Southpinellas: Mother spoke up, now son can't play

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.

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."

"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.

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.

Share your thoughts on this story

Read our guidelines for comments

Comments on this article

by Blakeney	11/06/07 11:58 PM
Nor have I seen any evidence that she is requesting the coaches be removed. The only thing I have seen is a concerned parent who feels other parents have a right to all the information about who is coaching their children...cont...

by Patrick	11/05/07 03:35 PM
I've already gone to the suncoast league's website and expressed my opinion. I think others should do the same.

by az parent	11/04/07 12:55 PM
cont.. Mrs P you knew your methods were shady. And it's intent was to hurt and it did. Our children need parents to do whats right for them for the right reasons. WHAT ARE YOUR MOTIVES CONCERNED PARENT. YOU ARE SAD.

by az parent	11/04/07 12:52 PM
Do you not all understand that after the mom did this she put her child in a bad situation with the other players? and parents? The board protected the child by not subjecting him to anymore harrasment due to his mothers sad efforts to do the right

by Jennie	11/04/07 09:45 AM
The "righteous" few parents & board seem to run all the leagues shows.All they care about is winning, raising money, & parent volunteers.Looking the other way to crime doesn't matter for our kids?Shape up & join the real world.Lawsuit possible!YES!

by MD	11/03/07 03:50 PM
Yes, the coaches are volunteers but does that mean that they are exempt from any further inspection? No way! Children are vulnerable and should be protected. If a parent feels these men are beyond their mistakes then fine. Make an INFORMED choice.

by Jim	11/03/07 11:21 AM
I'm still unclear to why she was banned... somehow it seems illegal to ban someone for doing nothing wrong, she told the truth and her family is getting screwed...smells like a lawsuit.

by LSB	11/03/07 11:03 AM
It's a shame the boy can't play, but he has to obey his parents and his parents have look out for him. He's learned a very valuable lesson. Sport's isn't everything! There is more to life. Great they are getting away! Go spend family time!

by Rick	11/03/07 08:30 AM
Over it All, That's a big assumption that these men "have probably turned their lives around", especially when it comes to someone's kids. Maybe you'd chance it with your kids, but me, I'm gonna need a better comfort level.

by Shana	11/02/07 11:43 PM
The league is a sham. Anyone involved w/ kids should be screened & the parents notified. Hey, you screw up in life and it can come back to haunt you. Ever hear of an employement questionaire "over it all"?

by Mike	11/02/07 11:30 PM
Let the parents decide if they are comfortable with with these coaches. I personally have a problem with weapons and drug charges or any violence, and I would not take a chance with my children.

by John	11/02/07 10:20 PM
Coaches with prison time,drug charges and weapons offenses are in charge of "molding" children and the parents should just keep quiet?????????AND their kid is BANNED?I wanna slug somebody.

by ex player mom	11/02/07 09:53 PM
my son played last year on coach ray's team with tyler and yes there was alot of favortism toward his son. coach ray is great but like any father they want their son to be the star. when he didnt get the coaching position he wanted poof story.

by Brenda	11/02/07 09:34 PM
"The only criminal background check required of the Bulldogs and the 10 other programs in the Suncoast Youth Football Conference is a search of the sex offender registry." None of them is a pedophile.

by brandi	11/02/07 09:01 PM
i'm glad she spoke up my son played for the bulldogs two years ago and i felt the coaches were verbally abusive to the boys and showed no restraint on their own tempers, needless to say we have chosen to never play for them again.

by Columbo	11/02/07 08:47 PM
Screening and prying, we must have more screening and prying. Gotta check in with the Mrs.

by Glenn	11/02/07 08:46 PM
Shame on the Board members. I agree with Laura. It is typical of this day and age.She did the right thing and now she is persecuted and harrassed.Drug dealers and users have no business as role models for our young people. Shame on you who say it OK.

