The School Committee chose Timothy Kane to coach girls varsity basketball.
By Donna M. Perry
Staff Writer

JAY – Emotions ran high and tears flowed frequently from young girls’ eyes Thursday as their selection for basketball coach wasn’t nominated. Instead, School Committee members voted 3-2 to accept the nomination of another candidate.

The move prompted some of the girls to say later they wouldn’t play basketball in Jay next year.

Parents and their daughters wanted Frank Donald of Wilton to be named coach of the Jay High School girls varsity basketball team.

High School Principal Peter Brown, Athletic Director Kenric Charles and teacher Steve Hamblin interviewed three candidates for the coaching position. They recommended Timothy Kane to Superintendent Stephen Cottrell. He nominated Kane to the School Committee.

The majority of the board accepted Cottrell’s nomination of Kane as coach. Chairman Clint Brooks and newcomer Timothy Toothaker opposed Kane’s nomination.

Prior to the vote, members of the basketball team presented the board with a letter containing signatures supporting Donald. Girls and parents stood up and reiterated support for Wilton’s recreation director who is also a coach to several players in an advanced Amateur Athletic League outside of school.

High school student Kaylie DeMillo said she has played for Donald for two years.

“I’m the point guard on Frank’s team, ” DeMillo said. “I have a pretty big responsibility that I wasn’t sure I could handle. Now with Frank by my side I can handle anything that comes our way. Frank has taught me how to be a leader ….”

Player Katie Mastine said, “I have never seen a girl that doesn’t respect Frank Donald. I’ve seen people that don’t like him, but they still respect him. You don’t have to agree with what he says or believes, and he doesn’t expect you to, but he does expect you to listen and keep an open mind…He makes you want to do better. He gives you the encouragement you need to have confidence in yourself.”

Players and parents said Donald’s religious beliefs didn’t bother them and they didn’t mind if he couldn’t coach on Friday nights. Donald is a Seventh-day Adventist who honors the Sabbath from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday.

Brooks said he wanted to make it clear that the only recommendation they had received was for Kane. They did not receive one for Donald, Brooks said, and his religion was never mentioned.

Former School Committee member Sharon Neal said she was there Thursday night to speak on behalf of a candidate who had not received a nomination.

She asked board members to please be objective as they considered the nomination.

“While I do not dispute any contention that Mr. Kane has a good grip on the X’s and O’s of basketball, the position requires much more,” Neal said. “A basketball coach is a teacher, role model and substitute parent all rolled into one.”

Neal said Donald had those qualities.

“This gentleman’s enthusiasm, impeccable character and teaching ability transcend his undisputed qualities as a coach,” Neal said.

Committee member Gene Uhuad said there is a process in place for interviewing candidates and making recommendations that needs to be followed.

Committee members Amy Pineau and Jim Durrell said they were voting on the person nominated by the panel.

Both said they did homework on Kane prior to voting. Pineau said she checked with school districts and players who had worked with Kane prior to making her decision, and her vote would reflect what she learned.

dperry@sunjournal.com