons offenses and prison time.

The Patricks say they have been unfairly blackballed for helping to reveal the truth to parents who were unaware of the coaches' records.

"It doesn't mean they shouldn't coach, but the information is important to parents, to give them the option to say no, to ask questions," Michelle Patrick said. "Ultimately, it's their decision."

"We're the poster children for 'Sit in your folding chair and use your mouth only for cheering.'" said Ray Patrick, 44, an offensive coordinator for his son's team. He has no criminal record.

Tyler -- a running back, linebacker and kicker -- was disappointed at being banned: "I just want to play football."

The Bulldogs enroll about 400 7- to 14-year-old players, who play on teams divided by age, weight and ability.

Tyler was initially suspended Oct. 25as talk circulated among parents about the Times story, his parents said. The Patricks said they were given a several reasons for the suspension, including that they hadn't paid for Tyler to participate in the playoffs. But players don't pay by the game, Michelle Patrick said. She also was told she had violated a parent code of conduct, but she missed the parents meeting in which it was presented and so never signed one.

The Patricks were told the 15-member league board would decide whether Tyler could resume playing. Board members include head coach Dozier, his wife and head coach Monroe's wife.

Ray Patrick said he doesn't know the coaches with criminal records since they are on different teams. But he doesn't judge them. They put in as much work as he does, he said.

"I'm all for second chances," Ray Patrick said. "I don't look down at these coaches. ... But it's not a board decision. It should be a parent's decision."

Michelle Patrick believes other parents are afraid to speak up.

"What happens when it's something more serious, and they don't need to feel the need to inform us?" she said. "I want parents to be able to feel ... they can express their opinion without fear of repercussions."

She feels terrible about what happened to her husband and son, Michelle Patrick said. But she would do it again.

"My mom did the right thing," Tyler said.

The Patricks are having a trophy made for him. The family is making other plans this weekend to take his mind off the playoffs.

In its reaction, Azalea has lost sight of the players' well-being, the Patricks say.

"It's not about doing the right thing. It's about winning football games," said Ray Patrick.

Libby Nelson can be reached at lnelson@sptimes.com or (727) 893-8779.

[Last modified November 2, 2007, 02:24:57]