Board mulls ex-coach's fate

Re-applying for the job was poor judgment, a critic said.
By JEANNE STARMACK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
CANFIELD -- The board of education was meeting late Wednesday over the issue of a high school baseball coach who resigned his post, pleaded guilty to gambling charges -- and reapplied to the job.
Tony Ross had resigned Dec. 5 and pleaded guilty Dec. 22 to four counts of gambling. He got suspended jail time, 100 hours of community service and 12 months' probation.
He reapplied for the job after the new year.
The charges stemmed from Texas Hold 'em tournaments Ross said he held to raise money for scholarships for student athletes.
Canfield police charged him in August with holding the tournaments for profit.
Ross supporters told the board before it went into executive session to discus hiring a coach that Ross made a mistake -- but he meant well.
Support
Joe Rosko, a Canfield High student and baseball player, said Ross has been great to the team. Rosko called him "a noble guy and an honest man.
"I'm a baseball prospect to play college ball, and he's done nothing but help me."
Another supporter, John Cullen, a varsity basketball coach, said Ross "is genuinely sorry for any mistake he's made. He's been ready to try to make amends."
Gary Williams, Canfield Baseball Club manager, said Ross was a friend for many years. "He made a mistake. Everyone makes mistakes. He's dedicated his life to this town, he's taken his time to teach those kids, he took his time to get these kids scholarships -- please consider that."
Opposition
Kim Stefanski of Canfield spoke against rehiring Ross. "His criminal issues are not resolved. There's still a cloud over his head," he said. "Ross showed good judgment in resigning and not good judgment in re-applying. This board will hover a cloud over its head at a time when it needs community support."
Board member David Moore disagreed with going into the executive session, which Ross requested. Ross also was invited in to answer questions from the board. Moore said he believed the questions should be asked in public.
starmack@vindy.com