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Show Page (O ports 16 December 9, 1998 enter johnstoninfowest.com gressmeninfowest.com Editors: Loni Johnston & Courtney Gressmen Johnston s Firing Takes More Away From Dixie Than Just A Coach By Loni K. Johnston johnstoninjowest.com Many know Dave Johnston as the head volleyball coach at Dixie College. However he was a man of many hats. He served as head athletic trainer for four and half years, he organized the intramural program for the students for the past two years, he designed the Dixie College athletic web page, and was also the sports information director. Despite all these tasks Johnston performed, he was fired and relieved of all of these duties. Who will be hurt from this situation? Johnston believes it will be the students of the college. "I feel bad, I feel bad for the kids especially, Johnston said. Johnston coached the volleyball team for the past two years. This year, the team won only three conference games The reawith a record of for Johnston's dismissal, soning according to Dixie College Athletic Director John Wardenburg, was the lack of improvement and competitiveness with the team. "We just didn't feel the direction of our volleyball program was going right. We didn't see an improvement in the comof our girls, petitiveness Wardenburg said. Only half of this year's volleyball squad was recruited by himself. Since Johnston Johnston has only coached two years, this season's freshman are his recruits and the majority of sophomores were signed by 1996 conch Misty Wilgaur. "It would have been nice to recruit a full team and coached them to see what happened," Johnston said. After Johnston's unexpected dismissal by Wardenburg, he returned to the school to teach his sports medicine class and was informed he was not suppose to teach either. "I don't know what the class is doing, if they got a replacement or what but I hope they 3. Lockhart connected on a one yard run. out quick as Snow took Both teams fought hard in the fourth quarter, but that advantage of Dixie's defensive mistakes and scored was all they would see as neither team scored. making the score "It is hard to beat a team Again it was another Snow victory as Snow's twice in the same year," Jamison ran for another Brinagh said. "If we had touchdown, this making the played another team and not score and all the points Snow, we probably would the Badgers would see. have killed them." With four minutes Brinagh finished the remaining on the clock, Dixie game with the to award, 208 yards receiving took 11 plays and score, as full back Eric on 11 completions. Hampton Rotary from Page 1 33-1- 3. 40-1- 3 P 69-yar- get the last three weeks of the class they paid for," Johnston said. According to Wardenburg, the teaching responsibility has been filled by the other trainers. As the head trainer, Johnston made a deal with an IHC (Intermountain Health Care) group to cover some of the athletic events at Dixie College to make sure some medical training was present at all the games. This may now be in jeopardy because the liability was with Johnston. "I don't know if they'll stick around but I hope they do for the kids," Johnston said. Johnston was never given the option to continue his other duties and not coach. "For some reason staying was not an issue," according to Johnston. "It's one thing if they say 'we don't like your coaching, do the rest of it.' But to totally destroy your career is unfortunate," Johnston told the local newspaper. Wardenburg said this was not an option because the funds are not available to keep coaches who do not teach. "We, the school, the athletic program, don't have the money to place other teachers and coaches. We just don't have the had 296 yards passing. Rebels ended the a record of 5 with year overall. Snow finished their season at with its first Bowl Rotary victory in two The 7-- 8-- 2 tries. IN THE STATS: Dixie had more first downs than Snow at They also had more rushing yards as Dixie had 148 to Snow's 136. The passing game was more than they could bear, as Dixie out passed Snow also spots available. And it is hard for new coaches to come in if the other coach is still here," Wardenburg said. Following this decision, Wardenburg held a meeting with the volleyball team. He declined to comment on the feelings of the players but said he feels he has a 100 percent support from the players. Sophomore setter of this years volleyball team, Jane Watts agrees. "We support his decision and I think it will be good for the volleyball program. There will be a lot of positive changes," Watts said. As of Monday, the Dixie College Athletic Department has opened the volleyball coaching position for the next two weeks. A committee will interview the applicants and narrow them down to three, after which a decision will be made. "Dave is a good person.. .a very good person and he will be successful in his life. But this situation was just not working out so we made a change," Wardenburg said. Johnston has several paths to choose from through his experience in different areas at Dixie College. Coaching does not look to be in Johnston's future for now. "I have some contacts with a few people but I will just have to see what happens," Johnston said. "My coaching days are over for right now, maybe when my livelihood doesn't depend on it." trass 4ih annual stale wide Me ffcdrs Eve m S3 For IDS j'oukj Arkfs Prizes & M ore HUGE Crowd Sponsored by Stcva Arms dates pany ai Safcfef Food Tms Karcofc TUTORS NEEDED Dixie College needs Math and Science tutors for the Spring 99 semester. Qualifications: Must have a proven track record in the you wish to tutor (e.g. earned an A or B in the class OR received exceptional AP or CPT scores). sub-ject(- Must be personable, patient, flexible, and willtutor training. ing to participate in on-goin- g 28-2- 0. 464-45- 0. If interested, stop at the reception desk in Browning 105 to pick up your application. s) |