by Marci	11/02/07 07:42 PM
How ironic! FLDOE has a site to report the records of its own teachers. Why do these organizations have such a different standard? Why shouldn't we have the right 2 know about the coaches who have even less supervision when they are with our kids???

by Wait	11/02/07 07:25 PM
Ms. Patrick took her kid off the field when she left, i don't think we kicked them out!!!!!!!!!

by jeff	11/02/07 07:15 PM
Criminal records are public record and available to everyone. The only thing Michelle Patrick did was exercise her 1st amendment right to freedom of speech.

by Jeff	11/02/07 07:13 PM
Are these guys even legally allowed on school property?, I will not let my son play for Azaela with the convicts running the show-their crimes are far too serious.Sure, be productive-but stay away from young impressionable kids. Reap what you sew

by Allen	11/02/07 06:51 PM
Employers, schools and every major youth organization screen and fingerprint staff AND volunteers! The kid is being punished when it is the fault of those in charge. Throw out the administration! Don't trust them with your precious children!

by Tom	11/02/07 06:15 PM
It's apparent that being a whistleblower is not the way to go. The league officials obviously wish to keep their heads in the sand.

by sick of it	11/02/07 05:59 PM
I'm tired of the way people are treated by the corporate mentality these days. I will no longer attend any Azalea events.

by Crystal	11/02/07 05:56 PM
No one should be punished for trying to keep people informed. The league's reaction is unjust and utterly out of line. On the other hand, it's no surprise to someone who grew up in Pinellas's public schools, where authority is always right. Tsk.

by maureen	11/02/07 04:55 PM
If these coaches have charges that involve harm to children then something should be said. These coaches put hours & hours into these kids, teaching & guiding them. Their private business is that PRIVATE! They are helping these kids not hurting them!

by Rebe	11/02/07 04:31 PM
Punish the board? The ones who are at the field giving tirelessly w/o pay, the ones who get to home games @ 630 am & leave @ 12 that night, the ones who clean the field & ask unendingly for help? Okay, so who will take their place,volunteers anyone?

by Robb	11/02/07 04:18 PM
You are required to have a background check to work within the school districts as coaches of our teenagers, why wouldn't the same rules apply to our youth???????????

by cathy	11/02/07 04:14 PM
I think we all understand the coaches are volunteers,and yes we all have a past history of mistakes. but 45 times between 4 coaches.and kim's mom in law..if she would do anything for a child then she would re-instate tyler and leave azalea for good

by IMHOTEP	11/02/07 04:00 PM
PLEASE GET THE WHOLE STORY. IF YOU ARE UNHAPPY AND FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS AND KNOW THAT THERE ARE COACHES ON THE FIELD WITH RECORDS AND JUST NOW BRINGING THIS TO LIGHT. THAT IS STUPID. DON'T BLAME KIM, YOU NEED TO BLAME YOURSELF FOR STAYING.

by over it all	11/02/07 03:54 PM
People who made past mistakes and now are trying to be productive citizens should not be humiliated on the front page of the paper. Most of these men have probably turned their lives around. Now she knows how it feels. I feel sorry for her boy.

by big daddy	11/02/07 03:52 PM
all of this is total madness. unbelievable.one ? though, why wait until playoff time? It sure makes me wonder. Are the Dozier and Price team really that good? HMMMMM!

by azalea mom	11/02/07 03:50 PM
Why did azalea have to ban the child becuase of a parent speaking out. Their needs to be more parent participation at azalea..we need to be able to vote for the president and board members

by Linda	11/02/07 03:35 PM
I would want to be informed about coaches so that I may decided whether or not my child will spend time with him/her. If what these coaches did wasn't so bad then why the nasty email?If you want your past hidden from parents then something is up.

by past board member	11/02/07 03:25 PM
Firstly punishing the kid is wrong!! Coaches should be screened and parents should know! Every parent has a voice as an acting board member which they probably dont even know!Kim does not get a vote but all members are personal friends! Step down Kim

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.