150 rally to support Coach Pat Williams : IMC Worcester

About 150 students, teachers and Worcester residents gathered at City Hall tonight to support South High basketball coach Pat Williams and to call for full review the City’s failure to respond to the serious charges that have been made.

After South lost a close playoff game on Sunday night in double-overtime to Holy Name, a game in which South had been leading before a long series of fouls were called against them, Williams accused the referees of bias and possible racism. Williams' criticisms were quickly covered-up by Worcester school administrators, including Athletic Director John Pepi, and Asst. Superintendent Stephen Mills. Rather than responding to Coach Williams’ charges, Pepi and Mills quickly dismissed them by apologizing to game referees and Holy Name and threatening in the media that Coach Williams would face repercussions.

Dozens of people spoke out at the rally. They were mostly South High students, teachers, coaches, and alums, but also included people from the greater community and a teacher from North High. Four members of the South High basketball team came forth to say that they support Coach Williams "100%." Many prominent members of Worcester’s black community supported the rally and were in attendance. In addition to School Committee members Ogretta McNeil, Worcester’s Robert Thomas; James Bonds, Keesha LaTullip and William Coleman were also in attendance.

The rally began with Scott Schaeffer-Duffy, a South H.S. parent, correcting the incomplete story that has been in the local media, based on his conversations with the Coach and school principals. Schaeffer-Duffy stressed that this was not about Coach Williams blowing –up after losing an important game as the Worcester Telegram and Gazette has incorrectly implied. Coach Williams has repeatedly raised concerns within the school department this year about biased refereeing against South High. South H.S. Principal Maureen Ciccone was aware of the situation and attempted to address it earlier as well as immediately prior to Sunday’s game. Concerns about the referees had previously been brought to the attention of Athletic Director John Pepi who promised the two referees in question would not be scheduled for the South/Holy Name game. And other coaches in the WPS system have also had concerns about the referees.

Many of the speakers repeated one shared frustrations and theme, “Why is South always treated differently?” One young woman questioned frustratingly, “Why do we have 15 cops at each of our games, and on top of that the Gang Unit, and probation officers?” When a speaker asked student athletes in the crowd to raise their hand if they have felt discriminated against by officiating in a game, over 20 students responded. It was a telling moment that preceded the long line of frustrated, saddened and angry speakers to follow.

South students were all extremely thankful that many of their ‘good’ teachers were not only courageous enough to attend but also to speak. Teachers and a former South coach all talked about how South is treated differently, and the stigma faced by all students. “You gotta’ stand-up for your rights!”, shouted one, while a much loved Math teacher asked, why couldn’t the School Department have done some statistical analysis of past games before jumping to conclusions without any facts.

There were no kind words for the Worcester Telegram & Gazette that came under fire not only for their biased and incomplete reporting on this story, but questions were also raised about their own favoritism in recent South hoop stories.

As the rally wound down, Janae Bradshaw, another South High parent who said she goes to all the boys games, and not just South’s, called for action. “It’s time something’s done about this. These kids shouldn’t be treated like this and it’s our responsibility to demand things change.” Ms. Bradshaw went on to challenge all in attendance, “I’ve called school people, but all of us here need to call, and we need to keep calling until things change!” Someone in the crowd later cried out, “I’ll come back here if I have to!”

South High Math teacher .... "Let's look at the numbers. It would be very easy to research statistics and determine if there has been any bias."

150 rally to support Coach Pat Williams

150 Rally to Support South High Coach Pat Williams & to Call for a Full Review

Support Coach Williams Rally

Support Coach Williams Rally

Support Coach Williams Rally

Support Coach Williams Rally

Support Coach Williams Rally

Support Coach Williams Rally

Support Coach Williams Rally

Support Coach Williams Rally

Support Coach Williams Rally

Support Coach Williams Rally

Support Coach Williams Rally