GSL suspends Shadle’s Lynn
The Greater Spokane League has suspended Shadle Park High softball coach George Lynn for 10 days.
“The issue was that (Lynn) had promoted out-of-season practice and this would have been directed at some team members this past winter,” said Ferris High principal Eric Ohlund, District 8 board chairman.
Shadle Park recommended the suspension, which runs for 10 practice and/or game days. Lynn has already begun serving the suspension and will miss five games.
“Obviously, the Activities Board of Control felt that was sufficient punishment in terms of the rule violation,” Ohlund said, referring to the principals’ committee that controls GSL activities.
Lynn was cited for violating a Washington Interscholastic Activities Association rule limiting team coach’s contact with team members out of season. Spring sport coaches are not allowed to drill or coach present or future team members after fall sports begin until their spring season begins.
Lynn could not be reached for comment.
Stinky Sneaker moving to Arena
The Stinky Sneaker spirit basketball game between University and Central Valley basketball teams is moving.
Next year’s game on Jan. 13 will be played in the Spokane Arena on a trial basis in order to accommodate a larger crowd.
“We’ve had a lot of concern from people who cannot get in,” said U-Hi vice principal for activities Ken VanSickle. “We’re kind of doing it on a one-year type trial to see how it goes.”
The Rubber Chicken game between Lewis and Clark and Ferris attracts more than 6,000 students and fans. The Groovy Shoes game between North Central and Shadle this year had more than 4,000.
Central Valley and University gyms, where the Sneaker has been played on alternate years, seat approximately 2,500.
“Our fear is we’ll lose the atmosphere because students are farther away from the court,” said VanSickle. “On the other hand, a lot of people don’t even try to come because they know they can’t get in.”
Two years ago, he said, CV activities vice principal Butch Walter estimated they turned away 800 to 1,000 fans. VanSickle’s parents went to the Rubber Chicken when his niece was a cheerleader at Ferris. They’ve never attempted a Stinky Sneaker, he said, because of the dearth of seating.
Originally the spirit game was played in the Coliseum, but the driving distance brought it back to the Spokane Valley schools, he said.
But comments from patrons who have been unable to watch their children perform or compete prompted the decision to change.
“It’s a one-year experiment,” said Van Sickle. “If we get 6,000 people it tells us they would like to come.” He added that it’s only 2,500 the game will return to the schools.